Why Shop Local

I've noticed a few people from my actual hometown, St. Charles, MO, following me recently on several of my on-line homes and it got me thinking about how important it is to "think local". I love buying unique and handmade things but it is also important to think about how we spend our dollars in our local economies. It is even more important with the economy the way it is now. Our local businesses will be hurting just as much if not more than the big names. I did a search on Etsy's Shop Local for St. Charles, MO and I found some great local sellers thatI'll be showcasing throughout this post. I love this card from CreationsBySeaStar. She has some other really unique creations that I will be buying soon. I love giving handmade cards but I always felt guilty just buying one card and wasting the packaging and shipping to buy just one on-line. I will feel better about buying it locally and having much less fuel and carbon miles on my cards. The great Deconstructed/Reconstructed piece above was made with recycled magazines to create a unique piece of art by Njwernimont.

I found a great website which lays out the main reasons we should buy local called IndieBound. Their main focus is on Indie Bookstores but you can enter your zip code and it will give you a list of indie owned stores of all kinds in your area. These are the reasons they give for shopping at your local indie shops:

The Economy

• Spend $100 at a local and $68 of that stays in your community. Spend the same $100 at a national chain, and your community only sees $43.
• Local businesses create higher-paying jobs for our neighbors.
• More of your taxes are reinvested in your community--where they belong.

The Environment

• Buying local means less packaging, less transportation, and a smaller carbon footprint.
• Shopping in a local business district means less infrastructure, less maintenance, and more money to beautify your community.

The Community

• Local retailers are your friends and neighbors—support them and they’ll support you.
• Local businesses donate to charities at more than twice the rate of national chains.
• More independents means more choice, more diversity, and a truly unique community.

The necklace above is from Phoenixllewelyn. She used a great mix of antiqued and vintage beads and findings to give a great old worldly necklace that I love. I also try to buy local supplies as much as possible. How gorgeous is this handmade glass bead lined with 925 sterling silver. Maryvsmith makes amazing beads that would be perfect in any one of a kind creation.

I have to be honest that I buy much of my yarn from on-line sources but I like to go with places that I know are actually independently owned like Webs and Little Knits. This is because as we all know if you are selling your creations on-line you have to get the best deals possible on supplies in order to make any type of profit. As I am trying to think more green in my day to day life shopping locally and even eating locally are going to be even more important elements of my life.