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.