Ideas for supporting small artists / causes through Christmas shopping

[catherine]

Last year when my kids asked me what I wanted for Christmas I told them anything that came from a local artist or good cause.

So, this year, I am going to concentrate on giving gifts to others only from local artists or good causes.

Here are some of the sources I'll be thinking of:

Etsy (http://www.etsy.com/)
Frog Hollow (http://www.froghollow.org/)
Dog Mountain (http://www.dogmt.com/) (Stephen Huneck's art.. I LOVE his art and his widow has been valiantly trying to keep Dog Mountain and Dog Chapel going)
Bead for Life (http://www.beadforlife.org/en/frontpage/us)


I'm open to other suggestions of course--got any?

[iris lily]

Last year when my kids asked me what I wanted for Christmas I told them anything that came from a local artist or good cause.

So, this year, I am going to concentrate on giving gifts to others only from local artists or good causes.

Here are some of the sources I'll be thinking of:

Etsy (http://www.etsy.com/)
Frog Hollow (http://www.froghollow.org/)
Dog Mountain (http://www.dogmt.com/) (Stephen Huneck's art.. I LOVE his art and his widow has been valiantly trying to keep Dog Mountain and Dog Chapel going)
Bead for Life (http://www.beadforlife.org/en/frontpage/us)


I'm open to other suggestions of course--got any?

We were talking about this last week at a charity fundraiser I attended. Someone in my group remarked that November is the best month to raise money in silent auction/charity events probably because people are holiday shopping already. I bought a lot of earrings for myself, I'm not a gift giver, but charity auctions are another source for a place to find holiday gifts and the money goes to a good cause. The auction items are not, of course, usually handmade, but sometimes they are. My earrings were bead type earrings that someone had strung.

[Tussiemussies]

A great idea to buy everything from the leftover Mom and Pop stores. We have one hardware store in town left over in town that we go to for garden things mainly. They don't have appliances etc., but nice that they are there and also an ice cream store that is not a chain....

[rosarugosa]

Catherine: Thanks for the Dog Mountain link. I have to get one of the Greetings door mats for my sister!
I try to buy from local artisans at shops or crafts fairs as well, although I don't do lots of holiday gifts anymore. I'll try to think of some relevant links to share.

[JaneV2.0]

Nearby arts communities may have permanent storefronts or holiday outlets. In fact, our Kirkland Arts Center Store is having a reception this very day.

[catherine]

Catherine: Thanks for the Dog Mountain link. I have to get one of the Greetings door mats for my sister!


Actually, I bought three Dog Mountain mats last Christmas! A "No Dogmas Allowed" for my daughter (her boyfriend was raised in an Evangelical Christian home and has rebelled against it), and a "Greetings" one for my BIL, and a "Dream Without Limits" one for me!

I was worried about dirt because of the light color, but they actually wash up quite well.