I’m the sort of person who goes into conniptions when I see another woman wearing an identical article of clothing. It’s nice to carve out your own fashion niche, feeling safe in the knowledge that you’ve created your own distinct style. That’s why I’ve always chosen to buy my jewelry from craft shows. Each summer, I stroll around the local arts festivals in search of one-of-a-kind necklaces.
This year, I noticed a serious shortage of new styles. Not only that, but there were markedly fewer retailers hocking their wares at the craft fairs. I asked one woman why that was, and she told me that many people are going online these days to satisfy their unique accessory needs. That was all I needed to hear. Before the day was out, I returned home and did some shopping on the Web.