
The last few blog posts I have written highlight my personal goals for 2025 of shopping less and getting into the habit of using what I have on hand, specifically as it relates to yarn and craft supplies. I have worried about my tenacity in sticking to this, and how best to balance those times when I truly do need to buy new and when I don't. When I was seeking the answer to eating healthier, I learned not to bring snack foods into my house, so that I didn't mindlessly munch. This has worked for me, AND has helped me forge new habits so that I have tamed those urges.
I plan to use this same approach to avoid mindless shopping and unnecessary purchases. I was OK with steering clear of the big box stores, as I have come to view their ads and coupons as not-so-subtle manipulations to get people into their stores to buy-buy-buy rather than being sincere thank-yous to loyal customers. I confess, however, that I was worried about the tension (in my own head) around shopping less while continuing to support my local yarn shop (LYS).
Imagine my surprise when I received a customer email from my favorite LYS that indicated they were closing at the end of January! In my regional area, this is the 2nd shop that I know of that is closing at the end of 2024/beginning of 2025 (the other one that closed was located about 2-hours away from me).
I have VERY mixed feelings about shop closures. Selfishly, I want them to be there, well-stocked, with activities that I want to participate in when I want to/am available to participate, and I want a good deal as often as possible. Logically, I understand that the business climate in retail dictates most, if not all, of those options - AND that maintaining a local yarn shop is increasingly challenging in today's environment. A conversation with the owner of the shop 2-hours away from my house was interesting and insightful as have been conversations over the years with other LYS proprietors.
It's a tough climate out there, and in addition to the business climate/financial challenges, as I have mentioned in a number of earlier blogs, especially this one, shopping impulses have been altered by Amazon, and by big box stores with their endless coupons, sales, and behavior toward customers ("customer is always right") which has turned some people into shopping menaces.
The new year promises to bring a new normal to us in many facets of our lives. A foreshadowing of change had already begun to take hold as some major businesses announced they would be closing stores, consolidating or laying people off in the new year. Macys, Walgreens, CVS, Starbucks, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Walmart, Office Depot, Party City, Foot Locker, Sears, Advanced Auto Parts and others have announced closures along with an overall tightening of their belts.
Closer to our hearts as fiber artists, there have been wars and rumors of wars due to the uncertainty of what is happening in the corporate offices at one of the biggest big box craft stores. Wild speculation is rampant, and is a favorite topic in the crafting corners of each city and town. It's also a HOT topic on Reddit, if you're curious.
I am fortunate that while my go-to LYS is closing, there are still a few other shops in the area that I can visit if I have a definite NEED. In a way, it's a best-case scenario for me. Since I don't have a personal connection to any of the other shops, it will be easier for me to stick to my "shop-less/use more of what I already have" resolution. I am also seeing others talk openly about less buying/shopping and more intentional usage of things (mostly yarn) that we already own.
As an overall goal, these pivots away from the mindless acquisition of things is a positive step. Life should be more about LIVING than shopping, and in the artistic corners, life should be much more focused on creating and making than in buying and shopping.
I wish my friend the very best as she closes this chapter of her life and fully embraces the next one. I know she will continue to participate in and contribute to the larger fiber arts community and I look forward to seeing how that unfolds.
As for the rest of us, we have an opportunity to settle in to a less frenzied approach to our crocheting, knitting and sewing. Much like our grandmothers and great-grandmothers had to do in earlier times, perhaps we can focus on our SKILLS instead of on buying more and more. We can hone our abilities, learn new stitches, try new approaches and techniques, all while growing more comfortable with using what we have as our FIRST impulse, while running to the store to buy more becomes the option of last resort.
I will be thinking about how we can help our neighbors who still have yarn and fabric stores remain viable while respecting our dedication to a more conservative approach. I will share my thoughts in future blog posts as they develop.
Happy New Year to all, and best stitches in 2025!
(C) 2025 Stitch n Dish
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