Why I Choose Handmade Over Fast Fashion — and What It Means for the Planet

Before I started Paper & Palette Studio, I was already passionate about reusing, recycling, and reducing waste. But it wasn’t until I saw how much waste the fashion industry was creating — and how quickly — that I knew I wanted to do things differently.

This post isn’t just about comparing two ways of making things. It’s about asking a bigger question: What kind of future are we creating with every purchase we make?

Fast Fashion: Built for Speed, Not Sustainability

So much waste, so little wear.
Fast fashion companies pump out millions of cheap products every day — and many of them are designed to be disposable. Worn a handful of times. Thrown out. Replaced.

It’s estimated that over 92 million tonnes of textile waste is created each year. That’s a mountain of clothes and accessories headed for landfill — often made from synthetic materials that won’t break down for hundreds of years.

The hidden cost of convenience.
Some online platforms offer lightning-fast shipping, but that speed comes at a huge environmental cost. Most of their products are flown across the world, contributing to millions of tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

And don’t forget the plastic.
From the packaging to the polyester fibres, plastic is everywhere in fast fashion. These items shed microplastics into our waterways and oceans, harming wildlife and making their way into our food systems.

Handmade: The Way I Choose to Create

At Paper & Palette Studio, I don’t follow trends — I follow values.

Everything I make is designed to last, made from sustainable or upcycled materials, and created with intention. From paper clay homewares to hand-painted earrings, each piece is crafted with care — not rushed out of a factory.

Low waste, high meaning.
I reuse offcut watercolour paper, vintage beads, and natural fibres to minimise waste. My packaging is plastic-free and minimal — and many of my materials are repurposed from things others might throw away.

Small batch, slow process.
I make everything in small batches or to order. That means no mass production, no overstock, and no pressure to "buy now or miss out." I’d rather create fewer things that matter more.

Personal connection over mass production.
Every item you see in my shop has been in my hands. I've painted it, shaped it, sealed it with beeswax, and packed it with love. When you buy handmade, you’re not just buying an object — you’re supporting a slower, kinder way of doing business.

Why It Matters

Fast fashion might seem affordable, but the true cost — to our planet, our oceans, and our future — is far too high.

Handmade isn’t just a product category. It’s a philosophy. It’s a belief that beauty doesn’t need to come at the Earth’s expense. That small choices — like where we shop and what we support — can add up to big change.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing wrong with wanting something beautiful. But beauty should never be wasteful. I started Paper & Palette Studio to prove that art, sustainability, and style can co-exist — one thoughtful piece at a time.