JENNIFER JOHNSON: SHOPPING FOR LOCAL DESIGNERS >>>

In the process of writing articles about fashion (which I love) and shopping (which I hate, believe it or not) and focusing on local designers, shop and boutique owners, entrepreneurs and artists for those articles, I’ve met, briefly, via e-mail and phone and sometimes (rarely) in person, some very amazing people, mostly women, who live and create in the Puget Sound area.

I think it is very important to support and promote local designers and locally owned businesses. I have often been able to say, with pride, when given a compliment on a piece of jewelry or clothing, that, yes, I love it too, and I bought at so and so’s shop and it’s made by such and such Tacoma resident. The closer things are to us, the more real value they have since we can see them, touch them and feel linked to them and often interact with the people who create them. I used to make jewelry and had a hard time finding anyone or anywhere (besides Grateful Dead shows) that would help facilitate a sale for me. That was 15 years ago and luckily business has changed a bit, as have consumers, thank heavens. Many mainstream shops and stores are taking chances on smaller design businesses, and direct artist and commission-based sales. In August, two such designers will get a bit of the spotlight: Earth, Wind & Wire by Mandi Wickline and Lobe Lollies by Marianne Hurlow. Both design and create custom jewelry that is sold at Marlene’s Market and Deli in Tacoma.

I pretty much despise mass produced soulless products; yet some are simply unavoidable. So while I still haven't figured out where to get comfy bras that aren't churned out in chemical spewing factories, I bet someone will soon. At least I’ll have fantastic jewelry in the meantime.

LINK: In The Bag column