Just a minute of my time...

No made in China

While I wasn't perfect in my attempt at NO MADE IN CHINA for 30 days, my eyes were opened to a lot of things I didn't notice before.

For one, I was surprised at where I found MADE IN CHINA.  My intial thoughts were, it would be in Walmart and Target dollar spot, but finding a majority of items in Kohls that were MADE IN CHINA as well as throughout Target, was extremely eye opening to me! Even some of my favorite clothing stores like NY & Company or Lululemon carried MADE IN CHINA items

Even scrapbooking, I have never so muched as looked at a label from 7 gypsies or Tim Holtz, and was oblivious as to where they came from!  Come to find out everything that I picked up from both of them were MADE IN CHINA.

And while I have nothing against China, nor was I trying to boycot any products. I wanted to be more aware of things and where they were made, support more American made items. This also taught me to wait on things, if I still wanted/needed it after the 30 days, then I could go back for it.

Hobby Lobby also carried a lot of MADE IN CHINA, and when working on a Valentine gift for friends I was stalled by the amount of items I could not purchase until Feb 1. But was able to find many of my supplies needed for my drawing class at Tri C. While the guy at Catans looked at me strangely because I wouldn't buy the pencil kit that had all the pencils I needed for $5 because it was MADE IN CHINA, I was pleasantly surprised to find them at Hobby Lobby, and all made in the USA! And the price was good too!

Lucky for me, the new Martha Stewert line at Staples is made in Mexico!

I did have a few times when I messed up and things MADE IN CHINA did end up in our house by accident, and one time I knew it... but couldn't resist a new running tank!

Now onto a new month... this month is all about READING.  Time to go grab a book!

 

gifts with no made in China

Recently we celebrated our Treasured Friends Christmas. Sometimes I have my gift for the exchange  ready before Christmas, and sometimes its something I pick up after Christmas. This year I did a little of both... but when shopping I realized I couldn't add anything made in China, so I had to be a little more specific in my search.

This year I did a wine basket with wine from a local winery, wine charms made by a local artist and I even found a basket made in the Philippines.

For a friends 50th I picked him up 50 of his favorite beers and then found a rubber tote to hold them all.  While walking through the store I realized I didn't check where it was from.  Luckily, it was from Israel.

So far my No made in China has proved to be eye opening, but not impossible if I just pay attention to what I buy. Good thing the dog doesn't realize I had a toy for him until I read the label and yep, it was made in China...

Another shopping adventure

Luckily, as we cruised through the isles of Sam's Club for supplies for the office (which would have been exempt), and some items for home, we found them all to be from the good ol USA. Then Chelsea ran into Earth Fare while I popped into Archivers.

Not even thinking I found a few trinkets at Archivers, go figure! And driving home it hit me that I didn't check where they were from.  I asked Chel to check the bag and she said, "you don't want to know"... 

Items from my favorite shops! Pins from Maya Road - made in China, clips from 7 gypsies - made in China and staples for my Tim Holtz tiny attacher... made in China!  So now I have to decide if I head back to Archivers to return these items or leave them in the bag untouched for the month?

Needless to say, its more realization of how much is imported from China and yet carry such a high price tag at Archivers... Looks like month one may be a combination of no made in China and no scrapbooking supply purchases!

and I begin

 

30 days of no made in China...

It began with a shopping trip to Kohls to use the twenty-dollar rewards I earned just before Christmas. I started in the clothing section, and not even thinking grabbed a couple sweaters, jeans and a top to try on. Deciding one of the sweaters made the cut, I began roaming the rest of the store. Soon I came upon some cute purses, but quickly noticed the CHAPS purses as well as several others were all made in China. It was then I remembered that I didn't check the sweater. The cute sweater that I thought would be perfect for an upcoming get together from Croft and Barrow was also made in China!  

Here I was under the impression that Walmart and the dollar spot at Target were where most of the made in China items would be found. Only to learn that made in China was down just about every isle in Kohls. Cute cupcake plate for Valentine's Day... made in China, picture frame... made in China, decorative towels... yep, made in China! 

Finally I found something I needed and wanted. Two new bed pillows made in Louisville Kentucky!  Success, I found something useful to use my coupon on and it was not made in China! But it didn't end there!  Headed to Target to grab a few things, including a sympathy card, and my first card of choice... yep, made it China!