2012 - Making it Happen!

Rainbow over the Himalayas

Thank you to everyone who made our last year the best year we've ever had! And thank you, too, for your continued support of independent retail. We appreciate each and every one of our customers - we couldn't keep going without you!

The Mayans may or may not have predicted the end of the world for December 2012 (we hope not) but we predict a great new year full of happiness and prosperity for all!

As our friends from Positively Positive said, no matter what your hopes or dreams or resolutions for the new year: "Say it... shout it... believe it... "I AM GOING TO MAKE IT HAPPEN!"

Everyone's a Winner When You Support Small Businesses

Take a minute now and try to imagine what your neighborhood would be like without your locally-owned mom-and-pop shops. Do the terms "bland," "generic," "boring" come to mind?

Independently owned shops not only give your neighborhood its unique character, they also support the local economy in a myriad of ways. That's the premise behind small business advocacy campaigns like The 3/50 Project and American Express' Small Business Saturday.

Did you know that:

• A locally-owned shop returns 68% of its revenues to the local economy, whereas a national chain returns only 43%?
• Locally-owned shops employ more local residents and pay them substantially higher wages, in addition to having a broader range of jobs available?
• Local businesses buy more than twice as much from other local businesses, and also are more likely to use local banks and other service providers?
• Local businesses contribute more to the community through charitable giving, school funding, and other non-profit organizations?

And now, according to a recent study conducted by Civics Economics, there's one more reason to support small businesses: they help raise your property values.

The Small Business Saturday Shop Local event is November 26. When you register your American Express card in advance and shop at an independently owned small business on Small Business Saturday, American Express will reimburse you with a $25 statement credit! You can register your American Express card here.

Not only are you much more likely to discover some unexpected wonder or unique handmade treasure at an independent small business, but every dollar spent in a locally-owned shop is a vote for the health and welfare of your community.

Everyone wins when you "Shop SMALL" on Small Business Saturday!

The Therapeutic Effects of Kaleidoscopes

I've always loved kaleidoscopes and found, even as an adult, that gazing at the wonderfully colorful and ever-changing world inside the scope had a soothing and calming influence on me.  Well, apparently, I'm not the only one who feels that way.  Dr. Clifford Kuhn, of the University of Kentucky, has this to say about kaleidoscopes:

Kaleidoscope viewing.... is restorative to the body in that it requires physical stillness and stimulates pleasant visual sensations. At the same time it has a beneficial effect on the mind by presenting an endless variety of form and color combinations that stir the imagination and stimulate the intellect.

Read the full scoop on kaleidoscope therapy on the Handcrafted Alexandria* blog, then enjoy a full month of kaleidoscope celebrations at our sister Handcrafted shop, Arts Afire.

*Mindful Hands is a proud member of Handcrafted Alexandria

Thanks for a fabulous first fifteen years!

Mindful Hands is FIFTEEN years old! That's practically ancient for independent retailers like us. And we couldn't have done it without you! A big THANK YOU to all our wonderful customers who have helped us not only survive but thrive! We hope to continue to support you in bringing serenity into your lives for at least another fifteen years!

We posted some photos from our big birthday bash here.

And Orrin Konheim of the Alexandria Gazette-Packet wrote a wonderful article about our little shop and celebration here.

Our first 15 years have been a wonderful experience and a grand adventure! We're looking forward to our next fifteen!

Handcrafted Alexandria

As most of you know, the majority of the items in our shop, Mindful Hands, are handmade, either by international artisan co-ops in India, Nepal, and other countries, or by artisans living here in the US. This year, we are proud to join a local consortium of 14 Alexandria-based businesses that offer handmade gifts, clothing, and artwork, or offer art and craft supplies, as well as classes, to help you make your own handcrafted wonders. You can check out the group, and sign up for the monthly e-newsletter, at Handcrafted Alexandria.

15th Anniversary Celebration!

This year marks the 15th anniversary of Mindful Hands! We've certainly seen many ups and downs over the years and weathered many storms.

