I’ll wait, but food for thought: I’m starting a new job designing semiconductor production facilities in the US because we can’t import them anymore.

Made in the USA is a good thing.

Things could be worse: We could all be cargo ship crew stuck on cargo ships without reliable schedule promise of return to home ports. Must be really tough for them.

Much love to the whole Calamityware crewe. Big fan since pre-pandemic.

Suzy

My son is Polish (adopted).
I think these cups will make his day!

Great post, Don. Very well written, succinct explanation of the global trade challenges and why it will take some time to restore balance and normalcy.

Hi, Don,

You’re also quite the writer! I get it, all of it, from working in fresh produce in Boston & learning to watch the weather in California for pricing/inventory. (Mud slides? Lettuce is pricey!)

Sadly the last 4 yrs taught a lot of people impatience and me-first, emphasizing xenophobia. I get it. Everyone involved is JUST PEOPLE. Like us.

I too had a COVID year TIA. Scary as hell. Take care of yourself; your imagination is a treasure.

Love

Laurie

Thank you for this great blog post – well done as always, and something I can point people toward instead of explaining this over and over!

As for Judith’s comment above – does she really want to pay what it would cost to have these items produced here? I doubt it. Also, let’s suppose for a second a textile or ceramics factory DID exist in the U.S. that was capable of providing the quality of these goods – the raw materials would still be sourced overseas, so we would actually wait longer than we are now, for completed products. That’s not even considering how many workers have been lost to COVID, or the reduction of capacity necessary to manufacture with COVID safety measures…

Furthermore, global trade exists because there are artisans all over the world that have a niche that they do best – as I’m sure is the case with the porcelain here – porcelain has been an art form in China for longer than some books would have you believe the Earth has existed – and in Europe well before Europeans “discovered” the U.S. – The answer is not to get something done well by a factory in another country done in the U.S. half as well at twice the cost.

Textiles are likewise produced with better quality and less cost elsewhere, where the U.S. has turned once thriving textile mills into gentrified condos… While it is true some textiles are produced in the U.S., those are either for a specific manufacturing purpose, or are small looms that make very specialized items, usually at significantly higher costs. Again, generally, we do not produce the raw materials needed within the U.S. to sustain the rebirth of the industry – not would any banker find a textile startup to be a particularly attractive investment, especially given the margin issues where the real estate, machines and support systems would be exorbitantly costly – not to mention the environmental reasons many such factories can’t operate on U.S. soil – since to operate in a sustainable manner without the toxic byproducts is very expensive and therefore, again, increases the cost per unit so greatly that it doesn’t make sense. And no, the answer isn’t “let’s deregulate so it’s cheaper” – the regulations came about because factories were killing people with their waste… LITERALLY. It’s simply unfeasible.

Further, the U.S. as a whole decided decades ago to invest in tech and services – this was necessarily at the expense of manufacturing, including mass production capabilities for things like fine china and textiles. Thus, no jobs are being “lost” to overseas sales – they buy our tech and services, and we buy their goods, as they still have a high percentage of manufacturing facilities that were paid for decades ago, and this can still produce good cheaper. (Notwithstanding the obvious issues of foreign work conditions some such factories have – but I have no reason to suspect this company of utilizing a sweatshop, given their product quality and price points.)

As far as the U.S. “needs the jobs” – that is untrue, and a naive statement given the realities of our workforce and basic economics. What you suggest requires factories that no longer exist, with no reason to build new factories for these items, as there are not the workers to operate one, financing to make it a going concern, or raw materials to source locally and/or economically. No banker would see a new bulk product textile factory as a good investment, knowing what they do about the realities of the global textile landscape, and the regulatory hurdles needed to operate in any U.S. state. No banker likewise would have great interest in a new manufacturing plant for fine China, since that too would have enormous start up costs (including having the machines likely manufactured in Europe…) and require skilled artisans to work there… Those skilled artisans don’t grow on trees, and are likely not available in any number – nor willing to do so on a factory floor, for minimum wage.

