Baby and Child Archives - Page 16 of 16

I’ve been busy getting ready for my very first craft fair–The Renegade Craft Fair–which is next weekend in Brooklyn. Renegade travels to multiple cities each year–it kicked off in Austin in May. Here are two of the lovely crafters who were at the fair in Austin.

Lora of b.bags began her business in 2008 with some experimenting, which I am very familiar with. I’ve been thinking lately about how sewing (and crafting in general) is 90 percent trial and error. Just finding the right design that works for you can take a long time. But if you stick with it, like Lora, you can find your groove. Every b.bag is handmade using upcycled materials, which is the practice of taking useless items and creating something new. This purse is extra eco-friendly because it serves two puposes at once—you can wear the bangle around your wrist, and the purse is both a place to put your trinkets and a stylish way to hit the town. I like the way the linear stitching on the applique. I also appreciate that Lora takes care to ensure each item she designs is durable and will last for a long time. For more information about b.bags please check out Lora’s Facebook page and her blog.

Jenny Rinzler,owner of Ciuccio Baby, realized early in life that it’s actually easier to learn how to make things that you want. Jenny started making clothes for her dolls (so did I!) and it evolved from there. After years of experimenting–a hippie dress made out of butterfly pattern sheets that didn’t quite make the runway–Jenny decided to try her hand at making a full size quilt as a wedding gift for her best friend. Well that project was so labor intensive Jenny thought perhaps the first quilt would also be the last. But then inspiration struck—she’d just make smaller quilts. She calls her mini-quilts “loveys” and they are just that–a perfect perch for a baby, a comfy blanket for a toddler, and a sweet soft memory of a loving childhood. Exactly what you want in a first-rate security blanket.

P.S. If you’re in Brooklyn June 5th and 6th, stop by to see me! I’ll be at a booth I’m sharing with my childhood friend (next door neighbor! Jennifer Cooke of Raeburn Ink… Jen also has a new book coming out soon about customizing t-shirts.

i have to be honest with you. I was going to write about Athens, Georgia due to the fact that they are a hop-skip-and-a-jump away from a place called Homer, Georgia. What’s up with Homer? It’s where the World’s Biggest Easter Egg Hunt used to happen every year (as per Guinness Book Of World Records). But Athens was written featured on Try Handmade recently, so I opted for another locale. So why Charlottesville? Well beside the fact that it is a really beautiful place, with loads of historic buildings and homes, landmarks, and oozing with southern charm, I didn’t seek out buyers in Charlottesville, VA. I was drawn there by this AMAZING wall clock. I saw this item on the Etsy site in Handpicked Items as I logged on. And then I looked for more makers in the same town. And boy am I glad I did! The creator of this first item is Pixelthis, who says “I’ve been taking things apart since the day I could walk,” and they definitely have a talent for re-configuring the unexpected like this clock made with a bicycle spoke. I love how you don’t realize what it is until you look closer. It’s totally modern and not “junk art” at all.

Hello Sunshine! How would you like to be greeted by this little cutie everyday? Those blue eyes, big smile, pinchable cheeks–and what a cool ride! I guess his parents are the talented wood crafters, unless he’s also a prodigy. This is the cutest kid’s ride on toy I think I have ever seen. Julestatum is a true crafts person. He uses Cherry, Walnut, and Maple woods, makes and effort to be green and use recycled when possible, and he cuts, molds, sands, drills, oils and waxes the wood to a silky smooth finish using 100% non-toxic materials. These are the things you can’t get in big box stores! But if you want to get into the retail business, he will sell you three for a special price and you can spread the handmade love in your own town.

Seriously. This is so. Freaking. Cute. What’s even better? The name of the business is CardboardSafari. Cute, right? Only problem is–I can’t decide which animal I like the best! CardboardSafari is a collaboration between Chris Jessee and Luis Rodrigalvarez. And the best part is that not only are they talented, they’re generous too. They donate a portion of their profits to the American Red Cross specifically for the support of the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. They also have their own web site and a blog.