Handcrafted lighting covers a wide range of things -- from genuinely artisan-made pieces built from salvaged materials to products that use the word handcrafted loosely to justify a higher price point. Here is how to tell the difference and what to look for when you want the real thing.
Ask where and how it was made
A brand that makes genuinely handcrafted products can tell you specifically where and how. Not vaguely -- specifically. Which country, which workshop, which process. If the answer is evasive or marketing-heavy, that is a signal.
Lumo Bloc lamps are made in New Zealand. The wooden bases are handcrafted in our workshop. The glass blocks are sourced from New Zealand building demolitions. We can tell you exactly where your lamp came from because we know. Read the full story in how reclaimed glass becomes a lamp.
Look at the materials
Handcrafted lighting that is worth the name tends to use materials that have genuine character: solid timber rather than MDF or plastic, real glass rather than acrylic, metal that has been worked rather than pressed and coated. These materials behave differently over time -- they age rather than degrade, develop patina rather than yellowing or chipping.
Reclaimed materials add another dimension. A glass block that was installed in a 1960s New Zealand building has a history that a newly manufactured equivalent simply does not have. That history is visible in the slight variations in the glass, the way the pattern catches light, the minor imperfections that make each piece unique. Read more about reclaimed glass lighting for sustainable style.
Check the components
Good handcrafted lighting uses quality components throughout, not just in the visible parts. The LED technology, the wiring, the switches -- these affect how the lamp performs and how long it lasts. At Lumo Bloc, the COB LED light bar carries RCM certification and has a rated life of 50,000 hours. It is also available as a replacement component if it ever needs to be changed.
Consider the after-sale support
A handcrafted lamp from a maker who stands behind their work comes with genuine warranty support and the ability to repair or replace components. A cheap lamp with a handcrafted label does not. Lumo Bloc lamps come with a 12-month warranty and direct support from the maker. Read more about why handcrafted lamps are worth the premium.