Monday, February 22, 2010

Crafting for those who are NOT certifiably insane

Like I said, in times of trouble, I look to crafts to distract me.

Cool Mom Picks just posted this. It's cute, but the price tag is completely uncalled for.

Am I the only one who thinks Cool Mom Picks has really gone off the expensive deep end lately? I find myself not even bothering to check that site because the things they feature are crazy. I did buy their featured Valentines to raise money, but that's about it. I used to check every day at least once a day. Now, though, I fear they've gone crazy, so I just don't bother.

Well, that pillow is cute, but I'm going to challenge myself. I believe I can recreate it completely free with fabric from my stash.

So stay tuned and let's see if I'm actually motivated enough to do it.

6 comments:

Stesha said...

Was that $60? A bit much for one pillow. If you do make it, post a picture, I would love to see it.

Hugs and Mocha,
Stesha

Liz said...

Thanks so much for your feedback - we really do appreciate it.

The funny thing is, we've actually been more cost conscious than ever before. We added a free or close to it category a while back, we've been more focused on crafts and websites with free activity ideas (which we never actually used to feature) plus we've changed our holiday gift guide to include a bargain section and one pick in every single category that was under $20. Trust us, we're all living through this economy too! Last we checked, independent blog publishers weren't raking in the millions.

That said, our hearts will always be with handmade and great design, and those items will always cost more - like the pillows you reference. Not every item on our site will be for everyone, of course. (We have a very broad audience.) But we do respect the need for a mom who spends an entire day making a toy or a pillow to receive a fair wage for her work-- and it does give us a little thrill to learn that she sold a few of them after a feature on our site.

But for those of you who are inspired to make your own? By all means, do it. Can't wait to check back and see the fruits of your own labor.

Reiza said...

I appreciate the emphasis on handmade goods. I completely understand that the care and time needed to hand-make items is far more valuable than anything mass produced.

I've been making more of an effort lately to buy from local crafters and Etsy.

Still, that price is far too high and that has been the case with a number of items featured recently. $120 wall paper? $900 strollers? $50-$60 backpacks for toddlers? $20 drying rack? True, $20 isn't extreme, but considering one can find a drying rack at the Dollar Tree, that's a bit much. The only products on the main page under $50 are that over-priced drying rack, $10 shampoo and music downloads.

Liz said...

Reiza, are you familiar with the site WantNot.net? I think you'd really like it. It's from one of our contributors and it's all about being a frugalista!

More dollar store picks, less high concept design from Boon for sure.

Reiza said...

I wasn't aware of that site. I'll check back there in the future. I follow a number of frugal blogs and a number of more designer blogs (particularly baby and kid-themed).

I appreciate the frugal blogs for what they are and the others for what they are.

Beauty, function and common sense are all things I appreciate greatly.

dream interpretation said...

Great article. though it's high price on a pillow!!