A Crafty Solution to the Supply Chain Woes

Shop local at craft fairs and Small Business Saturday – stop worrying about supply chains.

Gallons of ink have by been spilled on supply-chain issues. Anything to do with supply chains is by nature complex – add in a global pandemic and the whole subject becomes incredibly tangled and complicated.

During the pandemic, some industries shifted or slowed production of certain products. Others laid people off. Still others shut down temporarily or shifted to making other products, due to changes in demand. Industries came back on at different times. For example, automobile manufacturers have been running to some degree the entire time, yet the microchips required by most modern vehicles are in short supply due to the demand dropping during the early stages of the pandemic.

The pandemic also kept people indoors and generally spending less with many investing more in savings. The stimulus packages that were passed are still winding their way through the economy, and many people are itching to spend the money they have been sitting on. As stores reopened, products could not be replenished fast enough as the pent-up demand was unleashed on the economy.

Supply Chain Restrictions and Regulations

In addition, there are many restrictions and regulations that affect every link of the supply chain, from manufacturing to production to transportation to sales. Ports in America are not open 24/7 as they are in Europe and Asia, and our ports rank poorly in efficiency as they are not fully automated.

The Jones Act makes transporting goods by water between American ports more expensive and difficult than necessary. On land, soaring gas prices due to the reduction of production last year and the shutdown of pipelines make transportation costs rise.

Some of the supply chain issues can also be attributed to labor concerns. Some of the port inefficiencies mentioned above were contributed to by unions refusing automation. The labor shortage in general is also driving wages and costs up. If any part of the supply chain will be working longer hours or more shifts, more labor is needed – and with that comes time to train and certify new employees.

Trickier Holiday Shopping

All of this means that holiday shopping may be trickier than usual, as some items may be sold out or take too long to transport to arrive in time.

What can be done in the meantime as these supply chain issues gradually work themselves out on their own timeframe?

Christmas gifts galore can still be found locally. They can even be found in a way that supports local businesses and our neighbors, as well as our community. Simply attend one of the many local holiday craft fairs or visit our local businesses.

Purchasing from Local Artisans or Businesses

The benefits of purchasing from a local artisan or business abound. We all know that handmade or personalized gifts can mean so much more. Purchasing from local artists keeps money in our area and can directly benefit our friends and neighbors. Buying a product from a local artisan can have a larger impact on their lives as well and may encourage them to grow their businesses and even employ people in the community.

There is no shortage of craft fairs coming up, either. The next few weekends have at least one event each, with some weekends offering multiple events.

The upcoming weekend of Nov. 27 -28 also offers a couple of fairs: the Manitou Springs High School Craft Fair and the Holiday Craft & Gift Show at Norris Penrose Event Center.

Every Saturday from Nov. 27 through Dec. 18, there is also a small Maker’s Market at the “Who Gives a Scrap?” crafting supply store.

If you reach the month of December and still have not had a chance to visit a fair (or are still searching for that perfect gift), don’t despair. The first weekend of the month holds the most offerings, with the Holiday Food & Gift Festival at the Norris Penrose Event Center that weekend.

The Dec. 4 has several fairs at once, including the Cheyenne Mountain Holiday Craft Fair and Gift Market at Cheyenne Mountain High School, the Doherty High School Craft Fair (running Saturday and Sunday), and the show North Pole at Tri-Lakes Craft Show up in Monument. On the 11, be sure to check out the Country Holiday Fair in Calhan.

What if you cannot make it to a craft fair? Then consider supporting local business on Small Business Saturday, this November 27. Many local businesses will be offering discounts and specials you may not find any other time of the year; some businesses may be keeping extended hours as well. This is an excellent opportunity to support local business owners after the last 18 months, and to find unique gifts for everyone on your list.

Supply chain headaches may be the norm for a while as the world recovers from the pandemic, but it is still possible to find special gifts for the holidays right in our own backyard.

The Maverick Observer is an online free-thinking publication interested in the happenings in our region. We launched in February 2020 to hold our politicians and businesses accountable. We hope to educate, inform, entertain, and infuse you with a sense of community.