Christmas shopping.
written by Julie R. Neidlinger 6 comments link this postI know there's this "buy nothing / make your own stuff for Christmas" push out there. Since that would rather make life difficult for me and other artists who make our own stuff in hopes of selling it to you in order to stay alive, I would also add a third option to that list: buy from an artist this Christmas.
Sure, it might be more expensive than WalMart. And no, I'm not busy making homemade LCD flat screen TVs. But I do have some stuff...
So. Where to do this?
Well, all over. There are artists all over the internet. For example...
My friend Sarah is a fabulous artist. I really mean that. Her work blows me away with various forms of envy and jealousy. You can visit her web site or go to her Etsy shop and get some really great stuff. For you dog or greyhound lovers, you've found the perfect gifts.
Etsy, in general, is a good place to buy from. You should make it your first stop when deciding to go shopping online. Everything is made by artisans and hobbyists and you're helping support people in the most direct and true way possible: paying them for things they've made with their own hands.
To me, that's a more reasonable answer to the "buy nothing" concept since, if everyone bought nothing, it would sort of mean disaster on great levels. The idea is to kill wanton and excessive consumerism, but since things made by artists tend to be more expensive than the cheap "made in China" products, most people don't go and buy 20 of the same item. One will do. And buyers tend to treasure that one item more than something mass-produced and common, which is easily seen as disposable and replaceable. I buy from artists. I have purchased off of Etsy or in my local craft store. I still have those items.
And of course, uh, you can shop here at Lone Prairie. I don't have too much pride to mention that.
UPDATE: Find out about making your own stuff for Christmas.
(If you know of a great artist, leave a link in the comments section. Spread the love.)
Labels: art, christmas, product placement, promotion
Copyright (c) Julie R. Neidlinger 11/13/2007 07:24:00 AM
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6 Comments:
Sounds like good middle ground to me!
By 
Lois E. Lane, at
13/11/07 10:32
Preach it sister.
And sometimes, the owners of said hand-made items, like to hold parties celebrating the artist. Imagine.
By girlfriday, at
13/11/07 22:17
Oh, you are a sneaky one, GF.
(Sometimes the artist is a little shy and prone to creeping blushing episodes, mixed with mumbling and a great deal of verbal inadequacy, which such a party would surely inspire.)
By Julie R. Neidlinger, at
13/11/07 22:58
Your friend is a genius, no doubt. I just can't get excited about Greyhound sculptures.
Your work, I can.
By girlfriday, at
14/11/07 10:52
Oh, but her horse art...every time I go look at it, I have huge waves of envy. Sheer envy. The sculptures are flawless!
By Julie R. Neidlinger, at
15/11/07 11:48
You're right. It's very good.
By girlfriday, at
15/11/07 13:53
