Brian Hall of Hall's Country Collectibles, photo courtesy of United Maine Craftsmen.
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Buying Locally Made Gifts
Local craftspeople offer one-of-a-kind finds for holiday giving
BY
Jamie Thompson
PHOTOGRAPHY
Photos courtesy of United Maine Craftsmen

Basket by Sharon Dugan of Dugan Baskets.
Pottery by Andrea Ford of Cabin Pottery.
Shaker-style bureau by Stephen and Cheryl Barlow.

Being green this holiday season doesn’t necessarily mean giving your friends and family hemp bracelets wrapped in recycled paper (though the recycled paper isn’t a bad idea). What if you could lavish your loved ones with beautifully crafted jewelry, works of original art, and delicious foods, and still be green? All you have to do is buy local.

Locally made products are not only green, they are also unique. “Often the buyer gets to actually meet the person who made the gift, and that creates a connection that makes the gift that much more special,” says United Maine Craftsmen administrator Laurie Kelley. A distinctive gift is one to be treasured for a lifetime, not be thrown away to languish in a landfill.

“Products made locally tell a story about the people who make it and the place they are from,” Laurie Ferguson, executive director of New Hampshire Made, agrees. “Local products are made with pride and are often one-of-a-kind … adding value to pieces that can become heirlooms.” Consumers are also able to support people who continue the traditions of craftsmanship that are carried throughout generations, Ferguson says.

Organizations such as United Maine Craftsmen and New Hampshire Made champion independent businesses and individuals who create such high quality, handmade goods. United Maine Craftsmen has more than 600 members, all who make their own products. The range of goods available is mind-boggling, and consumers can find anything from scrimshaw to pottery, quilts to mobiles, and everything in between. Furniture makers who employ the techniques of the earliest settlers in New England create beautifully detailed pieces that are sure to be treasured family pieces for generations to come. Jewelers use unusual techniques and materials to make necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings that are far more eye-catching than anything you’d find in a major department store.

Original art is also a frequent find. League of New Hampshire Craftsmen supports local artists, each with a different style and medium. Photographers, sculptors, printmakers, glass artists, fiber artists, painters and more exhibit their works for sale at the League’s retail galleries throughout the state, as well as at the Annual Craftsmen’s Fair. The New Hampshire Open Doors event, held by League and New Hampshire Made on November 8 and 9, is a great opportunity to find a plethora of unique handmade gifts by artists and craftspeople from around the state.

The benefits of buying locally are far-reaching, explains Ferguson. “In New Hampshire, it’s the small businesses that give our communities their rural character, their Main Street charm, and, in the case of farms, help to maintain our open spaces,” she says. “Money spent locally stays in the community and contributes to new jobs and economic growth.”

Buying locally is good for the environment too. Since locally made items do not have far to travel, “less fuel would be needed to actually get a handcrafted product into the hands of the consumer,” explains Kelley. “Also many artisans use local or renewable resources to create their beautiful products.”

A green lifestyle is about sustainability, not only for the environment as a whole, but also for communities and individuals. Buying locally ensures a strong future for New England’s independent businesspeople–and their consumers.

So when it’s time to purchase gifts for loved ones this holiday season, look no further than your own backyard. Take a look at the facing page for a listing of events where you can find locally made gifts, as well as more information about the organizations that support local businesses, craftspeople, and artists.