A craft maker who sold her goods through an artisan’s association for 12 years is now suing it, because the organization has failed to pay her for some consignment items they sold since November. The Watermark Association of Artisans, based in Elizabeth City, says it has fallen on hard times because of — yep, you guessed it — the economy and global outsourcing.

“People are buying these cheap items made in China instead of quality crafts,” said Watermark’s acting manager, Lorraine Donadio.

Purchased at Wal-Mart, undoubtedly.