Buying handmade lets us take a peek at the artists' frustrations and triumphs with the marks or thumbprints that they leave.
In pottery especially, every curve and corner has a story. The final product shows not only the maker's skill but also his feelings and his mood, his dreams and aspirations.
So the next time you buy a handmade item, take a moment to appreciate the details, note the patterns and feel the texture. You will realize that you are holding not just a product but something that has a life of its own.