The purpose of this study was to explore inductively older women's involvement in textile handcraft guilds as a conduit for successful aging. Research salient to textile handcraft guilds and the process of aging provided a base from which the study was launched. Data collection included qualitative methods, using a constant comparative procedure of coding and interpreting data gathered through interviews with 30 craftwomen informants. Analysis revealed that the data split into two distinct themes pertaining to successful aging: (a) components realized by the self, or Craft as I; and (b) components that required the involvement of other individuals to be realized, or Guild as We. Through guild membership, women made a conscious effort to provide structure to their lives. The women were able to achieve affective as well as cognitive experiences through craft participation and the finished products. A grounded theory and model of guild membership for successful aging emerged.

The present interpretive work explores the consumption experiences of pregnant women transitioning to mother roles, focusing specifically upon the consumption of maternity dress, which has not been previously considered within the context of liminal consumption. Of particular interest were if and how the consumption of maternity dress may shape the self during the liminal transition of pregnancy. Findings revealed that consumption of maternity dress during pregnancy both complicated and supported participants' embodied experiences as liminal, pregnant selves and their transition to motherhood. Three overarching themes were identified and reflect the ways in which participants' consumption practices were tightly bound with their identities, which, in turn, represented a repertoire of possible selves that often diverged from the participants' current identities. Specifically, the three emergent themes included: (1) maternity dress consumption representing disruption in the 'Woman I Am Most of the Time,' (2) maternity dress consumption to affirm one's new identity as 'Pregnant/Expectant Mother,' and (3) maternity dress consumption to maintain continuity in the 'Woman I Am Most of the Time.' Findings also underscored that consumption during liminality is complex, both inciting and relieving ambivalence during role transition.

Effects of social activity and aging on variables related to individual motivations, community membership, and consumer behavior were tested for 287 late middle‐age and 343 elderly respondents living in three rural communities. Those actively involved were more satisfied with aspects of the community than their less active counterparts, and they expressed stronger intentions to shop with local retailers (inshopping). Klderly respondents were more satisfied with their community, and had higher inshopping levels than the late middle‐age respondents. Findings suggest an “embeddedness” of market place activity in the social networks of the rural communities. The number and purchasing power of older persons offer opportunities to rural businesses who are alert to the concerns and unmet needs of these consumers.

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Rural consumer shopping behavior research has traditionally focused on factors influencing consumers to leave their community and outshop rather than on factors influencing inshopping behavior. This study tested outshopping influences related to household characteristics and satisfaction levels with local retail businesses. Also investigated was the influence of community attachment on consumers' inshopping behavior for apparel and home furnishings. Findings support previous research on rural household characteristics and the importance of satisfaction with local retailers and their products. Inshopping behaviors were defined by the consumers' strong community attachment that also contributed significantly to rural consumer behavior. Implications for the rural retailer and further research are discussed.