Try Handmade

Shopping blog featuring products made by people not factories.

Bees, please.

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Now that winter is making its inevitable approach and days are starting to get shorter, I find myself lighting candles almost every evening. There is nothing like the golden glow of candles to add a little romance and warmth to a room. It has been said, though, that “we breathe what we burn”. In the case of paraffin-based wax candles, what is burned is a mix of petroleum, chlorine bleach and several other potentially harmful additives. As the flame flickers, toxic soot is released into the air. This soot contains a myriad of dangerous compounds including benzene, ethanol, acetone, toluene, formaldehyde and naphthalene.

You don’t have to be a chemist to understand that this is some pretty nasty stuff to be inhaling. In fact, the soot released by the paraffin candles is very similar in chemical make-up to diesel exhaust! One way to avoid introducing airborne pollutants into your home is to forgo paraffin candles and choose those made of 100% natural beeswax.

floral pillar

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Soy Lovely

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Soy has long been labeled a healthy and sustainable crop, with dozens of uses in the culinary world, but have you seen how many other uses artists and designers have found for soy in the worlds of fashion, beauty and housewares?

Shown above: soy, acrylic and wool scarf from Fluur; soy milk beauty bar from soapsrus; solid perfume (soy-based) from sweetanthem.
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Soy is considered a sustainable, or renewable, crop because it is fast-growing and quickly replenished. Like most legumes, soy also helps fix nitrogen in the soil, enriching the land for use in raising other crops. The fibers left over after soybeans have been processed to make oil, soy milk or tofu can be recycled into a silky fiber used in clothes and accessories. Soy silk, as it’s called, is often blended with cotton or other fibers to create a range of fabrics and yarns.

Shown above: letterpress print printed with soy-based ink from hijirik; soy/bamboo fingerless gloves from reasdesigns; hemp, organic cotton and soy top from conscious clothing.
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Soy is also used to take the place of petroleum-based substances, like oil-based inks in printed artwork, or paraffin wax in candles. Soy ink is becoming more and more popular on presses. Soy candles burn cleaner and are better for your health than traditional candles. And soy products are used as a base for many natural beauty products like soaps and perfumes.

Shown above: soy and organic cotton cowl-necked top from conscious clothing; soy candle from nettiescrub; letterpressed coasters with soy ink from UncommonEnvelope.

How to: Buy Raw Milk

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In The Dairy State of Wisconsin legislators are being urged to allow the sale of “raw” (unpasteurized) milk to consumers and their decision is expected to set national precedence. The battle, ultimately, centers on public health. Proponents tout the health benefits of the product. Meanwhile the opposition fears the potential compromise of public health should the measure pass and outbreaks of milk-borne illness become more common. But beyond the politics and debate lies a bigger, more immediate question; how does one buy raw milk now?

The answer may be simpler than you think.

Decide What Kind of Milk You’d Like
While cow’s milk is traditional, the black and white spotted dairy producers of our childhood (and countless big dairy commercials) are not the only producers of delicious milk and milk products. Raw goat’s milk is just as good — and in the opinion of some, even better.

Locate a Supplier (or three)
Raw milk is available for purchase for human consumption in 28 of the United State’s 50 states. (It’s available in a handful more when intended for animal consumption.) Unfortunately, finding it — even within those states — can sometimes prove difficult. A great place to start the search however, is with The Campaign for Real Milk’s database dedicated to help consumers find raw milk in their area. And even if you’re not in a state where raw milk itself is available, dairy shares — where you purchase a share of a cow or goat and receive a portion of its milk in return for your investment — are.

Do Your Homework
Whether we like it or not modern, conventional farming calls for mass production to meet demand. Streamlining technologies and processes that make that production possible unfortunately also make it more and more possible every day for a cow (or goat) to be a number rather than an animal. All the while requiring the help of numerous farm hands who have little interest in the end product. Both of these make the potential for contamination of milk greater. Get to know the suppliers whose products are available in your area. Ask about their herd, their help and their processes. A familiarity with the animals, a close oversight of production by the owner and processes and materials that are easy to keep clean and sanitary (look for glass and stainless steel) all reduce the potential for milk-borne illness.

