We all know the advantages of shopping locally: It's an investment in your community, an important way to keep money local during trying economic times, and a way to lessen your carbon footprint. But, what if you prefer to do your shopping from the sofa?
Never fear: there are still ways to shop close to home without actually leaving home.
Etsy, a website for vintage and handmade wares, is a great resource for the online shopper. The site has sellers from all over the world, but includes an Etsy Local page where you can select your location and only shop close to home.
Check out the lists below for jewelry, paintings, soaps, accessories, and other holiday gift ideas—all made in the Marple Newtown Patch area and surrounding region.
- Sugared Spice Shop, located in Newtown Square, offers homemade infused sugars and spices such as this wasabi sea salt ($9) or this ginger sugar ($9).
- Peacefield Farm, located in Newtown Square, specializes in handmade soaps such as this all-natural pink grapefruit soap ($3.25) or this all-natural cinnamon & eucalyptus soap ($4.25).
- CT Costa Photography, located in Broomall, specializes in photographic images that represent the beauty of nature like this 12x18 frozen tree fine art print ($75) or this 8x10 yellow butterfly fine art print ($25).
- Under the Umbrella Mom, located in Broomall, specializes in personalized wedding wire dress hangars such as this personalized bridal dress hangar ($27).
- Signature Bonz, located in Broomall, offers all natural designer dog treats such as this 24 mini assorted Christmas dog treats covered in yogurt, peanut butter and/or carob ($9.99) or this Christmas Philadelphia dog treat gift box ($9.99).
- A La Liz, located in Newtown Square, offers handmade like this rust chevron clutch wristlet ($20) or this custom-made quilt made of t-shirts ($250).
- Ruftic Designs, located in Newtown Square, specializes in raw, recycled and reinvented materials to create art such as these rough cut-out Live, Laugh and Love wooden signs ($30) or this recycled cork trivet with dark trim ($20).
For gifts that are still local but not quite so close, check out some of our other favorites:
- Babee Crafts, located in Media, offers "green" baby and toddler gifts including 'I (pretzel) Philly' onesies ($20), bibs, dino hoodie ($40), and T-shirts all made with organic cotton.
- Susan Elizabeth Jewels, located in Media, offers some stunning jewelry made with Swarovski crystals and other pretty additions, like this Moroccan mobile with blue Swarovski crystals, ($75).
- Hoof and Antler, located in Philadelphia, offers vintage clothing and home decor items like this men's 1960s velvet suit ($125) or this 1950's General Electric interval timer clock ($35).
- Philadelphia Baby Crochet Hats, located in Ridley Park, offers adorable hats for the tiny sports fan in the family, ($22).
- PlumetotheWind, of Ardmore, offers Etsy buyers handmade cards and prints, including these vintage-style wedding invitations with a yellow hot air balloon on the front, ($3.95).
- Ameliafurman, of Ridley Park, offers alphabet letters as mixed media paintings ($45) and even magnets like these ($85).
- BreakingTile's artist Beth Warren, from Narberth, upcycles and combines interesting materials to create some avantgarde art, including this red toys mosaic collage guitar ($145).
- Superdeduper, of Bala Cynwyd, creates whimsical artwork featuring animals. This mug ($10) pictures an owl, but many of Kristy Brennan's pieces feature French bulldogs.
If handmade gifts aren't your thing, . And don't forget to 'Like' local too on Facebook.
