Like a lot of business ideas, this one started with a question: In a world of fast fashion and mass-produced goods where you can buy almost anything for next to nothing, does the hand-crafted piece still matter? Does anyone really care about a beautiful, long-lasting finished seam on a special garment, or some hand embroidery on a cushion? Are we willing to pay more for something beautiful that’s made by hand? Well, we think so! That’s why we’re here, and maybe that’s why you’re here too.

62 threads mercantile was born from the conviction that craftsmanship still matters. Don’t get me wrong - we all need some things that are produced in mass quantities (hi and thanks, Industrial Revolution!), but as the world gets smaller and technology moves faster, we also feel a need to slow at least a few things down. Maybe take a walk, savor a freshly baked something or a lovingly prepared meal, light a hand-poured candle. Try our hand at growing some of our own food. Appreciate a finished seam and a hand embroidered flower.

And what does “hand-crafted” mean, anyway? Did we grow our own cotton out in the back forty, clean it, spin it, hand-dye it and hand-stitch it into that cushion you like? Uh, probably not. There might have been a sewing machine involved somewhere along the line. Or not. There were definitely some raw materials like fabric, thread, floss, beads - all sourced from somewhere before they came together and were made into something gorgeous (or outrageous, even). Maybe that sweet baby sweater belonged to someone else before we got hold of it, hand-embellished it with tiny flowers and upcycled it into the perfect gift for your BFF’s new bundle of joy. If a pair of hands lovingly and consciously worked on it in some way, it’s hand-crafted. And we believe that’s something that still matters.