Try Handmade

Shopping blog featuring products made by people not factories.

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!

Elsylee

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New_Orleans_

Elsylee: Indulge in a delicious Southern Treat with melt-in-your-mouth rich buttery-brown sugar goodness. These Crisp Brown Sugar Pecan Cookies are Topped with a Honey Roasted Georgia Pecan. These have been described as “Crispy Pecan Pie experience”.

Elsylee_Miami_Herald_8_27_0

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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