Try Handmade

Shopping blog featuring products made by people not factories.

Handpicked Goodness: NottyPooch

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As I was perusing all of the beautiful handmade things on Etsy, as I often do, I stumbled across a unique little shop by the name of NottyPooch. Huey and Wah of Penang, Malaysia are the creators of these organizational products made entirely from recycled billboard banners for an eco-friendly, interesting look. Each piece is different from the next with variation in color, pattern, and age.

This creative team assembles a wide range of products from these bright and colorful billboard banners. Check out these one of a kind storage bins! Use them to stash movies (they fit up to ten DVD cases!), video games, books, or a variety of other knick knacks in your workspace or in your home. Their products are also waterproof, so you can even use them in your kitchen or bathroom to organize supplies or toiletries.

Add a little spice to any space with these colorful handmade planters. They allow for drainage so that your plants stay nice and healthy and would be suitable as accent decor in any room of your home. Place one on a side table, in the kitchen, or on your balcony to add a little interest to your space. These planters can even be hung for an even more exciting look.

In addition to the products mentioned above, NottyPooch also creates laptop sleeves, journals, beverage coasters and wallets from these recycled banners. Keep your valuables safe when you’re on the go with one of these creative laptop sleeves, complete with a soft inner lining.

Find these and more of their amazing work in their shop: NottyPooch

Behind the scenes at smilingbluedog

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My clay table. I do all my clay work on this old workbench.


shelves for greenware & bisque


My little painting area… (thank goodness for folding tables)


Fold away card table. Perfect glazing table (and for paintings too)


My beading space, with my magnifier light. Everything’s within reach.


My front yard…lots of my inspirations are found here (especially in the summer).

I’ve been doing ceramics as a hobby off & on, for over 20 years. Basically, I’ve only sold enough to buy my equipment & supplies.

Just last year my husband put up a wall in the garage, and a furnace on my side of it, so I can have an actual studio!

I tend to make a lot of one-of-a-kind pieces. Although I started doing ceramics from store-bought greenware (& I do have some moulds,) I rarely use them anymore, preferring to build my own pieces from a lump of clay.
My favourite thing to do is painting (& glazing.) I love to work with bright colours and shiny finishes.

I have a family & day job, that keep me busy too, but now that my kids are young adults, I have more time for painting, or making jewelry, or working with clay.

Since I started my etsy shop (Nov 08) I’ve spent a lot of time on the computer, learning to edit photos, blog, twitter, facebook…etc.

There’s always so much to learn, and try. I never get bored.

Thanks smilingbluedog! And visit her shop to see the work she makes in this space. Would you like your workspace featured here next? Go upload some pictures!

Handpicked Goodness: Elegance Farm Homestead

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This post, like my last, focuses on the work of a single artist. Sometimes, the work of an artist catches my eye and one photo or little snippet of their work isn’t enough to do their beautiful work justice. So this week, I bring to you: Elegance Farm Homestead.

Elegance Farm Homestead creates beautiful, one of a kind, handmade magnetic memo boards. From Caldwell, New Jersey, artists Jane and John design their sophisticated bulletin boards for just about any room in your home. Use them in your nursery, dorm room, office, or even for special occasions such as a bridal shower or wedding reception for display menus, photographs, seating cards, and so on!

The artists at Elegance Farm Homestead take inspiration from the simple, crisp cottage style and currently reside in a turn-of-the-century colonial farmhouse. Their appreciation of the simple, elegance of this style is clearly seen in each piece of their work. The small details in the frames and accessories make a huge statement.

They offer a wide range of fabric options for your custom designed piece. The fabrics you can choose from are bold, graphic, and simply beautiful. The wooden frames are handmade as well. Jane and John use their own, original designs to stand apart from the rest and have several different size options to fit in with any space and decor. Buy a few different shapes/sizes and piece them together in a unique arrangement to create a functional focal point in your room.

Add some interest to your work spaces and beyond with these one of a kind creations by Elegance Farm Homestead and stop by their shop frequently to see all of their newest work!