Reality? Ummmm No, Runway, and is it for a hoof or a foot? Hmmmm.

Handmade Nirvana.  The Holy Grail of Handmade. Shoes. Well the ones above are most certainly handmade but not the kind you would want to wear. I went in search of practical and stylish handmade shoes. It really is an art to make shoes, you can’t just sit down and teach yourself in an afternoon to make them like you can knitting or crocheting. There are so many considerations, style, durability, and then the tools you would need to make them. It’s a little mind boggling. Although hard to find there are handmade shoes out there, and some are not as expensive as you might think. 

Read more... (196 words)

Beth Cummings of Diffraction Fiber has lived in Chicago for the last four years and loves it. “It has a neighborhood feel where I live but still within a short distance from amazing food and culture and everything you could possibly need to be inspired.” she says. Beth lives with her husband, Regan, and a little doggy named Ditto that they just recently got from a shelter.

Beth describes herself as a typical Pisces – a lover and an artist who loves cooking. She loves dinner parties, sunshine on a crisp day, snuggling her puppy and her husband. Beth also loves reading and playing board games. Her favorite quote is, “Life is either a daring adventure or its nothing. Security does not exist in nature nor do the children of men as a whole experience it”. — Helen Keller

How long have you been sewing?

Oh man, as long as I can remember. My mother and grandmother taught me to sew when I was tiny.

Why did you start?

Well I was a curious kid, and you see your mom and grandma sewing you want to do what they are doing. That’s how I learned lots of handy life skills.

What are the items you have handy at all times for creating?

A rotary cutter. I adore that thing. And embroidery scissors. They are absolutely essential for all the detail work I do in my appliques.

Read more... (571 words)

He is the belle of the ball; the guest of honor. The main course of today’s American Thanksgiving feast however, is far from anything early Americans would have readily eaten. As consumption rises so must production; with production so must efficiency. Unfortunately efficient is not always humane; efficient is not always pretty.

I often focus on the inherent good in supporting local growers here, in so doing what is left unsaid however, is the inherent evil in not. The health of the local economy, the strengthening of communities, the forging of bonds; these things should be enough. They should be motivation to frequent farmer’s markets instead of chain supermarkets, to purchase vegetables from road-side stands rather than South American imports, but sometimes they’re not. Sometimes being aware of the consequences of choosing to do otherwise trumps. And there is nothing wrong with that.

Read more... (270 words)

The hybrid of paper, plastic and metal that is responsible for keeping your treats fresh and tasty also prevents them from being conventionally recycled. As a result, millions of candy-wrappers end up in our landfills and eco-systems each and every year. Without avenues to recycle the wrappers, we can either choose to reduce waste by buying bulk candy (or candy with more recycling-friendly packaging such as paper or foil) or we can upcycle the empty wrappers into new, usable goods. Here are some Etsy sellers who are doing just that!

Tracy’s passion for upcycling candy and snack packaging came after a recent vacation to the Croatian Islands. She was so taken by the beautiful and colourful designs on some chip bags, that she packed the empty bags in her luggage and brought them back to her Seattle home. It didn’t take long before Tracy found a creative way to use her “souvenirs”. Clever quilt blocks made from the hoarded chip bags were followed by a mini-wallet, which ultimately became the inspiration for her line of accessories. “After making the Croatian chip wallet, I thought about all the chip bags, soda wrappers, candy bar wrappers & coffee bags that get tossed into the garbage,” says Tracy. And so, Squiggle Chick Designs was born.

Read more... (429 words)

artwork by Roadside Projects

Jayme McGowan from Roadside Projects is setting a new standard for cut paper art. Her pieces are intricately concocted and expertly executed. Her subject matter spans generational interest and can be displayed in any room of your house. Prints and originals are available in her shop and don’t forget to visit her project blog.

artwork by Rural Pearl

I found the cut paper art at Rural Pearl to be modern and refreshing. The artist, Angie Pickman, has made this art form her own. I am drawn to the strong black and white pieces and appreciate her use of color. You will find prints and even some pendants made from her originals.

Read more... (221 words)

Still, thoughts of squiggly, stinky lines engulfing me like Pigpen from Charlie Brown persisted. And I’m running out of spa and beauty products to discuss – though each week a new one seems to appear. So, armed with the idea that in the 90s, horrified though I was by her revelation, my friend who never wore antiperspirant also never smelled bad… I decided I should try it.

Read more... (425 words)

These toy vessels seem to invite imaginary journeys to far off lands. They are just begging for an afternoon of fall sunshine and puddles to sail away to. Load them up with acorns and fairies and set them free.

I love the selection of prints and patterns available. These would make an incredibly thoughtful birthday present. They make for beautiful room decor as well.

