Handmade gifts

Handmade gifts: how to order from a maker

Updated 20 October 2026

Handmade means the maker's time

A handmade item doesn't sit in a warehouse. It is made to order, and that always takes time. A blanket is knitted over several days, candles and soap need to set and cure, embroidery or woodwork takes even longer. So the deadline matters as much as the price.

The price depends on the material, size, complexity and quantity. Natural soy wax and wool yarn cost more than cheap alternatives, and hand embroidery is always dearer than machine work. So compare offers with the same materials and sizes.

What to put in your request

• Item — soap, candles, a knitted blanket, embroidery, a wooden item, a personalised gift;
• Material — soy wax, wool yarn, wood, leather, epoxy resin;
• Size — for example, a blanket of 120×150 cm;
• Colours — beige tones, or an example from a photo;
• Personalisation — name, date, text;
• Quantity — for example, 20 pieces for guests;
• Making time — by what date or within how many weeks;
• Budget.

Example: “I need a knitted blanket of 120×150 cm in wool yarn, in beige tones, with the child's name embroidered. Needed in 2 weeks, budget up to R 590.”

How to find a maker through BlaBlaPrice

You send one request, and craftspeople and small studios reply with offers: what exactly they will make, from which materials, for how much and by what date. You don't need to look for each one on social media and write private messages. Makers see where their offer stands and can improve their terms. Only the maker you choose sees your contacts; read how it works on the page “How it works”.

How to compare offers

• Ask for photos of previous work, ideally similar to your order.
• Check the materials: yarn composition, type of wax, kind of wood, and whether they are safe for children.
• Find out whether the maker shows photos along the way before finishing.
• Agree what happens if the result differs from what was agreed, and whether changes are possible.

Common mistakes

Ordering at the last moment and hoping the maker will “manage”. Not describing colours, and writing only “nice”: different people understand that differently. And don't compare the price of a made-to-order item with a mass-produced one from a shop: they are different goods.

If you are looking for something for a particular person, see also gifts for kids, wedding gifts and edible gifts.