Try Handmade

Shopping blog featuring products made by people not factories.

Product Showcase: Starry Night

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Here is a fact that almost everyone who knows me will tell you – I love stars. I’ve always been fascinated by them, both the actual stars in the night sky and anything with their shape on it. I’m so into stars that I even have 12 of them tattooed in various places on my body! This week, I’ve rounded up some fabulous star-themed handmade goodies for your enjoyment.

The inspiration for the earrings up top started with the finish, which Caroline, the artist, discovered by accident one day while working with a piece of silver. She realised that just by using a steel file, she could create a wonderful shimmer effect on the surface of the silver. Caroline has always loved star shapes in jewellery – “I feel the shape is simple, yet fun and also timeless…so what would be better than a star that gently shimmers in the light. ”

I love this print by Deb of Champignons, it reminds me of looking up at the night sky and feeling very small indeed. Deb was inspired by the juxtaposition of big things like cosmic hares and stars and tiny things we treasure and keep safe. She says, “I’ve always liked the idea of tiny world systems, there’s nothing to say that worlds have to be giant, either, so there might be tiny worlds all over the place, with stars and hares and even smaller worlds within them.”

How adorable is this zombie/stars colourful print? “The idea behind the little zombie lovers is to share some love!” says designer Rhi, who intends the expression of the zombie about to recieve the heart to depict warmth, shyness and surprise. Rhi paints these designs with the hope that someone can give the painting to another, as a gift that says ‘I love you’ in an alternative way.

Nautical stars like the ones in this cushion cover remind me of my husband, who has one tattooed on his forearm. Ruth was inspired by her daughter, who loves skulls and pirates – she also thought the red and black stripes were very piratey! “I just love being creative with fabric, it is a bit of an obsession!! I am always looking out for beautiful, luxurious and quirky fabrics.”

Mixing Business with Leather

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RADCOW: I got Interested in Leather craft about a decade ago, when I was a teenager hitch hiking across Canada. On my travels I met a wonderful old hippy man named Longevity John. He was nearly 7 foot tall, with hair down his back, and eyes all full of kindness. He lived in a shotgun shack with no running water, or electricity, but made incredible and inspiring leather crafts and sold them on saturdays at the farmers market in town. John showed me a few things, and got the seeds of inspiration planted in me. The thought of someone making their living with their own 2 hands from thier crafts made my heart swell. Later, I got a job at a leather craft store, and began spending most of my pay cheques on tools, and most of my time playing with leather. Since then, the seed has grown, and I too make my living this way, selling here, and at festivals and craft fairs. I feel like I am on my true path, and I am eternally grateful to etsy, and to all of you who support hand crafters. You allow the creative instinct to grow and flourish. Thank you!

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Little Alouette

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My sister-in-law is having a baby in July. So, of course, as a doting aunt I’m always on the look-out for something wonderful and handmade for my soon-to-debut nephew. And, being a mom myself, I know that a newborn’s innate instinct, and the one that stays with a child well into toddler-hood, is to “get it and put it in your mouth”. Tiny fists, toes, mommy’s chin, and car keys work, but really, nothing compares to a good wooden teether. I found some at Little Alouette { previously interviewed here } that are smooth, satisfying, and thoroughly gnaw-able.

The shop owners, Joe and Amy Sharp, are a writer and master carpenter who have joined forces in life and in business to create a line of delightful teethers, rattles and toys for babies and toddlers. Incidentally, they also happen to have one of the most endearing shop profiles I’ve read in a while. I love it when parents create a business for their own children, because the love shows through in each product. Little Alouette crafts wee gifts using quality materials and master techniques, and with a parent’s eye and heart for what a little one needs and wants most.

I also like that these toys will serve a child’s needs from infancy on. First as teethers, then for make-believe fun. Bunnies, fishies, even a group of dinosaurs are available to inspire imaginative play. I am personally enchanted by the Egg Shakers. Talk about super-sensory stimulation. From the smooth surface, to the swirly wood grain, to the discovery of “music” with every shake, I have a feeling that even adults might have a hard time keeping their hands off this one.

Visit their shop and check out all of their beautiful offerings. And be sure to look into their Wood of the Month Subscriptions. They’ll ship out a parcel every month for three months. I am so going to be the World’s Coolest Aunt after this.

Hold me just a little bit tighter

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About De Novo Coats: I absolutely love coats! I can think of nothing I’d rather do than design a new coat, make the pattern, and fit it. I have 10 years of experience, working in San Francisco as a pattern maker and designer. A few years ago, after making a clothing collection for a few seasons I became pregnant with our first child. I then decided to focus my time on coats and jackets, where my heart is anyway.

Each piece is an original design. I work hard to find the best fabrics, and most are in very limited quantity. If you see a style you like but not the ideal fabric/color, please email me with requests. I have others fabrics in my studio and will be happy to send swatches!