“You are shittin’ me!” As embarrassing as it was…. yes, I realized with horror, I did just say that out loud. It just rolled off my tongue and out my lips. I was in a crowded Target in Austin, TX; on the main aisle, in front of the well lit and sparkling jewelry case. So I know you’re dying to know why I caused even complete strangers to think I was crazy, right?
Well… I had just been to a couple of business meetings and a workshop, so I was champing at the bit to get my notes in SOME kind of order. I decided I needed colored filing folders to help me organize. And to help me with the dreaded chore, I decided I needed a glass of wine. And where could I pick up both those products in one place? Target!
So off I go. I was focused. The aisles I needed were mapped in my head. I had a “grab it and git” attitude, and a quick pace to my steps. As I rushed past the carts and the racks of dollar stuff at the front of the store, I was whispering to myself; “wine, folders, wine, folders”. But, I made a mistake. Something glimmered in my peripheral vision.
I glanced to the side. Damn it! I was thrown off track. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the great big colorful sign for Erickson Beamon jewelry, and, just like Target had intended, I was sucked right in.
I stopped and quickly scanned the sign to read about the trio of jewelry designers, and felt a sense of comfort that Target was promoting fellow American artists. I then jumped back on task and dashed off. But halfway down to my wine rack destination, I thought…. hmmmm, I wonder where their work is being manufactured.
Surely, Target would have the line produced here in the states. After all, they received a lot of bad publicity when they knocked off the designs of a fellow Buyers Market of American Crafts’ artist, T. M. Hoff, and had the cheap reproductions made in China. I couldn’t help myself, I turned around to investigate.
I reached for the only piece of jewelry I could get my hands on. The pretty necklace was dangling from the sign, while the other jewelry was safely displayed inside a glass case. The first thing I noticed about the hang tag was the price, $29.99! My first thought was “awesome!”. For that price, Target must be having the jewelry produced in the US! But then I turned the tag over.
And before I knew it, “YOU ARE SHITTIN” ME!!” popped out of my mouth, because in a teeny tiny barely readable font I saw “Made in China”. So the high price was not to cover the price of better components or higher wages. The necklace didn’t feel any heavier or any more solid that the tangled masses they had hanging from their open displays.
I understand there are licensing fees to be paid to the designers, but surely not enough to DOUBLE the price of their regular disposable el’ cheapo stuff. And then it hit me… the reason that Target was overcharging for the Erickson Beamon jewelry was just because they could.
I was fuming by that time! But instead of ranting and raging, and revealing to the people around me (staring with their mouths agape), my very logical reason to be acting like a lunatic, I just twirled around and stomped off towards the aisle that contained the now-necessary bottle of wine.
I then had a flash back. I thought back to the photograph I remember of Wendy Rosen, champion of American craft artists, founder of the Buyers Market of American Craft and editor of Niche and American Style Magazines, standing outside Target’s main office, holding a sign that protested Target’s outright thievery.
I remember vividly when Target ripped off that fellow artist, because it had affected my pocketbook as well. T. M. Hoff was an artist that we not only exhibited with, but we also sold his work in our (then) Alpine, TX Contemporary Crafts Gallery. So when Target flooded the market with the cheaply made lanterns from China, we were doubly angry. Target had even ordered the copied lamps directly from the artists two years before they started copying them.
I was mad all over again, but then I realized anger without action is useless. And what finally helped sooth my soul, was the realization that that experience, and my reawakened anger, just makes me even more determined to follow through on my passion. And I felt reassured that I had been put of this earth to help fellow artists make a decent living with their creations…. just like John and I have done for over twenty years.
After talking with lots of people over the past couple of months, I know the timing couldn’t be riper, and that the doors that have been flying open here recently, are because plenty of Americans are feeling just like me- fed up with buying imports.
Most all of us are happy that some of the imports these days are made in countries that support Fair Trade; where people get paid fair wages and work in better conditions. But those prices are still inexpensive, and are helping to take away sales from Americans who too are also looking for fair wages, and better working conditions. Many want conditions that allow them to raise families. That give them the chance to work their schedules to allow them to be with their families more often. Or maybe to allow them to take on a second job that pays just enough to pay their electricity bill, but doesn’t cause them to miss dinner with their kids.
Many of our loyal galleries we’ve dealt with for many years are closing their doors, because they can’t make enough profit selling only American made crafts, and refuse to offer imports. But I believe Americans will pay a little bit more, to purchase goods handmade by Americans who are being paid fairly and treated with respect.
Please keep an eye on this blog to discover more about a business my 17 year old daughter, Hannah, and I are trying to get off the ground; www.WholeGoods.org . Our purpose is to allow artists to compete with mass produced imports. WholeGoods will get artists’ work hand produced in the U.S. and then into the hands of retail businesses at a price that is fair to all: the artist, the craftsman, the retailer, and the average American buyer.
It will be Fair Trade, but American style.
