What if we all stopped doing this? What if, instead, we bought things from people, actual people, who make things with their hands and their hearts? Let's see...we'd be helping support their families. We'd be tapping into God-given talents. We'd be getting quality, hand crafted gifts that really are one of a kind. And, we'd be showing those big chains that they don't own us. (Oh, dear. I feel another post coming on...but I'll stop here. For now.)
In the spirit of gift-giving in this way, I've started a list of links on the right hand side of this page that will list the Etsy shops of readers of this blog. Check out the links and next time you need a gift, consider shopping there. I'm going to.
Back to the business at hand! The winner of Kelley's beautiful lampwork bead earrings is...
Kim M
Congratulations, Kim M !!! Please email me (thyhand123@gmail.com) with your name and mailing address and I will pass your information on to Kelley so she can mail out your earrings.
Thank you, Kelley, for teaching us about lampwork and sharing your work with us!!
Photograph courtesy of Kelley's Bead Studio
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Let loose, sister! Preach it! I'll be reading from my hard-backed chair, nodding vigorously, stomping my feet, and shouting AMEN!
ReplyDeleteagreed. I think about this even why buying groceries. I support our local farmstand for anything fresh - meat/dairy/produce. I still rely on the chains for the household necessities but i'm trying (it's a slow process ok?) to wean off of cleaning chemicals and go straight to the natural home-made remedies.
ReplyDeletePreach it sister! I can't wait for that next post....I am so with you! I love that you included "God-given talent"...it's the ohnly reason any of us is able to do anything at all! And I must say THANK YOU for adding me to that list of shops in your sidebar...I appreciate it SO much!
ReplyDeleteJust a thought, if everyone stopped going to Wal-Mart thousands of actual people would be out of jobs. I think it is wonderful to support locally but sometimes it just isn't practical or affordable.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, I totally agree with you. Ideally, a change from big company business to local business would happen gradually and the supply of jobs would shift with the demand. And, possibly, local prices would come down somewhat with more competition. It is a very complex issue. Thanks for pointing out another perspective:-).
ReplyDeleteOh yeah yay for the winner!!! enjoy!!
ReplyDeleteI try to buy handmade and local as much has possible. It is so thrilling to me to have good old original and handmade items in my home and to gift to others!!!
ReplyDeleteTonight I am junkin' too in order to keep items out of landfills and repurpose them.
The stuff people throw out amazes me!!!
Thank you so much for including my shop in your list! Etsy really is a great place to shop for those unique gifts, AND you can even do a search for local artisans in your area.
ReplyDeleteI recently found your blog and I am in LOVE! My 3 year old and I are starting our first garden this week and you have inspired me and given great info!
ReplyDeleteDo you live in the South? I'm not sure the same plants will grow where we are, but I'm going to give some of them a shot!
And we made your baked oatmeal for breakfast and I can't believe how YUMMY it is!!
Congratulations to Kim! I agree with you about giving people gifts made with hands and hearts. The custom digital and traditional scrapbooks and layouts I do for clients, as well as projects I help my customers with, are gifts that are always precious to the recipients. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteThe Popes, We live in the central east-coastern region of the US:-). I'm so glad you are enjoying our baked oatmeal and I hope you have a fantastic time starting your first garden this week!
ReplyDeleteThank you, thank you for promoting hand made! Over the past several years, my family has been moving towards making our own handmade gifts or buying others' handmade items to give as Christmas presents. I wish we were at the same point as your family on a daily basis and growing more of our own food. One day. At least we are taking steps :)
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