Try Handmade

Shopping blog featuring products made by people not factories.

You Said It

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Thank you all for another great week of your thoughtful comments! Wondering what posts caused the most stir this week? Want to know what your fellow shoppers are thinking? Read on and discover…

On Easter Best:
“Easter now is very different for me then it was when I was growing up. I was born and raised in Poland and our Easter was very traditional. Easter basket was filled with decorated eggs, bread, salt and sausage (of course) that we took to church. A big gathering of family for Easter branch. More sausage LOL. Not at all a commercialized holiday (today is a little different from what I hear). Although I try to uphold and teach my kids our tradition I always enjoy taking them to Easter egg hunt and seeing they faces fill with joy when they get their Easter baskets (no sausage but full of candy). It’s fun celebrating the holiday both ways.” – Joanna Gizinska.

On Interview with Lynn Lefler of WomanWithTools:
“I know Lynn from the ning group Hearts And Hands United of we are members, and have admired her work since I joined. The ancient techniques she employs in crafting her jewelry, make her work really stands out from what is currently available in on-line shops. A very nice interview from a talented artist.” – Karin Mosseri.

On Interview with Anne Cope of Mayasmomma’s Design Studio:
“OMG…just logged on and this was here. I have a Pirate for a son (since he’s 18 mos old, he’ll be 5 in April). There’s nothing better than living a life of pillaging and plundering with him. LOL. These are great!” – kim.

On her interview:
“Wow, thank you so much for including my plus size swimsuit designs on your blog, I really appreciate it! I am a “one woman show” and work hard at my craft. I have received many inquiries and orders because of your blog. My models love wearing my swimsuit designs and I think they are so brave for allowing themselves to be viewed before the entire world!” – By Ro Designs.

On Shop Local: Southern California, USA:
“This is an excellent article and I am living proof of it! Living in SoCal, I have been using my tiny origami business to offset the costs of living and schooling. If anything, it gives me the spare cash I need to enjoy life once and a while ;)” – Christina.

You Said It

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Thank you all for another week of your great contributions to the site :)

On Shop Local: Vancouver, BC:
“I love that top, it looks so flattering. The red coat is wonderful, and the bag is perfect style when you need to carry a lot of stuff but want to look good doing it.” – Valerie.

On In My Town: Gallery’s Choice:
“My mother is originally from Downers’ Grove and my aunt still lives there, so I am glad to see this as a viable local business, and I will share that with both of them.

Unfortunately, not all communities are as lucky as Downers’ Grove, IL.
Here in my little community of Stevens Point WI we had this very similar thing, called Art Village. The owner has become one of my most treasured friends. She is the first person to recognize me as an artist, to encourage me, to believe in me. I have learned how to throw pots, paint with oil like the Masters, dabble in watercolor, tool metal, and anything else my artsy heart desires. The unfortunate part is that after almost 5 years her business is closing this week. I am so sad for this loss to our community because it will be tremendous.

And I am sick in my heart for her. I do believe that a hands on art studio can co-exist with other more traditional art galleries, and it did in our town, as I am a member of a local artists’ coop where I also show my one of a kind jewelry designs. I know that my friend will always have art in her heart, and that she will try this idea again, but I can only hope that it will be someplace accessible to me. If I do get down to Downers’ Grove I will definitely come out to support this place, because I believe the world needs more places like Art Village and Gallery’s Choice.” – Erin Prais-Hintz

On Interview with Manny Neuzil of Mannybeads:
“I love Manny’s work and am the happy owner of a few pieces, all of which include natural turquoise wheels. Ever time I wear them, I get so many compliments I should have an order form to fill out and send right to Manny!” – Diana

On Orca’s Alchemy:
“When I saw the picture and didn’t read the description, I totally assumed it was bath salts or something. Now that I know I could eat it?? Oh boy…

You could make a raspberry-lime rickey and roll the rim of the glass in both sugars…omg. Or roll the rim of a cupcake in them and have it stick to the frosting. Or..um…eat it with a spoon :)

