There’s nothing like the world around you grinding to a sudden halt to make you think about everything. And I do mean EVERYTHING. While most people were busy hoarding meat and trying to find paper towel and joining the endless search for toilet paper (seriously people stop hoarding the f-ing toilet paper), I started thinking about a few other things.
It started while I was on FaceTime with my Mom, doing the socially responsible thing, and taking a break from painting a bedroom. She was expressing concern for some friends that she’s made in her retirement. I use the term “retirement” loosely, as she’s one of the more active people I know. I haven’t met the friends that she is concerned about, but I hear so much about them that I feel like I know them well. They are independent jewelers who’ve been designing and creating their own work for, in some cases, decades as artists and teachers.
In the best of times, without a viciously contagious virus shutting the world down, these artists often function on the smallest of margins while trying to make a name for them selves. One of my Mom’s friends had just won a very prestigious award and wasn’t allowed to go public with the news until a particular trade show…That trade show is now cancelled until an unnamed time, and this artist is out all the cash that he’s had to put up for the registration, reservations, materials, etc., that he would have taken to that show where the announcement would have been made. And this is just one example!
There are thousands of independent artists in communities around the United States. They enrich our daily lives in countless ways, adding beauty to our communities, educating in our schools, volunteering their talents in times of need… They make the beautiful yarns in the local yarn shop, the personalized watercolor or your favorite Etsy print maker, the people who you buy from at you local farmers market, those are the people whose livelihoods are now in jeopardy.
In the last week of monitoring the news, because I’m that kind of person, I’ve noticed a very important thing or two. The Feds finally passed their 2 trillion dollar stimulus plan, with bipartisan support (someone check Hell, it must be frozen), and it included some cash for regular folks, HUGE bailouts for some industries and for small businesses there are low to interest-free loans… IMO it should be the other way around. In all honesty who is more likely to bounce back faster, a giant multi-national business or a small local place now saddled by a loan from the Feds??? Sooo it looks like it’s up to us, you and me and our neighbors and friends down the street and people we know in the PTA and from Church; it’s up to US to make sure that the independent businesses don’t disappear!
Where can I find these people??? I hear you asking, well, I’m glad you asked! I’ll share my personal wishlist, with some of my favorite artists, a couple are bigger names, a couple are just starting to make their mark, but they are all worth your time and a bit of you CASH if you can spare some right now!
Michael Boyd- He makes the most amazing stacked stone, imaginative jewelry and I dream of owning one of his rings some day…You can find him on IG @ michaelboydstudio or michaelboyd.com
Cj Hendry- She is a once in a generation talent, her drawings are so lifelike it’s hard to believe they aren’t photographs and the spaces that she chooses for her exhibition openings are breathtaking. She’s a true visionary talent! Find her on IG @ cj_hendry or http://www.cjhendry.live
Marla Aaron- When I first became obsessed with custom jewelry as an adult, it was Ms. Aaron’s things that drew me in. I’m head over heels for her basic Locks and Silver Cuff bracelet. The simplicity and range of her designs, and the range of prices that are available make her jewelry available to everyone who can place an order from their computer! Find her on IG @ marlaaaron or marlaaaron.com
SeeWhatISeaDesign- You need a personalized gift, but not something insanely expensive? A personalized watercolor is a fantastic solution! I can attest to how beautiful these paintings turn out, as I happen to have one on my wall. She also has many options for notebooks, stationary, Easter cards, mugs and I think wrapping paper soon…. She’s on IG @ seewhatiseadesign or search SeeWhatISea on Etsy
Ryan Gardner- He’s an up and coming jeweler and he happens to make the most incredible looking earring that I’ve seen in a very VERY long time. And I’m a jewelry and gem junky so I look at this stuff all the time. He’s able to make quartz look like it has little gold bubbles coming up through it! I’d love a pair of his earrings… You can find him on IG @ ryangardnerdesigns or ryangardnerdesigns.com
String Theory Yarn Company- This yarn store happens to be my personal favorite yarn store, but I’m placing it on the list as a representation of all independent yarn stores. Most of them have IG accounts and I’d bet that most of the owners are willing to ship right now… And what better time to work on those knitting skills than when we’re all stuck inside anyway!
One last though…On the day that you’re looking for that special thing for that extra special someone, think of the heartbreak if all the people who make those special things have been forced to stop and go back to their office jobs???
TallpixiDIY 