In an age where consumers purchase goods mass-produced on a machine, skillfully handcrafting a product has become a celebrated art form.
In fact, it’s difficult to imagine the reverse was once true.
Until the 19th century, shoemaking on a global scale was a traditional handicraft. But by the end of the century, the process had become mechanized, occurring in large factories and thereby, removing the personality and distinct characteristics that come imbued in handcrafted things.
At Sandgrens, we are pleased our clog maker prefers to rely on tradition and his own unmatched skill, to forge each set of our clogs by hand.
Why Handcrafted Matters
Handcrafted products, and especially clogs, typically are of higher quantity with more attention paid to the details. Additionally, buying handcrafted matters because:
1. Handcrafted is the ‘New Manufacturing.’ Handicraft embraces human potential and gives individuals a voice they may not otherwise have had. To buy a handcrafted product is to affirm and give continued life to that human voice. Translated to each curve and corner of pair of clogs is not only a symbol of Swedish heritage, but also a family’s multigenerational legacy of clog making.
2. It is Human Nature to Value the Creative Spirit. Whether it’s the texture of the natural materials used, or the eye-catching color, or how the wooden clog feels when worn; clogs crafted as an expression of the person who made it are valued beyond an item pulled from a machine’s conveyor belt.
3. A Handcrafted Item cannot be Duplicated. While there may be similar styles of clogs showcased in our collections, no two are exactly alike. It’s these variations that enhance the features and appeal of our clogs, rendering them one-of-a-kind.
4. Handcrafted Products are Green. Work done by hand requires less energy than a mass production assembly line, which makes it more environmentally sustainable.
These four reasons summarize that handcrafting goods is one of the most important traditions. We invite you to experience the difference for yourself.
Love,
Sandgrens
