Cleveland, Ohio, USA

[hTara]

Check out some really fabulous shops I found scouting out Cleveland, Ohio. This midwest city has a vibrant craft community and you can find out more about activities in and around Cleveland as well as the artists that call it home at the Cleveland Handmade group website.

Paper or Plastic? zJayne says, “neither!” She creates market totes and other bags from recycled t-shirts. Not only are they constructed from t-shirts but bags like the one above are “collaged” with bits of other t-shirts to create one-of-a-kind works of grocery bag art! Her Etsy profile lists a dizzying array of sayings and t-shirt designs to choose from. You might just make your check-out clerk smile!

Smashing – I’ll take one of each, please! Seriously, I love this shop. When I first saw the pieces, I thought they were enameled silver. Upon further reading, and close examination, I discovered that each piece is actually melted, twisted, hammered sterling silver wire fused with colored glass. They’re like little urban gems!

Frances and Catherine, the proprietresses of theStarcraft, created intricate, hand-folded Moravian stars. You can purchase finished pieces like the mobile above or purchase individual stars to create your own magical crafts! These two sisters fold four strips of paper into each star, explaining that it is less origami and more basket-weaving. Each star is then dipped in paraffin wax and sprinkled with glitter.