Excuse me while I whip this out

by Erika Jurney on December 23, 2008

I’ve had an amazing time writing this blog over the past 7 months, and I thank each and every one of you who takes the time to read. I love comments too, but clicking through to check out the featured artists is all I really ask of you.

The goal of this site is to shed light on the amazing work being done by independent artists, crafters and artisans all over the world, and to encourage folks to think twice about big box stores and name brands before shopping. I have lots of plans for 2009, but first I want to thank you all for a fabulous 2008 :)

As a Christmas present to myself, I contacted the very talented (and whip-smart hilarious) Laurie Smithwick of LEAP Design, and Try Handmade now sports lovely badges for your enjoyment and distribution. Here is the code for one, but there are several badges to choose from.

And for those of you who aren’t in(s)ane like me, this 8 second video shows where I got the title of this post. One of the very funniest movies ever :)

(Oh yeah, I know I said I was done posting for 2008 yesterday, but I couldn’t help myself!)

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.

{ Comment :: 3 }

Tweet

more beauty...

{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }

1 beachyrustica December 25, 2008 at 1:33 pm: Well, this is good timing… I’ve finally started working on my blog!
2 Lotta December 27, 2008 at 7:27 pm: Hey there! I’m selling ads directly now so I gave you a free spot! Check it out in the left hand column of my blog. GORGEOUS graphics!!!
3 Erika Jurney December 29, 2008 at 6:55 pm: You rock, Lotta! I’ve had serious internet issues lately, and I was so happy to see this the first time I was able to get online :)

Who We Are

Erika Jurney
Palo Alto, CA, US
Erika is the founder of Try Handmade. »more...

Valerie Williams
Washington DC Metro Area, US
Valerie is a sewer, designer, and crafter. She loves fabric and making things to wear, but will try any craft at least once. After being a lobbyist for ten years, Valerie has had enough of politics but still loves DC, and is anxious to share the goodness that the area has to offer. You can see the handbags and accessories she makes in her shop Holland Cox. »more...

Rebecca Hadfield
Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Rebecca constantly finds beauty in that which is often overlooked. She combines found objects with decorative papers, ephemera, vintage images and text to form the basis for her collage pieces, magnets, and pins, which she sells online and at local craft shows in her home town of Winnipeg, Canada. »more...

Beverly Rustica
St. Simons Island, GA, US
Beverly Rustica, aka BeachyRustica, is a supporter of the handmade movement and an advocate for artisans of handmade goods. Her Practical Art for Beach & Cabin can be found at www.beachyrustica.com. »more...

Sarah Safranski
Honolulu, HI, US
Sarah is a metalsmith, jewelry designer, and owner of the Etsy shop Lilacs&Ginger, sweet and spicy handmade treasures. She works primarily with sterling silver and vintage finds. »more...

Amy L.
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Amy is a freelance web designer, blogger and Etsy shop owner. When not scouring the web for the latest in handmade or building websites she can be found either hiking in the woods, visiting art galleries, or sampling treats at local candy and cupcake shops. Amy is passionate about the burgeoning handmade movement. »more...

Diana Prichard
Mid-Michigan, US
Diana is a freelance writer and wanna-be homesteader living in rural Michigan with her husband, two daughters, two dogs, three horses, a small flock of chickens and an ever-changing menagerie of other farm animals large and small. She writes about life and work at dianaprichard.com. »more...

Zoe Grant
Suffolk, UK
Zoe is a self confessed fabric addict having learnt to sew, embroider and knit when she was little. She also adores printed papers and loves discovering new stationery designers. In between being a mother and wife she writes about small creative businesses on her blog and sells ribbons and buttons on Etsy and Folksy. »more...

Kim O'Brien
Pawtucket, RI, USA
Kim is a metalsmith who isn't afraid to push the limits of function and color. When she doesn't have a torch or hammer in her hand she can be found buying handmade goods at craft fairs and local businesses, playing with her beloved dog or blogging. »more...

Ellie Thouret
Manchester, UK
Ellie is a UK-based designer of handknit and crocheted accessories. In her rare time away from the needles and hooks, she can be found scouring Etsy and Folksy for cute and quirky handmade items, and chatting to indie sellers via Twitter, Facebook and blogs. »more...