Last week, I had coffee with my friend Elizabeth and was struck by her story of self-publishing adventures. Since publishing her cookbook, Glorious One-Pot Meals, a year ago, she’s scrubbed, scoured and cooked her way across the country and in the process sold a lot of books. I was completely impressed. She helped to remind me of other female entrepreneurs whose businesses we can support with our holiday shopping. (She’s a knitter, too, by the way.)
1. Tour Nomad Press, home of publisher, writer, blogger, knitter Deb Robson, and purveyor of the classics Arctic Lace, Spinning in the Old Way and Knitting in the Old Way, among others.
2. Support your LYS. Chances are it’s a dynamic, woman-owned business.
3. Buy local. Here in Denver, Nake-id Knits loves Mona Lucero Clothing, She She, Zelda’s, Studio Bead, Red Door Swingin’ (2556 15th St.) and 5 Green Boxes; the owners are all very cool and they tend to carry lots of one-of-a-kind, handmade stuff.
4. Support yourself, literally. SOL, the Store of Lingerie, is one of the finest bra and lingerie stores in the country and we have it right here in the Mile High City (fortunately, they ship). Owned by two sisters, it deserves mention because it treats employees like family—generous vacation, benefits and bonuses—and because they donate bras and conduct bra fittings for women-in-need at The Gathering Place.