One of the most common questions I get is, “How long did this take you?”
And while the simple answer is hours or days, the honest answer is much deeper than that.

Handmade art doesn’t start when I sit down with cords, yarn, or fabric. It begins long before—with thought, intention, and time that often goes unseen. This is the part of the process I want to share here. Handmade art is not just about the final piece but everything that happens before it exists.

Before it begins

Planning is an essential step before any knot or stitch is made. This stage alone can take hours, sometimes days. 4 questions that I consider – Why/What? Where? Who? and How?

What is the purpose of the piece? Where it will live? Who is it for? How should the space feel?

I sketch ideas, test proportions. Decide on textures and colors that align with the story I want the piece to tell. Choosing materials is also part of this process. Selecting the right cord, yarn, or fabric matters. Thickness, softness, durability—each decision affects the final outcome. This is the most intense, thoughtful aspect, where the foundation of the artwork is laid.

The Making: Intentional SLOW DOWN

When the actual making begins, the pace intentionally slows down. Handmade art is not meant to be rushed.

In fiber art, repetition is everything. Knots are tied again and again. Crochet stitches built row by row. Embroidery grows one tiny stitch at a time. Complexity and size plays a big part in how long a piece can take, stretching from hours to days of intense dedication.

What many don’t see is the physical and mental presence required. Hands tire and cramp. Backs gone sore. Mistakes happen. Sometimes sections need to be undone and redone. There are pauses—not because of distraction, but because the work asks for patience. This slowness is not inefficiency; it is care and deliberate.

Breaks, Pauses, and Problem-Solving

Handmade art also includes time away from the piece. Often leaving the work-in-progress overnight to get back to it with a fresh eyes helps me notice balance, spacing, and flow.

Problem-solving takes time too. A knot may not sit right. A pattern might need adjustment. These moments are invisible in the final product, but they are essential to its quality and finish. Every solution adds to hours invested, even though it leaves no visible trace.

Finishing Touches Matter

Once the main structure is complete, work isn’t done yet. Trimming ends, securing knots, blocking crochet, cleaning up threads, and refining small details all take time. Finishing touches are what makes handmade art feel complete and intentional.

Then comes photographing, packaging, and preparing the piece for its new home. Each step needs careful consideration, because the experience of showcasing handmade art matters just as much as creating it.

Why Handmade Can’t Be Compared to Fast Production

In a world used to instant results, handmade art often appears “expensive” or “time-consuming.” But what you’re really seeing is time given with attention. Handmade art carries hours of focus, built up skill, and a deep respect for the process.

When you choose handmade, you’re choosing slow making artisan work, that values quality over speed, presence over perfection, and meaning over mass production.

The Real Value of Time

Every handmade piece holds time inside it—time spent learning, creating, correcting, and caring. That time becomes part of the object itself. It’s why handmade art feels different when you live with it. It holds a quiet energy, a story of patience and intention.

Behind every finished piece is a timeline you never see—but it’s always there, woven into every knot and stitch.