She Blathers On.....

I am a Wal-Mart shopper.  I am not ashamed to admit that Wal-Mart has

afforded me many hours of shopping pleasure....and good prices.

Many were against Wally building his World in our town

and I was just stubborn enough to go the opposite way and say

"come on in the water's fine", and have been happily picking things up there

ever since.

But today I want to preach about a different kind of shopping.

I encourage you to spend some of your hard-earned Christmas dollars buying

hand made items.....preferably from those who make them.

Does your child, friend or family member really need another toy or doo-dad

made in China?  Probably not.   I know, I SHOP WALMART, WHO AM I TO PREACH?

But, more and more, I am trying to support local people who work with their hands, and that

means not only those who live close to me, but also those who live away from me

but make beautiful things by hand....everything from clothes to bowls, jewelry to pottery to toys.

Writers, Potters, Carvers, Sewers, Knitters, Crafters of all kinds, think about offering them your support.

Check out Etsy if you have not already and prepare to sit a few minutes, or hours or days

and see what people do.  Or go to a local craft sale or gallery and check out the local talent.

Or buy a book and learn a new craft yourself to share.  Maybe a piece of jewelry or stationary or pottery 

or a carved wood bowl.

But, don't be fooled.....I'll see you at Wal-Mart soon enough...I'll be the one wearing a

hand-knit scarf.