For some reason certain people seem to have a bit of a mental block buying handmade products from independent retailers. Here at stripykat (and we do admit we might be somewhat biased) we reckon that buying from us independents really is the way forward. Here's why we think so:

1. You can get something really unique. On stripykat, for example, everything is a one-off - no two articles are the same. So you're never, ever going to bump into someone with the same bag. Phew - handbag embarrassment is now a thing of the past.

2. You don't pay for labels. Why pay more for a label that's worn by zilllions of people anyway - hardly exclusive, darling!

3. Payment is direct. No cash is creamed off by middlemen, so your money goes straight to the starving designer. This may (or, indeed, may not) give you a nice warm, fuzzy feeling inside.

4. It's a good alternative to high street retail. Loads of high street shops stock the same sort of designs at the same sort of times. Yawn! Independents are infinitely more original with their stock.

5. It's safer. If you have a problem with a purchase you can contact the maker direct; no dealing with hideous customer call centers to return a product.

6. Completely unique materials. Where else would you get designer Japanese fabric combined with top notch Scottish tweed?

7. You're getting a bargain. Most handmade products are made by people who are actually more qualified than high street designers; great products for less money

8. You know how your products have been made. Rather than worrying that your handbag is made in a sweatshop, you can be certain the only sweat involved is that of a fully grown designer working with a hot water bottle on her lap!

9. It's better made. Have a good look at some high street handbags, the stitching really is awful; tuh, honestly!

Even though we said we had nine reasons, we've actually thought of a tenth:

10. Funky, original designs. Designs come straight out of the designer's mind, onto the sketchpad and under the sewing machine - no focus groups or boring design committees here!

So there we have it, ten good reasons to buy handmade products from independent retailers. If you need anymore then just check out the stripykat catalog!