Try Handmade

Shopping blog featuring products made by people not factories.

haute couture bookbinding

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This week I am multi-tasking as I write my column. I am selling my jewels at the Pawtucket Rock And Roll Yard Sale. Please excuse me should any random song lyrics find a way into this post. As I sit surrounded by vinyl and rock memorabilia I have been focusing on these elegant journals and albums from local artist Natalie Stopka. Quite a contrast I know.

Natalie of Natalie As Is has an amazing eye for integrating vintage odds and ends into her books. The lace here is so precious and adds a special detail to the canvas she has bound together.

And when the artist doesn’t have the proper trimming in her stash she makes her own from scratch by creating hand sewn embroidery. I am in awe of Natalie’s description of her book as “humble” as they are far from that in my eyes.

Her details are ever so carefully collected and utilized. We can recognize the fabric swatch on this book cover and feel comfort in the memory of soft cotton against our skin. This repurposed smock adds a delicate detail and gives the book a dreamy quality, possibly dictating what stories or pictures are to be logged on it’s pages.

The book in the photograph above is my favorite of Natalie’s collection. I am in awe of the detail and care in construction. It is the same care someone would give to the making of a wedding dress, as this would make for the perfect guest book for any bride and groom. It is timeless and classic, always a favorite.

This is another great example of the artist creating the perfect landscape for her vintage finds. The whole piece is well balanced. No one element outweighs another. The subtle hues of the book’s covers allow you to appreciate the artist’s skill in bookbinding. This same neutral cover allows us to appreciate the antique satin ribbon she chose to accentuate her album. This mastery of design is a unifying element in Natalie’s work. I am never ceased to be impressed when I browse her shop. Enjoy and happy shopping.

Handmade Spring Fashions

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[hKristin]

It’s Spring Fashion time here at the Seasonal Handmade column and I am here to help you buy a piece or two that will inject a little freshness into your wardrobe.

Let’s start with the basics. How about a tee? Just because we often run around town in tees and jeans doesn’t mean we have to look sloppy. This tee from Limey T’s features a great mum print in lovely shades of blue. Just right for spring and just right for looking sassy while you run your errands.

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Another great tee is this lovely circle print shirt from Eliza + Axel. The hand appliqued circles elevate this tee into something that would look great with a skirt and some ballet flats for a casual dinner out or lunch with your girlfriends.

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If you want to “spring” for something even dressier try this lovely and romantic tank from Armour sans Anguish. Not only will this top look sophisticated this spring, but the rich blackberry color will take you into fall with the addition of a jacket or cardigan.

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Speaking of cardigans, is there any item of clothing more versatile than a lightweight cardigan? This darling specimen, from Good Egg would look great over anything from tees to tanks to summer dresses. Not just that, but it would make a gorgeous layering piece for the fall and winter.

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What if you’re a skirt and dress kind of girl? This lovely purple skirt from Zoe Chen would make a great, fun addition to your spring wardrobe and would be easy and breezy in the summer too!

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What could be easier and breezier than this perfect dress from Treehouse 28? Universally flattering, this style will look great at the beach and walking down the street in a big city.

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And if your closet is full, but you’d still like to add some springtime to your wardrobe, why not accessorize? These fabulous earrings from WillOaks Studio add both color and whimsy to your jewelry drawer.

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A new handbag is always a fun way to celebrate a new season. This one from Deyitta is adorable and has some darling spring birds chirping their way across your accessories.

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Finally, put some skip in your step with these lovely vegan shoes from Hydra Heart. Cute and planet-friendly, what more could a girl ask for?

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Now that you have some ideas for decking yourself out this spring, go forth and buy handmade! Next week we will be looking forward to memorial day and finding some fun handmade goodies to make your long weekend even better.

New in the Gallery

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  • Pair of mini bright flowered fabric notebooks

    These fun, bright colourful flowery notebooks come as a pair … one for mummy, one for daughter … sisters who like the same thing …Because of the fabric pattern the flowers differ slightly on each cover … for a twist the ribbon has been stitched inside…one has red… → details

  • Clutch purse with peacock feathers

    My new soft shaped clutch is made from super soft suede and accented with peacock feathers, beads,and a black spiral button. The feathers and beaded arrangement are securely stitched and glued to the front of the purse. The suede is a lovely pale green sage color.The shiny silver… → details

  • Brown Sugar Shack Luggage Tag

    I hand carve and tool “Sugar Shack” to look like rustic wooden planks; you can see the nail heads and even the knots in the wood. I have always loved “faux bois”, and this is my tribute to the artists who worked in that style. After I carve each… → details

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Customized dreams

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I had my wedding dress made by a dressmaker, and while it was quite a splurge, it was completely worth it. If you’re looking for the perfect dress for your wedding, a custom made one is a great option.

$800 – $1800 by Twin Syndrome.

Work through the design details and get your perfect wedding dress.

Halfpenny London

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I have resisted until now writing about what I think is the most exciting purchase in planning your wedding. The Dress. This is the one day you get the chance to wear something truly magnificent that makes you feel like a million dollars. In this month’s Cosmopolitan Bride there are some fabulous dresses featured from the catwalks in New York for the 2011 bridal shows earlier this year. Whilst there are some aspects of the dresses available off the rails of bridal shops that you may like, there are probably some that you really dislike. Another option is to have a dress designed and made just for you, either by a family friend or a member of your family or you can seek out a designer to work with to produce ‘your dress’.

Kate Halfpenny is a wedding dress designer based in London. Also with many years experience as a celebrity stylist and an impressive academic portfolio in textiles and design, including a BA Honours in Fashion Marketing and Manufacturing and holds a prestigious MA in Design for Textiles Futures from Central St. Martins College, London.

As a child Kate Halfpenny grew up in a creative environment, her mother was a talented knitwear designer and her father was qualified graphics and craft designer. This led her to try many arts and craft mediums including pottery, printing, jewellery design and fine art before following her passion in textiles.

By 2000 Kate Halfpenny’s knowledge and passion for the history of fashion and her ability to turn an idea into reality meant she was in demand as a costume designer for many brands, including Pepsi, Honda, Ghost and Hugo Boss among others. Kate has also styled many celebrities including Twiggy, Shirley Bassey, Daisy Lowe and Pixie Lott and Emilia Fox has even modeled dresses on Kate’s website. Kate Halfpenny has also made a dress for Kate Moss to wear for her 35th birthday celebrations.

Yet even with celebrity credentials Kate Halfpenny can design and create a beautiful dress for you. From her London studio Kate offers a bespoke dress making service so that you really can have the dress that your heart desires.

All images are taken from Kate Halfpennys website www.halfpennylondon.com with her full permission.