Okay, this is the post that might get me fired from my day job at JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts. This is my 7th year watching my fellow Americans flock like lemmings into this huge retail craft store to purchase the cheapest of the cheap .... discounted decor made in China. Yes, we sell alot of fabric and other supplies to MAKE (OUR OWN) THINGS, right here. However, there is a staggering amound of goods that are NOT made in this country that I wish I had the choice NOT to sell. Not only at Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts, but at almost every retail store in America there are "Made in China" labels on the bottom of knick knacks and some household decor. Most of the products that are sold here but made in a different country are cheap in every sense of the word AND are not even necesary. Cheap in every sense of the word except for one glaring difference. So, you need a job you say ? Maybe you should consider moving overseas with your purchase that was made there. I bet there are many jobs where that item was made.

As for me, I hand crafted a red, white and blue bracelet using a technique called bead crochet. My friend will be wearing it to a huge Fourth of July celebration in Massachusetts this weekend. I have a FaceBook business page and a webpage for my own tiny business. You can contact me if you want me to make you one of these American made bead crochet bracelets for July, 4, 2011, but I do not sell them "cheap". Each red, white and blue bead crochet bracelet you buy from me will cost $35. That is actually a reasonable price, but who would know it since there are not many "reasonable priced" items left to buy in America !?


Salon.com
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I have to say I am so often frustrated. I often look for items not Made in China. I am even willing to pay more if it is not Made in China.
More often than not whatever the item is with the exception of fresh foods is simply not available if it is not Made in China.
Usually the quality is way below what I would like.
A couple of week ago I bought a leaf blower. I did a little research and the best I could do is one that is assembled in the USA.
I also purchased it at Wal-Mart. One of my least favorite retailers.
I an really tired of choices going down and prices going up.
Link to headline that reads, "Companies Brace For End of Cheap Made-In_China Era" Yahoo Finance