Buy handmade this season, a pledge

I know it's "black Friday" and many people went out at midnight, camped out and already purchased hugely discounted, large-scale electronics made in China and shipped to big box stores. I hope you all got some great deals on things you needed or gifts you intend for deserving loved ones.

From here forward, I have a suggestion. Rather than ordering another crate of miscellaneous, anonymous, ubiquitous items to be shipped from Amazon.com's largest warehouse, consider these other, more sustainable choices:

• Buying from a local artist or craftsperson

• Shopping at a small business, and getting to know the owner — you'll know exactly where your money is going.

• Making gifts yourself — the most beloved and unique gifts are DIY from the heart; whether it's a painting, a knit scarf, or baked goods, a gift made with love with the recipient in mind is most welcome.

badge courtesy of buyhandmade.org

If buying online is the best option for you, these websites support artists who hand-make their goods (list compiled by re-nest):

Online Handmade Marketplaces
There is no shortage of handmade items, nor marketplaces. Here are some top choices from around the globe:

• Artfire: Not just for paintings and original art pieces, this marketplace is now open to all sorts of handmade goods.
  
• Best of Handmade - This site searches multiple handmade sites at once.
  
• DaWanda: This is Europe's version of Etsy.
  
• Etsy: This is easily the largest global online community of handmade goods.
  
• Folksy: This is the UK's online shop for handmade items.
  
• iCraft: This is Canada's own Etsy-esque online community.
  
• MadeitMyself: This site is similar to Etsy as an online community of handmade buyers and sellers.
  
• Shop Handmade: This has a slight eco twist to the traditional craft store listings with carbon mitigation and rainforest conservation donations.
  
• Ten Thousand Villages: This is both an online store and a brick and mortar shop that features fair trade items from around the World.
  
• Try Handmade: This site highlights and shares handmade finds and shops.

Take the pledge this season to buy handmade. It's easy, just a shift of perspective. Many people have already chosen for years to only buy handmade goods as gifts. I ask you to do the same for yourselves and for me.