…to Handmade! I did it - I took the Handmade Pledge yesterday, and I have to say, it feels great to support those amazingly creative, thoughtfully lead-free crafters who are making a big impact on this holiday season. As of last night, almost 5400 people have signed up! If you think buying handmade (and asking people to do the same for you) might be difficult, the “Handmade Consortium,” which includes such browsing/time-sucking favorites Etsy, indiepublic, Design*Sponge, and other organizations, offers many resources to find a gift for everyone on your list (yourself included). That’s not to say there won’t be gifting challenges. But, with the array of stuff out there, it’s much more rewarding than, say, waiting an hour on a big-box checkout line, only to find out your toys have been recalled for some lead/chemical/magnet/drug related incident. Enough said.

Now, what can I buy handmade for my 16-year-old, 6 foot 7 inch, basketball and football obsessed nephew? Ideas?

PS - Junior Society has a great post listing some upcoming events featuring crafters and handmade galore in Los Angeles.  Know of more handmade events?  Let me know and I’ll make a handmade listing page!