I’ll be honest. I have an apron and I never wear it. I just don’t cook that way. But these aprons are so pretty I could see them over a tshirt and jeans this summer. So arty-chic ;)

Decorative Instincts specializes in fashion-forward accessories for the home. All items are designed by the owners and hand crafted in our Chicago studio. Our love of textiles and beautiful embellishments make the difference in our designs. We believe even the most mundane items should be beautiful and reflect your personal style. Our goal is to help you create your ideal environment.

Erika Jurney is the founder of Try Handmade. You can follow her on Twitter and Facebook, or learn more about her love of the handmade.

I handcraft pirate treasure maps and pirate treasure kits for all the little pirates of the world. I prematurely age a sheet of canvas and lay the artwork down with inks and hand letter everything. they make very unique gifts for those who like their kids to engage in creative play at least some of the time. Video games and tv are fine if they are balanced with creative and imaginative games that all children are capable of.

I also make notebooks out of vintage record album covers and various types of boxboard (like cereal boxes). The remnants of what I cut from cereal and other dry goods boxes are hand punched to make little scalloped shaped tags for gifts or price tags etc. It is a great way to recycle and people think they are cool ideas.

I have also been making and selling primitive hang tags for years.

How did you get started? Have you worked in other creative areas before the kind of work you’re doing now?

I have always been creative and willing to try new things. I have not, however, always been successful. I failed horribly at knitting for example. I did mosaic art for quite a while, cutting all of my own pieces from vintage dinner plates. I really loved the 70’s retro colors but did a lot of cottage chic type of pieces because they were hot sellers at that time.

I did some work with digital graphics for a few years as well during that same time. I then had my son and those two things were just too demanding on my time.

I transitioned into some recycled projects, the primitive hang tags and my latest passion for the pirate treasure maps.

Is there a story behind the name of your shop?
Maya is the name of our family dog. A border collie. I started an ebay account years ago and called it mayasmomma, that transitioned into a store and then I started selling on Etsy and I decided to stick with the name to make it easier for customers to follow me.

Do you work alone? With a team? Do you engage your family or friends in the work? What is your process? How do you ensure you get your work done yet still have a life?

I work alone for the most part on the crafts. My husband helps when I need him to but he is the biggest help indulging my son at those moments when I really need to get work done. My dad is a constant help to me with the primitive hang tags. He is in charge of stringing them up for me which just takes time that I do not always have. He loves to be able to help me and I usually need it!

Where do you sell your work? Which venues are your favorites? Do you prefer selling online or in person? Do you attend shows or fairs? Is your work in a gallery or brick-and-mortar store?

I sell mainly online.

I do a few craft shows per year around the holidays.

I like the interactions with the Etsy members. So many creative minds in one place is very empowering and motivating.

Do you have any favorite handmade shops or sellers you’d like to recommend?

My favorite for quality, handmade knit items: The PunkyToe Co.

What inspires and motivates you?

I am often motivated by others. I am encouraged by friends and family because they think I have a talent for being crafty-licious in general. I try many things and when I can make one work I focus on it until I feel it is something that others would covet.

What do you wish I had asked you?

“Did you ever attempt a new craft that you could never get the hang of?”

I once had this idea to learn to knit so that I could make and sell “matching people and pet scarves”…I really wanted my fur child and I to be wearing matching scarves when we went for walks. FLOP. I couldn’t learn to knit to save my life. I did find someone to knit matching scarves for me.

Snort. I think that’s a great idea even though my crazy dog would just eat her scarf ;) Thanks Anne! And if you would like to be interviewed next, just head over to DIY Interview.

Erika Jurney is the founder of Try Handmade. You can follow her on Twitter and Facebook, or learn more about her love of the handmade.

There was a time when I would think of the big city, and certain words would automatically come to mind: fast-paced, progressive, industrial, crowds, anonymity, grit, grime. But now, having visited Sister Arts Studio in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, other words come to mind as well: community, families, connections, creativity. This is because I found a place in the big city where all those things take place, and from what I can tell, the big city loves it.

