….And, even if you did have money, shopping doesn’t buy much in the way of happiness, at least according to The Daily Stat, from Harvard Business Publishing.

It’s short, so I’ll just post the entire August 13 stat:

Women control almost $12 trillion in consumer spending, 65% of the global total. By 2028, they will control 72% of worldwide consumer spending. But contrary to stereotype, a BCG survey of over 12,000 women in 22 countries found that only 5% of women say shopping makes them extremely happy, compared to pets (42%), sex (27%), and food (19%).

So, shopping makes only five percent of women “extremely happy.” But, what about those who are just happy to shop online at someplace, say, like Three Stone Steps, with its commitments to fair trade and eco-friendliness? It’s not going to buy you love or inner peace, but we’ll definitely try our best to make you just regular ole happy.

The always interesting site, Global Voices, had an especially fascinating post about the Miss Landmine contest being canceled in Cambodia. As detailed in a statement in The Mirror, an overview the Khmer language press, The Ministry of Social Affairs Veteran and Youth Rehabilitation does not support the Miss Landmine contest, because it can create misunderstandings among the public towards the honor of disabled people, especially of disabled women. And, while I might not have worded it that way, I definitely agree.

Let me give some background. Many, if not most, of Three Stone Steps products are made in Cambodia. And, most are made by landmine and polio victims. In fact, Three Stone Steps’ silk and cotton producer has horribly disfigured hands due to something that happened to her during the Khmer Rouge reign of terror. She has never showed the slightest bit of discomfort with her appearance. In fact, why not just let you see her? (She’s the one in the gray shirt, and apologies for the bad photo of her):

Now for a very long aside:

If you’re in the Cleveland Park ‘hood in DC, you may want to check this out. Save money, help the environment, and wrap really cool packages:

This comes via Reena, the owner of Eco-Artware:

I am offering a free Eco Gift Wrap Workshop, August 22 at the Cleveland Park Library from 2:30-3:30 pm. Class size limited to 10 students (must be over 15 years old).

“If each American household wrapped three gifts in reused materials, 
enough paper would be saved to cover 45,000 football fields.” 
Statistics from the University of Colorado

Learn: Sources for attractive commercial recycled gift paper; how to 
wrap with cloth; alternative wrapping materials/techniques, and more.

Call 202-232-9032 to reserve your space.

I am a crafts designer who taught at the Guy Mason Center and received two craft-related grants from the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities.