14 Reasons Why you should buy Locally made Canadian Arts & Crafts this Christmas Season.
November 20th, 2012 | No Comments
14 Reasons to Buy Locally this Christmas
- The B.C. Finance Minister Mike de Jong recently announced an unexpected revenue loss of $1.4 billion over the next three years for B.C. finances! How can such a breathtakingly large number be described as ‘unexpected’? This huge sum will have a major impact on Government spending for employment, schools, hospitals and other Government services for many years to come.GIVERNY COBALT GLASS BOWL
- Unemployment in B.C. is currently running at 6.7% according to Statistics Canada– but a more accurate number should be 8.8% if people are included who have just ‘given up’ looking for work.MEDIUM CASSEROLE
- Instead of buying goods made in some far off country (often for low wages) we need to support local Canadian made goods and services.COPPER & STERLING SILVER NECKLACE
- Shopping at Wal Mart, the big box stores and shopping Malls often does very little for our local economy. Much of the goods sold in these places are imported and sometimes made with low cost labour.SILVER MAPLE BURL SALAD BOWL
- Locally crafted work is unique! Unlike items made in a far off factory; local crafts people make work that is individual and one-of-a-kind. This does not just apply to a magnificent vase or a glass bowl. Even with a humble coffee mug, every piece has a very slight difference. When just one person or a husband & wife team makes an item the numbers are by the nature of the process – small. It’s great to have or give as a gift something that is genuinely unique and locally made.
- RAKU BARNACLE POT #25
- Local artist produce work of excellent quality and always take a personal pride in their hand-made work. I have yet to meet an artist who was not passionate about their work. From potters to glass artists to textile makers – this is their life and they are justly proud of their work. If treated well much of this work can last a lifetime. How many things can you say that about in our society today? How many of those ‘bargain’ mass produced items last more than a few years.
- PADRAIG LADIES WOOL SLIPPERS
- Save money! Contrary to what some people believe, buying directly from the artist or their local Studio can most often cost less than buying some mass produced item from a department store. Reduced transportation costs, no middle men and low advertising helps to keep costs down.SKY BLUE FUSED "HANKIE" BOWL
- Local artists do really care about customer service!The Artists are available to repair, alter, clean or replace your purchase if you should ever need this service. They are genuinely interested to help if there is ever a problem. You never, ever need to speak with some remote Customer Service person.FULL MOON EYES
- Personal service is greatly important to local artists. Many artists will custom make work to your specification. If you need a gift for a special occasion then very often the artist will be happy to make to your requirements.BEER STEIN
- Most ranges are always available so that you can add to your range or just collect individual pieces over time. Not just for pottery but jewellery or even glass art as well.HUMMINGBIRD SILK SCARF
- Shopping locally helps your local economy,by supporting local artists it keeps money in the community and ensures that hard learned skills are alive for future generations.GLORIANA BRACELET
- Help your local environment! Local arts & crafts produce a minimal carbon footprint – little transportation is involved. Conservation is important to all of us. Much of what local artists use is recycled – including what little packaging is ever used! It you ever think of supporting a Green movement then the local Arts & Crafts groups are an excellent place to start.MAGNIFYING GLASS
- Fun and Learning. It really can be a fun shopping experience – you get to meet the artist and find out about their skills, how they make their work, the huge time and effort that goes into a single piece. So take time to visit your local artist’s studio or Gallery, or local craft show. It can be great fun.SILK & RAYON FRINGED SCARF
- Supporting your local community. A locally handmade gift reflects the community and region in which it was made. It has greater relevance for the person who purchased it or the person to whom the gift is given.AMBER & SILVER EARRINGS
Side Street Studio has been supporting local artists for over 28 years. More than 360 local artists work from pottery, jewellery, textiles, glass art, wood turnings, aromatherapy, cards, books, and lots more can be found at our Oak Bay Village Studio or on-line at www.sidestreetstudio.com. Shipping is world wide with FedEx and Canada Post.
Side Street Studio
No comments:
Post a Comment