My sister makes magnets in Portland, Oregon. This one is a nod to Van Morrison's very lovely 1968 album Astral Weeks (check it out on a cool fall afternoon). My sister has had success with her mini-business which gives me hope for the DIY movement even in 'these economic times' which is seemingly all anyone--from your mom to the talking heads on the 8 o'clock news--can talk about.
Still, despite the poor economy (of perhaps because of it), the DIY (do it yourself) movement is experiencing a renaissance. 'Customer confidence' is down and for the first time in decades people are beginning to question corporate America. And, perhaps, because in 2009, we are so far from our roots, people are anxious to get "back to the earth" by making things for themselves.
Burlington is a hotbed of artists and crafters which shoppers can unearth at the weekly Farmer's Market every Saturday in City Hall Park or at stores and galleries around town. The Burlington community is anxious to embrace small and local business and I can only hope that will sustain and spread, as Van says, in another time/in another place.
Real transformation is strictly do-it-ourselves!
ReplyDeleteSmall business, trade and interaction with neighbors is the path to a better, smaller, more localized world, independent of corporate giants that value profit over people and the environment. Small business is an ideal way to cultivate a healthy and productive relationship to your community! It's really heartening to see that despite these "tough times" people still appreciate and respond to unique, hand-made things that offer an alternative to mass-produced, redundant material goods.
Thanks for the plug Elsa! You're the best blogger I know.