Shop Local!

When I discovered Etsy 6 years ago, I was done for.  It was over.  I spent days searching through different "homemade" creations, marveling at all of them, and I decided never to buy a mass-produced product again.  Ha.  That didn't happen.  But what did happen was this - I realized there was a world beyond the type of shopping I did at the mall or at Target.  In fact, there was a world that better described my style and helped me to feel like I could express myself without wearing or carrying the same thing as every person around me.

Etsy helped me to see that unique style expressed through creativity was a great thing.  But I thought to myself, "Surely, there aren't people like that in my town.  I've never seen that type of creative work in Marysville, or Central Ohio before."  Boy, was I wrong!  While I love Etsy and other websites like it, I get an even bigger thrill out of buying something from a person in our own community.  Creativity doesn't just in exist in LA or artsy towns in North Carolina - it is blossoming all around us!

Not Your Mama's Craft Market is the perfect way to support local vendors who are passionate about sharing their creativity.  There are going to be 25+ vendors at the craft market on Saturday.  Behind each of those products is a real person who has taken her creative impulses, formed them into something beautiful, and decided to share her creations with the world.  She's not just an internet shop, but a real person with a face - who is from Ohio!  Not only are you supporting homemade gifts, but you're shopping local as well - supporting the people in our community who are working hard to share their creativity with the world.  Who wouldn't want a piece of that?!

Over the past weeks, I have been delighted to sit in front of the computer, open up my email, and see beautiful pictures of personalized products birthed out of creativity.  I've loved learning about what inspires each of our eight featured vendors.  I'm even more excited to know there are 17+ other faces who will be sharing their products with us at the craft market.  Some of your favorite familiar products will also be available at the craft market.  The only items that are not homemade will be favorites sold from 31 Gifts, Pampered Chef, and Origami Owl - all three of these are typically home party shops, but you will have the opportunity to browse their selections and support wonderful vendors who have committed to the market because they believe in these products.

Shopping locally isn't just good for the heart, but it's good for the economy too. The Plain City Advocate talked about this very issue in an interview with the UC Chamber of Commerce:

 “For every $100 we spend at locally-owned businesses, $68 stays right here in Union County, helping businesses grow, purchase services, pay their employees and add jobs so local residents have more money to spend and recirculate through our economy. It’s that easy — just shop local.”

What else do you need to hear?  Join us Saturday from 9-3 and meet great people, see the faces of creativity around us, and support Union County!  See you at the Houston House (264 W. 5th St.) with valet parking, activities for kids, Santa Claus, and lots more fun!

For more information, go to Not Your Mama's Craft Market on Facebook!