Try Handmade

Shopping blog featuring products made by people not factories.

I Say Tomato

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Pineapple BiColor Heirloom Tomato Seeds by mistiaggie

Potentially shaping up as one for the record books — and not in a good way — the 2009 tomato season is upon us. Here, the season is just winding up, but already I’ve had my first few mouthfuls of flavor-packed, garden-fresh goodness.

Unfortunately, the first few mouthfuls may prove half the crop. While we’re not being hammered by the late blight that has been relentlessly claiming crops on the east coast, Mother Nature has not been our friend here either. The summer has been cool and in our region dry — even despite what seems like every third day rains.

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Bringing the Outdoors In

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For years now I’ve had a thing for “indoor gardening” and terrariums. When you’re a city dweller in a city like Vancouver it often means you don’t have a garden or patch of dirt to call you’re own. An obvious plus side, no mowing or hefty garden work – but there is something about nurturing life that appeals to so many of us. Even if it is just a plant here or a plant there. When I had my first apartment on my own I was happy to discover a terrarium making kit at a local craft store! To be honest I had just as much fun putting together the terrarium itself as I did planting the seeds and watching everything grow.

That was years ago now – but I’ve still got a love for terrariums and indoor gardening. They’re definitely on my radar these days! A quick search of “terrariums” on Best of Handmade shows a plethora of choices – this one from the aptly named Monkeys Always Look caught my eye right away. I love that it hangs from the ceiling – and it’s unique shape is delightful. This green thumbed designer is based in San Diego – and their shop also features lots of garden markers and other horticulturally minded decor items. Do take a peek! From peeking through Allison’s shop profile I’ve learned that she shares her home with her husband – and a 20 lb Tortoise! Talk about all things green, eh?

How about you – do you have a garden in your yard, or are you more of an indoor gardener like me? Any fun crafty ideas you’d like to share on brightening up either an indoor or outdoor garden?

Image credit: Monkeys Always Look

Dear Old Dad

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Father’s Day is a tough holiday to buy a gift for, at least it is for me. And not for any reason, except that dear old dad is a no-frills kind of guy. You might call him old-fashioned (but please not to his face). A recent retiree he likes golf, reading, the Yankees, the Jets, gardening, and drinking coffee. There’s only so many sports shirts, golf balls, coffee mugs, coffee beans, books, and gardening supplies you can give him.

These unique coasters, from Medium Control, are a twist on the been-there-done-that coffee mug.

There’s a whole new generation of Dads out there. They’re a little hipper (sorry dad!), and younger (really sorry!), and it seems ever so slowly more people (both buyers and sellers) are being more creative when it comes to gifts for Dad.

If Dad likes to bike to work or around town running errands, he’ll love this bike bag from Laplander Bags.

Thinking outside the box this year, I’ve searched on Best of Handmade, to see what a search of Father’s Day gifts brought up. Truthfully, there’s a lot of the same old, same old, but then I started digging a little deeper, and found quite a few unique gems. (Tip: When searching for Father’s Day Gifts, don’t type in ‘Father’s Day Gift’ but try typing in a favorite book or hobby, to get a wider range of gifts.)

Remember, Dad had a whole life before you came around. Maybe a gift that appeals to his pre-you life will make him smile.

Was Dad a wanna-be rocker? Get him these throwback cufflinks from Cufflinks Rock.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with the more traditional gifts either. Dad’s #1 aprons, mugs, hats, and shirts have been around for a long time and will be around for as long as Dads are.

A t-shirt, like this one from Zoeys Attic praising Dad never seems to go out of style.

Happy Father’s Day!

Spring Organization: Gardening

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How many of you have been outside taking advantage of this beautiful, sunny weather? I know I have! Let’s get our hands dirty with some garden talk today.

If you’re in the works growing a vegetable garden, jazz it up a little with these colorful garden stakes by fromArtisanHands. If you’re new to veggie gardening like me, then you may need a little guidance with remembering which of your plant starts is which. These handcrafted stakes were cut from slabs of stoneware and come in a variety of fun colors. Not only do they come with vegetable names, but you can order them with herb names or inspirational words as well.

I have absolutely fallen in love with these handcut, recycled tire planters by DuchessCraft. Made from old lawnmower and trailer tires, these planters will make a huge statement when strategically placed in your flower garden. You can also use them inside the home to sort and organize your magazines, knick knacks, or even your recycling. Also, this artist donates a portion of the proceeds from these planters to the Second Harvest Food Bank where millions of pounds of food are donated to families in need all over the country every year. Visit the Second Harvest Food Bank website to see what else you can do to help!

Carry your gardening tools, seed packets, gloves, and other supplies with ease with this cedar wooden garden tote made by DesignByKohler. Cedar is perfect for this type of outdoor job since it is termite and rot resistant as well as lightweight for easy carrying. As their product description suggests, you can also turn it into a rustic style planter by simply drilling a few holes in the bottom and filling it with soil and an assortment of plants. DesignByKohler makes many custom designed and built wooden products for your home and garden from both exotic and domestic woods.

Now that you have some tools to get started on your garden, head over to Diana’s posts for some tips on What’s In Season.