We've also changed our focus several times and expanded to meet the changing needs of our customers. We started out in 1996 as a Buddhist arts and meditation center then quickly expanded to importing Chinese antique furniture, eventually adding other home and garden accents to accomodate the needs of our growing customer base. In 2003, we expanded to the second floor and morphed into the specialty gift store and community center that we now are.

One thing has never changed: YOU! Our wonderful and loyal customers have stuck by us through thick and thin, ups and downs, and through all of our transformations. And you've brought your friends, family, and out-of-town visitors to see us and share in our little "oasis of serenity in Old Town."

To show our appreciation for your support, we're planning several special events throughout the coming year, including a 15th Birthday Extravaganza in June! To help us celebrate, and to make sure you don't miss out on any of the festivities, join our mailing list now!

Thank you for fifteen fabulous years!

In Gratitude

As you know, 2009 has been a particularly difficult year for the independent retail sector. At Mindful Hands, we recognize that you have many choices for where to shop. As we enter our 14th year here in Old Town Alexandria, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude to our many loyal customers, friends, and supporters. Thank you for your wonderful support over the years and your continuing patronage!

We wish you a healthy, prosperous, and happy New Year!

- Sally, Chris, Lilo, Amida, & Lissy

Thinking Outside the Box

Think outside the box this holiday season. Instead of shopping at "big box" or national chain stores, shop instead at your local neighborhood stores. You'll find your neighborhood "mom-n-pop" shops have most everything you need for your holiday gift-giving and home decorating.

And you're much more likely to discover some unexpected wonder or unique handmade treasure at a locally-owned shop.

Shopping at locally-owned independent shops also helps strengthen the local economy. Did you know that:

• A locally-owned shop returns 68% of its revenues to the local economy, whereas a national chain returns only 43%?
• Locally-owned shops employ more local residents and pay them substantially higher wages, in addition to having a broader range of jobs available?
• Local businesses buy more than twice as much from other local businesses, and also are more likely to use local banks and other service providers?
• Local businesses contribute more to the community through charitable giving, school funding, and other non-profit organizations?

Every dollar spent in a locally-owned shop is a vote for the health and welfare of your community and supports your neighbors in their livelihoods. This holiday season, think "outside the box" and support your locally-owned stores. Your neighbors thank you!

Shine A Light on Mindful Hands!

Good News! Mindful Hands has been nominated for a "Shine a Light" award sponsored by American Express. Please VOTE for us by Sept. 13, we need 50 votes to be considered for the award. Click on the image to the left to read our story and cast your vote!

We could not have made it 13 years in Old Town Alexandria without the support and loyalty of our wonderful customers and friends! Thank you!

Support Local Artists

The fall arts season is upon us once again. Alexandria, Virginia is fortunate to be home to many nationally-acclaimed artists as well as the world-renowned Torpedo Factory Arts Center. On the weekend of September 12 & 13, King Street will once again be closed to traffic from Washington Street east to the river. Several of Alexandria's local artists, many of whom rent or own studio or gallery spaces in Old Town, will be exhibiting their works along the sidewalks in front of their galleries. Look for these talented, and local, artists:

- Mindful Hands' own art director, Chris Engnoth, will be exhibiting his fine art watercolors and digital paintings (that's "Key Bridge on Ice" above) in front of 211 King St.

- Our next door neighbor, Nar Steele of Cobblestone Art Gallery, will be exhibiting watercolors, multimedia works and painted birdhouses in front of 213 King St.

- Visit Todd Healy at Gallery Lafayette at 320 King St. Todd is well-known for his paintings of local Old Town scenes and architecture.

- Andrew McDonald, former vice-mayor of Alexandria, showcases his photos and other works at AHM Gallery, 215 S. Union St.

A trip to Old Town Alexandria is never complete without a visit to the internationally acclaimed Torpedo Factory Arts Center. The Torpedo Factory is sponsoring "Art Activated" with artist demonstrations, hands-on activities, and special dance and music performances on Saturday, 9/12, from noon - 4pm.

