WRAP UP it
A roundup of locAl And hAndmAde gift ideAs for the holidAys
D
espite picture-perfect, Pinterest-worthy holiday decorations and gifts popular on the internet and on magazine covers, there’s a sense of minimalism dominating the holiday season for some of us this year. “Black Friday” was boycotted, with many favoring “Buy Nothing Day” and “Small Business Saturday” instead. The ailing economy has a way of refocusing priorities and expectations, and the “Buy Local” movement encourages consumers to spend money in their communities, supporting small businesses. But it’s important to note that buying local, while economically sustainable, doesn’t always equal environmentally sustainable. That comes more with buying items sourced, developed and produced by Reno artisans. According to Danielle Henderson, founder of Campfire Ceramics, buying handmade items is about quality. And quality is the key to drawing consumers away from big box stores toward custom gifts.
“Objects can have an intrinsic value because of the memories they spark,” she says. “When you buy from a local artist, there’s interaction with the person who gave you the present, and then there’s interaction with the maker, and then that develops into a connection to the item.” Henderson founded Campfire Ceramics in fall 2012. This is her second holiday season. She says the winter is a busy time for many artisans. Planning ahead to accommodate sales is vital for small business’s success. Prior to ceramics, Henderson had a small jewelrymaking business. She’s noticed an influx in American made products, a movement seeing mainstream traction through corporations like Martha Stewart and American Express supporting makers and entrepreneurs.
Henderson cites the trendy “bespoke” style currently popular—“bespoke” refers to clothing and items custom handmade for the buyer. (There’s also Bespoke, a boutique in Truckee, that sells handmade goods.) “I have a lot of hope that we will bring back American craftsmanship,” says Henderson. “Etsy and Big Cartel and websites like that have been huge for people making their own items.” Henderson says that most local artists gain customers through word of mouth, so having opportunities to share their work helps to show the community that buying local “can be accessible.” “There are some really good local shows here in town,” she says. “It’s a great outlet to sell and buy handmade goods. You get a chance to meet the artist, too, so you have that personal connection.”
BY ASHLEY HENNEFER
She notes that there’s a perception that buying local can be pricier and is only for “arts and crafts things.” “It can certainly be more expensive, but I’m willing to pay more for a story,” she says. “And you know someone has taken the time to make something custom just for you.” Although Pinterest can be a source of consumerism and lifestyle envy, there’s a phrase floating around the website that some have embraced as the guideline for holiday purchases: gifts must fall within “something you want / something you need / something to wear / something to read.” Kind of catchy, right? This little ditty can certainly be adapted for taste, and it served as a loose guideline for how we looked for places to shop locally at this season.
Photo/Ashley hennefer
16 | RN&R |
DECEMBER 19, 2013
