Buy from the People

Seriously, what is going on with the economy and our government's effort to 'fix' it. It appears to me that our leaders in Washington are spinning their wheels trying to come up with ways to spend money to get people 'back to work'.


Is it just me, or is the best way to get people back to work and spending money simply to buy the products that the people are making here in America. The buy American argument typically starts with cars and the whole GM, Chrysler, Ford mess. Forget about the auto makers. If they can't provide what the market wants then they should fail.


But what about your neighbor who is sewing handmade dolls, carving wood toys, knitting skirts, or producing any other item. I believe that if we supported the small businesses and bought their products instead of buying products from China we would put our neighbors to work and the cycle would work its way out.

There are some new benefits to the Government Backed SBA Loans. The government is guaranteeing a larger portion of the risk and has lowered the fees to obtain a new loan. It is a great time for people to quit looking for jobs and start creating their own jobs.

Please make a commitment to support small and local businesses especially those who sell products from other small businesses. An excellent example is Hip Mountain Mama. Hip Mountain Mama is a family owned and operating online retailer who primarily sells products made by small businesses here in America. Hip Mountain Mama carries American Made products from Offhand Designs, SnackTaxi, Heartwood Arts, Little Monkey Pouches, and other wood toys made right here in America. Also, don't forget to check out Etsy when you are looking for something handmade.

Give it a shot. I guarantee it will benefit us all much more than buying plastic products from China.

Hand Carved Wood Toys

Heartwood Arts is a company owned by William Bluhm. Mr. Bluhm founded the company in 1981, with the intention to hand carve toys that nourish the imitative and imaginative capacities of a child's mind. The toys are inspired by the Waldorf School Philosophy. The Waldorf Philosophy is about providing our children with the tools to discover their world through creativity. William's toys warm the heart and encourage healthy play and are found in homes and schools around the world.

Heartwood Arts is credited with creating the 'Original Wooden Play Clips'. The Heartwood Play Clips are awesome for building homes, forts, and caves with play silks. The clips are strong enough to do the job but don't pinch little fingers.

Another great product from Heartwood Arts is the Gnome Homes. These wonderful little Homes are hand carved from all natural pine. Check out these awesome Gnome Homes available at Hip Mountain Mama.

Be sure to support these handmade artists while they are still allowed to sell their toys. And please support the change to the CPSIA to allow these small businesses to continue doing what they love.

Help Fight the CPSIA Ban on Handmade Toys

This is a very important cause that needs your help. The Consumer Protection Safety Improvement Act while great in eliminating toxic toys from China will put an unfair strain on small business owners. Please help these toy makers but asking your elected officials to add exemptions for handmade toys and businesses under a certain size. For more information please read the post below.

Please join me in asking our elected congress and senate leaders to make this change. You can find an email or address for your representative for congress here and senate here. Betsy Markey and Mark Udall received emails from me today. Please contact your elected official and ask them to save handmade toys.