Monster Fleece Fingerless Gloves by Boysenberry Lane

in Baby and Child

Kristyns Kreations

in Cosmetics, Spa and Bath

Handmade Sugar and Salt Scrubs

in Cosmetics, Spa and Bath

asherjasper

in Baby and Child

Eat Dessert First

in Food

Fashion + Eco Friendly = Handmade

in Runway to Reality and Back

Dye Diana Dye

in Clothing and Fashion

Where the Wool Things Are

in Going Green

Stonehouse Studio

in Jewelry

Interview with Jessica Lyons, Ragamuffin Design

in Focus on Makers

Ocean Girl Collection

in Jewelry

Some contests to enter!

* Handmade quilted drawstring back sack
* Floral print
* 12 Handmade Holiday Greeting Cards

And finally, there’s loveliness in the Gallery

Even though Ocean Girl’s summer at the beach and mine were apparently quite different, I still appreciate the beachy reminders she evokes in her jewelry.

I’ve had a handmade sea glass necklace my mother gave me probably 20 years ago, and to this day it is one of my favorite pieces of jewelry. Try something from Ocean Girl Collection and you may just find your own favorite for the next couple of decades.

Meet Jessica Lyons, designer behind Ragamuffin Designs. She splits her time between Troy, NY (where she is working on her PhD) and Clifton Park, NY (her hometown). Jessica says, “I’m a big fan of Upstate New York between the months of April and December. The rest of the time I would much rather been in a less muddy/cold/gray environment!”

Jessica loves spending time with her Sphynx cat, Lux. She describes herself as a Quirky Indiana Jones wannabe, and a hippie without the drugs or patchouli. When she’s not creating, Jessica can be found working on her PhD and perfecting her ‘ass kicking’ techniques with karate and judo.

Read more... (890 words)

That’s the first thing I thought of when I saw the work of Stonehouse Studio.

Of course, looking closer it is obvious that these pieces are far more complex and layered, but the effect is reminiscent of something both found and wonderful.

Stonehouse Studio: I love the contrast between metal and polymer clay. Metal is bullied and cajoled into doing what you want by hammering, sawing and torching. Polymer, on the other hand, is the most cooperative, versatile and forgiving of mediums. As is so often true of opposites, the two work beautifully together.

My work is inspired by nature, which may seem strange since my primary medium is a synthetic clay. But the chameleon-like qualities of polymer clay allow for innumerable ways of bringing an artistic vision to life. My polymer work encompasses a variety of surface techniques, including alcohol inks, acrylic paints and image transfers altered with colored pencils. The end result is jewelry that is organic, simple and very wearable.

I hand fabricate all work in my Boston studio. If you’re in the area, see me almost every Sunday from May to October at the SOWA Open Market.

Currently, global wool-production is at around 2.1 million tonnes per annum with Australia leading the herd, so to speak, followed by New Zealand and China. This figure, while seemingly large, is actually much less than it once was. An increased demand for synthetic fibres beginning in the 1960s meant a decline in wool prices and, as a result, production.

The current “green” movement, however, has led to a renewed interest in sustainable natural fibres, including wool. While new wool products continue to enjoy their popularity in fashion and home décor, it is the “old” wool that is garnering much attention in the handmade community. With an eye on thrift and a commitment to “reduce and reuse“, eco-conscious crafters and artisans are repurposing existing and heirloom woolen garments to create fun and fabulous items.

Read more... (440 words)

Can you believe the detail in her shirts? Her shop tagline is incredibly appropriate: “it’s not your typical tiedye” — that’s for sure! Don’t get me wrong, I love regular tiedye, but this is a whole different animal, and the patterns are fascinating.

From Diana herself: I love dyeing things. There’s just something intensely satisfying to me about these Shibori resist techniques – particularly the hand-stitched ones – perhaps it satisfies the part of me that needs to embroider. Except this embroidery all gets pulled out, and leaves behind color magic.

Magic is right.

New York Fashion Weeks Spring 2010 Trends by Stylelist actually had organic fabrication as one of the top trends. When I first opened my shop on etsy you could find organic tote bags and t-shirts pretty easily, that was in 2007. As etsy sellers have become more fashion forward the designs have become more sophisticated too. Pretty Birdie’s Stephanie Teague really wowed me with this great trench coat.

Read more... (197 words)

I have always adored misshapen pumpkins most.

I have always preferred imperfection.

That’s why, when last weekend, as I watched my own two girls pick out their yearly jack-o-lantern prospects I was proud to see flattened stems and dented backsides making the cut.

Read more... (300 words)

Imagined with such creativity, these hilarious little folks and creatures by asherjasper — incidentally not made of plastic like most toys — can be played with in so many ways.

