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Fashion, like the ocean, ebbs and flows. Trends and desires circle back around but with a different flare.

Back when everything was homemade, the newest “machine” and “factory” product was desired. Something was special in that perfect manufactured product without ‘error by hand’. Now that mass produced product has widely taken over the first world nations, people are turning back to handmade. They yearn for the imperfect but lovingly handmade objects. Here comes the ebb of the ocean waves back full circle.

RandRHandmade – wabi sabi bowl

Wabi Sabi is the Japanese term used for “the acceptance of imperfection”. Beauty is imperfect. Items that are distressed, uneven, wobbly, marked, non-symmetrical are considered more beautiful because of these differences and imperfections that may be created from nature or from real hands.  It’s the trending “handmade” feel that we are going back to. Yielding away from the “perfect” machine made products and back to homemade goodness 🙂

When you think of Wabi Sabi, think of wrinkled textured fabric link linens on a bed that have been washed out, not ironed. Think of throw pillows with some hairs of fibre that are out of place. Maybe a pottery bowl that isn’t perfectly round with a few wobbly edges. Distressed wood or leather that has become unique in it’s own appearance are also items that would be considered “Wabi Sabi”. These imperfections created a uniqueness that we love, just as we love the differences in people. Can you imagine if we were all cut from the same boring cloth?

Look at these great examples of product you can find for purchase on Etsy, a buyer’s international handmade & vintage marketplace. Direct links to these products are listed at the bottom of this post.

As I enjoy the beauty in all things natural & unique, my quote has been the following: “Beauty Begins the moment we decide to be ourselves”. I truly believe this. When we are not true to ourselves, our actions don’t appear natural or sincere. When we are not true to ourselves, we are not happy, and true beauty shows in the eyes when we smile, when we are comfortable, when our energy is relaxed. Beauty is everywhere around us. We just need to find it and embrace what is.

I’ve made a few things that I would consider wabi sabi as well. They are distressed, imperfect and non-symmetrical in their own unique way too.

Let’s all enjoy the differences 🙂 It would be all be black without all the colours of the rainbow.

The Japanese have something here – this Wabi Sabi is certainly taking off this year as a trending item and I can see why.

Beautiful items shown above can be found under these links:

LinenLark

KylahKussmannArt

TerreFermePottery

KanesDriftwoodStudio

EverydayZencreations

KatesLinen

RandRHandmade

StoneWillow

Enjoy your day!

Nicole