Handmade versus Crafty

I love handmade things.  Things made with love.  I consider handmade different from crafty.  Handmade to me means made by someone that's taken the time to properly learn and master a particular skill.  Not that there's anything wrong with crafty...but crafty can be hit or miss.  People dabble in crafts...handmade raises the bar. 

I'm an Etsy (home of all things handmade or vintage) fanatic.  I probably check listings every day...not just to shop but to marvel at others' skills.  It absolutely amazes me how something can arise from virtually nothing.  For example this shop: Acya.  I knit...but nothing I make even comes close to resembling Acya's works of art.

I'd love to become this skilled, but like other crafters...I dabble.  I haven't taken the time, nor do I think I could devote the attention needed to create materpieces like on the Acya site.

Then there's the more traditional artwork...if you're looking for something no one else has or want something to suit a particular taste, there are tons of artists on Etsy working in various media.  Rachel's Studio is one of my favorites.  My last office gave me this adorable watercolor of a grey tabby that looks exactly like my Gracie, that is when she's not hissing, scratching, or biting me.

I'm also a jewelry freak and cannot get enough of some of the jewelry makers on Etsy, especially madebysam.  I love colored gemstones and this pair of green amethyst earrings is one of my favorite Etsy purchases.