Craft Trends Part Six - Emerging Trend for Things Custom or Handmade

Differentiate and Customize Your Crafts

Probably the best news for artisans from the trend watchers is a predicted increase in demand for unique items.

According to Robyn Waters, founder of trend watching company, RWTrend, in an interview for the January 2005 issue of The Crafts Report, today’s world of cell phones, wireless Internet and other high tech gadgets keep people on call 24/7. She says, "Psychologists are very concerned that we’re losing our ability to focus and that it’s affecting our creativity."

Buying and enjoying art is a way for people to escape virtual reality for a time and get back in touch with all their senses. Seeing and touching something that human hands have made satisfies the highest needs of humankind.

Remember Maslow’s Needs Hierarchy? Human beings will satisfy their needs starting with the most basic and progressing up the pyramid as far as they are able.

From Body Needs to Security Needs to Social Needs to Ego Needs to Self-actualization Needs, humankind has been evolving to its highest possible state. If the need for self-actualization can no longer be met, modern civilization runs the risk of sliding backwards along the evolutionary scale.

Self-actualization encompasses our desire for beauty, purpose, personal growth and realization of potential.

An appreciation for things handmade is apparent in other areas apart from arts and crafts. Consumers are more aware of and interested in the source of things they buy. From imported produce and artisanal foods to trendy health foods, information on who made it and where it came from adds value. Take advantage of this craft trend.

Buying and displaying a one-of-a-kind work of art is not only a way to decorate; it is also an important act of self-expression and self-actualization. In a world of mass-produced sameness, more and more people are going to crave the unique.

Look at the large manufacturers who are recognizing this.

M&M/Mars allows you to customize your own M&Ms. You have 21 colors to choose from and can have your own messages imprinted. It’s a Boy/Girl!, Happy Birthday, Love Always, you name it!

Target to a "T" offered The perfect fit: for your personality, your lifestyle, your wardrobe, your body. Target not only allows you to design your own clothes, but also saves your measurements and preferences for future orders.

Timberland let you build your own boot. Start with the classic yellow boot. Then choose your colors and combination from collar to sole. Add a monogram to the midsole if you desire. Build a boot as original as you are.

Craft Trends - Part One: Introduction
Trends come and go. Stay on top of the current trends to keep your craft business sales flourishing.

Barometer One: Your Personal Marketplace
Listen to your customers. They might be leading you to the latest trend.

Barometer Two: The General Marketplace
The general marketplace is where major trends are set. Follow the lead using new styles, colors and techniques in your craft business.

Barometer Three: The Trend Watchers
Watch the watchers. Learn from what they say and do.

Trends to Watch
New trends that might help you create crafts that are in more demand.

Differentiate Your Work
Even if you follow the trends, you work has to stand out to be saleable.