I support local artists...

and I'm proud of it!!

I try very hard to especially support those artisans in and around Worcester, as well as the New England Region. And honestly, I like to think that local these days is anything that is made in the USA. Whenever I go to Target and find something I like, I right away look at the tag and it's almost never made in the US. It's always Vietnam, Thailand, and/or China. Sometimes this deters me from buying it....sometimes it doesn't. If it's something I can get one of a kind or handmade on Etsy or at an artisans Market, then I do that. But sometimes I just can't...like when shopping for shoes, or undergarments. And I think that's sad because I know that a different time in this country there was pride in buying American and that you could find things made in America, even if it was mass produced, it was done so somewhere in the 50 states.

So, in honor of local artisans and those who brave this economy and continue to create with their hands and sell their crafts, I would like to share my finds this weekend at stART in Worcester, and from my Etsy adventures. Enjoy:)

This is my current purse/carry all bag. I bought it on Etsy from a designer out of New York City. While it may not be New England local, I did live there once and i know how hard it is, so I will gladly support an artisan trying to make it in the Big Apple. If you click on the picture you will be taken to her shop.

How cute are these!!! These are obviously not for me, but for my adorable little (nephew) man Sam! I just bought these from a local art festival here in Worcester called stART. These soft soled baby shoes/slippers are handmade in Brookline, MA by Kaya's Kloset.

I have blogged about Bostonhandmade before, and I finally purchased something from one of their artisans. This adorable hair pin is made by Elizabeth Brennick designs. She creates so many gorgeous things, from hair accessories to baby clothes to felted money holders. It was also fun to meet the person behind the work. It's a feeling you don't get when you buy something at a big box store like GAP or JCrew.

Modeling my new pin...I love it!!