Its only handmade...why is it so expensive?

I will be the first to admit that once upon a time, several years ago, this thought crossed my mind. Perhaps when most people think of handmade, it immediately recalls memories of grade school art class: construction paper, glue, crayons, pipecleaners, tissue paper, and multicolored somethings on a string. ***

My musings: What about those tools? Kilns are expensive, precious metal clay is dear, and some semiprecious gemstones can be costly. I can't even comment on what is needed for wood working, metal smithing, stained glass artists, weavers, and the other multitude of artisans out there. Where did they get their education? Do they have school loans to pay off? Did they learn their skill from family members or a neighbor? Are they self taught?

What are the expenses for the people who raise alpacas, sheep, and llamas for their wool? They will need to call a vet if one of their animals get sick. That can't be cheap. And once they have gotten the wool from the animal, how does it get so nice and clean? Who spins the wool? Do they have a spinning wheel or is there something new that I don't know about that is used? People still weave their own textiles on a loom, I think...where do you find one of those and how much does it cost?

How long did it take take to complete that piece ? These people must really love what they do. From start to finish. I know I love each and every piece I make. Sometimes I don't want to part with it. But I need the money. So I look at my time, the materials, the tools, the packaging, but I don't calculate in the love, because I can't put a price on it. I think that if artisan started calculating in love, no one would be able to afford handmade.


***this is not stated to degrade art done in school. My favorite piece of jewelry is a "friendship bracelet" made from plastic beads strung on a pipe cleaner created by my little 4 year old boy. He put it on my wrist with pride. When it breaks I will put it in a baggie and save it.