Beyond Black Friday: holiday shopping goes local this Thanksgiving weekend

Little Boxes Friday, Shop Small Saturday and new event, Artists Sunday, urge shoppers to support small businesses, local artists this holiday season

Painter Tamara Dinius holds an oil painting in her Washougal art studio. (Contributed photo courtesy of Tamara Dinius)

Washougal weaver Kathy Marty sits near a few of the rugs she has crafted using selvage cotton and wool from Pendleton Woolen Mills. (Contributed photo courtesy of Kathy Marty)

Post-Record file photos Artist Shirley Bishop demonstrates a diamond bladed glass-cutting tool she uses in her fused-glass Washougal art studio. (Contributed by Toni McCarthy)

Contributed photo courtesy of Tamera Dinius A collection of cards showing Washougal artist Tamara Dinius' paintings sits on a table. Dinius is one of several local artists taking part in a new event, Artists Sunday, on Nov. 29, designed to draw attention to shopping with local artists and craftspeople during the holiday season. (Contributed by India de Landa)

Contributed photo courtesy of India de Landa A geometric cuff bracelet crafted by Camas jewelry artist India de Landa is featured on de Landa's website. (Contributed by Shirley Bishop)

Glass ornaments crafted by Washougal artist Shirley Bishop

Contributed photo courtesy of Toni McCarthy A necklace designed by local jewelry artist Toni McCarthy is available for sale on McCarthy's website.

Contributed photo courtesy of Tamara Dinius One of Washougal artist Tamara Dinius' paintings, available for sale on her website.

A pair of orange plexiglass earrings crafted by Camas artist India de Landa (Contributed by Tamara Dinius)

A painting by Washougal artist Tamara Dinius

Contributed photo courtesy of Kathy Marty A collection of Washougal weaver Kathy Marty's rugs, made of Pendleton Woolen Mills selvage, hang at a recent Recycled Arts Festival in Vancouver.

Contributed photo courtesy of Shirley Bishop Fused glass tree ornaments created by Washougal artist Shirley Bishop are for sale on Bishop's website.

A necklace designed by local jewelry artist Toni McCarthy

Contributed photo courtesy of Tamara Dinius One of Washougal artist Tamara Dinius' paintings, available for sale on her website.

Contributed photo courtesy of Kathy Marty A cat stands next to a rug crafted by Washougal weaver Kathy Marty.

Contributed photo courtesy of Toni McCarthy Earrings designed by local jewelry artist Toni McCarthy are available for sale on McCarthy's website.

With national surveys showing nearly 85 percent of small businesses have been negatively impacted by the ongoing COVID-19, many small business advocates are hoping shoppers will consider supporting small, locally owned businesses this holiday shopping season.

“We know 88 percent of U.S. consumers feel a personal commitment to support small businesses in the wake of the pandemic. Whether online, curbside or safely in store, we’re reminding consumers that they can help make an impact by shopping small and sharing their favorite small businesses on social media all holiday season long,” Elizabeth Rutledge, American Express’s chief marketing officer, recently stated in a press release about the credit card company’s annual Small Business Saturday event.

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