Why buy handmade vs store bought?

Since I started making and selling jewelry for the past six months or so I keep getting this question from a few of my family and friends who are new to the world of Etsy and handmade items. "Why should we buy handmade versus store-bought?"  

The simple answer is that when an artist makes something or rather creates something with their hands, their energy is infused into their work. And when I wear that jewelry or scarf or whatever the piece is, its like I carry a piece of them with me. Therefore, if I like their vibe or what they stand for, I'll buy one of their pieces. Also, I value the role of art and creativity in our world and believe that our children have been shortchanged with the budget cuts in our school systems. Thus, I believe in supporting and encouraging fellow artists who are brave enough to follow their souls. Some of my favorites are

http://www.lizlamoreux.etsy.com

Lisa Leonard Designs 

and I love Jasmine Ismail's art. This girl is sooooo talented. 

Link to my Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AnitaLadhaniDesigns

Love, Light and blessings

Anita

Food, Family, Neighbors & Love!

My mom is an incredible cook. Her bbq is  the best. She loves cooking outdoors. So dad bought her this professional grade outdoor gas stove. The boys have been making fresh burgers. 

These kababs taste sooooooo good and smell amazing! It reminds me of being in Mumbai's bori molla. 

I ate them with garlic nan and imli chutney. 

This recipee is originally my dear friend Amina Dhanji's. Mom just omitted the green chillies. Recipee is further down. 

Zayn's cheeseburger with spinach, organic ketchup and mayo. 

Zayn skating in the backyard. 

Mom and dad sit down to enjoy a few kababs as Annie sits around hoping for scraps. But alas she doesn't get any. 

Recipee

3 lbs of ground beef

2 tsp full of Shan's seekh kabab masala

2 tsp full of Shan's bihari kanab masala

1 tbsp homemade adrak lasan paste (garlic and ginger)

  1/2 bunch cilantro chopped 

Mix everything together

Soak 2 slices of bread, squeeze the water out and mix in to the beef. 

Shape the meat into desired shapes and either bake in oven or outdoor grill. 

One of our neighbors stops by to get a plant clipping and drop off home made pickle he made from this fruit tree called june plum. Its a Jamaican fruit that grows in our backyard.  We don't eat them but our Jamaican neighbors really enjoy them. 

Mom and dad taste the pickle and give it two thumbs up. 

Another neighbor stops by to say hello. 

We are sooooo blessed! Living in South Florida we are blessed to enjoy beautiful weather year round. Its a bit chilly this evening which means its about 70 degrees. 😊 I know! I know! Its all relative. I need a light sweater in this weather. 😜

Aly comes home from school. Its around 7:30 pm which is normal for Aly considering he stays after for weightlifting practice after school and takes the late bus home. 

Annie rushes to greet him by licking his face. 

But first, lemme take a selfie ;)

And another with Annie

Sending you all love, light and blessings. 

Anita