letters Archives - Try Handmade

Stars and Hearts and … Pretzels

August 12, 2017 by Erika Jurney 4 Comments

Heather and Kerry Alice Collins, Silversmiths
Twigs and Heather is Kerry Alice and Heather Collins, twin sister silversmiths and casters. We opened our studio in 2000 and have been creating one of a kind sterling silver jewelry ever since. Using the lost wax casting method, and a few new tricks of our own, our pieces are cast from plant life native to the Atlantic Northeast, and hand carved wax models.

Heather’s earthy and natural pieces are subtle reminders of just how wonderful something as simple as a twig can be.

There is nothing subtle about Kerry Alice’s pieces. They are bold, modern and urban. Made for the person who isn’t afraid to express themselves.

Our collection incorporates our different styles and personalities with a complementary mix of natural and modern pieces.

Gorgeous sterling silver jewelry by Twigs and Heather.

This will be the last post this week as I’m taking time to be with the fam and have good times involving hot cocoa, letters to Santa, and frantic, last-minute toy-assembly followed by (or perhaps accompanied by) cocktails. Wishing similar happiness for you :)

Dealing with Infringement: Part One

February 12, 2016 by Ellie Thouret 14 Comments

This week my post focuses on an issue that many designer-makers worry about – having designs copied. Unfortunately, it happens often and sometimes even by large retailers, making independent designers feel powerless. This is what happened to Eloise of HidenSeek and in the first of a two-post series, I talked to Eloise to learn about her experience.

In November 2009, Eloise became aware that stationery retailer Paperchase was selling a range of items, tote bags, notebooks and other paper goods, with a design that contained a girl that appeared to be traced from one of her artworks. The items were sold both in the UK and in the US and Eloise was alerted to the issue by concerned friends and fans.

“After a bit of panic, bewilderment and tea I contacted Paperchase, being sure that they wouldn’t want to have any part in copyright infringement,” Eloise explained. The company’s representatives replied that they thought the designs were substantially different and they were unwilling to take any action. “They seemed to imply that since the designs would not be reprinted after that run, it wasn’t a big deal anyway. After I explored my options and looked into hiring a lawyer, finding it impossibly expensive, I decided to just go public with my problem and seek for support from my fans and the community.”

Here’s where social media can come in extremely handy, as it enables the very fast distribution of messages to a global community. “It took innumerable complaint letters from people who read about my story, globally trending on Twitter, many newspaper articles and dozens of blog posts around the internet for things to start moving on the side of Paperchase.

“Finally, the designer that created the infringing design admitted that she had traced over the girl from my work. It should be noted that I never received any communication after the first reply for Paperchase regarding the matter and they only indirectly mentioned me in a kind of public semi-apology where they tried to set themselves up as a victim. Paperchase did remove the infringing designs from UK circulation but never offered compensation or settlement with me and they are still sitting on all the money they made from a known infringing design.”

When it came to the handmade community, Eloise explained that the vast majority of artists, designers and makers that she saw and met were very vocal about the issues. “Everyone tweeted, re-tweeted, blogged and wrote letters to Paperchase. I felt how other makers were empathising and putting themselves in my shoes, and that of course led to them speaking out in my support. It’s worth noting though that people from Etsy did write about my case and others in a personal capacity on the Etsy main blog and well done to them for taking a stand where other big names didn’t.”

“Certainly there was a lot of traffic back then and I’m still mentioned here and there when it comes to similar cases of infringement, but I wouldn’t wish anyone exposure like that because it did come with a price. The levels of stress were unbelievable. If this experience helped me at all, was because it was a crash course in real life media crises and I came out much more strong and confident.”

Check back next week when my post will feature top tips for protecting your work from infringement – and how to handle it if the worst happens.

The In Touch Clutch

January 26, 2016 by Erika Jurney 13 Comments

This is a brilliant way to be able to write quick letters when you’re on the run, and they look sharp too. Makes a great gift for travelers and newlyweds.

The In Touch Clutch ™ is the perfect way to stay close to what you hold near and dear. On the train, in a waiting room, between meetings or classes, spare moments can add up to so much. Stay in touch by having cards and stamps at the ready, have your inspiration-filled journals at your side, your products ready to show at a moments notice.

Say Hello To My Little Friend.

March 12, 2011 by Cara Quinn 3 Comments

Say Hello to this little Scrabble tile Gnome from Crafty Bird Creations.