Sister Arts Studio is the brainchild of Donna Palicka and her fifteen year old daughter, Ona Gleichman. A true “labor of love” in every sense of the phrase, Sister Arts, or SASI as it is also known, is more than just a craft shop. It has become the place where families congregate to meet other families, step out of anonymity, and develop bonds as they explore their creativity.

It was while she was busy successfully climbing the corporate ladder that Donna had an epiphany, and decided to make a change in her life. “I worked as and interior designer for a prestigious Chicago architectural firm for 21 years,” Donna told me. “The profession was tough, not very family-friendly. I was working 60-hour weeks, traveling. When really what I wanted was to raise my own child. I wanted it all. A career and to be an active parent.”

As it turned out, her daughter, along with critical world events, are what caused Donna to come to the decision to leave her corporate career behind and start anew. “I’m a designer, my husband’s an architect, and I saw that my daughter from a very young age showed a great amount of creativity. She was drawing pictures at 18 months. So I always tried to expose her to creative pursuits.

“But then 9/11 happened, and I realized that my child was going to grow up in a world filled with war, when I didn’t. I came full circle. You climb the ladder, and get to the top and . . .” She pauses, “something’s lacking. It’s not worth it.”

The shop is in its fifth year of business and going strong. Donna and her “sisters” offer classes in knitting, crochet, wet felting, needle felting, shibori, needle-point, weaving, jewelry-making, beading, hairpin lace, and machine sewing. The sisters include an impressive list of craft experts, all of whom Donna met through the shop, who proved to have the knowledge and personality to work with children and adults using Donna’s philosophy of teaching love. “I grew up with four brothers and no sisters, so these talented women are like sisters to me.”

“Teaching love is my calling. I was a busy parent. The city is full of busy parents. And I saw that what was lacking in the community was a place where a parent and child, or a group of kids could come to do something to help create a bond. I’m now working in the school systems, doing after school programs for the public, private and parochial schools.”

The shop offers a wide variety of classes for adults and children. Donna even does birthday parties. “I’m set up to entertain! I do parties for children as young as two and on up. We do a craft project, and I do all the clean up. It’s everything a parent could want. I make craft kits, so parents can come in with their kids and buy a kit and use the studio space. I provide all the additional tools or materials you might need.”

SASI also hosts creative camps, the most popular of which include machine sewing and the “ugly dolls” workshops which have as many boy fans as girls. Donna tries to offer projects that kids might not necessarily get in a school art class. Ugly doll making, mask-making, and painting on canvas are just to name a few.

“We also expanded our adult class list. We’ve had a Thursday night knitting circle since the beginning, and it has really become an event where life-long friendships are being formed. We offer many knitting classes for adults from novice to advanced. Jewelry-making classes, weaving, felting. And we are also a crochet-friendly yarn shop.”

“I love seeing moms come in with their kids, and meet other moms, and form those relationships that we as women really need. I love working with adults and doing knit-a-longs too. It’s kind of hard to find a knit-a-long pattern that will appeal to a wide variety of people, but we’ve definitely had some success in those. But my focus remains on kids and families, to teach parents how to create a bond with their child through creativity. I teach love.”

The other sisters of Sisters Arts Studio are:

Angela Lyonsmith
Anne Lenzini
Laila Korn
Emelia Lesser
Alexis Crowell
Lynda Weinstock
Emily Pick
Christina Court
Judith Querciagrossa
Natalie Boyett
Marissa Edwards
Jocelyn Ou
Laura Meyers
Denise Handwerker

Sister Arts Studio, 721 W. Wrightwood, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Phone: 1+773-929-7274

On the web: http://sisterartsstudio.com

Angela Walters writes about her adventures (and misadventures) in crafting with fibers on her blog Pocketfulla Posy. You can also visit her shop, Posy Moe. Follow her on Twitter, and on Facebook.

