12/14/2025
**I’d love to hear your thoughts, fellow makers 💬**
Recently, I was asked by a craft fair to donate an item valued at **$25 or more**. I happily agreed and donated a **professionally handmade crochet Christmas stocking**—a piece I was genuinely proud of.
*Thank you HanJan Crochet/ for the pattern*
I spent precious time researching the pattern, choosing the right yarn, practising the design, and then carefully making it. All up, about **4 hours of skilled work**, not to mention years of experience behind those stitches.
At the fair, I later saw my donated piece displayed on a table…
with a **$5 price tag**.
I won’t lie—my heart sank.
This has me thinking about how **handmade work is valued**, especially when it comes from small businesses, artists, and professional craft makers.
👉 How would *you* feel if this were your donation?
👉 Have you experienced something similar?
👉 How do you decide when (or if) to donate your work?
👉 How do you handle situations where the value of handmade isn’t understood?
I’m not looking to call anyone out—just to open an honest conversation.
I’d really love to hear your experiences, thoughts, and ideas. 🤍
