Try Handmade

Shopping blog featuring products made by people not factories.

OS Handmade

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Do you remember Space Invaders? Do you have cold toes?

OS Handmade: Felted slippers are made using hot water and soap – one of the most sustainable processes in textile
Wool (not merino) used for these slippers is very soft and thin what makes these slippers feel like a second skin on your feet. Your feet will be warm on a cold day and cool on a hot day due to insulation properties of the wool fibers.
Soles are covered with natural latex what makes wool slippers safe to walk around the house (not slippery).

City of Love…

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Image above is from Simply Hue

One thing I really appreciate about blogging is that it has brought me more in touch with my own dreams. What do I mean by that? I think it’s because with blogging I’m almost forced to write on a daily basis, even if it’s just a sentence or two. It gives me a chance to reflect in a different way than I ever have before. It gives me a gauge of how I’m feeling about life and in the long run allows me to work through certain emotions in a different way.

Image above is from Magalerie

Wait a minute. It almost sounds like I’m calling blogging therapy? Hah. Well I’m not certain that’s where I intended to go with this post – but I will say that there is something very cathartic about blogging, no matter how little or how much I write on a daily basis, or even if what I have written is particularly personal. And with so many people blogging these days there is absolutely no shortage of community and inspiration to be found and I’m very thankful for that.

Image above is from 23rd and 1st

But before I take myself so far beyond the intention of this post I’ll bring it back on track. Dreams. I’m finding that as I get older my dreams are constantly changing. And not just changing, but coming into a sharper focus, and with a more long range perspective. To be honest, for a few years – when I was working a corporate job (which I did enjoy for the most part – don’t get me wrong), I didn’t dream too much. I found the day to day water cooler time at the office fun and enjoyed nurturing a team of employees, but a lot of the work was repetitive and overall it left me drained. No energy left to dream.

Image above is from Funkyshique

Sometimes now – I have to rein myself in as I’m prone to daydreaming about all sorts of things, related to work and life and the far off future. Today the dream I’m sharing – my hope to one day visit Europe, including Paris of course! Both Europe, and more specifically Paris – have been influencing design and many of the makers in the handmade sphere lately it seems. As a lover of art, design, and good food I know that I must go at some point. It may be in the next year or two – or maybe longer – until then I’ll continue dreaming about it!

A Stylish Design

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Do you know a bride who is in need of accessories for her wedding this summer? A Stylish Design is a new shop that has a variety of floral accents to make her day perfect. Every bride wants her wedding to be a perfect extension of herself and her groom. Amy, the maker behind the shop, has always loved designing, but it wasn’t until her own wedding that she really discovered her creative passion, so she really understands the attention to detail that brides want. Each of her pieces can be custom made to match your style & vision- no two pieces are alike.

After struggling to find a job specific to her field, Amy took the leap into selling her handmade goods. With a degree in design and her love of weddings, she’s discovered the perfect mix in starting her own business.

I love my pillows. I’m a self-taught at sewing, but have taken classes to learn how to do things a little more advanced. So, I’m looking forward to making more custom made ring-bearer pillows.

When designing her own wedding, Amy found it difficult to find unique, customized, affordable options and was inspired to help other brides with these important details. Since each wedding is unique, A Stylish Design can customize the details to match your specifications. Amy will also be offering other wedding design services through her website.

I’m inspired to help you make your wedding a memorable one and will approach each design with uniqueness & creativity.

So if you’re a bride to be, know a bride to be, or just like floral accents, go check out A Stylish Design.

Warm Up with Winter Mittens

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One of my favorite things about the cold winter weather is having to bundle up before you go outside. Hats, scarves and, mittens are not only necessary, but a great way to show your style, transform an otherwise bland coat, and pull together your outfit. While I don’t know how to knit, I’ve always admired the time and care that knitters put into what they make, objects that offer warmth and comfort.

These three cable mittens by LadyOverboard09 have a classic design and will match with any winter coat. The blue and black specks in the yarn add just a dash of color without taking away from the handiwork or the design. Made of 100 percent Merino wool, these gloves are sure to keep your hands warm on the coldest winter night.

These fushia mittens by Beaded Wire are a perfect way to add a punch of color to your winter coat and are bright enough to combat any gray winter day. Made of Lopi Icelandic wool and featuring a large cable knit down the middle, these gloves make a bold statement.

I love the playful design of these thrummed mittens by Lindfield Farm. Set against a navy blue background, these patterned gloves feature small white hearts all the way around. What better way to spread some love during the cold winter months? Made of 100 percent wool, these gloves are made by inserting unspun fiber through the knitting pattern to make a soft interior that will keep your hands extra warm.

I don’t have any warm clothes with me in Honolulu so my parents always bring some along with them to the airport when they pick me up. As an early birthday or Christmas gift, I may have to pass along a link to one of these gorgeous pairs of gloves and hope that they are waiting for me when I arrive in Chicago!

The lovely blizzard photograph featured at the top of this posted was created by IS Photography.

It Blooms…

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Nothing better than white space on a computer screen that needs to be filled up as far as I’m concerned… I feel lucky, because as a freelance web designer I have a lot of time to think and to ponder as I’m putting together designs for this and that. As I was putting together the images for this post I couldn’t help but think of “blooming” and what that means to me… What truly nurtures my soul and makes me feel happy and free – the moments where I feel most alive. (Pictured above – Jewelry from Thumble.)

The enchantment of a dusky summer evening, unexpectedly wading in a creek on a broiling summer day, time spent with my closest friends and family. In my day to day work life keeping an outlook that is unerringly positive does wonders for me. Seeing beautiful works that others have created inspires me and invigorates me. Finally, being challenged is of so much importance to me. Trying out new things and making progress in them helps me keep my spark and drive.

Each of the talented makers I’m featuring today inspire me too… Lori’s flower photo, #1 above – available here in her shop – is delicate and beautiful. The name of the print says it all – “Alone”. YumiYumi clearly has a sense of whimsy and fun – that can be seen in each of her colourful prints (#2 above). The bottom flower picture, #3 by HeyZee is a soft and dreamy look at a dahlia. The camisole featured in the bottom right photo is the work of designer Patricia Valery – who in addition to designing clothes finds the time to play the piano and the fiddle too.

So what was to be a post about design and style has taken some unexpected twists and turns! I’d love to hear more about you if you’d like to share. What makes you feel alive, what nurtures you and drives you forward?