Who are you?
I’m Keith Ehrlich, a filmmaker and founder of Made by Hand.

What is Made by Hand?
A short film series that focuses on inspiring stories about unique craftspeople. Common themes discussed include community, sustainability, and a passion for the process of making.

How did the fascination with handmade craftsmanship start?
It was something of an evolution. One thing lead to another and the next thing I knew, it was all that I was talking about. One light bulb moment for me was when I found a guitar maker to build me a few telecasters; he made a better instrument than the established big brands at half the price. He is something of a character who secretly works in a tiny East Village apartment while listening to political talk radio. You kind of need to know the secret handshake just to get into his door, and when you do, he’s quite endearing. He has a collection of polaroid photos that he snaps of everyone who buys his guitars. That whole experience really got me thinking.

In our inaugural film, we visit the Breuckelen Distilling Company, the first gin distiller in Brooklyn since prohibition. Founder Brad Estabrooke talks about starting from nothing and the imperfect process of perfecting a craft. His experience bears a lesson for us all: knowing you could fail brings you that much closer to success.

Handsome men’s wear made here in Brooklyn by a rather talented young tailor. I hope to own one of his suits soon.

In this film, we meet writer turned knife maker Joel Bukiewicz of Cut Brooklyn. He talks about the human element of craft, and the potential for a skill to mature into an art. And in sharing his story, he alights on the real meaning of handmade—a movement whose riches are measured in people, not cash.

Kyle Durrie transformed an old breadbox truck into a mobile printing studio and then set out on a journey to zig zag across the US all by herself.

Quarterly is a subscription service that delivers a package of creative and inspirational items from a chosen influential curator four times a year. Great gift idea.

A selection of talented designers contribute to Tina Roth Eisenberg’s mission of bringing better design to temporary tattoos.

A SF Bay Area couple that run their own little woodwork shop filling custom orders on some really endearing items.