tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8642898849783806048.post1942552026346456106..comments2024-03-04T16:41:10.393-08:00Comments on dahlhaus: thoughts on the Studio Magazine article, working with large retailers, and 'craft' becoming mainstreamdahlhaushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10070656357173799352noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8642898849783806048.post-51035442931552134552012-10-10T19:15:24.571-07:002012-10-10T19:15:24.571-07:00Hi Amy- yes I agree, there is still doesn't se...Hi Amy- yes I agree, there is still doesn't seem to be enough transparency around who is making the manufactured or 'handmade' work over-seas. I know West Elm does some work with Aid to Artisan and they had me sign an 'ethics-type' clause to do with working conditions for my employees, no child labour, etc. when I worked on the order for their Vancouver launch. <br />In any case, I think the bigger picture has a lot to do with the consumer culture we live in and not having a real grasp on how the items we buy are made and what the 'true cost' of making those products are- economically, politically, socioeconomically, environmentally, etc. I can't help feeling like I'm part of the problem when I think like that though- it's a really vicious circle when you think about it. dahlhaushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10070656357173799352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8642898849783806048.post-67837673748592123162012-10-10T12:02:23.490-07:002012-10-10T12:02:23.490-07:00Yes, I've seen a lot more handmade things in t...Yes, I've seen a lot more handmade things in the catalogs places like West Elm are constantly sending me. I like to see the work of individual artists/makers featured, but then I often see products on the next page with unattributed handwork, and I imagine the worst (workers in poor countries being paid little to work in tough conditions). These things are being marketed side by side, and they aren't the same. I start to wonder if the attributed work is just a loss-leader for the outsourced labor work. I have no idea what the labor situation is for West Elm and Anthro (I don't want to single them out when they may be just fine!), but unfortunately I tend to be cynical about big retailers. It's a difficult issue to pick through! I love seeing makers get their due attention and business, but I also wonder about the larger picture.amy hhttp://www.ameliastudio.comnoreply@blogger.com