We are about to celebrate the independence of our nation and while many of us, myself included, are finding it hard to find much of anything to celebrate I saw something earlier this week that encouraged me to reframe this holiday. We often equate the word patriot with a certain type of person that looks, sounds, and votes a certain way. But earlier this week I saw a post from Sharon McMahon, otherwise known as Sharonsayso on Instagram. If you are looking for a resource for news that is fact based and spunky I highly recommend you follow this lady along. She also has a Substack called The Preamble.
Sharon shared this ahead of celebrating the birth of our nation:
It's time to reclaim the flag. It's time to reclaim the word patriot. The belief that we can choose what the future inherits from us. It's time to work toward a more perfect union, one in which all of our children can pursue their own American dream.
And then she goes on to quote President Kennedy's words to all Americans: "Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country."
It really got me thinking about how easy it is to fall under the myth that patriotism is not for all of us. It actually gave me a surge of energy and inspiration throughout my body that reminded me that there is so much to love about this country and that we are the ones we have been waiting for to remind us that it is a great country worth being proud of. I mean we just ended a month set aside for celebrating our LGBTQ+ friends and if any month shows us how much love there is in this country it would be Pride Month.
So today I wanted to celebrate the fact that not only do I love this country, as flawed as she may be, I also love the goods that are made in this country. Today I would like to highlight a few of my favorites.
Little Truths Studio is the a lovely brand created by artist, author, and explorer Lori Roberts. From her 10 acre property in Oregon she creates art that is most beautiful in its meaning, defined by a commitment to compassion, understanding, and a deep connection to each other. To make the world more beautiful, Lori donates a portion of all proceeds to organizations that champion kindness and respect the humanity of all beings. She also works together, with fellow makers, artists, and vendors, to promote community engagement through partnerships and collaborations.
Lori is a huge advocate for living an analog life and out of that passion she developed what she calls The Analog Life Project, an exploration of living more deliberately offline—through making, noticing, writing, and human connection. Her art is beautiful and her messages while simple are powerful and in my opinion speak to the heart of what so many Americans believe and hold true!
June + December creates storied goods for home + life which is the driving force behind the vision of its founders Katie and Nick Forte. With an adventurous spirit and the idea that the most memorable gifts have a meaningful story to tell they set out to create a brand that would honor the wise ancient tradition of storytelling. They hope their nature inspired goods will remind you of a recent adventure, a memorable dinner, or a fond childhood memory.
Upon first glance at the designs of June + December it will be no surprise that Katie draws her inspiration from nature and her collection of clipped sprigs and forest finds. Her artwork celebrates and explores the natural wonder found all around us in these great United States. Katie's art features the plant and bug life of this country which is vast and filled with unique and vibrant natural wonders.
We are very proud to be able to offer a favorite Dayton brand Sugarcamp in our Arcade shop and creator Val Smith is a true patriot in my opinion. Not only do her bandanas celebrate the diversity, resilience and spirit of the people that make this country what it is she also gives voice to those who might feel small or defeated by those who are loud and overbearing. In Val's words:
"I'm not buying the narrative that our government is trying to force upon us-that we are doomed to their oppression...I have come to the conclusion that it is so. much. easier. to LOVE and accept people for who they are and to just let us all live our lives in peace....Thank you to the countless souls and incredible organizations that put work in this month, and all year, to ensure we all have safe spaces to celebrate, love, and just be."
Sugar Camp crafts accessories for people with something to say. Every piece that Val designs is meant to empower and stir up a little good trouble. Her brand is rooted in feminist values and inspired by the grit and heart of the Midwest. In fact the name itself represents a very real American experience.
Val explains on her website:
Sugarcamps roots are in a not-so-well-known, but incredibly important bit of history in our beloved Dayton, O. During WWII, 600 Navy WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) were deployed to our little city to work on a top secret project.
Each day, the troops would march from their encampment—Sugar Camp—to National Cash Register, aka NCR, to construct bulky machines called “BOMBEs”. A BOMBE was a large electro-mechanical machine used to decode German ENIGMA cipher machines which were employed by the Axis Powers to transmit encrypted information. This included info to and from U-Boats. Much of the WAVES’ work is attributed to defeating the Nazis, and bringing an end to the war.
During their deployment, Sugar Camp served as their home away from home—housing them in simple but comfortable cabins nestled in a sugar maple grove. As a small woman-owned business from Dayton, it made sense to honor these groundbreaking women who broke long-established barriers to serve their country.
I mean you cannot get any more American Patriot than that!
All Very Goods is an ever evolving collection of accessories, apparel and paper goods founded by Ama in 2019, in Washington DC. All Very Goods is Black Woman owned and operated and Ama's designs draw from her background, family history, travels and experiences of being a Black Woman in America. The imagery that Ama uses draws from the history and mythology of Black people and Black culture as well as African storytelling and craft making.
Ama's goal for her business is to expand and offer products designed, made and produced by other Black Women, encouraging them to use their problem solving skills and innovation to create products and support themselves through business ownership. A portion of the proceeds of all sales is donated to a different non-profit organization chosen each month.
One of my favorite series' that Ama produces is her Cherry Blossom Spring Limited Edition. This one here is titled Spring Zebras. A couple of years ago the Cherry Blossom bandana celebrated the zebras that escaped and lived wild for several months in Prince George's County, Maryland. Ama wondered, "Now that they are back in their pens, do they dream of that time they broke free and of running wild in the cherry blossom petals?"
I could go on for a while really. But I think you get the point. American made goods that speak to me are made to celebrate the innovation and spirit of this country. They honor the beauty and strength of this little seedling of a country, still in its infancy if you ask me. They speak to the history of the true patriots that built this country from the ground up because they believed in the one solid truth that this place they called home was built on the foundations of truth, liberty, and justice for all! Each design and manifestation of a product is born from a strong commitment to keep these truths true for us all.
As you celebrate this country today I urge you to reach deep inside and find the peacemakers, the radicals, the innovators that are true patriots who value all humans and fought hard to make sure every single American can thrive in this great land of ours.