Try Handmade

Shopping blog featuring products made by people not factories.

Fresh Fall Florals….

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One of my passions is vintage. I try to watch the trends in vintage fashion closely because it often tells you what will be popular at retail several seasons later. Two springs ago I started seeing 1980’s Laura Ashley drop waist floral dresses going for really insane prices. All of a sudden it was tough to find them in the usual places and they were being tagged with things like punk and goth. As it often does this street trend trickled up into the designer collections and has been strong for both spring and Fall 2009/Winter 2010. Style blogs like Stylescout and Streetpeeper have showed both vintage and current takes on the trend. Searching Etsy for floralfabrics and themes I found lots of beautiful things but decided to focus on accessories, a beautiful way to update or showcase your fashion floral trend.

I found beautiful necklaces from fabric flowers at Florabond and enamel at Raquel Castillo.

raquel castillo

Gorgeous bracelets, cuff or charm style from Hollee Costume Jewelry.

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Handmade wedding rings, invitations and flowers

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Another day, another charming new columnist on Try Handmade! Today, let me introduce you to Kristin Huston who will be writing Seasonal Handmade every week. From Arbor Day to Super Bowl Sunday to Halloween, Kristin will have you covered with seasonal goods and treats for every time of year.

Say hi, and let Kristin know how welcome she is here at Try Handmade!

:: Erika

~

[hKristin]

Ahhh, spring is upon us. Time to get the warm weather clothes out of boxes and time to help friends and family plan the biggest event of their lives: their wedding day! When I got married, 7 years ago, handmade was not nearly as accessible and affordable as it is today. For me, handmade meant making my own programs, doing my own flowers, and having my mom make my dress. While I love all of the choices that I made, today there are a multitude of readily available handmade options to help make your day complete. This week, I will be covering a few of the wedding necessities; rings, invitations, and some most unusual flowers. Next week, it’s all about the bride; her dress, her jewelry, and her bridesmaids.

Let’s start at the beginning. The most obvious symbol of wedded bliss has to be the rings. Sure, diamonds and gold are traditional, but there are other options, and unique plays on the traditional bands of gold, that will make your day even more memorable.

This 18k gold and white sapphire set from elizabeth scott designs would make a gorgeous bridal set. The twig design lends a fresh, organic touch, and the white sapphire makes the ring an affordable alternative to diamonds.

Another modern spin on a traditional favorite is this set by Sea Babe Jewelry made of 14k gold and rough cut diamonds. I love how the diamond wrapped band mimics the feel of a vintage set.

Only in need of bands? Check out the Chelsea wedding rings made by Raised By Wolves. These bands are available in a patina finish as well as high polish and can be made in sterling silver, white gold, or yellow gold. The best part, the gold is 100% recycled.

Along with rings, one of the earliest decisions you will be making is your invitations. Sure, there are plenty of overpriced invitation companies, but why deal with them when you can go handmade?

I love these very practical and beautiful Palmera invitations from Designer Photo Imaging. Not only is it ingenious to include directions to the ceremony and reception locations on the back of the invitation, but it also saves you the hassle of having to print off little maps and stuff them in every envelope.

Another great option comes from A la Mode Bride, whose Polka Dot invitations can be customized to fit any color palette. You can also get matching thank you cards, RSVP cards, dinner menus, etc.

One of the biggest portions of your wedding day budget will likely go to flowers. While a local florist can most certainly help you pick out blooms that will match your color scheme and wedding day dreams, this stunning bouquet made entirely of clay by DK Designs is sure to blow you and your guests away. Yes, that’s right! It’s a bouquet made of clay! Not only is it beautiful, but you will have it as a keepsake for all your anniversaries to come.

That’s all for this week. Stay tuned next week, when the bride gets her moment to shine.

Singapore: The Lion City

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April showers are here in the US Northeast and I am really looking forward to May flowers, how about you? Today I take you to Singapore, to find some bright and pretty things to tide us over until we have real flowers to enjoy.

Fleur Avenue seemed an appropriate choice for my post about flowers. Brenda is a lovely Etsy seller who describes her vintage inspired bobby pins as “a summer paradise, exotic fruits, tropical islands,” all of which make me feel warm and sunny inside. The bobby pins are made from vintage Lucite flowers cabochons and antiqued brass finish steel pins. Her flower creations include chrysanthemums in shades of orange, green, and pale almond. What a perfect way to add some flowers to your day even when your weeks away from the real thing.

The crocheted items in Amy Lim’s shop include apple covers, festive garlands, and clever crafting kits with a quirky assortment of craft items. Amy comes from a family of crafters, and she inherited her love for crafting from her Grandmother and her mother. Lim’s Mother made her living as a seamstress. Lim has been crocheting, knitting, quilting since she was young. She packs this little kit with yarn, buttons, and little fabric flowers. You can also check out her creations at Nicely Created For You.

Pei Li is an artisan with a fondness for French style breads, cakes, pastries, but you won’t find her goods in the bakery because the sweets she makes are in 1:12 dollhouse miniature scale. Li crafts each tiny piece by hand, and the level of detail is amazing. The macaroons look as though you might purchase them at a Patisserie in Paris. These delicious looking treats look just like those you would find in a Parisian Patisserie. When I look at them I imagine enjoying some macaroons on a walk through the Jardin de Tuileries, with a Café Au Lait, and some early Spring blossoms.