Try Handmade

Shopping blog featuring products made by people not factories.

Cocktail Party

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I’ve been daydreaming lately about throwing a lovely cocktail party, full of fancy dresses, music, laughter and great conversation. Unfortunately, my apartment is barely big enough for my craft supplies, let alone guests. I am undeterred, however; a cocktail party will come my way sooner or later, and when it does, I’ll be ready with the perfect handmade outfit.

Fashion in Hawaii is pretty casual, which means I’ll be extra excited to slip into this gorgeous 1950’s style silk dress by Fiori di Arancio. The high neckline, full skirt, and short sleeves are chic and elegant, while the organza bow adds the perfect touch of sweet. The dress can be made in any color silk, but I love the patterned fabric shown on the model–it’s classic, subtle and sure to turn heads among the little black dresses.

What’s a cocktail dress without the perfect statement-making ring? This bezel set option by Blue Wave Jewelry will add just a little bit of sparkle and modern flair to my vintage-style dress–a fashion juxtaposition, if you will. The different dimensions of this druzy quartz stone will catch the light perfectly, and set it apart from your typical cocktail ring. The oval shape and wide sterling silver bezel setting are classic.

A great clutch is always a must when you’re dressing up for a night out. This simple black option by Designs By Ambiana is made of vegan leather, lined, and includes a small pocket. It’s large enough to hold all of your things, but small enough that it won’t compete with the cocktail dress. The silver purse frame and chain will coordinate perfectly with the silver jewelry, and the pattern on the vegan leather is just the perfect amount of texture.

Now that I have my perfect cocktail party outfit, all I need is an invitation, and a drink!

**The image featured at the top of this article is a photograph by The Bunny Cage.

Metal origami jewelry

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You look at this necklace and think it is fabric, right? Read on.

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Wendy Hacker-Moss: Over 200 large stainless steel florets are handfolded origami style and attached to a sterling silver chain. 4 mm blue fresh water pearls are set in the center of the florets.

In the process of creating, each flower is tended to carefully, worked and shaped by hand, and then securely attached to either a sterling silver hand-woven, linked or chain-mail base structure. Attachment is not haphazard or random, but rather repetitive and exacting with a gestalt sensibility, so as to create thickets of form from material. The process is meditative and prayer-like in nature.

Imbued with meaning, objects may carry history from one generation to the next–just as jewelry passed from parent to child may transmit history from one generation to the next. My intention is to create a lasting representation of that which in nature is fleeting. For me, this is a way to memorialize the ephemeral in a sturdy form.

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.”

And the award goes to…

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A few months back Pantone unveiled their color of the year for 2010. To be honest even as a designer I don’t pay too much attention to these forecasts. Still, I was excited that this year’s color – turquoise, is a beautiful one. It makes me think of tropical climates, vacations and beautiful water. If you’re decorating a room in your home or are working on a creative project and need color ideas the Pantone site is a good one to visit for inspiration.

I thought of the “color of the year” when I saw a treasury on Etsy made by 3dots – filled with turquoise finds. I’ve included a few of these in my collage above.

The chair in the top image is from the Etsy shop of Michele Maule. Michele is Portland artist whose work I’m very partial to. She has been making art for over 10 years now and is a graduate of Portland State University. Having grown up in Portland – I always love learning about Portland artists and bloggers.

The halfmoon hoops on the far right are from Etsy seller and metalsmith, Meetalls. I am always impressed when reading the work, care and effort that goes into jewelry made by metalsmiths like Meetalls.

The turquoise ring on the left was also made by another talented metalsmith who sells on Etsy, Erin Jane. She strives to use recycled silver whenever possible – and almost 100% of the silver she uses now in her designs is recycled.

The gorgeous spot bowl in the middle is from Amy Perch, whose full collection is avaliable online at Perch Ceramics. I see a lot of handmade ceramics on her site that I’d like to make my own!

Hope you enjoyed taking a peek at these turquoise finds. Would love to hear what your favorite colors are for around your home, or while you’re working on craft projects or items for your Etsy shop.

New in the Gallery

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  • Hand made leather bags

    I hand cut and hand sew hand made leather bags in NYC. I have been working with leather for the past 10 years. I really like the mission and purpose of your website, and I just want to be a part of it. I just got my website up… details »

  • Buddha shrine

    8″h x 8″w x 3″d wooden shrine is perfect for a small sanctuary space in your home or healing room. The image is engraved on aluminum. details »

  • Mix of Colors – Set of Seven Stacking Rings

    This set of seven colored stack rings are perfect for anytime!!! They are all hammered, and you’ll receive two in shiny sterling, one oxidized, two heat treated copper rings and other two copper rings with a verdigris patina (please note that each patinated piece will be slightly different due… details »

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