In a holiday that has become largely
commercial, we should all endeavor to support our own communities and artisans
by buying local, especially at this time of year. How does this topic apply to
Ancestor Work? It’s simple. We are the catalyst for the change we wish to see
in the world. We make choices every day that shape the world we are leaving for
our children and grandchildren, for our nieces and nephews. And that includes
everything our dollars support. Every single dollar bill. Every cent.
Where do you spend your money?
Independently owned businesses or chain corporations? Where do you shop? Where
do you eat? If you spend your money on chain stores and franchises, do you know
where *they* spend their money? What political causes do they fund? What
humanitarian causes do they give money to? For all you know, you are spending
all of your money in a store that funds everything you despise and disagree
with.
When you buy food and gifts from local
stores and artisans, you feed your hard-earned money into your own economy.
Which is good for where you live, as it keeps that money circulating locally.
It also keeps the carbon footprint of your dollar down with little to no
expense for shipping and packaging. Peeling back another layer into this mindfulness, where do the
products you buy come from? Why send money to China when there are artisans and
craftsmen in your own city who need your support?
I know, I know. But this is *exactly* what I wanted. Sometimes,
it shouldn’t be about getting exactly what you want or need. Sometimes,
compromising on your vision due to money or geographic constraint is the
lesson. And it’s usually where you start to work outside of the box and the
magic happens. Anyone can buy a gift off a list or registry. But who else is
going to get them that custom mug made just for them? Or that glass wind chime
custom colored to match their house? The hand-forged kitchen knife with a
handle made of wood from their favorite tree?
Do you want a mug poured in a mold
that looks just like every other mug in the box? Or do you want a mug
hand-thrown and glazed, with all of the artist’s energy and concentration
poured into its creation? Which of the two do you think will feel better in
your hands? In the hands of your loved ones?
Supporting artisans over corporate
stores is first and foremost of importance to me. If you’re buying on-line,
look into sites like the Etsy shops, where craftspeople sell their own items. I
am blessed to have good friends who are jewelers, potters, bladesmiths,
metalsmiths, candle makers, herbalists, visual artists, carpenters,
seamstresses, poets, etc. I love giving them business and I love sending them
business because I know where that money goes; it pays their rents and
mortgages. It pays their utilities. It buys them more supplies to create more
wonderful items. It means they can also have a good holiday with their spouses
and children.
Being able to do that and/or buy
items locally is of secondary importance to me. If I can’t find an artisan who
can make the gift I need, I at least try to buy that gift from a smaller
independently-owned store versus a chain. Take a drive around the yellow pages
and see what little stores are tucked away in your community that you haven’t
visited yet. Check them out and see what treasures they have to offer. If I
have to buy from a chain store, I buy it from the one whose beliefs are most in
accord with mine, based on what they do with their own money. We vote with
every dollar we spend. I believe that.
This year, instead of trying to
find gifts to appease people, buy them a unique item no one else would or could
have (if you are capable of it, craft one for them). Find them that treasure
that makes you think of them, so that they’ll see your heart in the gift of it.
And if you are a potter, a toymaker, a dressmaker, a knitter, a felter, a
jeweler, a carpenter, a bladesmith, a writer, a visual artist, a glassblower, a
baker, etc… thank you for taking a risk. Thank you for sharing your gifts and
your energy. Thank you for brightening my world.
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