Radar Redux.com is expanding the traditional concept of journalism, to cover a wide array of Baltimore Arts and Culture.
RADARREDUX: When and why did you start producing handmade goods?
JM: I’ve always made things- it’s kind of a compulsion. But about a year after I had my daughter, I knew I wanted to step back from the chaos that was parenting and working full time, so I started my business, The Littlest Bean. About a year later, after finding out I was pregnant with my son, I left my part time work to fully concentrate on my business. I’m still incredibly busy, but at least now I can work my schedule around my kids.
Jen Menkhaus:What do local handmade crafters have to offer consumers that major labels do not? Unique, quality goods that people can feel good about spending money on. For me, it is important to support crafters, because I know the money I spend here is staying here, rather than ending up half a world away. And because right now it is important for me to be a work-at-home mom, I like that by buying handmade I can help someone else who may be doing the same thing.
RR: People have always been making things by themselves, but the demand for handmade products seems to have exploded in the past few years. Any idea why it is so cool to be crafty?
JM:There’s always going to be a part of the population who doesn’t care about handmade… who just want what the box stores have to offer. But I think there’s a growing group of people who think that handmade goods are a small part of a larger initiative to reclaim individuality and to buy with a conscience. I think it’s really exciting to watch – I hope that handmade will save the world.
RR: Does the culture in Baltimore help to shape the handmade community?
JM: There are so many artists here that it would be crazy to say it doesn’t! I do think there is room to grow, though.
RR: How have organizations like etsy impacted your business?
JM: Etsy makes it easy for anyone, from a hobbyist to a full-fledged business, to be accessible to buyers worldwide. In addition, for me, as a part of the Baltimore Etsy Street Team, it has opened up opportunities to meet and work with many, many local crafters. It has helped form a craft community, and that’s really valuable to those of us who work in often isolated environments.
RR: Do you think crafting is on the wave of trends, or do you think people are looking for a fundamental change in the way that they do business?
JM: I hope every day that this will be a fundamental change. I want to see the rise of small businesses, where people buy from people, rather than a store. I’m an idealist, but that’s one of the many reasons I do what I do.
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