Walk down any street in an American city (I live in New York, but it doesn’t matter where you are) and almost everyone is wearing some kind of jewelry. Lately, even men are becoming fashionable: they wear hoop earrings in pairs, one in each ear.

Most people wear the standard fashion seen at chain and department stores. Today’s fashion jewelry takes advantage of colored stones and modern jewelry-making techniques, so there is a wide variety of truly beautiful commercial jewelry available. For most people, that’s fine. There are some of us who want something different… something with feeling… something handmade.

Handmade items take time for a skilled and talented person to make with hand tools.

Handmade jewelry is not limited to the limits that factory-made jewelry should have simply because it is mass-produced. To make thousands of pieces that look exactly the same, they have to be made exactly the same way. Machines can do that easily and cheaply. Each piece of handcrafted jewelry can be different, just like the artist.

We all know the difference between a home cooked meal and a fast food meal. Handmade sweaters are a more personal gift than machine-made sweaters. Handcrafted jewelry is special in the same way. The person who did it cared about what he was doing. The artist hoped that this creation would find a home with someone who knew, felt and truly appreciated the unique nature of his jewelry.

Handmade jewelry can be made from almost any material. Designs may vary with each piece. It is truly an art form. Most jewelry artisans design unique rings, pendants, earrings, or other jewelry items. Many will make a series of related designs that complement each other. The creative process is different for everyone. The limited manufacture of handmade jewelry is what drives the artist to constantly create new designs.

Art has many mediums. Contemporary art jewelry is made with endless beads from all over the world. It can be made of rubber, many types of metal, plastic, glass, and even paper. Art jewelry is available to suit every individual and every budget.

People are starting to notice. They ask, “Wow, where did you find that pin?” or “That’s SO different, I LOVE IT!” More are buying from small shops, craft fairs and online from small artisans. Handmade jewelry is becoming more and more popular.

Consider handmade jewelry the next time you’re shopping for someone special. The lucky recipient will know that you cared about them and spent time finding a truly unique and personal gift.