This holiday season, I again challenged myself to buy as many locally made gifts as possible. In addition to Craftin’ Outlaws in October and Viewfinder in November, I attended two Columbus handmade events this week: Etsy Team Columbus Holiday Art & Trunk Show at Wild Goose Creative and ARTillery Holiday Art Market at the Gateway Film Center. My reasons for this are passionate and plentiful. Supporting painters, photographers, jewelry makers, paper artists, sculptors, and fashion designers in our community means that we enable them to keep creating. It provides opportunities for like-minded residents to meet and form friendships. It keeps dollars in our local economy and positively impacts our country. I find balance by purchasing as many homegrown gifts as ones from national retailers, and I’m continually reminded that personal conversations and spirited craftsmanship mean more than shrink wrap and conveyor belts. Plus it feels darn good to buy a product from the hands that made it.
Thank you for coming and for writing about us! It means a lot to hear that our work is so well appreciated. Very Happy Holidays to you, Alexandra.
Posted by: Kristin Ellis | December 12, 2010 at 05:49 PM
Thank you for the review, I got to participate in both events and it's nice to hear they were enjoyed!!
Posted by: jannypie // indiefinable | December 13, 2010 at 05:13 PM
Beautiful review! Thank you for supporting our local community and sharing why you feel it's so important. Happy Holidays!
Posted by: Jamie Hevener/HevVin Designs | December 14, 2010 at 08:29 AM
Awesome review! Thank you for supporting all of us local artisans!
Posted by: Sherri Sutton/SheSu Designs | December 14, 2010 at 01:37 PM