Day 1.
For the love of elephants...
If you
have found your way to this blog I hope you are ready to enjoy the journey with
me as I explore some great gift ideas just in time for the holidays. This blog
will be devoted to helping us all find some cool items that have one thing in
common...they are made right here in the USA. I have always been a supporter of
the idea we should shop locally whenever possible. To me this is the global
version of a shop local campaign. And there are so many reasons why it's
important to support American business on both the small and large scale. From
keeping jobs in our country to all the trickle down economic benefits, I don't
think too many people would argue against the notion that shopping for American
made goods is a smart thing to do. However, the inspiration for this blog came
from a different angle entirely. I happened upon a website and blog written by
an artist whose talents I first encountered in my youth through her illustrations,
which had a significant impact on me during my childhood, and now her figural
art that I equally admire having learned more about her work today. Through her
own blog Sharon Knettell (www.sharonknettell.com) drew my attention to how so many
elephants are losing their lives, slaughtered for ivory and commerce as a
result of a high foreign demand for the ivory and how some tactics used in countries
like China have just contributed to this terribly sad situation. I encourage
you to read more about this for yourself, but I wanted to find a positive way
to address the feelings this brought up in me.
The most
positive way I feel we can all make a difference is to make smart choices, opting
to select gift items that support America and American business. Though I hope
to impart some important ideas and information, this blog will not be about preaching
to you...it will be about assisting you in finding cool things being made in
the USA and showing support by shopping with retailers who have taken the extra
effort to offer them. As an artsy-crafty person myself, I like to think that
"made in the USA" not only refers to a finished product, but also
ideas for things you can make yourself using components that are manufactured
here as well. So throughout this blog you will find some videos, some photos,
some stories and some do-it-yourself ideas for things I have come across in my
many travels that I want you to know about. My hope is that we can share ideas
for smart, savvy gifts that combat the negative by reinforcing the positive,
and that positive impact can be felt all over the United States by spending our
dollars to support the wide variety of cool things that are available right
here. I also welcome you to e-mail me with your thoughts and suggestions.
Together we'll find lots of ideas for gifts and goodies just in time for the
holiday season. Let's get shopping!
I want to
encourage you right from the start that there are lots of wonderful gifts to be
found out there that are made in the USA. Sometimes it seems like you might have
to put in a little extra effort…but not always. I took a tour of a wonderful
gift shop that features a very wide selection of gifts made in America
everywhere you look. Let’s start our journey here!
I’d like
to thank my friends at The Tepee for letting me tour their store. If you’d like
to learn more about them you can find the shop at:
