Slow life at the service of craftsmanship

Far beyond the stage of a fleeting trend , the desire for a return to the slow life continues to grow among new generations. Raised on the standardization of lifestyles and unbridled consumption, these generations do not hesitate to take one (or even several) steps backward in order to find meaning in their daily lives . This existence led according to a more "slow" rhythm allows them to reconnect with their deepest values ​​and to act more consciously in their daily lives .

At the heart of these daily actions, the act of purchasing reigns supreme . While more and more young, responsible and committed brands are emerging across all sectors, craftsmanship is positioned among the most popular new consumption methods of recent years . The reason for this phenomenon? The return to handcrafted products, simplicity, and slowness is emerging as a response to the demands expected by today's customer communities.

Climate crisis, repeated lockdowns, major social issues, particularly in the textile industry... The triggers are multiplying and craftsmanship is naturally emerging as the questions are being asked . This echoes Mapache and our own desire to promote the know-how of the huarache . Our creations are handmade in Mexico and the preservation of craftsmanship occupies a central place in our daily work . We invite you to discover its facets through this article ;)

Moreover, the quest for a return to the essential is often accompanied by a return… Home, quite simply . This time of year when the days are getting shorter is particularly conducive to the desire to take refuge in the comfort of our interior . And spending more time at home invites us to build around ourselves an atmosphere that resonates with our values .

We surround ourselves with beautiful objects with authentic charm and whose artisanal creations bring us joy and satisfaction . A healthier and simpler way of approaching consumption presents itself to us: if it's not perfect, it's even better . Think of wabi sabi , this aesthetic and spiritual concept celebrating imperfection!

Why choose craftsmanship for your interior?

For the same reasons that push you to choose craftsmanship for your wardrobe, especially when you fall for a pair of shoes or a Mapache bag . Through your purchase, you support ancestral know-how and you allow our artisans to live decently from this know-how . In other words, you give meaning to your consumption and you support the values ​​conveyed by craftsmanship .

Among these values, we find authenticity and the return to unique objects . In recent decades, we have been accustomed to a standardization of all sectors. We dress in the same places, we use the same beauty products, we decorate our homes by going to the same stores... This would not be perceived as a problem if the production conditions of these objects did not have such negative consequences on the environment and on humans... But unfortunately, the opposite is happening. Thanks to craftsmanship, the object becomes precious because it embodies much more than its primary utility . It highlights what is true : the hours spent making it, the hands that contributed to giving it life. The irregularities reflect this and we find ourselves cherishing them because now we know what they mean .

And that's precisely what we love about craftsmanship, the fact of owning objects rich in meaning . They carry within them a story of passion and emotions , all that is most human . They invite us to take the time to be interested in both the creative and technical aspects and, above all, to fully measure the quality of the finished object . Craftsmanship goes against the ephemeral . It is, by definition, outside of any mass industry. It is imagined, designed and manufactured to last a lifetime, or even several.

Another value, and not the least, is that of the proximity maintained with the artisan himself . At Mapache, we are proud to know the traceability of our creations . To do this, we have built relationships of trust with our various partners . We frequently travel to Mexico to maintain these relationships and as soon as possible, we take you behind the scenes of manufacturing ( don't forget to follow us on Instagram so you don't miss anything! ). This return to the local has the benefit of reassuring and forging enriching links. It is so satisfying to acquire an object whose place of origin and the people who contributed to its creation are known to us!

How to decorate with crafts?

Are you now under the spell of the slow life and want to rethink your way of consuming, among other things, the decoration of your home sweet home? This is excellent news! If you are wondering where to start to embark on this healthy reconversion, don't worry: we have thought of everything .

To bring a touch of craftsmanship into your home, start by listing the items that are unique to each room of your home . In the kitchen, we put away the dishes . In the living room, we put pretty cushions on the sofa. In the entryway, we hang a light fixture . In the bathroom, we place soaps with delicious scents. Finally, in the bedroom, we display illustrations . This list is quite exhaustive, but it will help you evaluate your needs and the different items you can easily obtain through crafts .

Now you're probably wondering where the Mapache team finds these handcrafted objects... This is when the magic of Instagram happens! Indeed, we spend a lot of time on social networks, close to our community and its desires . This activity allows us to broaden our knowledge of crafts and to discover multiple young brands specialized in a particular product or sector. When used wisely, Instagram is a real gold mine for highlighting meaningful projects and people passionate about their activity .

So, to decorate your interior with crafts, we invite you to browse this network in search of beautiful initiatives . Trust us: there are many! Ceramics, candles, soaps, baskets, posters… If you want uniqueness and responsible decoration, you will inevitably find your happiness in this opulence of beautiful everyday objects . Finally, it is now as easy to consume better than ordering from an e-commerce giant ;)

The team's favorites to give (or to treat yourself)

You didn't think we were going to end this article without revealing our favorite craft brands, did you? ;) The choice was difficult, but we've gathered four with similar themes to Mapache: warm and authentic . These objects also represent great gift ideas as the holidays approach, so don't forget to take notes 🎄

1 - Oustao , the brand of ceramics imbued with Mediterranean influences and which we love to display on our kitchen shelves.

2 - Fleuron , the brand that satisfies our need for dried flowers in our homes thanks to its colorful herbariums .

3 - Muskhane , the decoration brand that takes us on a journey to Nepal with gentleness and harmony.

4 - Legado , the brand that celebrates Mexican crafts by elevating them to the rank of flamboyant art of living .

We hope you enjoyed reading this article and we invite you to follow us on Instagram to be alerted of future updates to the newspaper ✨