Try Handmade

Shopping blog featuring products made by people not factories.

Sandmaiden

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Sandmaiden: about 11 years ago I started my career in the fashion industry as a very young single mom in Vancouver, Canada. My work adventures took me from the order desk at a childrens catalog company to assisting high end bridal, flat renderings, print design, global freelance design and producing samples for a European ladies career collection.

A few years in after I had acquired all the boots, suits and shoes a young lady could want (okay, should want) I discovered a hole in my wardrobe. I bought my first pair of real pajamas for about $20.00 on sale, by day i was a working girl on the factory floor, by night a princess. When I should have been shopping for things for my daughter or a boyfriend i was hunting the ideal pair of pajamas, they continued to elude me. Very many pj’s later said princess found her prince and the pj’s haven’t seen the sheets since.

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Red Linc Art – Tracy Knits

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Tracey is the artist behind Red Linc Art which sells paintings, drawings and photographs and TraceyKnits where you can find knitted goods from belts to golf club covers. Tracey is one of those people who is a creative person by nature, the kind that takes every opportunity to learn and do new art projects. While working in a stationery shop she decided to start making handmade greeting cards. That creative spark soon turned into a flame and she found selling online was the perfect way to find her target audience.

In my knitting shop, I am currently in love with the bride and groom golf club covers. I can just imagine a couple on their destination wedding in Ireland, hitting the links with these in their bags. In my fine art shop, I recently listed a photograph entitled “I heart wool”. It is a sheep smiling; I am sure I heart wool as much as that sheep does!

If you’re in the Mt. Holly, NJ area, you can find some of Tracey’s club covers and prints at Jersey Made and she also sells at craft fairs in her area. Her original paintings are sold exclusively through Art Setter.

Artisticly, I am all about comic book influenced pop art. I love Keith Haring, Roy Lichtenstein, and Cindy Sherman. With knitting, my family and friends are definitely shaping the direction of my work.

Tracey’s art ranges from whimsical paintings of hands creating shadow puppets to photographs that are a study in pattern and repetition.

Her knits feature nostalgic characters and sports themed and are an entirely different form of creative exploration. You can keep up with her on her blog or find her on Twitter or Facebook.

Wild Life

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These colorful prints from Wild Life make me extremely happy! I’m enjoying imagining each picture as a small preview of different rooms in a very tall and very posh apartment complex. Every time I browse these prints I find more to love. Such as the detailed texture of each wall, the proper placement of the animal figurines and the tiniest accessories…oh!

The artist has this to say about his artwork:

Now, where to begin? In my other life I’m a serious award-winning photographer, much given to brooding and brow-furrowing. That part of my life is known as “Bert.”

Then there’s the part of my life I spend hanging out with my little family, building sandcastles, jumping waves, and camping in the northern woods; the “Ernie” part if you will.

Wild Life Prints brings “Bert” and “Ernie” together for the first time, along with a host of amazing animals in their, um, natural habitats!

Oh, my name is Jeff and I love taking pictures of just about anything.

I think the marriage of Jeff’s ‘two sides’ is, simply, perfection!

I don’t know what else to say about this fantastic artist and his beautiful work. Except, maybe, that I want all of them. Now, please!

Raise a Glass – American Craft Beer Week

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May 17 to 23 is American Craft Beer week. At events across the nation, the art of the Craft beer will be celebrated by beer lovers, independent breweries, retailers and homebrewers alike. The annual festival has been the largest of its kind since 2006 and shows no signs of going flat (pun intended). To mark the occasion, I have assembled a small sampling of clever, handmade items that make use of everything that remains when the beer is gone, such as the bracelet by Michelle at Art Again (above). Cheers!

