Try Handmade

Shopping blog featuring products made by people not factories.

Handpicked Goodness: NottyPooch

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As I was perusing all of the beautiful handmade things on Etsy, as I often do, I stumbled across a unique little shop by the name of NottyPooch. Huey and Wah of Penang, Malaysia are the creators of these organizational products made entirely from recycled billboard banners for an eco-friendly, interesting look. Each piece is different from the next with variation in color, pattern, and age.

This creative team assembles a wide range of products from these bright and colorful billboard banners. Check out these one of a kind storage bins! Use them to stash movies (they fit up to ten DVD cases!), video games, books, or a variety of other knick knacks in your workspace or in your home. Their products are also waterproof, so you can even use them in your kitchen or bathroom to organize supplies or toiletries.

Add a little spice to any space with these colorful handmade planters. They allow for drainage so that your plants stay nice and healthy and would be suitable as accent decor in any room of your home. Place one on a side table, in the kitchen, or on your balcony to add a little interest to your space. These planters can even be hung for an even more exciting look.

In addition to the products mentioned above, NottyPooch also creates laptop sleeves, journals, beverage coasters and wallets from these recycled banners. Keep your valuables safe when you’re on the go with one of these creative laptop sleeves, complete with a soft inner lining.

Find these and more of their amazing work in their shop: NottyPooch

Vegan Treats

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[hLiz]

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Full disclosure: I am not vegan. I approach handmade vegan treats instead with the mindset of a hostess. Some of my very best friends are vegan, and I love finding delicious ways to respect their dietary choices. I keep a list of vegan bakers and chocolatiers on hand for the birthdays or special events that will call for a sweet, handcrafted, animal-product-free treat.

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I’ll share a story with you: my best friend, who is vegan, is getting married, and her mother is hosting her bridal shower next month. Mom is planning a whole spread of sweets for the shower, and then turns to her, the bride, to say, “What are you going to eat?” Having a mouth-watering treat at the table that you can happily inform your vegan buddies that yes, they can eat is such a wonderful gesture that says, “Hey, I had you in mind the whole time I was planning this event.”

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Going vegan is becoming more and more popular, for ethical, health and environmental reasons. Livestock use up an enormous amount of energy and produce a large amount of waste for the calories that are gained from their milk or meat when compared to calories obtained from plants. An all-plant diet is much easier on the environment.

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Pictured: Image 1: Lemon Poppyseed Jumbo Cupcakes from the cupcake mint, Lemon-Ginger Macaroons from emmysorganics, Oatmeal Raisin Cookies from aveganbakery. Image 2: Chocolate Caraway Truffles from cloverandclutch, Vanilla Almond Macaroons from jaynelhollis. Image 3: Assorted Hand-Dipped Vegan Truffles from SweetFritsy, Carrot Cake Cookie Sandwiches also from aveganbakery, Double Mint Fluffy Cupcakes also from the cupcake mint. Image 4: Homemade Fortune Cookies also from aveganbakery. Cardamom Pistachio Truffles also from cloverandclutch.

A Global Mo-vement

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“The Moustache Merchant” archival art print by Penelope and Pip

At first, it was easy to ignore; but, as November started to take on steam, I began to notice that several of my male acquaintances, including my fella, had curious, patchy bits of stubble gracing the usually-smooth area above their upper lips. One or two lapses in grooming would probably have gone unnoticed, but this was starting to look like a facial hair conspiracy!

Support your ‘stache! Weather-proof moustache wax in scented or natural by Mans Face Stuff of Portland, OR

Upon further investigation, I discovered that my friends were taking part in a global follicular fund-raising effort called Movember. To show their support for prostate cancer awareness, all that they had to do was make a commitment to grow a moustache for 30 days and encourage their friends, family and coworkers to donate to the cause and (literally) change the face of men’s health.

Modern, organic moustache teething toy (above), handmade from hardwood by Little Alouette

Movember was started in 2003 by a group of friends in Melbourne. While talking over a few pints in a pub, the “Mo Bros”, as they’ve become known, decided to bring back the ‘stache and do something for men’s heath. Although there was no money raised that year, the 2004 event attracted over 400 participants and raised an impressive $55,000 for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

Moustache necklace (above), hand-cut from recycled leather by Crooked Sister

Since then, the movement has ballooned to a quarter of a million moustachioed participants and over a million donors. In 2009 alone, $47,000,000 was raised for the global beneficiary partners. I was proud to hear that Canada’s campaign was the second largest (after Australia), raising close to $8 million for Prostate Cancer Canada.

Hand-thrown porcelain dog bowl by Julia Custer at Handmade Green

How can you participate? Well, for some of us (ahem) it is physically impossible to grow a Selleck-worthy Movember moustache of our own, but we can get in on the fun by cheering on the participants, making a donation, hosting or attending a Movember party or event and sporting a faux-stache as a symbol of solidarity.

Cozy, unisex fleece neckwarmer with leather moustache by Ha Ha Bird

As you can see by the fabulous, handmade goods in this article, there is a handlebar for every member of the family…even Fido. And, to help clean things up on December 1st (once the “after” pictures have been taken, of course), I’ve included a luxurious, organic shaving cream.

When it’s time to say “goodbye”…Organic cedarwood and orange shaving cream in recycled glass bottle by Twig & Leaf Botanicals

For more information on Movember, or to donate, please visit the global Movember site and choose your region.