If you can't make it here the weekend of Sept. 12/13, don't fret. The Torpedo Factory Arts Center and the art galleries and studios of our many talented local artists are open year-round. Celebrate the Arts any day of the year in Old Town!

Support Your Local Businesses

If your community is anything like mine, there have been lots of mom-n-pop shops closing up lately. In every block there is at least one empty storefront. And we are fairly protected here on the outskirts of the nation's capital. Other parts of the country have been hit far worse by the continuing recession.

Old Town Alexandria, VA, where I live and own my shop, Mindful Hands, is lucky to be home to a large number of distinctive independent shops, catering to a wide clientele - from upscale chic boutiques to fine art and home decor galleries to multi-cultural fair trade and eco-minded handicrafts to family-centered children's stores. Many of Old Town's shops will promoting our community by sponsoring family-centered activities, on the weekend of September 12/13. Here are a few:

- Mindful Hands will be partnering with our friends, the King Street Cats, for "Kitty-purr-looza," a kitten adopt-a-thon, on Saturday, Sept. 12, from noon to 4pm. The kittens will be in their new "kitty corral" and, if past kitty-purr-loozas are any indication, it will be a kitty 3-ring circus! Stop by to pet and play with these frisky felines and maybe even take home a new friend (or two).

- Enjoy free lemonade and cookies, before or after playing with the kittens, jointly sponsored by Mindful Hands and our neighbors SoBe Unique Shoes - all at 211 King Street.

- Hooray for Books!, an independent children's book store, at 1555 King Street, will be offering hand-cut silhouettes - shadow portraits that capture the unique personality of your child - by Anne Leslie. She's one of only 75 silhouette artists in the United States, and she'll be at Hooray for Books! on September 12 from 1:00 - 5:00pm.

- The largest display of collectible kaleidoscopes will be at Arts Afire Glass Gallery, 1117 King St, all weekend long and through Sept. 30th. Artist reception, Fri-Sat, Sept. 11-12, from 5-8pm and 1-4pm on Sun 9/13.

- and don't miss "Children in the Churchyard at Christ Church," 118 N. Washington St., for family-friendly activities including a moon bounce, Sat and Sun, 1-4pm, FREE.

Support your local artists, businesses, and community institutions. In these tough economic times, your dollars do indeed count!

Building Community, Restoring the Economy

One of the many things I like about living in Alexandria, Virginia is the small town feel with big city amenities. Public transportation, from buses to cabs to subway, is plentiful and easily accessible yet Alexandria remains a very walkable (and "bikeable") city. The small family-run shops along Alexandria's main street, the historic King Street, contributes to the Mayberry-like ambiance.

Having grown up in a family-run shop and, now, owning my own little shop (full disclosure: yes, on King Street in Old Town Alexandria), I know how difficult it is to actually make a decent living in small, independent retail. These days, with the encroachment of Wal-Marts and other big-box and national chain stores, we independent shopkeepers seem to be a dying breed.

And yet, it is the small independent businesses that continue to be the financial backbone of any town or city in America. According to the American Independent Business Alliance (http://www.amiba.net/):

* Every dollar spent at a local, independent business returns three times more money to the local economy than one spent at a chain store;

* Locally-owned businesses make fewer demands on roads, sewers, and other city services than chain stores, and generate more tax revenue per sales dollar thus helping to keep your taxes lower;

* Locally-owned businesses employ more local residents and pay higher wages than the average chain store;

* Locally-owned businesses contribute to a neighborhood's unique character and provide opportunities for social gatherings, contributing to a sense of community;

* Locally-owned businesses contribute more than twice as much per sales dollar than chains to local charities, clubs, and events - giving back to the community in many ways.

In these difficult economic times, many people are understandably cutting back on their holiday spending. However, if you plan to shop at all during the next few weeks, you may want to consider shopping at your locally-owned neighborhood stores. Think of your favorite neighborhood business and how you might feel if it weren't there next year. Buying your holiday gifts at the shops owned by your neighbors ensures that your gifts will be original, thoughtful, and valued; and contributes to revitalizing the local economy - for everyone's sake.