The traditional largest sales day of the year is only nine days away as shoppers begin to finalize their gift lists and make one final rush on the Saturday before Christmas. Analysts are unsure if "Super Saturday" will surpass this year's Black Friday sales as consumers tend to look for steep discounts during a recession.
Black Friday resulted in a 0.5 percent uptick compared to last year — beating early estimates predicting a decrease but by no means putting all retailers in the black. According to the National Retail Federation, individual shoppers spent $29.26 less compared to last year.
However, venders of locally made and sustainable products are not facing the same cold holiday shopping estimates — and in some local cases, consumers are spending more.
Supermarket sales of environmentally sustainable products are expected to increase about 8.7 percent this year, according to market research provider Packaged Foods.
For Ann Johnson, co-owner of downtown Muncie's ArtWorks Gallery on South Walnut Street, the shift away from the Super Saturday or Black Friday sales to locally made, sustainable gifts — albeit potentially more expensive — isn't surprising.
"There have been more people that have come in this year. We're doing better than we've ever done before, and I think that's because people are becoming aware of the fact that they want to give something that has been made by hand, that the heart and soul are involved in," Johnson said.
Environmentally conscious consumers searching for the "perfect gift" are affecting not just the foot traffic to Johnson's store, but also the type of pieces artists are producing. In addition to her own work, a number of ArtWorks artists have incorporated recycled materials into their work.
"It's the direction that a lot of artists here are going. They've found that art materials are expensive but they've found materials that they can make into art pieces," Johnson said. "I've noticed that a lot of people have become very aware of it and I've seen it cropping into a lot of the art pieces."
The possibilities for potential, inexpensive materials are endless for would-be artists looking to make their own gifts. Johnson has used everything from beans and rice to twigs and paper.
Right now, she is looking for a way to incorporate recycled pill bottles into her next piece.
"An artist has a different eye and so when they look at things they see the possibility. To me just looking at [potential art material], it's there," she said.
While inspiration comes easy for this artist, there are production and economic realities that local artists face when selling their work.
"It's hard for us to do because of the price that you can buy at a box store," Johnson said.
However, that hasn't prevented new interest in her and other Muncie artists' recycled creations.
"I'm really fascinated by the younger generation that seem to be really excited by recycling."
Local Art Galleries
ArtWorks
301 S. Walnut St.
ArtWorks is a cooperative gallery featuring work from East Central Indiana artists. It features a range of locally made jewelry, woodworking, paintings, pottery and glass art. ArtWorks also offers a number of classes and workshops for aspiring artists.
Gallery 308
308 E. Main St.
Gallery 308 hosts a variety of exhibits annually featuring work from both local, professional artists and students. The gallery focuses on creating a community of artists. Works range from quilts to watercolor paintings.
Gordy Fine Art & Framing Co.
224 E. Main St.
This is an art gallery and custom picture framing studio. Gordy Fine Art & Framing Co. offers monthly exhibits featuring both prominent and emerging artists. The gallery and studio provides custom picture framing, art restoration and finishing.
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