Sauces, dressings, salsas, chutneys, spices, rubs; depending on how you look at it they’re either my guilty little pleasures or my best kept secret weapons.

The fact of the matter is local, fresh, artisan eating can be boring. I think it’s what turns so many people away. Especially today when quick and convenience, for many, are not self-indulgent luxuries but rather must-haves just to get by.

Sure, it can be both convenient and exciting, but few of us have the pocket book to back such a diet in its entirety, myself included. And void those funds one can only eat so much cabbage before wishing that cabbage itself was extinct, after all. That is, unless of course, one has a pantry so chock-full of sauces, dressings and spices that cabbage is never really cabbage; potatoes are never just potatoes and even brussel sprouts become beautiful and awe-inspiring.

I believe this so whole heartedly, in fact, that many of my friends have stopped asking me for recipes. And not just because they know everything will be measured in handfuls, dashes and ‘just drizzle a little in’s either. They’ve simply started asking me what sauce I put on it this time instead, because that, when it comes right down to it is the recipe.

Toss it, drizzle it, brush it on. Want an exciting socially and environmentally sound meal in less than thirty? Get creative. Toss chopped cabbage with an Asian inspired dressing and serve it beside grilled, pastured poultry that was basted in the same or similar; Brush halved brussel sprouts with a spicy mustard and drizzle with olive oil before roasting in the oven; baste some grass-fed pork with your favorite jam and grill or oven bake until just done and still juicy.

Three of the most exciting sauces on Foodzie right now — all on my list to try next — are Terra Verde Farm’s Peach-Pear-Apple Hot Sauce, Uncle Berch’s Jimmie’s Mixed Berries and Chipotle Jam (destined for the pork as outlined above, if you’re interested), and Anija’s Finnish Style Mom’s Mustard.

However you apply it, as they say, the proof is in the pudding — or in this case, the flavor is in the sauce. What are your favorite quick and easy flavor enhancers?

Diana Prichard is a homegrown and artisan food junkie, freelance writer and wanna-be homesteader living in rural Michigan. You can find more on her work and life at dianaprichard.com, follow her on Twitter or friend her on Facebook.

Nothing better than white space on a computer screen that needs to be filled up as far as I’m concerned… I feel lucky, because as a freelance web designer I have a lot of time to think and to ponder as I’m putting together designs for this and that. As I was putting together the images for this post I couldn’t help but think of “blooming” and what that means to me… What truly nurtures my soul and makes me feel happy and free – the moments where I feel most alive. (Pictured above – Jewelry from Thumble.)

The enchantment of a dusky summer evening, unexpectedly wading in a creek on a broiling summer day, time spent with my closest friends and family. In my day to day work life keeping an outlook that is unerringly positive does wonders for me. Seeing beautiful works that others have created inspires me and invigorates me. Finally, being challenged is of so much importance to me. Trying out new things and making progress in them helps me keep my spark and drive.

Each of the talented makers I’m featuring today inspire me too… Lori’s flower photo, #1 above – available here in her shop – is delicate and beautiful. The name of the print says it all – “Alone”. YumiYumi clearly has a sense of whimsy and fun – that can be seen in each of her colourful prints (#2 above). The bottom flower picture, #3 by HeyZee is a soft and dreamy look at a dahlia. The camisole featured in the bottom right photo is the work of designer Patricia Valery – who in addition to designing clothes finds the time to play the piano and the fiddle too.

So what was to be a post about design and style has taken some unexpected twists and turns! I’d love to hear more about you if you’d like to share. What makes you feel alive, what nurtures you and drives you forward?

Amy also writes on her own blog, Handmade Evolution, and has an Etsy shop featuring original art prints: Field Trip. You can follow her on Twitter.