I’m so excited I found this blog tonight.” – Lesley

You Said It

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Another great week of your interesting observations :)

On Behind the scenes at from, Alice:
“I need to be a little more organized like this! No matter what I end up with boxes on the floor and stuff everywhere on my desk!!” – Laurie Luttrell

On Moonlight Bindery:
“love, love, love the books. I can never help myself when I see a beautiful hand bound book full of blank pages just waiting for my words! Awesome :-)” – Julie

On Interview with Annie Mohaupt of Mohop:
“Now that’s something not many people make. Very clever the way you can change the show to any color by changing ribbons. I wish they’d make Birkenstocks that way.” – Judy

On Tell me something good:
“That is a great idea and a great way to help others too! Pretty much everybody would love their favorite memory turned into a totally functional item that they see every day. I am digging through my closet right away!” – Katie

You Said It

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On The Brigantine Gallery:

Thank you for the lovely article about the gallery. The world is a far better place because of the things people create with their hands and their hearts. Your column honors those people. THANK YOU! –Joan Ramp

On Hand knit fingerless gloves:

I love the fingerless gloves too. I have such a hard time DOING anything with gloves or mittens on…I just need my digits too much! –Lauren

On Olympic Minded:

this work-out towel makes me want to get my act together. hitting the gym tomorrow! my back-end thanks you Words To Sweat By! –Lisa

On The Brigantine Gallery:

HA! I think a few of my relatives have those “Ignorant Hick” t-shirts in their closets! Love the bank-owned bird house :-( –Staci Marquez-Nichols

Thanks for your input last week, and I look forward to another great week with you :)

You Said It

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Another week of your great words. Thanks for stopping by :)

On Face Moisturizer and Body Cream:

Jen Schroll: “I haven’t tried calendula, but I can vouch for lavender and tea tree oil. My husband loves any lavendar-based aromatherapy oils, candles, you name it. He finds it very soothing after a long day.

One interesting nugget about my experience with tea tree oil – I used to work in an aquarium store and when a tank developed an illness, the preferred anti-septic/anti-fungal medications we used in quarantined tanks did indeed contain tea tree oil!”

On On Beans:

WillOaks: “Love this post because I love beans-all kinds–too. My best and favorite recipe is (minimum) 4 bean vegetarian chili (pinto, kidney, red beans, black beans.) Sort of a gussied up super food with lots of sauteed veggies, at least 3 forms of canned tomato stuff, and plenty of oregano, chili powder, cayenne and cumin (you SHOULD break a sweat after about 3 or 4 spoonfuls.) Simmered in a big pot for at least 4 hours. Then wait a day before serving straight up, with rice or with pasta….at our house, it’s a winter staple! And it turns out just a little different every time. The latest new addition is “TVP” (textured vegetable protein.) Freezes great and never boring.”

Florcita: “Beans! We have a large veggie patch and we grow most of our veggies (which we store and eat throughout the winter months). Last year we had an especially large harvest of green beans (about 7kl) so we are now trying to come up with new recipes where to include them.

I love chickpeas just with a bit of parsley, sea salt, olive oil… and eaten with a spoon from a bowl! YUUM!”

On Metal Smitten:

Katye: “Adorable! My husband and I met through a friend and did the long distance thing for the first year of our relationship… most of our talking was done online at the time and when we were getting married he surprised me by having “<3" engraved inside both of our wedding bands! Always makes me smile…"

On Esther’s Place:

Emily: “We held my daughter’s 8th birthday party at Esther’s place (with cousins, sisters, grandmas and aunts) and felted Nativity scenes. Everyone had a blast (the coffee and treats didn’t hurt) and left with bags bursting with more fiber, needles, etc. I’d highly recommend visiting if you’re in the area!”

On singleB: beautiful:

Karin Mosseri: “Few people realize that that beautiful jewelry can be responsibly created from recycled, and ethically sourced precious metals and gems. SingleB:beautiful has stunning examples of environmentally”

Thanks everyone for your thoughtful comments!