Try Handmade

Shopping blog featuring products made by people not factories.

Black Mascara

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One drawback to ordering handmade goods is that they are not always in stock. As a consumer, I appreciate that this means everything I do order has been freshly produced. However, I choose not to live without black mascara.

I have become a fan of the mineral mascara that Myra makes at Funkey Monkey company. But the last time she listed it, it sold out before I got around to placing an order. And the mascara that I had was about to run out.

I was happy to discover that Lucy at Mum Mum’s Crafts, whose lip balms I tried and liked several weeks ago is also making mascara now. So I tried it. Like the other mascaras that I have recommended it is non-toxic and expires in three months.

The black natural lash building mascara is smooth and creamy. It slides evenly onto the eyelashes. I let it dry, then combed out a clump. I was very pleased that the clump went right onto the brush in one piece, and did not splinter and make a powdery mess on my face, or get into my eyes.

I reapplied the mascara later, for a touch up. And I am pleased about that too. It went on easily, and the brush did not stick or make lumps.

I have not had any problem with the mascara running or flaking. And I even took a shower with it on one day. I tried not to get my face wet. But that usually does not prevent mascara from turning into a splotchy mess. I do not expect that from mineral mascara. I expected to have a wet mess on my face from the steam, to clean it up easily, and then need to reapply.

My past experience has been that any mascara mild enough to provoke no irritation on my skin does not stay on in the shower, or even on humid summer days. So I’ve definitely found my new summer mascara (months away I know.)

One other positive note. I received this mascara five days after I ordered it. I mean exactly five days, not five business days. And yes, I am so ridiculously detailed that I keep track of the shipping time for every handmade order that I place and only recommend those which ship within two weeks.

Happy holidays everyone.

Ruth Jensen Wire Sculpture

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Ruth Jensen: I’m enthralled with the transparency of wire. It’s perfect for revealing the extraordinary beauty, transience, sometimes humor of what appears to be ordinary. I make each sculpture one twist at a time, without patterns or molds, using bazillions of pieces of straight wire. I “see” the shape I want, and make the wires come together in that shape, like putting a puzzle together. (I love puzzles.) My pieces are meant to intrigue and delight the viewer, to combat the overabundance of dull ugliness in the world.

Interview with Inbar Lahav Elgarisi of bouji & nouna

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1

What is your craft / art / creative endeavor?

I grew up to a very creative mom. And Learned from her almos every thing I know, But I never imagined that I would sew or create, and definitely not as profession. In high school, I studied art, but after my first exhibition, I decided to never do it again. Same with sewing.

I went to the university and studied Middle Eastern history, worked afterward as a customer service manager in several companies – as far away from creation as possible.

But the sewing found me eventually, along with the art and creativity I tried to run away from.

How did you get started? Have you worked in other creative areas before the kind of work you’re doing now?

The turning point was When Naomi, My second child was born. The search after baby bedding other than the regular baby blue/ pink pastels gave the idea to start create unique baby bedding and décor that would be a design statement along with a color celebration in the child room.

Inspired by my mom love of fabric and color. And equipped with the family vintage fabric collection I started creating a colorful and fun baby bedding, décor, apparel and soft toys that challenge everything we ever knew about nursery decoration.

bouji and nouna motto is that Products for your baby are a part of your life and home and they don’t have to be disposable or an aesthetic after-thought. After all, why should becoming a parent mean that you have to compromise your own sense of style?

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Is there a story behind the name of your shop?

bouji & nouna are my kids nick names, bouji is for my son Omri and nouna is my second child Naomi… I’ve decided to call my business that way because without them that wouldn’t be possible..

Do you work alone? With a team? Do you engage your family or friends in the work? What is your process? How do you ensure you get your work done yet still have a life?

For now I work all alone… My day is crazy… I wake up at 0630 in the morning and spend my entire day with my kids… After they are going to sleep I’m having some quality time with my husband.

Around 2200 PM I start my seconds job with bouji and nouna ’till 0400 AM as i said, It’s crazy, but hopefully in the near further things will be different…

Where do you sell your work? Which venues are your favorites? Do you prefer selling online or in person? Do you attend shows or fairs? Is your work in a gallery or brick-and-mortar store?

For now I’m selling on Etsy
and DAWANDA
and also on some boutiques in FRANCE and UK. I’m also open my studio from time to time for sales.
I like to sell on line, and amazed every time from the fact that I’m selling my product worldwild without even leave my home…

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Do you have any favorite handmade shops or sellers?

As a member of a very active team of Israeli Artists, I’m having some favorets, for example:
Arosha – that creat some amazing Jewelry
Yoola that create Handmade original crochet jewelry
and Little White Dresser

What inspires and motivates you?

Well, mostly from my collection of 1950s-1960s old embroidery and applique books that have amazing colors and patterns. In fact, some of the fabrics I used for my latest bedding collection have patterns exactly the same as those in one of my embroidery books.

Also, naturally, I’m inspired by my kids and their ideas for color combinations, which aren’t always the obvious ones and definitely not pastels but bold and bright.