For the Record

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As a child of the 80s, my formative years were spent watching John Hughes movies, crimping my hair and hanging out at the record store. I had an unquenchable thirst for new music and, even with my tiny allowance, I managed to collect a couple hundred albums. Although I’m still hanging-on to a few favourites, I have since replaced most of my collection with compact discs and MP3s. And, judging by the overflowing bins of vintage records at the thrift-store, I’m not the only one. At the risk of sounding like a broken record (pun intended), when I think of the thousands and thousands of records languishing in such bargain bins, I can’t help but wonder how many thousands more went straight into the garbage.

Sharing my concern are Lorie and Tom of Rock and Roll Coasters. In their four years selling albums online, they’ve literally had to throw away hundreds of scratched and unplayable copies. Frustrated by all of the waste, they came up with a clever reuse for otherwise unusable 45s.

Each Rock and Roll Coaster is not just a nostalgic spot to rest your drink; it is a little piece of music history. Tom and Lorie take the actual record (not a copy) and, using their own perfected technique, embed it in 1/4″ of High Gloss Acrylic. They’ve even included the little yellow spindle adaptor for even more retro-cuteness. Love it!

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One of the records that I have carefully tucked-away in the back of my storage room is The Go Go’s 1982 release, Vacation. I must have logged about a thousand hours in front of my dresser mirror, hairbrush in hand, singing along to “Our Lips are Sealed”. It’s no surprise, then, that I was instantly drawn to this purse by Brinda K Design. Making use of the album cover, inner sleeve and the record itself, these upcycled handbags are as durable as they are eye-catching. Hardboard backings, vinyl fabric and tubing, rivets, varnish and coordinating ribbons are all part of the construction of each unique piece, and evidence of Brinda’s impeccable attention to detail.

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Another spin on album upcycling is this awesome tray, also by Brinda K Design. Made from an unplayable album and its cover, with leather-like riveted tabs at the corners, this catch all will make itself useful in the bedroom, hall or office. At just over 7” square, it is the perfect size to hold keys, personal electronics, stationary, jewelry, change, mail and more.

Finally, do you have an earring collection worthy of Cyndi Lauper herself? Here’s the perfect storage solution for “green” girls (that just wanna have fun):

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Karen, of Retired Records creates her way-cool earring stands (above) from unwanted records and makes sure to include plenty of spots to attach your treasures. Each one-of-a-kind table-top display will hold up to 52 pairs of earrings or can be used to show off photos, artwork and more. Turn it around and you’ll see the support that Karen has smartly fashioned out of the album’s sleeve. Conveniently hinged, it holds the record upright when in use and allows it to fold flat for storage or travel. (Just in case you decide to get the band back together and head back out on tour.)

Get Lucky

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I have heard that for every 10,000 three-leaf clovers, there is only one with four leaves. No wonder it’s so hard to find one! Still, when you get the chance, who can resist searching to find the one that is guaranteed* to bring a little luck? If nothing else, the tiny thrill that comes with plucking one from amidst a tangle of green leaves and stems is worth the time spent looking.

That’s exactly how I feel about shopping for handmade goods; especially those of the recycled/upcycled variety. Once I started buying one-of-a-kind items, I was no longer content to browse the racks and racks of identical stock at the local big-box store. I’m unique, so why should I settle for anything ordinary? It never fails – every time I discover a fabulous new find, I can’t help but feel grateful and lucky that there are clever people out there putting out their amazing wares just for me…ok, and you, too. I’m always willing to share.

You might have to fight me for this bag, though. Designed by Karen Meyers, this gorgeous little bag (above) was born from a handknit wool sweater that had fallen prey to a hungry moth or two. Karen, a finalist in the 2007 Independent Handbag Designer Awards and busy mother of two, saw the potential, added some trims from her stash, and turned the old sweater into a beautiful, functional accessory. The decorative clover button was added for a little bit o’ luck.

Another great find is this fabulous belt buckle (above) by Amanda of Vintage in Retrospect. Upcycled from a discarded Oklahoma license plate, it’s a perfect example of the kind of cool stuff that you can only get from someone who is both creative and unafraid to hop into a dumpster or two. Aren’t we lucky to have brave gals like Amanda willing to take the plunge, so to speak, for us?

The statement “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” is becoming so cliché, but amazing made-from-trash items like this shamrock from Jong Jong Boutique are truly to be treasured. The self-taught multi-media artist behind the piece (above), is known for her passion for upcycling; so much so that friends and relatives will often leave their recyclables on her doorstep, rather than at the curb. It takes more than good fortune to turn a pile of soda cans and some salvaged copper wire into something this lovely, though; it takes a whole lot of creativity, skill and patience. The luck comes to the person who gets to enjoy the finished product day after day.

Sometimes, though, luck can be elusive and there are “those days” when you just can’t catch a break. This silver pendant (above) by Beads in the Belfry is perfect for those of us who sometimes get passed over by Lady Luck. Legend has it that the four leaves on the clover represent hope, faith, love and luck. In the case of this “almost four leaf clover“, I guess three out of four ain’t bad.

* Disclaimer: the author and tryhandmade.com cannot guarantee luck, unforeseen fortune or sudden windfalls. But, don’t let that stop you from trying.