The people who are jobless are not jobless because merchandisers are purchasing goods globally. They are in trouble because of how our U.S. government has a warped devotion to the 1%, while leaving workers with less than nothing – and simultaneously how completely unhinged half our population has become – believing conspiracy over facts, and propaganda over science. The people trying to fix these gaps are called “socialists,” “communists” – or worse… If the corporations that benefit from historic tax breaks and governmental incentives paid even a fraction of what everyday people pay in taxes, we could pay for job training, higher education, public works projects and health care – all leading to not only fuller employment, but better jobs for people, at higher wages, health care, child care, and a healthier happier population… If corporations actually “trickled down” profits made via government benefits, programs and tax loopholes, workers might also be in a better position – but as data shows – trickle down economics simply doesn’t happen, much less work.

The U.S. low minimum wage, extreme cost of higher education, lack of guaranteed health/leave benefits for workers, lack of universal healthcare overall (which would lead to people feeling more comfortable starting new businesses…), lack of meaningful paid maternity leave, lack of child care resources, barriers to entry of professions that lead to even greater disparities between groups – all that is what affects workers. There are plenty of open jobs – but they are jobs few can afford to take, since a minimum wage won’t pay rent, much less the bills that are common for daily living – like water, electric, and food… And if we are considering a female who is a single mom and unemployed, unless you guarantee childcare, after-school care, health care, etc., how exactly can she go to work? If she is unemployed, she can watch her children when they are not in school, and have Medicaid for her children. If she is employed at a minimum wage job, she loses her children’s health care, and the cost of childcare is more than her take home pay… So, she is working, but homeless? Her children have a mom who works but no health care? It’s a systemic issue – that isn’t about “we need more jobs” – it’s about “we need a better system.”

So, the issue isn’t that CalamityWare is purchasing items abroad – and any basic economics class would teach the same. The answer isn’t “bring more jobs back to the U.S.” – the answer is “make the U.S. a place that cares about its citizens and supports them to live a full life…” – and last I checked, CalamityWare wasn’t the issue on that score…

I like Ruan’s April 16th idea of throw pillows. Imagine a calamitous pillow fight!

Hi,
I love your bat t-shirts, bought a bunch for family and friends, but spent a fortune on customs duties (I live in Sweden). If your items are manufactured in Europe, can’t they be shipped from there to other places in Europe, thus saving us from customs duties?

“Suez Constipation”! I was dyin’, it’s such a funny description. I’m glad it wasn’t worse.

I just want my Kickstarter bowls. Don’t mind waiting a🎁bit longer. That’s what this year is all about anyway.

With my first chance ever to acquire some Calamity Ware, I was super excited to shovel some pandemic stimulus money to a valued artist retailer, only to be dashed by exactly what you so expertly outlined. I am convinced it’s all the Evergreen’s fault. Hopefully none of your manufacturing workers have fallen to covid. That was my other fear.

I remain vigilant awaiting an in stock email so I can hit GO on my birthday order. I was diagnosed with cancer just after suffering a fractured ankle joint last year. But – NO chemo!

It’s true it could be a lot worse.
Best to you and yours,
Catherine

Your excellent blog should be required reading for all consumers! There will be a test later

That was so helpful — I keep refreshing the page for your 12-oz 4-pack of mugs, in the hopes that they’ve arrived and I can purchase them along with the small plates that were sold out and have now come in, but I see that perhaps I shouldn’t wait ;-)

This has nothing to do with shipping (except in a roundabout way) but I was wondering if you might ever offer throw pillows. I’d love some calamitous pillows to throw around. Cheers in all circumstances.

Why not cut all the problems and shipping mishaps and have Calamityware produced in this country ?

It can’t be that more expensive and the USA needs the jobs.

Thank for the A-plus description of how this stuff works. I like the short paragraphs, numbered paragraphs, clear writing and coherent explanations . Many things can be worse, but Calamityware and its denizens are the best , as are the items you sell.

I enjoyed this peek into global movement of goods. Thanks very much!

Fantastic explanation of shipping delays. I totally love everything you design and make and the “Things could be worse” tag line is wonderful ! especially so with your design that illustrates it. Ordering your mugs during the pandemic made me smile and gave good humor feelings to the people I gave them to. So far your company is my favorite in years ! In all categories !! Thank you for making me laugh in a very tough time !