So I have list of some great local, small businesses where you purchase great, unique, handcrafted, high quality gifts for those you care so much about in your lives!!
Let me stand on my soapbox for a few sentences first...
Now more than ever it is important to support your local economy, the small business is the backbone of this economy. The Eastbay Express has been on the forefront of helping to get people to think about their own backyard as a great place to buy gifts this season. EBExpress sums it up nicely so here are their words cut and pasted from their online newspaper:
Shop Local Pledge
Want to help your community and shop at the same time? Please take one minute to pledge that you will spend $100 at local shops this holiday season.
Here's how to do it: Send an email to elerts [at] eastbayexpress [dot] com with the subject heading "I PLEDGE." Here's what it means: By pledging to spend $100 of your shopping dollars at locally-owned stores, you will have a potential $58.8 million dollar impact on our community, an estimated $8.75 million dollars more than if it was spent at a non-local big box retailer. YOU can help the local economy this Holiday Season. Here's a cool little bonus if you pledge: The Express will automatically enter you to win $1000 in gift certificates from independent locally owned merchants and restaurants.
Not only will you find things that are unique and well-made, but you'll also feel good about your purchases because you're helping to support a local artist or craftsperson, who will in turn spend that money in the community.
Here are some of my picks for finding the perfect gift:
Of course I have to start out with the totally awesome Holidayland Gift Sale at Blankspace!! But the rest of these great sales are listed by the date they begin....
Blankspace
3rd Annual Holidayland Gift Sale
Dec. 5 - Dec 15th, 2008
December 5, 6-10pm
Holiday Cheer Sunday Reception:
Dec 14, 4-7pm
This is our 3rd annual holiday gift sale- once again this year the sale will include lots of great locally produced, hand-crafted items and small works of art. Along with some fun holiday surprises at the receptions!
Extended gallery hours for the sale will be: Sat, Sun, Mon 12-7pm
All art and items will be available for immediate purchase (cash & carry).
blankspace6608 san pablo ave
oakland, ca 94608
510-547-6608
blankspacegallery.com
****************************************************
Oakland Art Gallery
Holiday Sale
This is their first holiday sale. There are over 100 artists involved, so you should be able to find at least 3 things you like. The sale runs Dec 8-12th 11-6pm
reception Dec 11th 5-8pm
Oakland Art Gallery
150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza(bottom floor), Oakland, ca 94612-this is the plaza where city hall is located in downtown Oakland
510-637-0395
oaklandartgallery.org
*************************************
HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA TRUNK SALE
Magnet, Herringbone and Feather Vintage invite you to a holiday trunk sale
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11TH FROM 6-9PM
@MAGNET 2508 SAN PABLO AVE (@ DWIGHT WAY) BERKELEY, CA 94702
20% off Magnet fall items
15% off Feather Vintage
*************************************
Rowan Morrison Gallery RoMoLoCo group show
Saturday, Dec 13th 5-10pm
Great group of artists, offering fabulous small works of art at affordable prices-great one-night event.
Rowan Morrison Gallery and Artist's Bookstore
330 40th Street
Oakland, Ca 94609
510.384.5344
rowanmorrison.com
****************************************************
That is all for now. Happy Holidays! Remember to support small business this holiday season.
-k
Posts
