Small Business Saturday is nigh

Normally I do a gratitude post this week, but I honestly feel that Thanksgiving is every day.  There is so much to be grateful for on a daily basis, even and especially on the days when life looks bleak.

So instead I’ll tell you what I’m excited about, and that is my very first Small Business Saturday pop-up.

Small Business Saturday is November 28, and I’ve been invited to be part of a lovely collective. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. I will be at Rebecca Marie Photography at 5254 N Damen Ave in Chicago. Hosted by Noktivo, a lovely green nail salon, and Made Conscious, this pop up features a variety of earth-friendly goodies.

Made Conscious is a curated collective of the most ethical and sustainably sourced and produced lifestyle products on the market. They bring brands directly to conscious consumers through our pop up series. On Saturday you can sip on a local beer by Metropolitan Brewing and enjoy a complimentary manicure by LVX. The first 50 shoppers will receive a Shop Small Swag Bag filled with holiday treats, goodies and surprises worth $100+ from our sponsors!

Tracy Hurst was my second bellydance teacher (after Sonya of Arabesque) and I met her during the inception of Metropolitan Brewing. I’ve followed her path and supported her in a tiny way by buying the occasional six-pack. Her bottles make for excellent bangle mandrels,

Noktivo has pampered my hands and feet sporadically since February, when Hip Circle Studio invited me to a ladies’ afternoon out. While the fingernail polish doesn’t last long, the massages and lotioning during a session are important for my wire-bending muscles.

I’ll be vending alongside a variety of earth and body-friendly wares:

• LVX (Vegan Nail Lacquer)- Chicago, IL
• Biba Cosmetics (Natural Lip-2-Cheek Cremes)- Chicago, IL
• True Moringa – Boston, MA
• Apoterra Skincare, formerly Caru Skincare Co – Astoria, NY
• Real. Soaps (Natural Soaps & Mens Products)- Chicago, IL
• Vayas Homegrown Health + Beauty – Chicago, IL
• Au Naturale Cosmetics (Organic Makeup)- Green Bay, WI
• Rustic MAKA – Highland, MI
• Sweet Emotions ~Soaptions & Potions~ LLC – Newburgh, IN

Fashion will be represented by BlissJoyBull (Organic Apparel and Handbags) – Chicago, IL.  I am eager to learn more about each of these businesses, and look forward to trying Metropoliton Brewing’s latest flavor. It should be a fun time!

Next week I’ll be setting up another pop-up at See Jane Sparkle’s old location. They’ve moved to a bigger store near Dempster and Chicago (where Lollie used to be), and I get to display my pieces in the smaller boutique throughout December.

There are lots of Small Business Saturday events going on, so if you cannot make it out to mine, go check out the ones in your neighborhood. Get to know your local retailers. They need your support, and you don’t have to buy something every time you go inside a store.