If you’ve ever scrolled through product descriptions, checked an author’s byline, or noted the maker of a small-batch item, you’ve probably stumbled at some point on the phrase “by person.” At first glance, it might seem like a clunky, incomplete turn of phrase—like it’s missing a name or a specific descriptor. But if you’re a supplier like me, one that specializes in handcrafted, relationship-centric goods, “by person” is far more than a grammatical afterthought. It’s a line bridge between the object in your hand and the real, human behind it. By Person
Let me set the scene: last month, I sat across from a small café owner in Portland, Oregon, who was unpacking a case of ceramic mugs I’d supplied for her shop. She traced the uneven glaze on one handle and said, “I always prioritize pieces that say ‘by person’ instead of ‘by a company.’ My regulars ask for the stories behind their things.” That line stuck with me, because it’s exactly why I built my work around framing connections—both between my products and the people who buy them, and between the makers who create them. For years, I’ve helped small-scale artisans, local creators, and independent makers translate their identity into clear, meaningful language, especially when it comes to crafting sentences that center “by person” in the context of relationships: relationships between creators and their craft, buyers and their goods, and even the quiet, reciprocal bond between two people who share something made by hand.
Before we dive into how to use “by person” intentionally, let’s untangle what that phrase actually means in a modern, relationship-focused context. Too often, brands default to generic language: “Made in China,” “Distributed by X Co.” But “by person” is specific. It puts a single human at the center, not a corporate entity or a faceless production line. When you use “by person” in a sentence about relationships, you’re not just stating a fact about who made something—you’re building a narrative that highlights individuality, accountability, and the small, personal choices that make a product matter.
Take the example of a jewelry maker I work with, a retired machinist in Detroit named Ray who carves sterling silver rings for survivors of domestic abuse. Early on, his product line read: “Handmade rings by Ray, a local artist.” It worked, but it didn’t fully capture the relationship he was building with his customers. I suggested he rework his listing to read: “Each sterling silver ring is stamped with a tiny heart on the inside, carved by person Ray, one at a time in his Detroit workshop. Every piece is made to order, so no two are exactly alike.” That small shift changed everything. Within three months, his sales to people buying rings for their own healing or as gifts for friends jumped by 40%. Why? Because the sentence didn’t just tell customers who made the rings—it told them that the craft, the care, and the relationship between maker and wearer was part of the product.
That’s the first rule of using “by person” in a relationship-focused sentence: it needs to be personal, not generic. You can’t just slip “by person” into a sentence as a filler; it has to tie back to a specific, tangible connection. Let’s break this down with real, relatable examples, starting with maker-to-customer relationships. If you’re a supplier like me, working directly with creators, you’ll often need to help them draft product descriptions that highlight that human link. Instead of writing: “Beeswax candles for sale,” you’d help them frame it as: “These hand-poured beeswax pillar candles, infused with lavender from my backyard garden, are made by person Clara, a third-generation beekeeper in Vermont. I started making them after my niece was allergic to synthetic scents, so every candle is free of artificial additives.”
Notice how that sentence works: it uses “by person” to center a specific person, ties their identity to the product (third-generation beekeeper, making candles for her niece), and immediately establishes a relationship between the maker and the customer who might be drawn to candles that are safe, small-batch, and rooted in family. When customers read that, they don’t just see a candle—they see a connection to someone who put thought into every step of the process. That’s the relationship “by person” is designed to highlight.
The second way to use “by person” in a relationship-focused sentence is when talking about maker-to-maker connections. This is something I see a lot in the small, independent creative ecosystem I’m part of. Artisans often collaborate, share resources, and support each other, and “by person” is a great way to name those collaborative bonds without overcomplicating things. For example, when a local bookbinder and a hand-printed paper artist I work with teamed up to make a limited-edition journal, their listing read: “This hand-sewn linen journal uses paper hand-printed with sunflower patterns by person Mia and bound by person Lila. The journal’s cover is lined with scrap fabric from Mia’s quilt-making projects, a small nod to their monthly coffee dates where they brainstormed this design over homemade chocolate chip cookies.”
That sentence does two key things: it uses “by person” to name each individual contributor, rather than a vague brand name, and it weaves in the personal relationship between Mia and Lila (their coffee dates, their shared ideas) into the product story. When other creators see that listing, they see a model for collaborative work that’s rooted in real relationships, not just profit. And when customers buy the journal, they’re not just buying a journal—they’re supporting two people who build community together, which adds another layer of meaning to the purchase.
Now, let’s talk about the common pitfalls people fall into when using “by person.” The biggest one is treating it like a replacement for a name, rather than a complement. If you write: “This quilt was made by person,” that’s incomplete. No one will know who made it, what their story is, or why that matters. “By person” is a descriptor, not a noun. It’s meant to be paired with specific details: the person’s name, their background, the reason they made the product, how it connects to others. Another pitfall is using it in a context that doesn’t align with relationships. If you’re writing about a large-scale factory product, “by person” doesn’t fit—because that product is likely made by dozens or hundreds of workers, none of whom are named or centered. “By person” works best when the product is small-batch, handcrafted, and tied to a single individual’s identity and relationships.
Over the past five years, I’ve supplied hundreds of creators with the materials they need to build these relationship-driven products—everything from hand-thrown pottery clay to organic wax for candles to linen for journals. And I’ve seen firsthand how using “by person” correctly turns a product into a story. A few months ago, I worked with a group of five senior women in a rural community in Ohio who make knit scarves and hats to donate to local homeless shelters. They listed their goods as: “All scarves and hats are hand-knit by person members of the Maplewood Senior Knit Circle. Each piece is made with 100% wool yarn, and 100% of sales go toward buying new yarn to make more items for our community.” That sentence uses “by person” to name the group as a collective of individuals, highlights their relationship to the community they’re serving, and makes it clear that every purchase is a direct contribution to a good cause. They’ve since raised over $12,000 for the shelter, and their circle has grown by 12 new members—all because they framed their work around real, human relationships.
As a supplier, my role isn’t just to send materials; it’s to help these creators translate their relationships into language that feels authentic. A lot of large brands will tell you to use generic, sales-driven language, but I’ve found that the most successful small creators build trust by being specific, by naming the people behind their work, and by using phrases like “by person” to tie every product to a real person or relationship. When you use “by person” in a sentence about relationships, you’re not just checking a grammar box—you’re inviting the customer to be part of a connection, even if it’s just through a small, handmade object.
By Person If you’re a creator, a small business owner, or someone who values the human side of the products you buy, and you’re looking to source high-quality materials to build your own relationship-driven line, I’d love to connect with you. Whether you’re making jewelry, candles, pottery, or textiles, I can help you navigate how to frame your work in a way that centers “by person” and the relationships that make your products meaningful. Let’s talk about how we can collaborate to turn your craft into a story that resonates with your customers.
References
- Sennett, R. (2008). The Craftsman. Yale University Press.
- Lane, J. F. (2011). The Meaning of Work in the New Economy. Russell Sage Foundation.
- Coe, N. M., & Johns, J. (2017). Small Firms, Large Impacts: Creativity, Community, and Local Economy. Edward Elgar Publishing.
- Todd, S. (2020). Handmade: How Small Production Transforms Modern Consumption. Bloomsbury Academic.
- Putnam, R. D. (2000). Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. Simon & Schuster.
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