There are so many craft and art shows this season there isn’t any excuse not to support local makers and get some of your holiday shopping done at these local events. Unlike buying from a franchise store, when you support your local makers the money goes directly to them and directly back into the community. Who knows where the money goes when you pick up your gifts at Target, Wal-Mart, or any other big box or franchise store. It doesn’t go to the person who made it. That’s for dang sure.
How about instead of buying an over-priced scarf at The Gap, pick up a lovely cowl from Hey Jen Renee!.
(click the images below to go to the etsy listings)
Or what about those sweatshopped items at Urban Outfitters made to LOOK handmade? Instead of getting faux-crafted items, pick up the real deal. Like this gold rosette headband from Bean and the Sprout.
And thinking about shopping at Pottery Barn for bedding? Instead how about this lovely quilt — perfect for a little girl — from Whoopdedoo Crafts?
Oh and what about a gift for your lovely but sassy daughter who just moved out on her own for the first time? She probably doesn’t want your old tired set of Corelle dishes from 1995 or a new cheap set from Target. She would rather have these hand-painted upcycled dishes from chimesdesign.
Can’t make it to a craft show? No problem if you live in Ames. There’s a handy-dandy art vending machine, aptly named ArtVend, set up at Wheatsfield Coop. Things found inside this machine are also all handmade by local makers (extremely local — you have to live within 50 miles of Ames to vend). Pick up some stocking stuffers and while you’re at it, pick up some local food and support local agriculture (hey, I have to plug that now too!).
These are just a FEW of the many many many reasons that you NEED to try to shop local for your holiday gifts.
Want to meet some of these makers and get a chance to shop locally? Hit up Craft Saturday’s Handmade Holiday Show tomorrow from 12-6! Be there or be square. I will be there with my dishes, wallets, and zip bags.
And don’t forget about the mega-awesome Market Day Black Friday Sale on November 25th. I won’t be there selling (unless they can squeeze me in) but I will be there buying (assuming I don’t have to work … I haven’t quite figured out my vacation schedule yet!).
P to the S: Guess who’s on the front page of the Des Moines Register today? ME!
They just randomly picked a photo file to represent all the holiday craft shows … so I guess it was a good pic. 
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