Why Handmade Art Costs What It Does (and Why “I Could Make That” Rarely Holds Up)
At a recent art market, I overheard a group of people commenting negatively on the price of another artist’s handmade work. It’s a reaction I’ve seen and heard many times, whether about functional art, original paintings, or unique home goods. When you’re used to mass-produced items, the jump in price for handmade work can feel surprising. But comparing the two isn’t an apples-to-apples situation.
What You Don’t See in Handmade Work
A factory-made object is stamped out by machines, built in huge batches, and shipped worldwide to hit the lowest possible price point. A handmade piece, on the other hand, is a one-of-a-kind creation shaped by hours of labor and years of practice.
Artists spend time sketching designs, choosing colors, building or painting, finishing surfaces, and ensuring durability. Every brushstroke or cut is intentional, every piece unique. The price doesn’t just reflect the object. It reflects the skill, creativity, and time behind it.
In truth, most handmade art is underpriced. If you factored in labor at even a modest hourly rate, plus materials, training, and overhead, the price would often need to be double or triple what you see at a market. But most artists are also realistic. They aim to strike a balance between honoring the value of their work and keeping it accessible.
When People Say “I Could Make That”
That moment reminded me of another phrase I hear often at art markets: “I could make that.” I’ve been going to art markets for years as a purchaser, and now for the last six months as an artist/vendor myself, and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people say this about an artist’s work as they walk away from the booth. It’s easy to underestimate the hours, the materials, and the practice that go into creating something that looks simple on the surface.
Take an acrylic painter, for example. If you wanted to try making a piece yourself, you wouldn’t just need paint. You’d need the blank canvas or surface, gesso or primer, multiple types of brushes, artist-grade paints in several colors, palettes, sealant, and then all the extras like drop cloths, rags, etc.
Or consider a ceramic artist. Beyond clay, you’d need a pottery wheel, tools for shaping and trimming, glazes in multiple finishes, and most importantly, access to a kiln. None of those come cheap, and without practice, the early pieces often collapse, crack, or fire unevenly.
The same goes for woodworking. A simple hand-carved item might look straightforward, but you’d need saws, chisels, sanding tools, clamps, finishing oils, and protective coatings, not to mention the hours of measuring, cutting, and refining to keep it sturdy and functional.
By the time you’ve bought all that, you’ve invested far more than the price of the finished piece. And that’s before factoring in your time, the learning curve, and the inevitable mistakes. I’ve walked away from “DIY” attempts with something that cost me more, took longer and in the end was such a disaster it went straight in the trash.
And here’s the flip side: if you really believe you could make it, maybe you should. Not in a dismissive way, but in an encouraging one. Why miss out on the joy of creating something with your own hands? And not by copying someone else’s design, but by making something that’s truly your own. It doesn’t have to turn out perfect to be meaningful. You’ll gain satisfaction and connection simply from the act of bringing your own idea to life.
Choosing Handmade Means Choosing Value
When you buy a handmade item, whether it’s a piece of pottery, a painting, or a handcrafted artisanal cutting board, you’re not just buying “a thing.” You’re choosing originality, quality, and a story. You’re supporting someone’s creative work rather than a machine on an assembly line.
So the next time you find yourself thinking “That’s expensive” or “I could make that,” remember what’s behind the price: hours of unseen labor, years of practice, and a significant investment in supplies. And if you can make it, do it. Create something original because why miss out on the joy of creating something that’s uniquely yours?
