Try Handmade

Shopping blog featuring products made by people not factories.

Counting the Days

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owl1

At our house, December 2009 was a blur of working, crafting and traveling. Somehow, in all of the excitement and frenzy of the holidays, the 31 days of 2009’s final month felt more like 13 days. There just never seemed enough time! That must be why, almost a full week into the new year, we are just now getting around to replacing all of the calendars in the house. In past years, I have always grabbed a big, glossy shrink-wrapped calendar from the big-box bookstore, but this year I am looking for something different. Because we are going to have to live with it for the next 12 months, I want something unique, clever and, of course, eco-friendly.

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Trail Blazin: Weekend Hike

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Summer is the perfect time to hit the hiking trails and reconnect with the great outdoors. Find the nearest forest preserve or “hike” an urban landscape and get to know a new area near your home. Whether it’s a beautiful view or a building you never noticed before, when you explore on foot, you’ll be surprised at what you discover.

The key to a successful hike is the right gear. These lightweight and loose fitting denim shorts from Rachel Jane NYC will keep you cool and looking cute no matter where you go. The large pockets are perfect for storing any interesting found objects you may pick up along the way.

This navy blue and white striped tank from ET AL., ETC. is the perfect versatile summer piece. It’s casual enough to wear on the hiking trails, but stylish enough to set you apart from the other urban hikers. Made of breathable cotton fabric, this top is the perfect way to beat the heat along the trail.

You never know what Mother Nature will have in store. Make sure that you’re prepared, come rain or cold weather with this pink and black cotton zip up jacket by kitco. Stylish and functional, the large collar can be pulled around your neck to keep you warm if the weather takes an unexpected turn for the worse.

You’ll need to carry a few essentials with you while you’re on your hike. This cute cotton hip pouch, a more stylish version of the fanny pack, by LMcreation is the perfect solution. It’s big enough to fit a cell phone, a few snacks and anything else you may need; plus, it will keep you hands free. Best of all, it comes in a variety of colors to match every outfit.

Start your weekend off with an adventure! Hit the trails or the sidewalk, whatever it may be, and see what you discover right in your own backyard.

Omaha, Nebraska, USA

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This week’s Shop Local post stops in Omaha, Nebraska. Below you’ll find my favorite picks from the Omaha craft scene. If you don’t find something that fits your fancy, check out the Omaha Craft Mafia website for more fabulous Omaha artisans. When you’re in town, you’ll want to visit the Hot Shops Art Center where you’ll find “over 80 studio artists, as well as four gallery spaces, in [the] building complex located in downtown Omaha.”

stash vintage fabric wristlet

The crafter behind Stash comes to Omaha from Finland by way of Great Britain. She’s been sewing since she was tiny, making her own clothes in elementary school, as her mother was a textile designer. Now she makes chic bags out of vintage fabrics! The wristlet above is constructed from a chocolate & red vintage fabric, red canvas, and leatherette trim. Don’t you love the strong shape juxtaposed with the floral pattern & feminine pleats? Fabulous!

brendesign building earrings

Continuing with the strong shapes, Bren Duvall, of BrenDesign, created these sterling silver “Building Earrings” in the image of a city skyline. She says has an “obsessive quest of building an eco-conscious small business from nothing more than a pile of recycled metal bits.”

bustle girl's flamenco skirt

Shifting gears a bit, when my baby girl gets a bit bigger, she must have one of these skirts! Many children’s boutiques do pillowcase dresses, cute hats, or leg warmers, but Bustle has crafted this flamenco skirt for your tiny dancer. Ellene Mcclay, the proprietress of Bustle, is inspired by vintage fabric and historical fashions. She also creates jewelry, accessories, and clothing for ladies of a more mature age at her other shop, Deciduous Soul.

septemberhouse embroidered flower pot wrap

Last but not least, this clever little idea caught my eye and couldn’t be passed by! September House creates embroidered flower pot wraps that are sure to add a nice touch to even the prettiest plant.

Leopard Print

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The new fall trends have been announced, and animal print is in this season with leopard print leading the pack. Living in Hawaii, I typically miss out on the fall and winter fashion trends, but this one may be a little easier to incorporate into my wardrobe. Adding a small touch of animal print with the right accessories will instantly make a simple outfit chic and exotic.

A leopard print purse is a quick way to add a little sass to your little black dress, or any dress for that matter. This envelope style option from Hmmm…by Melanie includes a black chain strap, magnetic closure and is lined in black sequined fabric.

A leopard print hat may be a bit fashion forward for most, but this vintage-style cloche hat by The Millinery Shop is just too good to pass up. It is hand blocked, made from long haired felt leopard print fabric, and completed with a Bakelite buckle and hat pin. This would look amazing with a fall cape or winter coat.

Using black, brown, tan, creme and white yarn, this scarf is hand-knit by Crickets Creations to create the look of leopard print. Paired with a fall blazer or winter coat, it is sure to keep you warm and make a statement well beyond this fall’s animal print trend.

This turban-style headband from ChiChi is the perfect get-your-attention accessory for girls who love to be glamorous. Perfect for a night on the town or just pulling your hair back while running errands.

As the weather becomes cooler, embrace this year’s fall trend and incorporate a little bit of leopard print into your wardrobe! I’ll have my eye out for a leopard print bikini!

**The Leopard Shoes fine art print featured at the top of this post was created by Karcharz Photography.

What’s new in the Gallery

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  • Holiday Crafter Squid Print

    A digital print from The Hine’s World Diorama “Mr. Squid, A Holiday Crafter”, printed on heavyweight high-resolution photo matte paper (230 gsm) with a high quality Canon ink jet printer. → details

  • Devotion

    A hand carved fused glass heart necklace in a succulent red – unique like the love you share.The pendant was created from fused art glass handmade in my studio. After an initial kiln firing, the piece was shaped and re-fired to achieve a beautiful polish as well… → details

  • Fabric flower brooch pin – stripped grey and red fabric with vintage black button

    A lovely fabric flower brooch pin made of stripped grey and red cotton, decorated with a vintage black button.The flower is made of many layers of intersecting circles, secured with a thick cotton thread.At the back of the flower there is a small black felt circle with… → details

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