Try Handmade

Shopping blog featuring products made by people not factories.

Handmade Home

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knitted shawl

A variety of handcrafted goods are available to enjoy around the house. Soaps and soft furnishings are only the beginning. Knitted goods and polymer clay can add to the uniqueness of your surroundings.

Brenda, at knittedfrenzy, offers shawls, coffee cozies, and cowls, in a variety of yarns in her Etsy shop. I was pleased to find a shawl made of soft acrylic yarn. Most of the shawls that I see are made of wool, which is fantastic if you can wear wool. But I cannot. So finding something warm, and not itchy is always a nice surprise for me.

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Aisles and aisles of tiny boxes

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What’s better than an aimless trip to the hardware store, finding all the weird and beautiful hardware? This is.

Simply Wearable Repurposed Hardware by Additions.

I am a jewelry artist who works with sterling silver, and a mother of a teenage daughter who loves jewelry. I decided to create a collection that she and her friends can afford and still wear designer jewelry that shows off their personal style.

Working with my daughter we started our collection which we named ADDITIONS. The jewelry is designed for the person who loves to wear silver jewelry but can’t afford the cost. All of our pieces are made from things found in the hardware store, and I try to figure out new ways to take these items and create fun and funky jewelry for under $25.

Once Again Recycled Designs

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I love these dinner napkins and grocery bags made from upcycled vintage linens.

Once Again Recycled Designs: My name is Megan and I am an Interior Designer. The inspiration behind my creations is coming up with unique, functional designs that make life a little easier and saving the world…well sort of… I wanted to find a way for my designs to stand out and also to do my part by recycling. So I decided to take on the challenge of designing with 2nd hand finds at thrift stores, garage sales, and yes, even the garbage. “One mans trash is another mans treasure” I have discovered pillow cases make great bags, linens can be chopped up and sewn back together as baby blankets, pillows, coasters, placemats…the possibilities are virtually endless. I have two amazing children who also inspire me create fun kids stuff. So…will see how it goes…

Put a Little Spring in Your Step

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Please welcome Amy to Try Handmade! She blogs at Handmade Evolution and she also has an Etsy shop called Field Trip. Amy is our new Design & Style columnist, and I think you’re going to just love her posts.

::
Erika

Here’s a little something to distract you from the less than stellar weather outside your door! Or if you’re in the Pacific Northwest – perhaps the warmer temperatures have you feeling like it’s time to look ahead to updating your wardrobe and decor for spring? It’s a month or so until spring will arrive officially – but there’s no harm in planning ahead!

These brightly colored finds remind me that as practical as my wardrobe and home are, perhaps it’s time to spice it up a bit – and what better way to do it than with primary colors like these.

The marigold yellow print from Tessyla featured at the top of this post sets just the right tone, don’t you think? Spring is all about letting go just a bit and living life more freely outdoors, happily anticipating that summer is just around the corner!

I am particularly impressed with the clothing from ThimbleandAcorn – Eve works to include both recycled and upcycled fabrics into her line. She’s got a wide range of items in her shop with everything from modern takes on classic looks to highly unique items with truly innovative details.

Not only does Upstyle have lots of fun fabric clutches to choose from – she will also create a custom purse for you or your bridal party!

Having grown up in Portland I love finding shops from fellow Oregonians – first drawn to all of the cute headbands in her shop I enjoyed reading that the line was inspired by a spring painting of poppies by Susan Hazard.

It’s going to be hard for me to pick just one piece of jewelry from the Round Rabbit shop – so many beautiful choices!

I’d love to hear what’s on your shopping list for Spring, and the handmade finds you’re planning to buy to freshen things up just a bit! Anything in particular caught your eye? I think I’ll need to set a budget because there are just too many things I’d happily scoop up!

1). Top by: ThimbleandAcorn 2). Clutch by: Upstyle 3). Headband by: Flowers by Bluebird 4). Earrings from: Round Rabbit

Hoboe Jane

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Are you a hat person? Me, I LOVE hats. I wish people wore them more often. And you wont find more interestingly designed berets then Hoboe Jane‘s! These quirky hats are a simple way to add a sens of fun to your look. Hoboe Jane’s creator Kristy has a background in sculpture and art and some of the hats have hand painted elements. Kristy picked up her love of arts, crafts, sewing and design from her mother, a Kindergarten teacher and has been exploring creative venues from a young age.

Kristy is influenced by lines and patterns in nature and also draws heavily from the fantasy movies she watched growing up like “Labyrinth” and “The Princess Bride”.

Kristy’s favorite item in her shop is the Spider Swirl Beret Hat. It’s a good representation of her style as it includes both hand painted elements and design with felt.

When I make my items, I think of a story that goes along with each piece. Like with the Spider Swirl Beret Hat I’ve made, she is a wandering tarantula from the northern regions of Chile and has made her new home on this very hat and wants to live with you now.

Kristy started making her own clothing and accessories in high school and to help with the family budge she started redesigning her old things and turning them into brand new objects! While she’s always loved making skirts and bags within the last year, she found a new love for making hats.

I love the work I create and I hope my love for it shows through, in my products. I try to give my work a sense of fun and joy, so whoever purchases an item will have their very own one of a kind piece.

Larger retail organizations may sometimes have better prices, but you are getting what you paid for. Retail stores sell numerous multiples of items, making them not as unique, quirky, and creative. I try to make my items as affordable as possible, for the everyday customer.

Hand made goods are much more personal and unique. Much more passion and care goes into everything we create ourselves than if it is made by a machine in some obscure factory.

You can find out more about Kristy Albury at her art website or at her experimental music site Retro Juju.