How I Finally Got Smart About Sourcing From China Without Losing My Mind Let me start with a confession: I used to be one of those people who thought “Made in China” meant cheap plastic that would break in two weeks. I’m Emma, a 32-year-old graphic designer based in Portland, Oregon, and I run a small side hustle selling vintage-inspired home decor. Two years ago, I was spending $80 on a single brass candle holder from a “local artisan” that I later found out was actually made in a factory in Guangdong. That’s when I realized I was paying a 400% markup for pretty packaging and a story. So I…