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Funded! This project successfully raised its funding goal on December 4, 2011.

Why Handmade is Important

Update #4 · Nov 12, 2011 · comment

I saw one of those $9.99 aluminum Cost Plus spice boxes today and got to wondering - why is handmade important? Because many times a product that is well made my hand can afford a deeper connection to the product and it's intended use. And the producer is not limited by what a machine can produce - they are only limited by what their hand can produce. 

When we first designed the die-cut petals in the lid of the spice box, I was pretty hard on the  artisans, demanding that each petal be like the other in some crazed uniform conformity design principle... But when they returned a couple prototype boxes I realized that there was something special about the way in which each petal was similar to one another - because the artisans are so good at what they do the petals actually are very similar, but not exactly similar the way a machine would make them. Think of handmade Italian leather - you expect it to be uniform in color, hide and stitching and you also expect it to be much more than that, and much, much more than a machine can do... It's the angle of the blade used to cut the petal, the way the artist joined two sides of the petal and the ever so slight nick left in the paper at their joining...These small details combine to create a more textured and interesting experience.

Thank you to all the backers, both new and current, and I hope you enjoy these periodic updates.  And don't forget to spread the word to friends and family!

Here's a closeup of the handcut petals on the lid of the Handmade Spice Box:

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  • Pledge $15 or more

    7 backers

    A tin of my special Marrakesh blend. This is my favorite spice blend patterned after the great Ras el Hanout blend of Morocco but adapted to an American kitchen and style. You can't get this anywhere else. Ground in small batches and custom blended with organic spices and herbs.

    Estimated delivery: Dec 2011
  • Pledge $25 or more

    19 backers

    Ah, your very own (or a gift for someone special) handmade spice box - ready to add your favorite herbs and spices. $30 includes a handmade box with 6 unfilled food grade tins waiting for you to customize it and ground shipping.

    Estimated delivery: Dec 2011
  • Pledge $50 or more

    37 backers

    Your very own Everyday Box - my personal collection of those spices I use and create with every day - Malden Sea Salt, Tellicherry Black Pepper, Cumin, Cinnamon, Coriander and Turkish Baharat - a custom blend I made after visiting Istanbul. With this box you'll be the next Picasso with Paprika. Each box contains 6 tins of between 2-4 oz each of organic, fair trade spices ground in small batches. Includes ground shipping.

    Estimated delivery: Dec 2011
  • Pledge $100 or more

    8 backers

    I am making a handful of custom handmade red boxes and one has your name on it for $100. There will be a limited amount of these made due to the difficult process of making the red paper and I'll fill yours with a random holiday assortment of fresh ground spices and herbs. Each box contains 6 tins of between 2-4 oz each of organic, fair trade spices ground in small batches.

    Estimated delivery: Dec 2011
  • Pledge $160 or more

    16 backers

    The Gift Box Set includes 4 Handmade Spice Boxes filled with organic spices. 4 spice boxes = 4 great holiday gifts for family, friends, foodies or business clients. Each of the 4 boxes comes with a red ribbon bow tied around it. Let's put it this way - by getting the 4 pack and giving them as gifts, you're saying "I'm thoughtful, creative, unique, worldly and a downright cool person" because you can't get these anywhere else on the planet. And you get to benefit from the wonderful meals the recipient will cook. That about sums it up... And that's why we'll love you forever if you get this 4 pack.

    Estimated delivery: Dec 2011
  • Pledge $500 or more

    0 backers

    Spice Party! - For $500 I'll travel to your home, office or yurt in the greater Bay Area and regale friends and family with 4000 years of spice tales, the health benefits of different spices and show you how to make delicious custom spice blends - I have a secret technique that I'll share for making great spice blends everytime. I'll come with some boxes filled with organic, fair trade spices and herbs for the guests to play with during the party. This is hands on fun.

    Estimated delivery: Dec 2011