In her fascinating book, "The Travels of a T-shirt In The Global Economy," Pietra Rivoli writes:

"Auggie Tantillo describes the Wal-Mart squeeze cycle, in which Wal-Mart’s squeeze on its American suppliers had bankrupted them, and led the firm to China where it squeezes Chinese suppliers as well as their sweatshop workers. At the end of the squeeze cycle, we can buy our t-shirts for 25 cents less, so on average we are richer, but at what cost?"

She goes on:

"Another divide between professional and public opinion relates to differing perspectives: While economists view matters nationally or even globally, many Americans take a local perspective. While free trade increases global welfare, some local workers, companies, and communities are the losers; the economic benefits of free trade are diffuse, while the costs are typically concentrated. When the benefits of cheaper t-shirts for millions across the country are placed alongside the costs of job loss for a few thousand in a North Carolina mill town, the public’s internal calculator often works much differently than does an economist’s."

I've never been to North Carolina, nor seen any documentaries about how communities were ruined by lost jobs there, but I am curious to learn about places where the local economy has dried up or maybe been renewed by successful local business owners. What does it take to make a successful local economy? One big employer, like a textile mill, or lots of varied small businesses? Perhaps a mixture of both. Though I'm no fan of Wal-Mart, this blog is not about anti any one specific entity but about how people are going about changing back to doing things locally--growing food in their communities (or just eating it!), seeking out locally-owned businesses, checking labels to learn where things are manufactured. In her book, Rivoli seems to be searching for how things got to be the way they are--that is, away from local.

Another REALLY good reason to consider buying locally from small manufacturers:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/10/30/wgap130.xml

Children in sweatshops making children's clothes that are sold for discount prices is just so wrong on many levels.

Just a note to say that the links here are not yet organized by state, so if you are looking for a shop or designer in your town then please ask and I can let you know if there are any. One idea here is that these businesses be supported locally, but also by shoppers beyond the immediate area who want to support either parents in business or any goods manufactured in the U.S. or who just really like what they see on a particular link. What I have noticed over time with my own daughter is that we get tons of compliments on the clothes from some of these boutiques or lines, and not so much with the mass-produced stuff. We had this one summer dress with a Western-cowboy theme from Studio Bini in Denver that was commented on everywhere we went--by Dads in the park, other Moms asking if it came in adult sizes, my own family. These unique clothes really get attention!

I've added another review today--this time of Studio Bini in Denver. She sells her own designs as well as many others that are very cute for both girls and boys.

This is a Chinese proverb I read in a book of blessings:

"When eating bamboo shoots, remember the man who planted them."

Surely a good reminder, but also a way to think when purchasing clothes for kids. Anytime we spend, what an affordable luxury to know the creator of the goods, or at least know where they came from and that people in the community were provided jobs.

I've added reviews of some of the locally-made clothing listed on this blog. For some reason the reviews are way down at the bottom of the page. Feel free to add your own reviews in a comment or suggest more companies to link here!

I was flipping through my Gaiam catalog today and noticed an interesting quote:

"When you know the story behind the product--how it was sourced and the people it affects--it feels good to know that you made a difference in someone else's life."

I am assuming this is related to fair trade and organic cotton, but it's so true of all locally-made goods! And even locally-grown, locally-owned too. So, if I haven't said it before for fear it might sound too lofty for shopping, I'm going to echo those words: When you shop locally-made, locally-owned, you get to know who you are supporting with your hard-earned money. It does feel good to know you are supporting that individual or family and their creative efforts.

The other day I was talking to a Mom who told me, "We're not doing characters." What she meant was that when she shops for her daughter, she only buys clothing without Disney or other characters. Fascinating! I love that everyone has a different approach to shopping--whether it be loyalty to a certain brand, by price, locally made or character-less.

Although I'm still trying to find time to make this blog better, I also started a new blog. Someone recently told me that you can discover yourself as you blog, and maybe that is what is happening. Please check it out at www.local-ade.blogspot.com.

I recently came across an old article about just what a huge business the baby apparel and product market is. I'm trying to get current figures, but in 1997 a Consumer Expenditure Survey from the Bureau of Labor Statistics calculated that baby apparel sales were at $11.6 BILLION nationally (that does include diapers). Sales of infant and toddler apparel--not including diapers--increased 45-percent since 1993, according to another survey. Certainly the growth of many established adult apparel companies adding children's lines has contributed to this phenomenal growth in clothes for a population who mostly stay at home, or even in bed most of their days.

What does this mean to this little blog of mine? It means that we should be supporting all the little guys and gals who are but a small part of this very huge business. People obviously want to, and are prepared to, spend quite a lot on baby and children clothing so why shouldn't that money be spent at a business that is financially supporting others in their community by hiring people to make their products?

This morning in my yoga class my instructor said, "It's about quality, not quantity." Of course he was talking about repetitions done in a particular pose. As I collapsed on my mat, I was thinking of shopping locally instead.

Certainly when you shop at a small boutique, prices may be a few dollars higher and there is less inventory to choose from. But especially when shopping for little ones who outgrow their clothes in months, not years, then you only need a couple of quality items to use for a season. Why not choose those few well-made items as opposed to some with the expectation that it's OK if they fall apart or don't last because the kids were going to grow out them any way?

And what about the quality of that shopping experience? How much more meaningful to have a conversation with the owner or designer about how she or he picked out the fabrics of the clothes you are buying, or find out what she has coming in the next season. I worked in retail off and on since high school before developing interests in photography and journalism. I am familiar with the environment, how to make sales and how to provide a quality experience for shoppers. That may be why I want that for myself when I shop. I always knew the owners of the places I worked for too. Why shouldn't we enjoy that face-to-face experience?

Om.

So new to blogging and not in the habit of posting much, though I continue to look for new businesses to add to the links list. In e-mailing businesses to announce my blog and link intentions, I have found it interesting to learn a little about each of the companies. I hope to soon add a short Q & A feature to the blog.

Also, in researching businesses to add to the blog I have considered my real passion here and that is the desire to support locals. I am turned off by patriotic "Made In the USA" sites, and want to be recognizing the efforts of entrepreneurs who create jobs for others in their neighborhood or community. It's simply charming to know the face behind the designs, the product, the storefront. The Q & A will make it that much more friendly for people looking for a special item to buy.

Something big for so many so small. This blog is the first step in helping shoppers find goods that are not only sold locally, but also made locally. Specifically, links to business that manufacture their own baby and children clothing, gear and toys. My goal is to have a web site directory of these business with features that will make finding such businesses easy. And more, more, more!

Since becoming a mother, I started reading labels oh-so closely and became more and more curious about where things were made and by whom. It has become something of a scavenger hunt, looking to see if the label says, "Made In the USA" or even more specific, like "Made in Beautiful West L.A." As I shopped at the stores in my own town--Denver and Boulder--I quickly realized that these businesses are often started by new parents, particularly mothers who have been inspired to create quality merchandise. The name for this blog was in part inspired by the fact that these are "wee" businesses making things for "wee" ones.

Ultimately I have combined my curiosity--where are these made? how? by whom?--with a strong desire to support local businesses whenever possible.

I look forward to adding you and your business to my blog, as well as getting comments from those who visit and find a wonderful new shop or product.