Remember in the early 90’s when Friendship Bracelets were all the rage? (And I think I single handedly kept the Scottish Friendship Bracelet Market in business.)

They were quite the sensation and suddenly any craft store worth their salt stocked all shades of the rainbow threads in order that Friendship Bracelet Junkies could stock up on the colours that their hearts desired. Yes, of course you could purchase a ready-made (usually in a pattern that was last seen in the 1960s) friendship bracelet but there was the toil and labour that added to the effect of the Friendship Bracelet when you’d made it – a labour of love, a chore for a chum, a service for a soul mate…and well, you get where the alliteration is taking me.

There was also that sense of overwhelming achievement once you’d made your first Friendship Bracelet – and it was unpicked for the 100th time because you messed up the pattern you were going for.

There it was; in all it’s knobbly and loose-threaded glory. You had exclusively created a master piece. Forget the Sistine Chapel, the discovery of penicillin or the first person to swim the English Channel (who, quite frankly, looks like a character from Tin Tin anyway) you had taken on the thread and created your own little master piece.

Your own little Crafty Eureka moment. And all for the love of your BFF (and just for the record, we didn’t actually use the term ‘BFF’ back in those vintage 90s days.)

And if I had a remaining boy BFF from those early, halcyon 90s days I would totally buy them this print for their birthday or something from Shira Sela.

Well, we still have Friendship Bracelets in 2011. They have evolved into many forms; sure you can still do the old school 90s thing and make your pals a bracelet – but how about a charm necklace?

Very much feeling the vibes of love from this personalised necklace from Made By Sam.

Although I really think your friend will have to be extra-special to cough up the $68.98 asking price – or have I spent too long living frugally? Maybe I am just a terrible friend and a cheap skate – although I prefer to be referred to as a “bargain hunter.”

So, in the spirit of all that is frugal, here are some wonderful ideas for that special friend in your life:

Make a charm bracelet.

The beauty of this is that you can decide which charms go on the bracelet and really customise this bracelet to fit your friends personality. Buy an inexpensive bracelet that has charms on it already – there are plenty in the Pound/Dollar Stores – and look on eBay, charity and thrift stores for charms – and get creative! I once put backing onto old doll house food to create little badges.

For a more advanced (read: I am too slothful to even attempt this) charm bracelet making technique go to How To Make Beaded Jewelry from which the above bracelet hails from. Isn’t it lovely?

Say it with a card.

They are kind of a waste of material, but who doesn’t want a little love and lift that a card brings? I put aside my differences of waste when it comes to cards because they can be recycled.

Got old cards? Well it couldn’t be easier to make your own little friendship card. Cut around the image/s on the old card and stick them onto a fresh piece of card. Viola. Add on glitter, sequins, ribbons and just about anything else that might be going spare in your craft storage.

As an alternative to recycling an old card, just make your own. Use ink stamps and any other embellishments of your choosing. Why not put a photograph of you and your buddy on the front so that they can double the card as a make-shift photo prop?

Service.

A service project for a friend is always something that will be welcomed.

Do they need someone to watch their kid while they have a shower? Do they need cookies (and really, who doesn’t)? Do they need some help with housework and other errands? A donation of clothes? Just ask yourself: what can you do to be useful?

Make a list of your friends and beside each name write down one thing that you will endeavour to do for them in the next month. They will greatly appreciate those cookies! Alternatively I will send you my address if your friend doesn’t take the cookies ;) (it’s been a while since I had some good cookies.)

Snail Mail

Remember that old invention of the 20th century? Well it didn’t disappear in 1919 when this letter was posted.

So, what are you waiting for? Write a letter to your friend. Sure we are all glued to our email inboxes and more importantly we’re all hooked up to the drug that is Facebook so that’s why it’s that little bit extra special when you send – and admittedly, receive – a snail mail letter.

Fill your letter with nice memories you have of your friend; like the time you went to Disneyland together or that night you both got so drunk that you woke up with your eyebrows shaved off and pencilled in – whatever the memory, write it down! Re-live it through your letter and share it with your friend.

Or grab some inspiration from the Unsent Letters blog which follows the premise of the Moody Blue’s 1950’s hit ‘Knights in White Satin’ with the line; ‘letters I’ve written, never meaning to send.’ These blog entries are all unsent letters; things people wanted to say but didn’t have the cojones to send in the mail.

But if you really, really don’t like any of these mentioned ideas then you could alternatively blow the dust off your old Friendship Bracelet making kit.