At my house, Henry would build them a Lego fortress where they would defend against attacks mounted by Charlie and his wooden robots while Ed would be busy doing the play-by-play commentary of the battle.

Henry getting ready to build while Charlie watches

Of course, the level of ‘crazy’ at your house may be different.

Read more... (334 words)

Do I dream when I get back in bed? Yeah, I dream all right. I dream about wanting to take a nap! How demented is that?

My own psychoses aside, these super luxe eye masks from Kristyns Kreations look like heaven to me.

Slip one on and dream… and I hope your dreams less insane than mine!

Purchase multiple pairs and you can mix and match your monsters for way more fun and furious debates between ‘ol righty and lefty.

Crescent Maille

in Jewelry

Luann Udell

in Jewelry

Flying Dog Collars

in Pets

Handmade Lip Balm

in Cosmetics, Spa and Bath

Fruit Cozies from Unravelme: it’s Sweater Weather for Fruit too

in Baby and Child

Aunt Bucky

in Baby and Child

Manny Beads

in Jewelry

Fresh Fall Florals….

in Runway to Reality and Back

On a Silver Platter

in Food

Interview with Pinar Sondal, TooSis Jewelry Design

in Focus on Makers

Bees, please.

in Going Green

Some contests to enter!

* A white hemp twine necklace with polymer clay rainbow pendant and beads
* Premade Scrapbook Album
* Alice in Wonderland Print Set
* Free cozy of your choice from On a Roll Cozies
* Custom domed pendant by Lori Paximadis

And finally, there’s loveliness in the Gallery

You don’t have to be a chemist to understand that this is some pretty nasty stuff to be inhaling. In fact, the soot released by the paraffin candles is very similar in chemical make-up to diesel exhaust! One way to avoid introducing airborne pollutants into your home is to forgo paraffin candles and choose those made of 100% natural beeswax.

Read more... (350 words)

Pinar Sondal makes beautiful jewelry. Besides that, she’s happily married with two sons, Mert, 8 and Kaan, 4, and a bird named Cimbo. Pinar loves shopping for materials to do her art projects, going abroad to see other countries, and tasting different cultural food. When not creating, she spends quality time with her kids and family. You can view all Pinar’s jewelry designs at her Etsy store, TooSis and her website.

Read more... (539 words)

It’s no secret that I have an obscene love of food. What most people don’t know however, is how much that love extends to the utensils and dishes with which food is prepared, served and enjoyed. I would wager, in fact, even my own family is in the dark as to how deep my fondness for all things food-service related runs.

Read more... (243 words)

I found beautiful necklaces from fabric flowers at Florabond and enamel at Raquel Castillo.

Gorgeous bracelets, cuff or charm style from Hollee Costume Jewelry.

Read more... (142 words)

:: Erika

* handmade, natch

Manny Beads: I’m Manny and I live in beautiful Vermont where the colors of Summer in bloom, and Fall happening inspire me. Some years ago I found myself really wanting to breath some fresh air into my creative lungs. I learned how to knit, took some pottery courses and dove into making jewelry. I had been creating jewelry for myself and others for many years, drawn to the challenge of making a reality what my imagination cooks up.

I have a passion for unrefined stones and other elements that inspire me to create jewelry that is designed with an organic feeling to it: a bit unrefined, beautifully irregular and suggestive of the spiritual. Some of the elements I am most drawn to are organic and unrefined stones, ancient pieces, vintage buttons, Tibetan mala beads, and ethnic additions. I prefer to use creative elements that are not too many steps removed from the earth…imperfectly perfect. The stones and beads are often hand-cut and unrefined, left to speak for themselves, reminding us that they are of the Earth.

Aunt Bucky provides a unique collection of modern Baby Bedding | Apparel | Pillows. The Aunt Bucky line is ever evolving and truly unique. Our collections will always include the same style selections and design sensibility, but the individual fabric prints may vary. This process is therefore somewhat improvisational and produces near one-of-a-kind pieces.

Items from Unravelme’s shop make for fun and colorful fruit armor.

It is true. I can’t touch an avocado without risk of anaphylactic shock but own two of the four most lead laden lipsticks sold in America.

Read more... (307 words)

Flying Dog Collars feature a super strong aluminum side release buckle in Brushed or Polished finish. Collars feature a welded Nickel finish D-ring to attach tags and/or a leash, a nickel finished slide buckle and are fully adjustable. These collars are suitable for all breeds.

Flying Dog Custom Dog Collars are made with 100% cotton fabric that is fused with interfacing and then wrapped around and fused to a renewable polypropylene webbing core to give the collar great durability. The are then sewn by hand using an industrial strength sewing machine fitted with the finest quality strong polyester thread. All stress points are triple stitched for durability.