I have now officially joined the 88% of Canadian consumers* that think independent retailers outperform the big guys when it comes to local and artisanal products.

Don’t misunderstand me, my fondness for e-shopping (the one I developed post-baby, when in-store shopping experiences meant him pulling everything within reach off the shelves) is alive and well. But, when it comes to local and handcrafted there really is no better product than ones produced locally, and I’m not talking kitschy finds. Local artisans in Canada have really stepped up their handmade game, creating stunning product at par or better than the look, quality and feel of some big box goods.

Canada’s craft scene has really flourished, and e-sites like Etsy and BRIKA prove it. The shop-local, or “shop-small” movement is gaining fabulous momentum, especially when connected to gift giving. Everyone wants to give a gift with a cool story behind it these days, and I’m no exception. And, although e-sites dedicated to handmade goods and making them available to the masses are great, nothing compares to finding and touching a product before you buy.

Here are some of my personal handmade, local finds – all discovered the old fashion way, by walking the aisles at the recent Craftadian Show, a marketplace that brings these independent must-shops to you:

FOR HER

 

 

 

FOR HIM

 

 

FOR THE WEE ONES

 

 

 

FOR THE HOME

 

 

 

* According to a Canadian consumer and Independent Retailer Study by LoyaltyOne The Retail Council of Canada