San Diego’s Stone Brewing Co was founded in 1996 and is considered one of the fastest growing breweries over the past 10 years. In addition to the seven beers that they brew year-round, they offer five “Stone Special Releases” annually and have seen an impressive increase in production over their 14 years in business; from 400 barrels in their opening year, to 98,500 in 2009. With numbers like that, it would seem that the gang at BottleHood have their work cut out for them. Created out of a desire to do something positive for the environment and the local economy, BottleHood opened up shop with their recycled glass creations. This set of tumblers, pictured above, was made from four Stone Brewing Co bottles, collected from restaurants and pubs in the San Diego area.

The story behind the Flying Dog Brewing Company involves a couple of adventurous ranchers, Sherpas, a runaway donkey, Hunter S Thompson and, perhaps least surprisingly, a flying dog. Since its auspicious (or suspicious) beginnings in 1990, the company has grown to a relative giant in the craft beer world; shipping over 500,000 cases per year world-wide. Success hasn’t tempered their gonzo spirit, though, and that is evident by their slogan “Good beer, no shit” and the unmistakable label artwork. Tracy of Squigglechick Designs, previously featured here, has taken one of my favourite labels from the Flying Dog pack and fashioned it into this one of a kind luggage tag. No one would dare try to snag your suitcase with this on the handle!

While researching the craft breweries of the West Coast, two words kept coming up – “Gold Rush”. Prospecting must’ve been thirsty work because from California to Alaska, there was a lot of beer consumed between 1864 and 1867. Lucky for us, the tradition of excellent, locally-brewed beer in that region has continued to this day. The Alaskan Brewing Company, founded in 1986, is keeping that rich history alive with their Alaskan Amber. Brewed from a Gold Rush-era recipe, the beer is just one of the reasons why the independently owned and operated company has the distinction of being the most award-winning craft brewery in the Great American Beer Festival’s history. The notebook pictured above was created by Fairbanks’ Princess Paige from an Alaskan Amber 6 pack bottle carrier. It would make an ideal beer-taster’s journal or prospector’s notebook.

While handcrafted beers can be enjoyed year-round, this is a great time to get out and learn more about the fine, independent breweries in your area. Many have special events, including tastings and tours; to find out what is happening in your area, visit the American Craft Beer Week events page.

Interview with Lynn Lefler of WomanWithTools

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What is your craft / art / creative endeavor?

Hand hammered jewelry using the ancient techniques of repousse and chasing. I mostly work in silver. My favorite items to make are pendants and earrings.

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

I started by taking a U.C.L.A. extension class in making handwrought jewelry (as opposed to doing the lost wax casting method). I then was introduced to a German man who specialized in repousse, and studied with him for several years. Before turning to jewlery making, I wrote episodes of some animated t.v. shows.

Is there a story behind the name of your shop?

Yes. I was at the airport checking in for a flight to New Zealand. This was before 9/11, when one could still take things like hammers and saws into the cabin of a jet. I had my toolbox with me, and the airline attendant asked me what was in it. I told her it held my jewelry making tools. Somewhat surprised, she stated, “Humm, a woman with tools”. I have been a woman with tools ever since.

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 make jewelry by myself. I do get input from family and friends as to what items they like the most. I work best in the morning; it sort of sets the tone for the day. I am still trying to figure out how to balance everything in my life. It’s sometimes hard to concentrate on making something when my little dog comes over, drops a toy at my feet, and stares up at me.

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 used to have my work in a few galleries, but it’s hard making a profit on silver jewelry that takes such a lot of time and work to make. I’m not too good at selling my things in person, so online is perfect for me.

Right now my only shop is on Etsy.

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

I’ve made friends with a lot of fantastic and talented people on Etsy. It’s hard to limit to 3, but I admire Tasha at http://www.etsy.com/shop/earjeans, Judy at http://www.etsy.com/shop/ConfectionsInGlass, and Shoshi at http://www.etsy.com/shop/ShoshiPo.

What inspires and motivates you?

Ancient metalwork that I see in museums and in books. Beautiful designs such as those from the Arts and Crafts period, and the jade and wood carvings of the Maori people of New Zealand.

What do you wish I had asked you?

How I met my husband. It was in a Kung Fu class. I was one of two women in the class. Now how many people can say that?

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