Moxie and Oliver: My work is an incorporation of traditional leather techniques, and some of my own modern twists. The leather that I use is a thick, tooling, leather. It is stiff on the first wear but softens up nicely. The thickness and strength of the leather means that, unlike most leather accessories, it will last a lifetime. My products are meant to be fashionable, but not “trendy”, so if you’re in the market to purchase a belt, wallet, purse, or another item that you would like to be able to use for the next ten to fifty years, you’ve come to the right place.

Erika Jurney is the founder of Try Handmade. You can follow her on Twitter and Facebook, or learn more about her love of the handmade.

What is your craft / art / creative endeavor?

Hand hammered jewelry using the ancient techniques of repousse and chasing. I mostly work in silver. My favorite items to make are pendants and earrings.

How did you get started? Have you worked in other creative areas before the kind of work you’re doing now?

I started by taking a U.C.L.A. extension class in making handwrought jewelry (as opposed to doing the lost wax casting method). I then was introduced to a German man who specialized in repousse, and studied with him for several years. Before turning to jewlery making, I wrote episodes of some animated t.v. shows.

Is there a story behind the name of your shop?

Yes. I was at the airport checking in for a flight to New Zealand. This was before 9/11, when one could still take things like hammers and saws into the cabin of a jet. I had my toolbox with me, and the airline attendant asked me what was in it. I told her it held my jewelry making tools. Somewhat surprised, she stated, “Humm, a woman with tools”. I have been a woman with tools ever since.

Do you work alone? With a team? Do you engage your family or friends in the work? What is your process? How do you ensure you get your work done yet still have a life?

I make jewelry by myself. I do get input from family and friends as to what items they like the most. I work best in the morning; it sort of sets the tone for the day. I am still trying to figure out how to balance everything in my life. It’s sometimes hard to concentrate on making something when my little dog comes over, drops a toy at my feet, and stares up at me.

Where do you sell your work? Which venues are your favorites? Do you prefer selling online or in person? Do you attend shows or fairs? Is your work in a gallery or brick-and-mortar store?

I used to have my work in a few galleries, but it’s hard making a profit on silver jewelry that takes such a lot of time and work to make. I’m not too good at selling my things in person, so online is perfect for me.

Right now my only shop is on Etsy.

Do you have any favorite handmade shops or sellers you’d like to recommend?

I’ve made friends with a lot of fantastic and talented people on Etsy. It’s hard to limit to 3, but I admire Tasha at http://www.etsy.com/shop/earjeans, Judy at http://www.etsy.com/shop/ConfectionsInGlass, and Shoshi at http://www.etsy.com/shop/ShoshiPo.

What inspires and motivates you?

Ancient metalwork that I see in museums and in books. Beautiful designs such as those from the Arts and Crafts period, and the jade and wood carvings of the Maori people of New Zealand.

What do you wish I had asked you?

How I met my husband. It was in a Kung Fu class. I was one of two women in the class. Now how many people can say that?

Thanks Lynn! And if you would like to be interviewed next, just head over to DIY Interview.

Erika Jurney is the founder of Try Handmade. You can follow her on Twitter and Facebook, or learn more about her love of the handmade.

Okay, can I just say – how much does this tee shirt rock (unless you’re a ninja)!

Nickole of Hard Love Apparel took the plunge into selling her hand dyed tees when she decided to stay home with her son. Her tees are everyday rock and roll and each is unique. She has a degree in Fashion/Design and was looking for a way to keep active creating while still finding time to spend with her son. When she first found Etsy, she was THRILLED to find a venue to showcase her designs! With lots of support from her family and friends, she’s been working constantly to create new designs and make each more beautiful than the last!

I really like the print on this one, it’s graphic without being too patterny.

For my shop, I draw up every stencil by hand and hand dye or paint each item. So, every t-shirt is personally created for you by myself. I take great care in creating high quality and beautiful pieces. And, most importantly every item is made with LOVE!

