Privacy Policy

Introduction & Scope

This policy explains how Made by Hand (accessible at madebyhand.site) collects, uses, and protects information that you provide or that we collect when you visit. We’ve kept it short and specific because a 12,000-word document written in passive voice helps no one.

This policy applies to all pages on madebyhand.site. It does not apply to websites operated by third parties, including Amazon and any other external services we link to. Those services have their own privacy policies, and we encourage you to read them.

By using this site, you agree to the practices described here. If you don’t agree, you’re welcome to browse without providing any personal information — most of the site’s value is in the reading, not in creating an account.

Information We Collect

We collect two types of information: things you actively give us, and things collected automatically when you use the site.

Information you give us

• Your email address, if you subscribe to our newsletter
• Your name and comment content, if you leave a comment on a post
• Any information you include in a message sent via our contact form

Information collected automatically

• Pages you visit and how long you spend on them (via Google Analytics)
• Your general geographic region (country, city-level — not your precise location)
• Device type, browser type, and operating system
• Referring website (where you came from before landing here)
• Which links you click, including Amazon affiliate links

How We Use Your Data

We use the information we collect for the following purposes — and nothing else.

• To send the newsletter — if you’ve subscribed, your email is used to send you the newsletter. That’s the entire extent of it.
• To understand how readers use the site — so we can improve the structure, navigation, and content based on what’s actually being read.
• To moderate comments — if you leave a comment, your name and email are stored to prevent spam and allow reply notifications if you opt in.
• To respond to contact form messages — we use the information you send us to respond to your message. We don’t add you to any list without asking.
• To track affiliate link performance — this helps us understand which reviews are most useful to readers and supports our ability to fund new product testing.

We do not sell, rent, or trade your data. We do not use it for advertising targeting. We do not profile readers for personalization beyond basic analytics.

Cookie Policy & Tracking Technologies

Cookies are small text files stored in your browser. We use them sparingly.

Cookies we use

• Essential cookies — required for basic site function (WordPress security tokens, comment form data). These cannot be disabled without breaking the site.
• Analytics cookies — from Google Analytics (GA4). These track page views and user behavior in aggregate, anonymized form. We use IP anonymization.
• Amazon cookies — when you click an Amazon affiliate link, Amazon may set tracking cookies on your browser. These are governed by Amazon’s own cookie policy, which we don’t control.
• Newsletter cookies — if you’re subscribed to our newsletter service (Mailchimp or ConvertKit), they may set a cookie to track email click-throughs.

How to manage cookies

You can control and delete cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling certain cookies may affect the site’s functionality. If you’d like to opt out of Google Analytics tracking specifically, Google provides an opt-out browser extension at tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

Amazon Associates Disclosure

When you click a product link on this site and make a purchase on Amazon, we may earn a small commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you — you pay the same price whether you arrive at Amazon via our link or directly.

Our editorial decisions are entirely independent of this arrangement. We do not recommend products because of their commission rate, and we do not change our opinions based on whether a product generates revenue for us. The commission funds our ability to purchase and test more products, which is how this site works.

You’ll find an affiliate disclosure on every page of this site that contains Amazon links. This disclosure will always appear before any linked products.

Third-Party Services & Data Sharing

We use a small number of third-party services to operate this site. Each has access only to the data they need to perform their function.

• Google Analytics (GA4) — aggregated, anonymized site usage data. IP addresses are anonymized. Google’s Privacy Policy
• WordPress.com / Hosting Provider — stores and serves the website. Has access to server logs, which include basic access data.
• Email Service Provider (Mailchimp/ConvertKit) — stores email addresses of newsletter subscribers. These are never shared with third parties by us.
• Amazon.com — when you click an affiliate link, Amazon receives standard referral data (our associate ID, the product linked). We don’t transmit any of your personal data to Amazon beyond what occurs through the normal affiliate link click.

We do not share your personal data with any third party except as described above, or as required by law. We have never sold personal data and have no intention of doing so.

Data Security Practices

We take reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect the limited personal data we hold. This includes:

• SSL/TLS encryption for all data transmitted to and from this site (HTTPS)
• Restricted access to any stored personal data — only site administrators can access it
• Regular software updates to minimize security vulnerabilities
• Strong password policies and two-factor authentication on all administrative accounts

No method of internet transmission or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we do everything reasonable to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security. In the event of a data breach that affects your personal information, we will notify you as required by applicable law.

GDPR Compliance (EU Visitors)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), the following applies.

The legal bases on which we process your data are: (1) your consent, where you have given it (newsletter subscription, analytics cookies); (2) our legitimate interests in operating and improving this website; and (3) compliance with legal obligations where applicable.

Your GDPR rights include:

• The right to access the personal data we hold about you
• The right to correct inaccurate personal data
• The right to request deletion of your personal data (“right to be forgotten”)
• The right to restrict or object to processing of your personal data
• The right to data portability (receive your data in a machine-readable format)
• The right to withdraw consent at any time, without affecting the lawfulness of processing based on consent before withdrawal

To exercise any of these rights, email us at privacy@madebyhand.site. We will respond within 30 days.

Your Rights & Choices

Regardless of where you’re located, you have meaningful control over your information.

• Newsletter: Every email we send includes a one-click unsubscribe link. Clicking it removes you immediately. No re-subscribe prompts. No waiting period.
• Comments: You can request deletion of any comment you’ve posted by contacting us at the email above.
• Analytics opt-out: Use the Google Analytics opt-out browser extension, or enable “Do Not Track” in your browser (we honor DNT signals).
• Cookies: Manage cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to block, delete, or be alerted when cookies are being set.

To make any formal request about your data, contact us at privacy@madebyhand.site with “Data Request” in the subject line.

Children’s Privacy (COPPA)

This site is not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at privacy@madebyhand.site and we will take steps to delete such information promptly.

Our content — reviews of artisan home goods, ceramics, and craft tools — is written for adults. We have no features or sections designed to attract minors.

Updates to This Policy

We may update this policy occasionally to reflect changes in our practices, the tools we use, or applicable law. When we do, we’ll update the “Last updated” date at the top of this page. If the change is significant, we’ll mention it in the next newsletter issue.

We don’t treat this policy as a legal formality to be updated in silence. If something meaningful changes about how we handle your data, you’ll know about it.