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Made-to-Order

6/19/2019

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Made-to-order, something that is not made until you order it. It can take weeks for production, and another week (or hopefully less) for shipping. It can take up to a month or more to get your item. So why the heck would I have this model? In the age where we can get things within hours of ordering them online why would I make my products take weeks for people to receive? Well, let me tell you why...sustainability. Yes, it is that simple. Most big box stores and fashion labels make way too much stuff. They create their items, and then sell them to the consumer. Yes, this seems simple, but due to this model, the companies have no idea how much stuff will actually be purchased.
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​Thus they make way more than may be needed. Take fashion brands for example, they make thousands of one item, but what if they then only sell hundreds of that item, where do the rest go? A lot go to an incinerator, and a lot just get thrown away. They pollute the Earth with any extra left over clothes they may have. This is not a sustainable model. We are ruining the Earth with this model. ​
So let’s get back to me and my business. Yes, I would love to have things ready to ship in 2 days. I would love to say that I have a full stock of my collection, and I am ready to send it to you at any minute. But what about the items that might not sell? What would I do with all my excess product? I am not into throwing it away or burning it. So what would I do with it? I can only gift so many tea towels :) After thinking about it, I decided to take a lead from some slow fashion brands that I love. I am creating on an as-needed basis. A made-to-order basis. Yes, for you, the consumer, this is probably annoying. You can’t order a scarf, and get it the next day. And I’ll be honest, that is kind of annoying. But what you can do, is brag to all of your family and friends that the scarf you did buy is ethically made within a brand that cares about sustainability and works toward reducing waste. What you can also say is that, when you buy from me you allow me to create something handmade and unique just for you. Yes, I make multiple of the same color and design, but being handmade each one of the items I produce is one-of-a-kind in its own way.
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So I know that this made-to-order model cannot compete with Amazon or Target, but that’s ok because I don’t want to. I want to be better than them. I want to create well made, handcrafted goods. I want to use the old craft of weaving in a modern way to bring you something new and unique to your home. So yes, it will take 2-3 weeks for production even for just a tea towel. But please know that during that time, I am measuring out every string, I am threading each heddle on the loom, I am winding each bobbin, and I am weaving each thread. I am creating a functional piece of art for you to enjoy every day. I want it to be perfect for you, and that will take some time. Approximately 2-3 weeks :)
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West Ash Designs
Minneapolis, MN 
​hellowestash@gmail.com



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