Personal Choice

We have all made many personal choices in our lives. We make them every day. These are some that I've made and try to hold true to.

I don't drink Starbucks. On the rare occasions that I buy coffee "on the go", I prefer to give my business to a local coffee roaster. To me, Starbucks is the Walmart of coffee companies. They've done their best to put local coffee sellers out of business all over the country. Plus, I prefer the taste of Kaladi's, one of Anchorage's best roasters.

Speaking of Walmart, I don't go there. All you need to do is see the play (or read the book) Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich and you will probably feel the same way I do about Walmart.

I buy lots of beads at my local bead stores. They often do not have better prices or better selection than I can find online. But I can go in and purchase a single strand of something or even a single bead in some cases. They give me a discount because I have a business license and I'm a member of the Alaska Bead Society. I know that cuts into their margin. They are helpful when I have a technical question. One of them offers an amazing array of classes with teachers from all over the country as well as plenty of local instructors. I'm glad they exist and I like to support them.

I buy things from other artists and crafters, local and not so local. When I need (need?) a new bag, I know I can find great leather bags from two different Alaskan crafters. And Etsy is full of talented bag makers as well. I own a few ... cough.

I have not used supermarket soap in over 12 years. I first tried handmade soap when I met Carol in 1997. Now, there's just no going back to mass produced soap. She spoiled me. She is my business partner in Bad Girls of the North and a maker of fine soap. I've also purchased soap from several Etsy sellers and other Alaskan soap makers.

Well, that's a good start. What personal choices have you made that you feel strongly about?