And last is my love for quilt art that gave me the freedom and inspired me to combine different fabric patterns without any hard feelings. For my apparel collection, I find inspiration in the old classic designs that were originally for adults. Especially Chanel’s early collections for women.

Thank you Inbar! And if you’d like to be interviewed in this space, just head over to DIY Interview.

Handmade in Manchester, England

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Please welcome our newest columnist, Ellie Thouret! “Ellie is a UK-based designer of handknit and crocheted accessories. In her rare time away from the needles and hooks, she can be found scouring Etsy and Folksy for cute and quirky handmade items.” She’s going to be covering the area that is her neck of the woods: England! Leave her a comment below if you have any great suggestions for her or if you just want to welcome her :)

:: Erika

This is my very first post for my new column, Handmade in England. I hope you’ll all enjoy reading about the UK handmade scene. I’m looking forward to showcasing the best handmade products and crafters that we have to offer! In this post I will be profiling the Manchester Craft & Design Centre (MCAD), a fantastic studio/retail space right here in my city.

MCAD was established in 1982, originally known as Manchester Craft Village. Situated in a historic fish and poultry market, the Centre was set up to help kick-start the regeneration of the Northern Quarter, a now-trendy area filled with independent boutiques and bars. It houses 18 studios with around 35 makers/designers, a cafe and a small exhibition space.

“We aim to be the place to make, see and buy contemporary craft and design in the North West,” explains Kate Day, Director at MCAD. “MCAD offers a supportive working environment with affordable rents for city center retail/studio space. We provide a signposting service for our tenants to business development agencies such as Business Link, funding opportunities, awards, commissions and exhibiting opportunities.”

The goods on offer at MCAD vary, from jewelry to handbags, art to ceramics, and the Centre is usually buzzing on weekends. The light and spacious design welcomes visitors and the beautiful items are displayed extremely attractively. But for the artists based at MCAD, it is the business support that they really value.

“MCAD promotes the Centre and studios with ongoing marketing activity including our website, monthly e-flyers, promotional activities and partnerships with organizations such as the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair,” comments Kate. “We also curate a national/international exhibition program with regular events and workshops.”

Colette Hazelwood, a designer/maker of contemporary jewelry, who has been based at MCAD for over 10 years, since graduating university in 1999. “Being at MCAD has undoubtedly helped me in my business, not so much directly – but indirectly. It has allowed me to come face to face with my customer, not only is this good for me but it’s great for them to get to know me and judge whether they can trust me with their great grandmother’s diamond and platinum ring!”

Stephanie Brown Designs

Jane Dzisiewski and Stephanie Brown are part of Designers Eclectic, a collective of jewelers based at MCAD since September 2009. “Some people would say it was either brave or insane to start up a business in the middle of a recession but MCAD has enabled us to do this,” Jane explains. “MCAD provides low cost studios in the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter. We couldn’t have got studio/retail premises in the center of town otherwise.

Stephanie continues, “The Craft Centre is an invaluable creative platform to launch and grow a business and is a fabulous creative community to work in and be a part of. All the tenants are emailed regular updates on creative opportunities, awards and commissions from the office.

The tenants are encouraged to initiate ideas to promote their own studios and the centre. They have varied backgrounds and contribute their expertise to the Centre when and where they can.”

Suzanne Devine, handbag and accessory designer/maker, finds the mutual support among MCAD artists particularly valuable: “I have been at the Craft and Design Centre for 6 years now and it has been a big part in this learning process and a great experience having friends who are in the same situation as me – some with more experience, some now with less experience and also the advice and support that we pass around to each other.”

Demand for studio space at MCAD is growing, a reflection of the increase in crafters in the North West UK. “Courses such as Manchester Metropolitan University‘s Creative Business Development help to prepare new graduates with entrepreneurial skills, and we’ve also noticed an increase in people establishing craft / design businesses as a second career,” says Kate.

MCAD will hold a new exhibition, Threadbare, in July. The launch event takes place on Saturday July 3, all are welcome. Please visit the MCAD website to sign up for the Centre’s monthly e-flyer. For more information on MCAD, visit the Centre’s website, Facebook Page and Twitter feed.

*MCAD photo credit Ed Chadwick.

Sparkle

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Beautiful lampworked glass by Jill Symons
As a glass artist, I am fascinated with the play of light upon glass. The beauty of glass beads is the simple power of glass itself; the power to transmit light. My approach to glass beadmaking is as simple as slowing down and letting the glass release the color, allowing the glass to speak.

I am constantly awed by the fluidity and form the solid glass takes. I draw inspiration from the glass itself and the way in which it seems to tell me what to do next. Drawing on a background in design, a passion for photography and a love of glass — ideas spill into dreams of what could be — always posing the question then of what else is possible and is there really a limit?

I remember the first time someone referred to my beads as ‘work’. My mind instantly denied that such joy could come from something called ‘work’. I have been making glass beads since 1999.

You can find her pieces in her online gallery, on Etsy, and on Artfire.