“Monkey Shines” notecards are on sale 50% off for just $1.25 until April 15 at my online store. To put a little monkey business in your life, click here
Archive for the ‘Smart shopping’ Category
“Monkey Shines” for half off
Sunday, March 25th, 2012My annual plug for “Smart Seats”
Wednesday, February 8th, 2012You don’t have to break the bank to see professional theatre and dance in Cleveland. I’ve bought “Smart Seats”, just $10 each, for several performances during the last few years. Sure, the seats are awful, but I’d rather see a really good Broadway show from a bad seat for $10 than miss it because I can’t afford the $70 tickets. Seats are available for a variety of shows, from musicals to dance to comedy. http://www.playhousesquare.org/default.asp?playhousesquare=21&urlkeyword=Smart-Seats
Trying to “buy local” …
Monday, February 6th, 2012… is not easy because of the habits you get into. But in the last couple weeks I got a slice of pizza from Capri Pizza in Highland Square (yum!), iced sugar cookies and coffee from Angel Falls in Highland Square (also yummy!), my nails done at QV Nails in the Valley (which doesn’t really count because I used a gift certificate I had received … but someone else bought locally at least and BTW they did a great job!), my hair and my kids’ hair cut at locally-owned shops, art supplies at Pat Catan’s, lots of food and other stuff at Marc’s, and I ate at Lockview in downtown Akron and On Tap in Cuyahoga Falls. I still do a whole lot more shopping and eating at national chains, but I really am going to make a concerted effort to keep more dollars in my community.
Buying local
Monday, December 12th, 2011I just read about the 3/50 Project, a movement that urges consumers to pick three local businesses and spend $50 in each. Doing this benefits the local economy as well as builds community ties. I’m a (very) small business owner, and I’d be thrilled if more people supported me. When I had a bigger gift list, I loved buying gifts from local artists. But now, with the few people I still buy for asking for gift cards, I spend most of my holiday shopping money on national chains (Kohl’s, Target, etc.) because that’s what they want. But there are purchasing choices for me that I make all the time that I need to rethink, so I can do my part. (As a side note, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park has chosen “shop local” as its theme next year. “Buying local” and “being green” — both trends that I like a lot!)
Giving the gift of “service”
Wednesday, November 16th, 2011I received an interesting “chain” e-mail yesterday. It was about a different way to “buy American” this holiday season — by buying local services, i.e. gift certificates for a hair salon or barber, gym membership, car detailing, car washes, oil changes, games at a local golf course, local restaurants, a day of housecleaning, a computer tune-up, and ballets and plays. I for one don’t need more “stuff” (unless it’s edible — think chocolate-covered pretzels) and I think this is a great way to support local businesses.
Downtown Akron’s passport a good deal
Thursday, September 15th, 2011For just $15, you can buy a Downtown Akron ”passport” that lets you attend 16 events in Akron for free from October 2011 to May 2012 — a value of over $180! There’s First Night, dance, music, museums, the zoo and even the roller derby (select dates). Click here for details. If I had some extra cash, I’d seriously think about getting them for our family.
Finally – a travel mug that works!!!
Tuesday, August 16th, 2011
I like to take coffee or iced water when I travel — especially when I know I’m going to be at the studio for a couple hours. The kids like to have travel mugs too, for school, the car, or our outings. For the last few years I’ve tried a zillion kinds. They either leak, sweat, don’t keep the drink hot or cold, or are hard to drink out of. Usually a combination of the above. When we made the switch from plastic to stainless steel I thought that would help. Not necessarily, I discovered. One time when I donated blood to Red Cross I got a stainless steel travel mug. It actually kind of worked, and I was thrilled. But then as a birthday gift my husband got me one that doesn’t kind of work. It really really works. Like, if I put iced water in it today, there will be probably still be ice in there tomorrow!! It’s amazing! It’s made by Thermos and costs about $20, which isn’t cheap, but when you add up all the money we’ve spent on travel mugs that DON’T work, it’s worth it. It’s really the little things, isn’t it?
Candy lovers: on your mark, get set …
Monday, February 14th, 2011… GO to Target, Giant Eagle, Walgreens, even Harry London or Malleys. Reduced Valentine candy. Need I say more??
A cure for cabin fever?
Friday, February 4th, 2011Participating in Akron’s Arwalk tomorrow night from 5-9: http://www.downtownakron.com/enjoy/artwalkJoin a bunch of other really cool people around downtown Akron while you shop for something handmade and unique for your special someone! You’ll be sure to want to stop by Summit Artspace to say hi to me!! If you can’t make it tomorrow night, the Sunday Sampler is from 12-5. Get into the Akron Art Museum for free — and see a Monet. Visit the exhibits and artists at Summit Artspace and watch a demo from 1-3.
What says “I love you” better than …
Friday, February 4th, 2011 … a handmade Valentine’s card? One that you don’t have to make yourself 
For just $3, you can buy one that I made using recycled materials. Stop by my studio tomorrow 1-9 or Sunday 12-5. Or next Saturday 1-5 if you like to wait until the last minute!