Try Handmade

Shopping blog featuring products made by people not factories.

Handmade Seasonal Stock-Up

by 2 Comments

[hKristin]

Welcome to another Seasonal Handmade column. This week I am going to show you some great handmade ways to stock up on seasonal goodies. Remember, even if there isn’t a holiday in the immediate future, it always pays to be prepared.

Up first is Halloween. Halloween is just a few short months away now and if you want to get ready for trick-or-treaters, you might want to start with this adorable table runner from Mountain Home Quilts. Can’t you imagine this sitting on a console table in your entry? When the little ghouls and goblins appear on your doorstep, they’ll love your style and your candy.

Seasonal 1 halloween

[Read more…]

Interview with Courtney Filer-Dougal of My Sunset Road

by 1 Comment

Previously featured a couple of years ago, check out what Courtney is up to today.

I’m a metalsmith & jewelry designer. I strive to make beautiful, wearable pieces that women will reach for everyday. I love when customers describe one of my pieces as a favorite.

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

I’ve been making things for as far back as my memory can reach. My father is a painter (and a chemist) and painting was my first love. Painting was difficult for me to keep up with after having kids and when I discovered beading it was easier to stop and pick back up again as the babies allowed. Eventually I moved on to metal and fell in love ;)

Is there a story behind the name of your shop?

Yes, it’s my street name! I thought it was both unique and simple enough to be memorable to a customer while also having a personal meaning to me.

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?

I work alone 99% of the time though my husband (a CPA) and I share a split office/studio in our home. The only time I have help with my own work is when I enlist my 8 year old daughter to help me package large orders. She recently helped by putting my logo-stickers on 95 boxes for the Academy Awards Gift Lounge.

I also get loads of help from my mom with my kids..that’s priceless during the holiday and show seasons.

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?

I sell my work via my own site. I also have shops in Etsy and Supermarket. I sell through a handful of great boutiques on both the East & West coast and I’m always excited to add another one to the list.

Do you have any favorite handmade shops or sellers you’d like to recommend?

So many! My 3 favorites are:
www.beckyoh.com
www.mudpuppy.etsy.com
www.geninne.etsy.com

What inspires and motivates you?

It sounds cheesy but definitely my kids. They keep me seeing things in a fresh perspective and also force me to stay organized – I’m always grateful for that.

What do you wish I had asked you?

“What do you do when you’re not making things?”

I homeschool my kids full time. It’s the best part of having my own business, I can be home with my children every single day.

Thanks Courtney. And if you would like to be interviewed next, just head over to DIY Interview.

Zoa Art

by 1 Comment

Zoa Art consists of the combined artistic efforts of husband and wife team Tony & Lisa Blackwell. Tony does glasswork and casting, while Lisa works with PMC, silver designs and completed jewelry. Lisa also teaches classes about her work. Newer work includes forays into Shibuichi, and thoughts of other metals are blooming.

Edges

by 2 Comments

il_fullxfull33259256

Misha Ashton: I am a photographer, graphic designer and craft maker located in Portland, Oregon USA. [working on relocating to Wellington New Zealand by the end of 2009]

I have been taking pictures for as long as I can remember and even with the whole digital craze, I am still addicted to film. Most of all slide film cross processed. None of my work is photoshopped, everything is done either in the camera or in the developing process.

il_fullxfull33254398

Lost on the Midway – A new collection from The Black Apple

by 5 Comments

After some homework it seems to me that Emily Martin of The Black Apple is one of the first sellers to set up shop on Etsy – back at its beginning – just 5 short years ago!

While many of you have seen her work before, I am head over heels with her latest collection and also very excited to see her new book which will be released on Nov. 2nd of this year, so wanted to make sure both are on your radar.

Her newest paintings center around a country fair – with a twist. Lost on the Midway is a fun, whimsical collection with a touch of the unusual, just what so many of us have come to love about Emily’s work.

Lucky Portland locals had the opportunity in early June to see Emily’s new collection in person at Buy Olympia’s retail space and gallery, land. If you haven’t ever taken a peek at Buy Olympia’s online shop – you’ll want to stop by. Their curating is top notch – meaning an impressive collection of handmade goods ready for your perusal.

I’ve included one of my very favourite works below, the collection’s title piece – “Lost on the Midway”, it was inspired by an almost deserted carnival – possibly just before a storm is ready to strike. For those of you who’ve been in a city before a tornado or a big storm – you know how the sky turns an eery color of green and the clouds often seem in contrast with the warmth and humidity of the day.

Another one of my favorites – Bear Dance, is below, which Emily painted in tribute to one of her favourite painters, W. H. Beard.

When I stopped by Emily’s shop today to take a peek around I was especially thrilled that she is now offering a set of 15, 4×6 postcards from her Lost on the Midway collection for just $16 and I had to get them right away. I can’t wait to have these great works on display in my office!