Made in the USA?

I'd have to say I consider myself a patriot. Actually, a pretty hard-core, I-bleed-red-white-and-blue, kind of patriot. I love America. I support our troops. I could go on, but I think you get the general idea of what I am saying. 

I've always tried to buy American, you know, do my part. But until I started designing and making bags, I didn't realize the issues American designers and crafters deal with. All the pieces and parts and necessary items that make up our products can get pretty costly. That combined with our time, and well.  our prices can't compete with the big name brands that manufacture overseas. 

While on a recent trip to a big name discount store, my mom and I were looking at the bags and commenting on the various styles and prices. $9.99, $15.99, $29.99. I looked at all the hardware and parts on each bag and asked my mom, how in the world could they make this bag and sell it for such a low price? Then I saw it, the tag. Made in China. Which piqued my curiosity, how many of these bags had the same tag? Without exception, every bag I picked up had the same tag. Made in China. As I went through the rest of the store, looking at artwork, dog beds, kitchen ware, women's clothing and shoes...I saw the same disheartening tag or label. Where was the Made in the USA stuff? 

The thing is, the American made items are out there. I was just surprised at how little of it there is in our main shopping venues. I can't get into why people manufacture overseas. There could be a number of reasons, good reasons. And it is their freedom to have their products made wherever our laws allow. 

I am not saying you should check every label and tag and not buy anything that doesn't say "Made in the USA". That just sounds way too tiresome and wouldn't that take all the fun out of shopping? Truth is, there are some really nice things that are made in places outside of the United States. I can think of a few things off the top of my head that are truly crafted with pride and obvious attention to detail. Some of them I own and would buy again in a heartbeat. My Great-Uncle Voar Shoemake used to always tell my Dad, you get what you pay for. I agree. I'm not a shopping snob, but I would rather save up my money and buy one well-made product from Nordstrom than get 20 cheaply manufactured items from a big name discount store. For me, its about quality.

Without a shadow of a doubt, when you are out shopping this Christmas, you'll be able to find things much less expensive than a hand-crafted item. I'd love to say it works differently than that, but it doesn't. 

Recently I've had the privilege to meet so many local artisans. For the most part, they are stay at home moms, who have carefully honed their talents into well made products. They are a one woman company. They handle the marketing, the purchasing, the designing, the production, the packaging, the selling and the customer service all on their own. They juggle the many social media outlets necessary to get your product out in the public. They email, research, and continuously refine their product to meet the public demand. And they do it so well. 

I wonder if you would take a moment to think about who you are supporting as you shop. As you go down your list, it won't be probable to buy everything USA or support a local artisan. But maybe you can find a few items that will. American talent and ingenuity is out there and I'm sure like me, they would appreciate your business. 

This isn't my soap box and I'm not preaching to anyone. These are just my thoughts, wonderings and musings. I know, I'm soooo deep.