Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Buy Handmade this Holiday Season! Indie shopping at its best! A Guide for your Gifting!

There's a movement that has started to buy handmade for the Holidays. It is a terrific idea that benefits both the maker and the recipient. Not only are you supporting a hard working artist or crafter, but you are also providing a gift that has meaning and was made with skill and great care. I personally encourage you to buy something handmade for your loved ones, coworkers, neighbors, whoever, this Holiday season.

So where do you begin?
First you can sign the online Pledge at BuyHandmade.org - "I pledge to buy handmade this holiday season, and request that others do the same for me." Commit to buying your gifts from artists and crafters who put time, love, and care into what they make.

I Took The Handmade Pledge! BuyHandmade.org

Next you can pass along your new philosophy to all your friends and family. Be sure to let them know that you are supporting the "Buy Handmade" movement and that you request they do the same for you and others this Holiday season. Sometimes all that it takes is giving someone else that knowledge. For many people, who are use to the same holiday rush in department stores, they may not have even thought of simplifying their lives by focusing on buying handmade for the Holidays. Giving a handmade gift for the Holidays is meaningful to both the maker and the recipient.

And finally, START SHOPPING! So where do you go and what do you do to find handmade? Just check out the list below for some helpful hints on places to find unique, quality handcrafted gifts.

Online Sources for great handcrafted gifts:

Etsy.com - Your Place to Buy and Sell All Things Handmade! (and my personal choice)
Mintd.com - An Australian based site full of uniquely handmade items.
Dawanda.com - A European based site full of uniquely handmade items.
Lov.Li - A community and marketplace for art, craft and all handmade products.

Online Indie Shopping Guides and Blogs:

IndieCollective.net - An indie shopping Holiday Gift Guide
IndieShopping.com - Another indie shopping Holiday Gift Guide
IndieFriendly.com - A Directory Of All Things Handmade
Smidge.ca - A wonderful blog that reviews the latest and greatest in indie design
IndieFixx.com - Yet another wonderful blog that reviews indie design
IndieGalore.com - And one more wonderful blog that reviews indie design

And if that isn't enough for you, be sure to check out your local arts and crafts fairs too.
Event Calendars and Guides:

MyMY.us - A listing of Indie Events
IndieCraftShows.com - Yet another great listing of Indie Events
LunaCraft.com - And one more great listing of Indie Events
**You can also check your local newspaper for upcoming arts/crafts shows!

And a Happy Handmade Shopping to all!

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