Why Handmade and Vintage Takes Time (and That's a Good Thing)

If you’ve ever wondered why it takes me longer to restock a certain type of bag, or why I’m not dropping 300 new products every Thursday—this one’s for you.

Because here’s the truth: making products and sourcing vintage takes time.

And honestly? That’s kind of the point.

There’s no conveyor belt here—just me (and maybe music from the 80s or 90s playing in the background)

Every item I make starts with a pile of materials and an idea. Not a blueprint from a manufacturer or a bulk order from overseas—but a real hands-on process that includes sketching (which I am horrible at, BTW), cutting, stitching, sourcing, and yes, re-doing it when something’s not quite right.

And when it comes to vintage? I’m not pulling pieces from a warehouse. I’m digging through bins, driving hours to weird little towns, looking at every single tag, and cleaning each item with the love of someone who believes a second life is worth the effort.

Here’s what you don’t see behind the scenes:

• Hunting for vintage that actually fits your style. Not just “old,” but “good”—and that takes patience.
• Sourcing quality materials like leather, snaps, or hardware that isn’t junky.
• Custom touches—I don’t just sew the bag, I choose the zipper color (see previous post), line it with something fun, and make sure it all feels right.
• Since most of what I make and sell are one of a kind pieces, I have to photograph and edit every item photo I add to my website, which takes way longer than I ever anticipate.
• Cleaning, restoring, and prepping—because a lot of vintage items need TLC before they’re ready to go to a new home. I pride myself on the clothes I sell not smelling like a musty basement. You probably know the smell...walk into most vintage shops and it greets you at the door before the shop owner can say hi.

So yeah, it’s not fast. But it is worth it.

You’re not just buying a thing. You’re buying a story, a skill set, and a mindset that values craft over convenience. That slows down to say, “This is worth doing right.”

If you’ve ever owned something handmade or truly vintage, you know the difference. It feels better. It lasts longer. It means more. And no algorithm can mass-produce that.

So the next time you hear “This took a while to make,” just know—it was time well spent.