Try Handmade

Shopping blog featuring products made by people not factories.

Skudfisher

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Cartoons! I watch tons of cartoons.

That was Mike from Skudfisher‘s response when I asked him what inspired his fun plushies. How can you argue with such enthusiasm?

Everything from Invader Zim to Rocky and Bullwinkle (both of which are responsible for huge chunks of my sense of humour). I also pretty obsessively try to absorb as much cool art as possible from the internet. Flickr has so many amazing independent artists that it kind of blows my mind sometimes. I can spend hours just going from artist or artist on flickr. I have some pretty amazing people on my contact list on there that I really admire.

Mike has been obsessed with drawing silly characters and monsters since he was little. Then 2 years ago he decided to try and make one of his monsters into a toy for his nephew as a birthday gift, lucky kid. It only took that one toy to turn sewing into an obsession and he’s been making plushies ever since. Each monster has it’s own story along with it’s likes and dislikes to ensure monster/child compatibility.

There is something very satisfying about coming up with an idea, cutting out the fabric and sewing everything together, into something you can hold in your hands, that I just don’t get from drawing. I still love drawing though!

Mike’s current favorite is Acorn! He thinks she is just so adorable and huggable and really loves working with faux fur material. And as I was working on this, my 2 1/2 year old son told me he wanted THAT monster – so I guess she’s not just Mike’s favorite!

Currently Skudfisher’s plushies are only sold through Mike’s shop, but after many years of attending craft fairs and enjoying Montreal’s great craft scene he hopes to get involved as a vendor there soon. So if you’re in the Montreal area, keep your eyes peeled.

If you’d like to keep up with Mike’s creations he keeps a blog of all his work at and updates his Flickr very regularly.

Body Yogurt

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Body yogurt sounds a lot like body butter to me. It is a food name, used to describe a spa product. Both come in jars, and are applied to skin. And shea butter is one of the ingredients.

body yogurt

The body yogurt from Mea Culpa Body And Bath has a surprisingly different texture than body butter, or moisturizer. It feels soft and looks fluffy, but has a slightly gritty texture. Then it absorbs right into the skin. I wasn’t entirely sure what to make of it at first. But it moisturizes without irritating. So what’s not to like?

I ordered the set of three body yogurts, my favorite way to order from a seller whose products I have not previously tried. I chose the scents Neroli, Eucalyptus, and Coconut. For whatever reason the Neroli is yellow in color. But the Eucalyptus and Coconut are both white.

body yogurt neroli

I found the Neroli smell to be overpowering. And my husband asked about the stink (definitely not a compliment). In its defense, it does smell like Neroli – just a bit too much Neroli for my family. My five year old put it all over herself. And nobody wanted to sit by her.

The Coconut and Eucalyptus body yogurts smell fresh and inviting. But to be fair, all three have the same texture. And a very large number of scents are available. I just happened to think those three sounded best at the time I ordered.

I purchased the Neroli thinking that it would blend subtly and well with perfume. However, it is more of its own perfume. Which is not bad if you are looking for a strong scent, or like to layer scents.

I like the two ounce size jars a lot. They fit perfectly in my purse. And I have the opportunity to try three scents without making a big commitment.

On Starting Small

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I Eat Locally Tee by ameliapmorris

I am incredibly goal-oriented and deadline-driven. Give me a deadline and while I may be a procrastinator, I will also be wholly motivated to meet it — even if at the last minute. Give me a challenge that needs conquering and I will become obsessed with accomplishing it.

It’s probably these inward tendencies that make me particularly fond of the Eat Local Challenge, a movement that as of October 1st entered its fifth year.

[Read more…]

It's here! It's here!

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The best season of them all: Spring.

Camera Shy Photography: My name is Hillary Burkett and I live in Richmond VA with the company of 2 cats and a wonderful husband, who is incredibly supportive of my recent art pursuits.

I have a longstanding passion for photography and it has become my outlet. I am always aware and in awe of my surroundings. Nature and wildlife are my primary inspirations.

Beauty is all around us, and through photography, I desperately try to catch the uncatchable, tame the untamable, and box it all up neatly in a viewfinder for others to see and enjoy.

I am an explorer at heart and an artist by consequence.

Kirschbits

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Look at these great bags by Kirschbits that I found in the Try Handmade Inbox! I love seeing products that are both beautiful and reasonably priced. (Please buy the hobo bag before I do…)

Kirschbits was born in Schleswig (a small historic -and viking related- town in the northern most region of Germany) through the skills and creativity developed through my curiosity and desires to make different things, try different materials, and above all, Hand-making everything I shape in my mind.

Kirschbits is me, Vanessa Kirsch (Graphic Designer, Artist) a Venezuelan living in Germany. I make different kinds of handmade stuff (handbags, jewelry, art, design and graphics, etc). I throw in a whole bunch of ideas, concepts and above all, love and professionalism in everything I do.