Three reasons. First, time: a single hemp backpack takes a trained artisan 2–4 hours; a felt rug can take 8–12 hours. Factory output is measured in seconds per unit. Second, fair wages: we pay our 50+ artisan partners above the local industry rate so craftwork remains a viable livelihood in rural Nepal. Third, material quality: we use long-fiber Himalayan hemp, pure New Zealand merino wool, and AZO-free dyes rather than the cheaper synthetic substitutes common in fast-fashion supply chains. The price reflects labor hours and durable materials, not markup.