Coronadiaries

Thanks to the global pandemic many of us in the handmade business are feeling pretty down. Not that we are sick, just heartbroken and scared. Many of us, like myself have real world jobs and we sell our crafts as a way to make extra money. But for others its a sole source of income. With the rise of Covid-19 all of the markets, festivals, and craft shows have been cancelled for the forseeable future. This is a huge blow to all of us. I'm lucky that I have this website and my Etsy shop but I can't say that business is booming. At least not yet.

Right now, everyone is still coming to grips with the situation the world is now in. Eventually when the panic buying of toilet paper slows down and people settle into a routine in our new reality, we were start to look for things to do. More people than ever will be exploring online shopping. My hope is that you will take a little time to explore local, handmade items.

Since my main market closed this past weekend, several of my fellow vendors and myself of us are using social media to do "Virtual Markets" as a way to promote each other. These Virtual Markets are just us sharing posts, projects and updates on what we are doing during this shutdown. We just want to stay relevant so that when we do reopen our customers can find us again. Or better yet continue to shop with us using our online options.

So thats what us crafters are doing. Want to help? Here's how:

• Like, follow, comment, and share your favorite crafter's or artist's social media. Those darn algorithms!
• Shop Etsy and similar websites since they are all small business owners so those funds stay in the community.
• Encourage your friends and family to shop small during this crisis.
• Follow blogs like mine to stay updated on what we are working on.

We are all in this together! We will get through it but it won't be easy. If we stick together it will only make us stronger!

Be well and Wash your hands!
​ReUsin by Susan