I took a class in Paris, once, and the professor spent a lot of time talking about the support of local artists and how the system of consumerism doesn’t really allow for this type of thing nowadays unless you are obsessed with Martha-Stewart-type useless crafts with potpourri glued to styrofoam. While I’m sure those have their place, I do not appreciate non-functional art (unless it tells a story, entertains a child, or is too sentimental to throw away) and prefer to give my money to people who make things I can use. Most of the time handmade things last longer, anyway.

I have a journal covered and end-papered with gorgeous pictures of dragons and Celtic-style knots from a senior in high school who was working a part-time job and taking care of his two younger brothers; I asked him if he could draw €20 worth for me and the journal came back late, but awesome.

One of my favourite sweaters was knitted by a 17-year-old--an expensive birthday present from my parents. It is comfortable and made to my specifications, and has lasted three years so far with excellent results. Fortunately or unfortunately, my cat is also enamoured of it . . .

Rather closer to home and more my style is buying my sister fibre for her spinning wheel; I buy half again as much fibre as I need and take her advice about which kinds to get and where from, and then she spins it up for me into yarn. Right now I’m knitting with some very soft black wool to make a scarf for a friend of mine. She is also a very accomplished knitter and I often beg articles of clothing from her (mostly arm-warmers) and offer to pay exorbitant sums of chocolate for them. Most of the time she just laughs and makes them for me, anyway, spacing out her gifts on unbirthdays and almost-holidays.

When I was in Ireland sweating for my graduate degree I was one of the few people who was actually warm while studying in the library--handmade arm-warmers, handmade sweater, handmade hat, hand-woven skirt--and it didn’t look out of place or “rustic”. In fact, I had lots of compliments and requests for wherever I got my arm-warmers from, and yes, they should have been very jealous.

I don’t buy a lot of things, and I’d much rather support people who work with their hands to made useful things, so I don’t mind paying the little bit extra for things I intend to keep.