Have you been to any sweet local shops, or galleries, or grocers run by independent business people in your community?
What did you think?
Did it feel special and a little like you were connected into something bigger than yourself? Did you feel like a part of your community?
Those feelings are a large part of what is at the core of the Justacard campaign which began 2 years ago when Sarah Hamilton, a printmaker in South London decided to do something to help keep independent shops open and thriving in her community.
(That’s her there ???? Click on her photo to see Sarah’s beautiful prints)
Justacard has since become a global movement of independent shops and makers and artists of all kinds who believe in it’s purpose and mission. When you purchase something, anything, even ‘just a card’ from a local gallery or shop you make a difference to an independent business owner.
“If everyone who’d complimented our beautiful gallery had bought ‘just a card’ we would still be open”
When I first heard about this campaign a year ago the first thing I did was get this bumper sticker for my car (that’s a Courtney Murphy Ceramics mug, isn’t it pretty?) and am so thankful I did!
People asking about the sticker has started many small but important conversations about how essential it is to shop small, local, independent and in your community, if you can.
So, today, June 17th is ‘Justacard Day’ and makers all over the globe are shouting from the rooftops about this beautiful, meaningful campaign that is already making a difference to how the general purchasing public spends their money.
Big things are in store for the Justacard campaign too, have a look at their website to see all of the fancy actors and famous people taking part in getting this message out to the world.
Now, when you see the Justacard logo in a photo or in a shop or car window you’ll know what it means and you’ll feel like a superhero when you buy that card, or mug, or book, or jewellry, or sticker, or journal, or painting, or toilet paper, or shoes, or whatever it is you’re looking for… because you know, whatever you need can be found in an independent shop.
Really, it can ❤
