Hand-blown glass ornaments from Third Degree Glass Factory, sold at last year's Rock N Roll Craft Show. Photo courtesty Rock N Roll Craft Show.

Among all the coupons and sale announcements in my inbox this morning, one stood out as worthy of attention: a reminder that this is the last weekend for the Fair Trade Market at Manchester United Methodist Church, 141 and Manchester Road in Manchester, Mo.

Another worthy addition: Rock N Roll Craft Show 6, today through Sunday at Third Degree Glass Factory, 5200 Delmar Blvd. There’s a $15 admission Friday; Saturday and Sunday admission is $3.

Buying from either of those shows will pretty much insure that your gift won’t be duplicated. And that all or most of your dollars are going directly to the artist or craftsperson who made that cool sock monkey or lovely bracelet.

It’s very important to me that I don’t support unfair labor conditions when I shop. I try as much as possible to live by the “Harm None” code. I believe that if I buy something made in a Third World sweatshop, then I am doing harm to the person paid just pennies to make it, to the carbon cycle for the shipping, and to people who could have been paid a living wage to make said object.

I know there’s a counter-argument that people in the Third World have to eat and support their families, too. But it’s possible to pay them well and still make a profit. Macro Sun and The Blessing Basket Project are two local companies that have been doing that for years. And they also are good sources of holiday gifts, along with Plowsharing Crafts.

The Fair Trade Market at Manchester United Methodist is sponsored by The Justice Advocates, a group of social justice minded volunteers. They focus on providing opportunities like the Fair Trade Market, as well as learning and becoming active in addressing social justice issues locally and around the globe. One of the figures they provided: that it takes just $3,500 in retail sales for an artist to support a family of four in many parts of the Third World. Since 2003, the group says, about $340,000 has been spent at the market.

The Rock N Roll Craft Show started in 2005 when a group of friends decided their arts and crafts didn’t quite fit in at more traditional craft venues. The first show had 50 vendors and 500 attendees. Last year’s had more than 100 vendors and 6000 attendees. The afternoon I visited, it was more crowded than a mall at peak shopping hours–but there was music, and snacks, and craft demonstrations. And in just a couple hours, I had the bulk of my Yule shopping completed.

Even better–I’d actually met the people who made the items I bought. And knew that the money I spent was going right into their pockets.

If shopping Fair Trade and /or local is important to you, check these sites for more information:

The Fair Trade Federation, a group that promotes North American organizations committed to Fair Trade. The Federation is part of the movement committed to building equitable and sustainable trading partnerships and creating opportunities to alleviate poverty. The Web site has search functions for both types of products and stores.

Build St. Louis, an organization promoting locally-owned businesses. The site says that local business owners invest up to three times more money in the local community than non-local chains do. It’s a thorough listing of independent retail and service businesses owned and operated by our community members.

So, as you do your Yule, Christmas, Hannukah, or Kwanzaa shopping, remember: it’s not just a sock monkey or a sweater. It’s a statement about your values. Vote wisely with those dollars.