What Does the Handmade Movement Say About Social Entrepreneurship?

This past weekend I went to the Renegade Craft Fair, the first time the traveling "edgy craft fair" has made it to Austin. As I passed booth after booth of creative, cool, handmade posters, paper, clothing, bags and other items, I was struck by how this craft fair is a fascinating microcosm of the convergence of three trends that are moving social entrepreneurship toward a tipping point.

The Renegade Craft Fair was started in 2003 in Chicago by Kathleen Habbley and Sue Blatt, two "crafters" who wanted a venue to sell their funky, homemade wares. In the past 7 years the fair has seen great success and expanded to four other cities, including this year's foray into Texas.

Renegade is one of many examples of a handmade, or "do it yourself," revolution that is sweeping the country. But I think that this revolution isn't just about the homemade, it's also about social entrepreneurship and the converging trends that are (we hope) taking it mainstream:

1. Entrepreneurship is Increasingly Social
The artisans in the booths at Renegade would probably not consider themselves social entrepreneurs, they might not even consider themselves entrepreneurs.  They have simply found a way to make money doing what they love. But in the process they have founded ethical, environmentally sound, social businesses. They use recycled materials, enjoy a small carbon footprint, and make only as many items as they can sell, cutting down on the waste of the mass produced processes prevalent in regular retail.

2. Technology Makes Social Entrepreneurship Viable
Five or ten years ago these entrepreneurs could not have made a living at what they do. Although fairs like Renegade are great publicity for these artisans, they make their real money at places like Etsy, an online marketplace for handmade items. Etsy has created a channel for creative people to sell enough of their crafts, with very low fixed costs, to make a living. Instead of having to find a large scale buyer or set up a bricks and mortar shop, these artisans can simple create their items, put them up on Etsy and find a market.

3. Market Demand is Moving to the Social
The Renegade Craft Fair has a large following and continues to add new cities. And similar fairs and events for artists abound. Etsy's sales continue to sky rocket, with a 103% increase in sales to $21.9 million in November 2009 compared to November 2008, and an 82% increase in new members year-over-year. There is obviously a huge demand for a return to handmade, unique products and a move away from the mass produced. These artists have found beauty and use, and ultimately a market, for items that would otherwise wind up in landfills. Like the man who takes old books, adds blank pages, rebinds them and calls it a "journal."  I bought two. Or the woman who took apart old junk jewelery and refashioned it into stunning necklaces, buttons, barrettes, and pins. The market is increasingly rewarding the individual entrepreneur who is using environmentally sound, ethical practices in producing the products we buy.

It all works together so effortlessly. Talented artists create beautiful, useful everyday items from recycled materials in low-waste processes. These items are sold one-by-one through low-cost online stores that remove the wastes of excess inventory and bricks and mortar storefronts. The artists are able to sell enough to make a living wage doing what they love. And the public benefits by getting unique, handmade items that support individual entrepreneurs and the larger world. Social entrepreneurship, even when we don't label it as such, can be so effective in its simplicity.

Photo Credit: Renegade Craft Fair