The Myth of Homemade

Now, most of us are aware that it is more costly to buy homemade than to buy a factory-produced, one-in-a-million product. We have been told that with that extra cost we buy many things, such as quality and durability and better customer service/relations and also that we "vote" with that money for local, simple, lovely things. For some of us, this compelling argument causes us to reroute at least some of our purchasing power into "homemade" venues such as farmers' markets, art fairs, etsy, boutique shops, etc.

So much more the better to do homemade myself, right?

It's not that simple.

Mainly I say this because I have discovered--as have other of my friends--that making something is often NOT more cost-effective than buying it (and including the difficult-to-calculate expenses of gas money and time would only compound the statement). Maybe it's nicer or more sentimental or more exactly what you want, but you often end up paying more and ripping time from your already-busy schedule to (sometimes learn a new art and) make the item. The Harvest Time flag and streamers that I want for my front yard/family room have cost me no less $25 so far in materials (all on sale and couponed) and are no closer to hanging on their pole than they would be if I were resolved to purchase them from the store a week from now (or so).

So what are the benefits of homemade?

1) You can avoid dangerous chemicals and unhealthy additives, if you so chose. Often you do this by accident. (This played out in miraculous ways when I started making my dog's food and treats.)
2) You get exactly what you want.
3) You can be proud of the result (hopefully), infusing the item(s) with an incalculable value.
4) You can reduce, reuse, recycle, repurpose, and use found items, while you create.
5) You avoid unfair employment practices, although supporting good employment practices is something you might want to do separately.
6) You get to enjoy the process as much as the result, which is a great life lesson.
7) You will find that as you take a long(er) time to make something instead of instantly purchasing it, you actually need things less (and less often) than you imagined.
8) You most often will have a much smaller environmental footprint making it yourself, reducing the water, pollution, and energy used to make factory-based items and also cut back on transport waste (like gasoline and more pollution). This is especially true if you are conscientious about it.
9) A slower pace. A sort of rhythm. A closeness with nature and creation. Can't get that in Walmart.
10) You know what's in it and can control your ingredients.
11) You like to do it. Come on now. We all enjoy making something, right? Food? Furniture? Quilts?
12) You will have a leg up during war times or all-out apocalypse.

And let's face it:
13) Oftentimes, you do save money. Making a purse from a pair of thrift store jeans is way cheaper than buying Mossimo at Target (one of my faves), and making homemade foods is not also just cheaper at the cash register (despite what the uninformed may tell you), it's also cheaper on your doctor bills and pharmaceutical costs.

Now, I do not delude myself that most of us in our harried, modern society would want to, let alone embrace the art and benefits of homemade. VERY few of us will end up gathering our own eggs every morning in our hand-woven basket and scrambling it up with our garden-produced veggies to place it in our hand-thrown, pottery bowls to eat with our widdled, wooden spoons and forks.

However, I think we could all benefit from whatever infusion of homemade we are willing and able to take. Personally, I have started to think less about the quick accumulation of material objects, and more about the thoughtful accumulation of necessary, cherished, beautiful, durable, conscientious objects over time. I am a long way off from completely changing my mind set, as I am at heart a materialistic, entitled, frugal American, and I (rightly so) celebrate some convenience and modernity.

And in celebration of homemade, here's a great deodorant idea:

-Mix 1/4 cup baking soda and 1/4 cup corn starch or arrowroot powder.
-Stir in 5 tablespoons extra virgin coconut oil and optional drops of essential oil.
-Add more baking soda and corn starch--equally--until you reach a paste consistency.
-Completely empty your old deodorant container, crank the contraption back down, and fill with the paste, smoothing at the top.
-Store on the shelf, or, depending on your ambient temperature and coconut oil brand, in the refrigerator.