In today’s political sphere, its important to know where your dollar is going. Every brand makes decisions and you should be able to see what each company is up to! As crafters, many of us only have the budget for big box stores so sometimes, it doesn’t feel like you have an option but to. However, we have a number of crafts stores that make donations and for many people, this is against their communities safety.
Over in the Yarn Punk Facebook Group, we got to talking about the retail store that is Hobby Lobby. When asked where you get your materials, names of companies are bound to come up. Many people have brought it to the attention that Hobby Lobby has a number of controversies behind them and can make people feel uneasy and unsafe.
Of course, we understand that some may not have that privilege to be able to not work there anymore or you may not have a way to get crafting materials. Or maybe you don’t have the financial privilege. There are always outliers and reasons – but regardless, you should always be able to make that choice on where you shop. Our dollars matter!
We have implemented rules into the Facebook group when discussing a problematic company to make others comfortable, and those look like:
Down below, you can find most of the common big retail stores that offer crafting supplies and their ethics. Along with all the sources – always take everything with a grain of salt.
We do not support Hobby Lobby and the groups they support / donate to. We do not support any defense towards the companies ethics and we have separate rules for that over in the Facebook group if you would like to read those!
To find out more about the other retail stores that are great options to shop at (JOANN, Michaels, Indie shops) click into the article from Auto Straddle HERE! And of course, if you have the ability, be sure to support your local / small businesses!
If we have missed anything here, please let us know as this is a collaborate effort!
Hobby Lobby
Click into the following sources to read more about the company and general info! Down below will be a quick “too lazy, didn’t read” on their statements regarding current matters and controversies that might be relevant when talking about the companies in the Facebook group.
Controversies:
Opposition to Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
– In September 2012, Hobby Lobby filed a lawsuit against the United States over new regulations requiring health insurance provided by employers to cover emergency contraceptives.
Smuggling and collections management controversies
– “Beginning in 2009, representatives of Hobby Lobby were warned that artifacts they were purchasing were likely looted from Iraq. The purchases had been made for the Museum of the Bible, which they were sponsoring. In 2018, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York directed Hobby Lobby to return the artifacts and pay a fine of US$3,000,000. Hobby Lobby returned over 5500 items in May 2018. Among these, were nearly 4000 tablets supposed to be from the lost city of Irisagrig which had been delivered to Hobby Lobby marked as “tile samples.”
– “In April 2020, the centerpiece of the Museum of the Bible’s collection, the fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls, were declared to be fakes.”
Donating to Anti-LGBTQ Groups.
– Green (Hobby Lobby’s owner) has been donating to the National Christian Foundation which provides money to groups such as the Family Research Council and the Alliance Defending Freedom. (Targeted as hate groups and oppose LGBTQ rights)
Hand-Dyed Yarn Theft
– “In early October 2020, Hobby Lobby released a line of hand-dyed yarns. Multiple colorways from this line appear to be stolen, according to a post by The Lemonade Shop, a small business who has been dyeing the stolen colorways for at least seven years”
Social Justice Statements
None have been made
With everything listed above, we do not recommend shopping here if your situation allows. We do not support the values of this company.
JOANN
Sources:
Controversies:
– During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jo-Ann received public criticism for keeping many of their stores open amidst health concerns for elderly customers and refusing paid sick leave for employees affected by COVID-19. Jo-Ann defended themselves in a statement by claiming that their free mask kits helped local hospitals, which allowed the stores to be considered “essential business” . However, this was remedied a little bit with curbside pickup.
Social Justice Statements
– You can find all official statements from the company HERE
We are glad to see some ownership from the company and money put towards causes – we recommend this store as a great option when shopping!
Michaels / AC Moore
Sources:
Controversies:
Could not find any apparent ones – if you have some, please let us know!
Social Justice Statements
– On Black Lives Matter, you can read the full (and short) statement HERE.
– Have joined the “Open to All Campaign” in support of LGBTQ communities.
Although the statements made by the company seem a little lackluster, we are glad they are not donating to hate groups are filled with controversy and joining inclusive campaigns – would recommend shopping here!
