Supporting Handmade (plus a sale and a giveaway)


#supporthandmade

#shoplocal

#smallbusinesssaturday

The hashtags abound for the idea of shopping small businesses, bolstering local economies, supporting the handmade movement. As a blogger, a crafter with a small business (or two or three), as a friend to owners of brick and mortar shops, as a daughter of small town America, I get on board with all the things that embody this large overarching concept. I also shop at costco and target (keeping it real!) but my passion is to support the little guy. I also love the thrill of finding a gem of a shop and seeing them grow -- because they are loyal to their customers and their product is just dang good.

But the explosion of the handmade movement has also brought its share of copycats and impostors, the biggest offenders claiming to support artisans overseas as a cover to capitalizing on the "sustainable shopping" idea. While I am a firm believer that there will never be too many artists, I find the hunt for the original often exhausting.

As an individual, I do my best to research and put my dollars where my heart is. But there is only so much impact a single consumer can make. This is where Umba comes in!

When I learned about Umba, I knew I wanted to be involved. This past summer, I joined a handful of women and helped the company launch their direct sales side as an Umbassador. Umba now partners with and empowers artists, giving them a voice in a handmade loving community. The founders are committed to the idea of "delighting and inspiring" and have curated a line of products that do just that.

Some products support women in villages across the world in Cambodia, Columbia, and Peru, other products help youth here in the U.S. by helping to support West Virginia Young Life volunteers, but all of the products are handmade and originals. I appreciate that the exhausting "hunt" is done by Umba and I have the opportunity to shop a well-curated selection products. I am excited to see this company grow and even more excited to share it with you!







10% off Party Accessories from Umba
a great collection of gifts
or accents for your New Years Eve bash!
Catherine Weitzman, Forage, Florence Oliver, Basik, 
Foamy Wader (select products), LovelyB, Make Pie, Thimblepress

Now through 11:59 PM EST on Tuesday, December 10th

Use Code: LETSPARTY10

Offer valid for U.S. only. 


And because I love you all so much, 
an artist story and a giveaway.


this ...now discontinued... bag from the Basik 855 Summer line could be yours

Ikat Uptown Hobo
Adjustable strap, magnetic snap closure, interior sipper pocket, measure 17'' x 15.5''
$89 value


Based out of Cambodia, Basik 855 creates handwoven ikat accessories that are infused with each season’s most exciting design trends and colors. Basik 855 believes that machines will never replicate the exquisite craftsmanship of a product made by hand. The fabric in Basik 855 totes and clutches takes shape on traditional looms, using the same time-intensive techniques that have defined the craft of ikat for centuries.
In three years, Basik 855 have grown from a collection of artisans working in their own homes to a centralized weaving center located 42 kilometers outside of Phnom Penh. The talent passed from generation to generation of weavers combines with the skills of a specialized design team to create a timely, cohesive collection that is equally at home on the streets of New York and Los Angeles as it is in Phnom Penh and Sydney. Basik 855 is committing to doing business as they think it ought to be done. The artisans are their cause, and the company was founded with the purpose of paying each employee a fair-living wage that they would not receive in the garment factories. This belief forms the core of the company, and it inspires their motto of “fashion with a fight.”


Disclaimer: compensated affiliate links may be used in this post.

8 comments:

  1. Well, since we're poor grad students right now, we shop for what's the best deal. BUT my goal is to someday be able to support the local small town grocer, buy handmade gifts, etc.

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  2. In general, I'm guided by price. I think handmade is lovely but I also think that not wasting my money is important - stewarding what I've been given well. Groceries and household items are typically bought at larger stores. Gifts as much as possible are bought locally or through online shops.

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  3. I like winning things on blogs ;). And also buying handmade, unique items.

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  4. My number one rule is avoid WalMart at all cost. I just don't believe in their business model. Like you I shop costco and Target, but when I can I like to shop etsy. I love that you can find exactly what you're looking for on etsy. Every year I vow to start my shopping earlier so I can get handmade in time for Christmas, but it does take some planning!

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  5. Um, most of my shopping tips come from you! Haha :) I'm buying something else from Umba right now! I try to get cool unique gifts, for a good value! And blogs and pinterest usually guide me to Etsy! And then if that fails, I hit Old Navy!

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  6. I love buying local and supporting handmade ... but definitely find it hard sometimes when it comes to price! Trying to figure the best balance :)

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  7. I've started to get a lot of gift ideas off Pinterest. But good deals usually guide my decision :)

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  8. I loveeee buying handmade items. It feels so good to not support big business :)

    Happy to be a new follower!

    TatteredtoTaylored.blogspot.com

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