
No, I'm not talking about Lain and I, although we also were both made
in the U.S.A. I'm talking about a recent field trip Lain and I took to
Scenic Route, where we discovered that they produce almost everything
right here in Utah! Chipboard, patterned paper, etc. It's all printed
and manufactured locally. I personally am a BIG supporter of locally
owned and operated businesses. I shop at a family owned grocery store
when possible (gotta love Harmon's!) and I can't remember the last time
I ate at a Chili's. I'm all about the mom & pop shops. So it's
always heartening to see companies who share the same values.
To continue the story, the folks from Tinkering Ink stopped by
yesterday to show us their newest product line, and they too
manufacture and print almost everything they make in the good old U.S.
of A.(except for one product that they can't find a local source for).
I love it when companies support the little guy in their neighborhood,
state, or country, rather than getting everything as cheaply as
possible; I love it when values trump profit. (Which, by the way, also
applies to Australian companies who use their own local printers and
suppliers, or Canadian companies that keep things Canada-made. You get
my point...)
Now for a quick poll: what other scrapbook products or companies
can you think of that are American made (or Australian made, or what
have you)? Kudos to the companies that keep it local!
A bit of context about the photo: Although the picture
above might suggest that Scenic Route has lured us away from our
lucrative (ha ha) magazine jobs, the truth is Lain and I just popped in
to say hi while she was in Utah last week. You see, Scenic Route is
literally within walking distance of the office, if you're brave enough
to dodge the semis and dump trucks that come barreling down that road.
(The route to Scenic Route is not all that scenic...that was Lain's
joke.) Their warehouse is just on the other side of a field full of
bulls. And occasionally there must be cows too, since the Scenic Route
folks report that the view gets pretty interesting come springtime.
Comments (21):
Fontwerks is a Canadian company, and I love
their stamps, of which I have many! I'm not sure if they're actually
'made' here in Canada though? Another fantastic Canadian stamp company
is Stamping Bella- if you haven't seen these stamps, you've got to
check out her website- they're adorable, and a very hot commodity at
the lss where I work. :) Posted by: melsboys (December 12, 2007)
i think everything made at pcLayers.com is digitally created by US
designers. (i really just wanted to say how funny your comments about
the route to scenic route were. lol!!) Posted by: scrappinaly (December 12, 2007)
I don't know. I'm just jealous that you got to go to Scenic Route. Even if the route wasn't all that scenic! Posted by: ettal (December 12, 2007)
And convicts! Aren't there convicts along that road, too? I think I
remember seeing some sort of Utah prison not far from the building. Posted by: edillow (December 12, 2007)
It seems like everything I have is made somewhere else so I'm glad to
see some things are still made here. Yep and I'll second the jealous
about going to a scrapbooking factory / loved Lain's podcast about how
she thought it would be like Charlie & The Chocolate Factory! Posted by: KatieScott in St. Pe (December 13, 2007)
I'm cracking up about Lain's comment on the non-"scenic" part of the
route! And now that Elizabeth has pointed out the convicts, let's all
remember NOT to pick up people wearing head to toe orange or stripes.
And let's not forget the springtime bees and birds lessons... LOL! Not
only are the SR products awesome, but their offices seem very very
entertaining...Posted by: LindaBarber (December 13, 2007)
lol at your scenic route comments. lol elizabeth - convicts! Posted by: *Celeste* (December 13, 2007)
Hambly!!!
Many Hambly products are designed and mfctrd right here in the south
San Francisco Bay Area. Yea, Hambly!
I forgot about the convicts. Here they are switching back to the retro
black-and-white striped outfits. How funny is that?
Totally loved our trip to the not-so-Scenic Route. I will have to come
back in the spring, when young bulls' fancies turn to thoughts
of...!!!! Posted by: GettinScrapHappy (December 13, 2007)
Posted by: simple-gal (December 13, 2007)
Great picture of you and Lain and how fun to visit SR! I don't know
which companies use American made products or manufacturers. But I also
try and support the local mom and pop places as my family use to have
the local mom and pop restaurant in our hometown. Posted by: ca longhorn (December 13, 2007)
Thanks for the great imagery (cattle and prisoners...oh if only the
view from my desk were so inspirational!)! I can't stop giggling at
work and people want to know why. Gotta love "Mom & Pops!" (Cool
aprons, btw.) Posted by: lisart (December 14, 2007)
Love Scenic Route! So jealous. Got to meet Layle and Sarah at Scrapbook
Expo Ontario - cool ladies. I totally love supporting companies that
source locally - also check out the 'slow food' movement - same issues
about how and what we eat. Posted by: rachinla (December 14, 2007)
I have driven that route, and it is not so scenic! But hanging out with
all that yummy smelling and looking paper is sooooo worth it!
Love Sarah and Layle, they are both so talented!
I love supporting mom & pops shops too, so good for the heart of a
community and the economy!
B- Posted by: Bekzilla (December 14, 2007)
Interesting topic. I haven't really paid much attention to where my
scrap/stamp products are made but I will from now on. Sue Posted by: Sue AR (December 15, 2007)
Nice! Love me some Scenic Route!! I know Hambly does "all-in-the-US" thing too :) Posted by: noamii (December 16, 2007)
Close To My Heart manufactures all of their acrylix stamps right in
Utah! It's a great way to maintain high standards by being so close to
the manufacturing process. Posted by: ltdesigns (December 17, 2007)
i was just looking at my 7g stickers, they're made in the usa. Posted by: mlepitts (December 17, 2007)
I always go straight for the Scenic Route papers, so I'll feel not so
guilty anymore for loading up! Thanks for sharing this...I prefer to
opt for the local products too. Good to know about Hambly, and I'll
check out 7gypsies. These companies make such good products! Posted by: SaraEll (December 18, 2007)
Paper Trunk is a new paper company and not only is it made in the USA
but it is also made from recycled paper that is acid free and they use
vegetable dyes for their ink Posted by: EmmaJ (December 19, 2007)
Posted by: senovia (December 24, 2007)