Tuesday 10 February 2015

I Support Local

I Support Local
I Support Local is the second of the new blog series I discussed last week (New Direction).  Much like The Thrifty Quilter, this is not intended to be an in-your-face, stick-it-to-the-man campaign guilt-tripping you into buying locally. It is simply a way for me to support my local businesses through purchases, reviews, shout-outs and any other means I stumble across on my journey. If it nudges a few people into checking out businesses local to them, well that would just be dan-diddly-andy.

Why Will I Support Local?
Over the years, I have become a Spotlight (large craft store chain) or US fabric shop customer. There are two reasons for this: Cost and Range. Australian specialty stores just didn't seem to stock the ranges advertised in the US stores. When they did, it was still cheaper to buy in the US and pay shipping to Australia. It probably still is, however, I have grown to appreciate the uniqueness of the stores around me. Ranges and products that aren't being used by every second quilter, service and chit chat the you just can't replicate online. This series is really a reminder to myself to shop locally and support like-minded folk in my area.

What do you mean by Local?
Local businesses can mean different things to different people. For me, it's about looking at those small business around me both in Tasmania and in Australia. They may be online or Ye Olde Shoppe, craft supply stores or even handmaidens (or the men-folk). Whatever the situation, I'm hoping to show off a few of our local talents and give myself, and perhaps a few of you, the nudge needed to support local businesses.

No more overseas purchasing then?
HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA *ahem*....I mean, "why no, no good Sir. I do not mean that at all." Obviously there are still times when purchasing overseas is the only option. Quilting is a world wide community and some things are only available from one store. Block of the Month clubs for example. (Fat Quarter Shop, I'm looking at you). The idea is simply to spend a little more time considering local businesses rather than immediately jumping elsewhere.

I'm really looking forward to this series. It will be great to talk more with some of our local business-folk. If you think you're interested in being a part of the I Support Local series, then please do not hesitate to email me at sewtodaycleantomorrow@gmail.com. I will be looking at supply shops, handmaidens (and of course the male equivalent), bloggers, quilters, or pretty much any Australian business that would fit with the audience here.

Who else is excited to see what Australia has to offer?

10 comments:

  1. Really looking forward to this series. I'm pretty poor at shopping local. I live in regional NSW, so only have one quilt store that is truly local, and another one about an hour and a half away. Im looking forward to exploring a different concept of local, and seeing what's available in other Oz stores.

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    1. I really hope this series helps. I love what some of our Australian stores have to offer and can't wait to show them off :)

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    2. Looking forward to it. I am finding more australian blogs coming to the fore now, which is great. I live in NT and cannot purchase a reel of cotton here, so it is a real drought as far as quilting is concerned, therefore, internet buying is a must, or drive to Darwin hours away. Yep, looking forward to it.

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    3. Well I'll definitely have some great online stores on here for you to visit Carol ; )

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    4. Carol (no link so I couldn't contact you direct) I am able to get 100% cotton Gutermann thread...3000m cones for a very, very reasonable price. If you let me know what colours you would be interested in, I'll see if I can accomodate...hope you don't mind me commenting here Rachael, but as I mentioned, I couldn't contact Carol direct.

      Hugs
      Naomi

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  2. Hi Rachael,

    I've just emailed you a link to my online shop.....thanks for the opportunity to share my link with other Aussies to help them out (oh, and me too!)

    Hugs
    Naomi

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  3. This sounds like a fabulous series, I'd be really interested in participating and also in seeing what else is available in Australia. I have only rarely bought fabric online, but I know there are suppliers and shops that I am missing out on in Australia too!

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    1. There are some fabulous Australian shops online (and in 'real life'). It's actually one of the things that prompted me to start this series. There's just so much out there that people don't realise is right at their finger tips.

      If you'd like to participate Cassandra, then please don't hesitate to email me and we can discuss some ideas :)

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