Nickole’s favorite item in the Hard Love Apparel shop right now is her Neck Tie T-Shirt. (Insert your own tie dye pun here.) She loved the menswear inspired fashions you see on the runways, but wanted to make it more wearable for everyone. I’ve seen a lot of these bleach dye type tees recently, and often they come off as too kitchy/80’s flavored for my taste (I actually lived in the 80’s and refuse to don jelly shoes and style wave bangs ever again). Nickole does a great job of making them modern in her choice of theme and execution.

Hard Love Apparel is heavily influenced by Nickole’s LOVE for fashion, art and design, but she also draws a lot of inspiration from interesting pieces that she sees along the way. Most of her sales have come from word of mouth, so let’s start talking.

Chelsey loves to explore all areas of creative expression and she writes about her adventures on her blog Silverbug Studio Creations. You can find her on Twitter, Facebook, Flickr or stop in at her Etsy store.

MaxEquations is a labor of love created by myself, Eve in partnership with my husband, Gary. He provides the business knowledge while I design our clothing and communicate with our customers. I have a varied background in the arts, as does Gary, but no direct experience in designing clothing until now. Strangely enough, I spent thousands of hours of my childhood drawing fashion designs. Who knew?

After the collection is designed, I work hand in hand with Linda Synder, our in house seamstress and pattern maker, who helps make my ideas come to life.

The clothing is then hand painted by our artist, Brian Metz. Our painted images are based on a seasonal theme determined by myself and designed along with Brian who paints each piece to order.

Erika Jurney is the founder of Try Handmade. You can follow her on Twitter and Facebook, or learn more about her love of the handmade.

I was recently visiting a friend of mine who is the mother-in-law to a very famous person. I’m not going to say who because they might write me out of the will, (not that I was in the will to begin with). photo by sofawned

Suffice it to say that this person is very very famous and his children are very very privileged. I was talking to my friend in her living room and I noticed the most darling little paper diorama of an undersea scape, complete with mermaid, housed in a glass dome. I was complimenting my friend on what a charming keepsake it was and she told me that it was her granddaughters birthday party invitation.

Now I’ve heard plenty of fantastical stories about the life this family leads. Personal jets for vacations. Dinner with the President. Shopping in Paris for the weekend. It never ends and I never tire of hearing about it. But this really took the cake. I stood there, first wondering just how much each “invitation” must have cost, and then wondering what in the world do you give a child that literally has everything?

What could you possibly show up with at a birthday party where the invitation was a small work of art, that wouldn’t look cheap and cliche’?

The answer is decidedly to go handmade.

The first thing that came to my mind was a tutu. I mean really. The kid is already essentially royalty, why not look the part?

Leslie is a mother to two little girls who creates the most fanciful tutus from her studio in Dover Ohio. You can buy her creations from her shop.

The truth of the matter is I have no idea just how spoiled these children really are. My friend is their grandmother so of course she thinks they are the most amazing kids ever. They stay at her house when their parents are jet setting around the globe and I have a sneaking suspicion that they get a healthy dose of real life when they are there. Then again you know how indulgent grandmothers tend to be.

Here’s another idea for that kid you know that has everything, but manners.

John Golden is a digital artist out of Wilmington, North Carolina. He has been making and selling his art since he was eleven years old. He has a large selection of prints on in his shop. He has a retro aesthetic that comes through in all his pieces.

The last thing that I thought might be fun for the privileged child to receive is some play food similar to the food they eat on daily basis. No hot dogs and french fries here my friends. These kids are growing up on salmon sashimi and spicy tuna rolls.

I found these little knitted sushi pieces at CurlyQOnline. I think they are so cute and any rich kid would be happy to have them in their play kitchen, which is probably nicer than my actual kitchen and which most assuredly has fancier food.

We didn’t receive our own invite to my friend’s granddaughter’s party. I wasn’t disappointed at all about not having to stress over the gift, I was, however, a little miffed not to get the invite itself.

I really just wanted my own diorama with a mermaid.

April Meeker is the designer behind Secondsister. You can find her field study on life here and follow her tweets here.