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Shopping blog featuring products made by people not factories.

Summer of Love: Festival wear

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In the UK, Glastonbury Festival is the biggest music festival, and in my opinion, the best as well! I have been going for years and now I’m lucky enough to live practically on its doorstep. If you haven’t been, it’s difficult to explain quite how fantastic, or to imagine how big it actually is. There are 150,000 tickets sold, the site takes up 1,100 acres and I’ve just counted 58 stages on the line-up! There are the main music stages, the dance village, the late night weirdness places, the kids’ field, the circus and theatre fields, but it’s the Greenfields where you’ll find the traditional vibes of the 1960s and 70s, and also where you’ll find the best handmade clothes. I’ll definitely be checking those out when I’m there.

However, whilst there is plenty of shopping to do at the festivals, it’s also good to be prepared before you go, so I’ve been busy scouring the internet for the best in festival wear. Essential number one for the summer of love look is the maxi dress. Ideally something light enough to pack and carry without taking too much space in your rucksack, and will embody the spirit of peace and love. This one by SLCSLC Fashion looks perfect to me.

The poncho. I love them! And they are so versatile. Fold in half and drape over your shoulders to stop them burning in the midday sun; roll it up to be a pillow in the tent; sit on it whilst watching bands to stop grass marks on the back of bare legs, and of course, wear for its purpose in the chilly evenings to keep you warm. (Also handily hides a belly after eating a festival burger!)

I could fill a whole post with pictures of fantastic handmade ponchos and shawls – there are so many to choose from. I do like applique though, so I finally picked this one by Malowane lnem to show you.

I can’t finish an article about festival clothing without mentioning the biggest essential of all: Wellies. Or wellington boots to give them their proper name. Readers from hotter climes may disregard this bit, however, for British festival-goers, these rubbery items of footwear are an absolute must. You may not need them, you may be one of the lucky few and experience a completely dry summer festival, but it is better to be safe than sorry; or you may end up like one of the several at Glastonbury ’97 with layers of bin bags tied round their ankles and up their legs – kept their feet dry yes, but their bottoms wet as they all slipped over in the mud.

Wellies aren’t really the easiest thing to make by hand, but you also don’t want to be in the same bog standard green boots as everyone else. More patterned ones are coming on the market, but in my experience they split really quickly. The perfect compromise is going for a normal, good quality pair of wellingtons that have been decorated. My kids painted swirls with glitter glue on theirs, but for some that are (arguably) more artistic, have a look at these by dianamhm.

A Handmade Life

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A Handmade Life: In Search of Simplicity
“William Coperthwaite is a teacher, builder, designer, and writer who for many years has explored the possibilities of true simplicity on a homestead on the north coast of Maine. In the spirit of Henry David Thoreau, Emily Dickinson, and Helen and Scott Nearing, Coperthwaite has fashioned a livelihood of integrity and completeness-buying almost nothing, providing for his own needs, and serving as a guide and companion to hundreds of apprentices drawn to his unique way of being.

A Handmade Life carries Coperthwaite’s ongoing experiments with hand tools, hand-grown and gathered food, and handmade shelter, clothing, and furnishings out into the world to challenge and inspire. His writing is both philosophical and practical, exploring themes of beauty, work, education, and design while giving instruction on the hand-crafting of the necessities of life. Richly illustrated with luminous color photographs by Peter Forbes, the book is a moving and inspirational testament to a new practice of old ways of life.” → more info

Handmade from the Eastern Shore

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eastern shore SoapomokeRiver

The Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia, is one of those places far enough away to escape the rat race of Washington, DC. And still close enough to be a getaway spot for DC metro residents. That’s how I think of it, as a place to escape to a friends family house where fresh crabs and wild horses can be admired.

So when I found Soapomoke River‘s shop, I knew I had to check it out. I was tempted right away by the River Otter Soap, and Blackwater Honeysuckle Lotion Bar. Ah, good smells, no chemicals, and good memories.

I was even happier when my order arrived. The Blackwater Honeysuckle Lotion Bar is smooth and melts easily on the skin. And it smells wonderful. It also comes packaged in a small travel size, perfect to toss in your purse or backpack.

On small note for vegans, the first ingredient of the lotion bars is beeswax. But the cold processed soaps are vegan friendly.

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The River Otter and Neem Oil Bug Repellant soaps are cold processed, and unique. The Neem Oil smells a lot like a citronella candle. Which is great, if you’re going to be outdoors. I love that I can just give the soap to my child at bath time and not have to fuss with bug spray when we’re going out the door.

The River Otter has a grainy feeling from the kelp it contains. And the smell does make me think of a river. It also has a nice rustic look.

Also shown, is the In the Buff solid lotion bar. I have not tried it yet. But it has the same ingredient list as the Blackwater Honeysuckle. And smells nice too.

Many of Soapomoke River’s products are named for the surrounding area. So when you visit the shop and you’ll get a bit of a geography lesson. Or if you’ve lived nearby, like I have, a trip down memory lane.

Craft Hope

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Craft Hope: Handmade Crafts for a Cause
“It started with a pillowcase dress…and grew into a worldwide movement: crafters using their passion to help those in need. The Craft Hope blog-which organizes crafters to make handmade items for charities-has attracted followers around the world. This book, written by the site’s founder and featuring crafting’s hottest start, celebrates the cause and encourages others to join in.
Each project is matched with a specific charity, with alternative suggestions for local places to contribute the item. The projects-all with beautiful photographs, step-by-step instructions, and templates-include: cheerful quilts for hospitalized children, soft dolls for Nicaraguan orphans, tug toys for animal shelters, knit gloves for homeless shelters, a cloth backpack for schoolchildren in Africa, a stylish purse for women moving out of abusive relationships, and knit scarves for fostercare teens heading off to college. Contributors range from fabric designers Amy Butler and Heather Bailey to popular authors and bloggers such as Amanda Soule (www.soulemama.com, Handmade Home), Karri Meng (French General), Amy Ray (Doodle Stitching), Celine Dupuy (Simple Sewing with a French Twist), Vickie Howell (Craft Corps), Cathie Filian (Creative Juice), Susan Wasinger (Eco Crafts), and Betsy Greer (Knitting for Good).
In addition, there are plenty of helpful tips on how to give locally and globally, how to give thoughtfully and appropriately, and how to empower those you are helping.” → more info

Handmade collars for your pet

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[hLaurie]

Like it or not, most pets (of the feline and canine varieties, anyway) need neckwear, to keep them safely identified or likewise on a leash. Collars might not be a pet’s favorite thing, but they don’t have to be unfashionable – or uncomfortable, for that matter.

Whiskerkisses offers white button-down collars to combine with regular and bowties for a most fashionable statement (and just in time for Independence Day.)

kittybowtie [Read more…]