Do you drink Raw Milk? Where do you buy it?

Aloha Hawaii

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Life is funny. I was thinking about local sellers in Hawaii today because I thought it would be nice to give a shout out to the birthplace of our Prez. I know he’s been getting a lot of flack, but I personally still have total confidence in him. Especially now that the health care bill is finally in place. Millions of people are now going to have basic health care. Sounds pretty good to me. Hawaii is of course the birthplace of President Obama. He was raised by his single mother, and seems like she did pretty much all she could to give him a great life. So this Shop Local column is not only dedicated to Mr. President, but also to all of the local ladies in Hawaii who are making things, and making things happen.

Huladesigns is not just a mom, but also a daughter who share this site that features their handmade brocade clutches. This creative duo live on Maui, and make designs which feature repurposed brooches and other cast-off jewels. The results are just the right size for a few essentials for a night out on the town.

Like many crafters out there, I started making clothes for my dolls when I was big enough to use a needle and thread. I was really into my dolls, and created a virtual world for them replete with furniture, houses, and all the trappings of doll-dom. As you may know today’s doll-obsession is the American Girl, which is more expensive that the Madame Alexander’s I coveted. So when I found alohagirldollclothes who makes pretty dresses for the American Dolls, it made me happy and brought me back to a simpler time when making clothes was just a part of life.

I can’t resist a butterfly, let alone this butterfly necklace by Oahu’s wavejewelry. Julie Kirby has been making jewelry for thirty years and finds her inspiration in all of the natural elements found in her beautiful surroundings. I am so impressed with the composition of this piece, and the colors of the stones–ruby-zoisite, and black onyx, with sterling silver. She says the stones for this piece sat in her work room for a year before inspiration struck. I know exactly how she feels. Sometimes waiting for inspiration, or even that sense that “this is what you should do” takes awhile to come along. I think what I like most about President Obama is that he has a quiet confidence that all of the best leaders have, and when he feels something is right, he goes after it with determination. Like a butterfly that sits and sits and sits, and then with a flutter it’s off. Mahalo a hui hou (Peace until we meet again).

What are you doing for yourself this year?

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Poster from Orange Beautiful

Over the holidays this year it occurred to me that I need to take on new habits that nurture me, and help me to move my life forward in the directions I would like to see it go.

I’m often a bit slow to join in when it comes to new trends – unless they’re tech related! So it comes as no surprise to me that I have only begun yoga now – years after it became “the” exercise of choice by many of my fellow city dwellers here in Vancouver.


Yoga pants from Purusha people

I have known for a long time that I needed to become more serious about developing an exercise routine, as I’m not as strong or as energetic as I have been in the past. And this has become of special concern to me as my husband and I plan to have children sometime in the next couple of years.

While starting yoga was at first intended to be a means of getting exercise, I have been thrilled to find more in it than I first expected. As an admitted Type A personality relaxation does not always come easily to me – so I am finding the yin and yang of the classes so enjoyable. By this I just mean the way the classes alternate between poses that challenge the body, and those that deeply relax it. I now find myself craving the quiet moments in class – and while these moments can truly be found anywhere, there is something special about sharing them with a group of people, in silence.


Yoga mat bag from Sweet Simple Beads

I have been surprised by the spiritual aspect of yoga, as I didn’t expect for it to be so powerful. For myself, I come to yoga with my own faith – and I see it as one of the vehicles by which I can express that faith. It is a time of centering and reflection, but also a time where I seek to improve my health and general outlook on life. I feel very confident that it is one of the many things I will take on this year that will be a nurturing and positive force!

I would love to hear about the habits and activities that nurture you and bring you life! Please feel free to share in the comments section.