It's easy to find American Made Socks!

I confess, I was dollar store sock addict, the dollar stores around here sell the most amazing LOOKING socks. But after at least 3 pairs in a row got a hole in the toe the first day I wore them it was time for a change, of socks.

I had very little trouble finding American Made socks, but I wanted to make sure it wasn't a fluke. I'd purchased them pretty reliably at Marshalls and TJ Maxx, but even though they are national chains they are hit and miss and you have to dig, so I didn't want to go and tell everyone it was easy to find American Made socks unless it actually was. I don't usually go to stores like Target, so I went to see if they sold them. They don't. I had no luck at places like Target, or even JC Penny, but they aren't hard to find.

The trick is to go to sporting goods stores.

I found racks and racks of them at Sports Basement, a local San Francisco chain, which in spite of it's name is pretty high end, so I went to Big 5 to make sure EVERYONE could afford American Made socks, and sure enough, there were plenty of options there.

I've purchased 7 pairs of American made socks from 4 different stores, they have ranged in price from $5 to $15 each, averaging around $7, I've seen them as low as $2 a pair in a pack of three, so even though you can blow a lot of money trying to buy American Made socks if you want to, you certainly don't have to.

Confection Jewels

I've been searching for a micrometer necklace for some time, and when I finally found one, it was listed much to my ire, as a clamp! However, the fact that it was American Made *almost* made up for this unfortunate error, so I splurged, of course! Check out the site, they have great jewelry for the not so girly girls on your list, and are very affordable ($30ish). I waited to write this post until I got the charm I ordered and it is very detailed and extremely accurate in spite of having the wrong name, it has everything a machinist would want in a mic charm, down to a 0 as the mic is all the way closed and a little lock wheel and rachet. I got it in less than a week, even with the holiday. http://shop.confectionjewels.com/category/union-parts-recreation

Duck brand Duck Tape

Today's American made product is one of my favorites of all time! Duck brand duck tape!
http://www.duckbrand.com/

Check out the link. I am a long time member of the Duck Tape Club, and the page features craft tutorials  stories, ideas, and even a scholarship program for duck tape prom outfits! Duck brand tape comes in a huge variety of colors and patterns including glow in the dark and team colors!

 Many people get duck tape and duct tape confused or think they are the same thing, duck tape is waterproof tape developed for quick waterproof repairs, duct is a metalized version of the same thing rated for ductwork. Either way, what could be more American than Duck/Duct tape? So buy the sticky stuff made in America!

Welcome to Splurge American! First Post: OPI

I've become more and more interested in buying American since starting a career in manufacturing. A lot of people tell me that it is difficult to find American made products, but I have not found this to be the case. I think part of the reason for this is that I'm a shopaholic. If I can't find exactly what I want, I have no trouble shopping for hours until I do, in fact, that just makes it more fun. I'm starting this blog to feature American made products that I've found and I either, use, buy or just really want. Ideally, they will be both high quality and affordable, but occasionally I'll post something that's a total splurge.

Today's featured product is something most people can afford, is available almost everywhere, and something I use myself. OPI nail polish. A lot of people might be surprised that a machinist and an environmentalist gets professional manicures and pedicures, but I've found it's the best way to keep me from biting my nails. I know using nail polish is potentially environmentally nasty, but I've decided to pick my battles with this one, and one thing to mitigate that damage is to choose a company that makes it's products in the USA and stands behind the safety of it's products. I decided to switch nail shops when I found out that my regular manicurist was using Chinese nail polish. When there little price difference between American Made nail polish like OPI or Orly and a huge quality difference  it just makes sense to Splurge American.

http://www.opi.com/