Over the few past years, buying local and leading a more sustainable lifestyle have become essential, and buying handmade products is a great way to check both boxes. Local artisans make goods without involving factories or large production chains, drastically cutting down on the carbon footprint of the product, and being local means that the product doesn’t have far to travel to reach you, which also reduces the carbon output through less intensive shipping!

That’s why the Casper team here in Australia loves Artisan Collective Australia. Everything on offer here is Australian-made, hand-made, and shipped from within the country, allowing us to support our local artisans as well as the environment.

Considering the planet’s current state, it’s an excellent time to shift to greener, more local living, so here’s five reasons why you should look into local artisan goods.

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1. Buying local hand-made goods encourages other companies to go green. 

When we support Australian handmade products, we are pushing companies who still implement environmentally harmful practices to make the change. By actively choosing the greener approach, you’re giving big companies the incentive to become green to retain your business. Moreover, like we mentioned above, local products are great for the environment because they don’t have to travel hundreds and thousands of miles to get to you.

Plus, there’s no better way to convince someone to adopt a sustainable lifestyle than to lead by example!

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2. Products are unique.

Unlike big companies, you’ll find that every handmade product is unique. These items by nature have individual differences because they’re not mass-produced, meaning no one will have the exact same product as you. The sellers from Artisan Collective Australia are completely transparent on their production; they put a tremendous effort into making each product.

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3. Australian handmade products support the local economy.

When buying a product from Artisan Collective Australia, you know you’re supporting the local Aussie economy and helping the artist or crafter create more unique products.

In big companies, manufacturers and designers only get a fraction of the price of the product, and many experience poor working conditions and are not recognised for their work. Buying from local, independent producers ensures that your money is going where it’s deserved.

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4. Buying handmade keeps the tradition going.

By supporting local Australian artisans, you are supporting the craftsmanship they practise. You can help them pass their skills on to the next generation and keep the art and craft alive in Australia, just by supporting their shop!

5. There is a story behind each product.

Each item stocked at Artisan Collective Australia has its own story, and every maker puts time and effort into creating something unique. There’s a reason behind every choice in the product creation stages, from shape to colour to materials. Each product represents hours and hours of skill and effort someone has spent creating a beautiful product built for you.

If you like what you’re seeing, we have great news for you. Here’s a selection of our favourite items to inspire you to make the switch to buying more Australian-made goods.