Buying Handmade & Local for The Holidays

I touched on this topic in another blog entry, but I wanted to expound upon it a little bit. I also want to show some love to local to me businesses I've dealt with as well as some links to some crafty locals who do it all on their own without a storefront!

Buying local is an investment into their business. You're letting them know that you trust them to make you happy, even if they're not a giant corporation who can duplicate everything with big, fancy machines. These people put in personal hours and lots of blood, sweat, and tears to make their business work and pay off. Many of these people are housewives, Stay-At-Home Moms doing the best they can to make their dollar stretch. Folks with regular jobs who open up their services near the holidays for some extra money for Christmas. No matter their walk of life, they work hard to make you happy.

I know I used this image in another blog as well, but it makes an important point. 

So support your local businesses, go to craft fairs, hit up indoor flea markets and seek out folks with their hand-made wares. You never know what you might find that could be the perfect gift with that personal touch only hand-made can offer. 

Here are the links to local (McMinnville, TN, Morrison, TN, and surrounding) businesses and crafters!

CC's Bowtique

((Hairbows - Stacy does a wonderful job!))

Et Cetera 

((Local crafters bring their stuff into the shop, plus Karen makes some beautiful burlap items!))

Timeless Treasures Photography 

((Amanda did my engagement shoot, she is great to work with and very creative!))

Krystal's Pixels Photography 

((Krystal did my first anniversary pics, she's great at capturing the natural chemistry between her subjects))

Crafty Creations and More

((This is a facebook page full of crafty people with items for sale))

Zydeco Suds

((Jamie makes some wonderful-smelling soaps! Stop by and ask her about them!))
Hands & Hearts Creations by Martha Knowles
((My sister-in-law Martha does a lot of personalized pieces with fancy initials, plus other text pieces, scarves, etc!))
Coppertop Creations and More
((Pam makes just about anything, she is a crafty lady!))

Amy's Creations

((Me :) ))