This morning, STLtoday is reporting that "this holiday season, cash is the hot currency" and credit cards are passe. That is a trend that's been too long in coming, if you ask me. Another trend that's been on the uptick is local, local, local. It started with food and now handmade's all the rage - just witness the incredible balloning Etsy.
For those who prefer to see and handle an object before buying but still want to buy local and handmade, you are in luck - this is the season for art/craft shows. This weekend's the Rock 'n' Roll Craft Show (note they're at a new location, at Third Degree Glass Studio on Delmar) and the following weekend you have both Mad Art's Big Ass Indie Art & Craft Show and the inagural Cherokee Print League Holiday Show. And Craft Alliance, which has been holding its own nearly since the days of Gaslight Square, has a really marvelous art and craft boutique that is open on all weekends; see a list of artists they carry here. —Stefene Russell
