Wallter: An experiment with Buying American Made

Here is another interview in my series featuring companies that are proudly "Made in the USA". There is a certain charm to shopping small town America that is being bulldozed by mega box stores who care only of their bottom line. I will be attempting to track down and interview small business' that:

1. still stand by their products AND

2. make quality products to be proud of right here in the good ol' USA.

Of course living in this day and age where you can hardly find shoes made in America, our small town America is ALL of America. SO if I can't buy shoes made in my home town maybe I can buy shoes made in your home town or the next town over. Who says WAL*SHMART is the only place to shop? I have a computer and I can easily access hundreds of small producers right online. With a few savvy customer reviews and referrals I can find exactly what I want while sitting in my jammies at two in the morning. Kind of like shopping from the old Sears catalog, you have to wait a couple weeks but the wait is worth it.

First of all why don't you tell everyone about your business...

We make modern home accessories, designed and manufactured in the USA

So what's in your product line?

We started with bedding, in 2000, bedspreads, pillows and throw blankets. And since have added Wall Decor, Mobiles and Coat Racks. We're now designing a line of outdoor planters that will be available this Summer.

MUST HAVE!! 

 Ok and this too!!

Where can I find your products? Online? In stores? Catalog?

We sell on our website www.wallter.com. On our website you can also find a complete list of stores that offer our products.

Do I HAVE to have a 'Mid-Century Modern' house to use your products or will they mesh into other design aesthetics? Absolutely not. Our products have found homes ranging from country chic to contemporary to eclectic. We have so many options and ways to use our line, its adaptable in any style.

Why is Made in the USA important to you? To America?

Recently, there has been this huge push for eco-friendly products, however so much of these so called "green" products that was coming to market was made in China, and made to only last a short time. We felt that was hypocritical for companies to use that as a marketing technique. The complete carbon footprint needs to be assessed. We make products built to last and made here in the USA.

It is really tough to stick to our Made in the USA label as many manufactures in the US don't have the capabilities as they do overseas. We recently had to have a part made in CHINA :( to complete a product line. The part will then be shipped to one of our fabricators here in the US that will do the rest of the assembly, fabrication and finishing of the product line. The question we had to ask ourselves is this: "Do we make part of this product in CHINA and finish it here supporting American workers OR do we not make it at all and support no one?"

The made in the USA label is important to us because we want to support American workers and companies which will in turn add to the tax revenue for our cities and state. We volunteer a lot of our time to our public school PTA and know first hand how much our schools need that tax revenue.

Do you live in a Mid-Century Modern? No, we live is a small 1100 sq ft home built in 1930. Not much style, but lots of "charm"

What do you value deeply and how are those values reflected in your work?

We value design that has a lasting impression. We try to steer away from designs, or motifs that are short lived trends. For example, most of our textiles have been in the collection from the beginning. It gives us great pride to complete a bedspread for a customer, the same that we have done for 10 years. We have always believed this and have strive to.

So there you have it folks, you CAN buy quality goods made to last and Made in America! I knew my quest for  quality products built to last would introduce me to new companies and I am so glad for that. For too many years I have been led around by the nose by big box stores selling inferior products for a small price. It's refreshing to find companies whose bottom line has not led them to China, dangerous materials and slave labor but rather quality craftsmanship, care for workers and happy customers. It' a relief to discover each 'new to me' company and I'm wondering if I could ever cut out made in China products completely. Hmmmmmm......

Peace and Love-