Try Handmade

Shopping blog featuring products made by people not factories.

A Little Bird Told Me…

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Nothing reminds you that Spring is here better than the little birds chirping away outside of your window.

Bird motifs are everywhere in fashion and home decor right now. They represent many different things in many different cultures such as: joy, happiness, luck, love, and freedom. The bookends pictured above, made by graphicspaceswood, are handcrafted in their family’s wood shop and are just one of several different adorable woodland creature products that they create. Each of their products is laser cut and assembled from a mixture of different types of wood to create a layered and modern look. Perfect for a nursery or children’s room or to add a little charm to a bookshelf anywhere in your home.

As I’m sure you know, it is very common for different areas in your home to accumulate a mixture of loose papers such as mail, appointment cards, to-do lists, etc. Add a small memo board to your space and force yourself to rummage through your pile to only hold onto the important pieces and pin them to the board. The clutter will cause you stress every time you walk by…so lose the trash and clear your mind! The burlap message board above is the perfect size to hang in any area of your home where you tend to collect papers. Find this and many other bird and vintage inspired home decor in the shop of nextdoortoheaven.

I came across this delightful and functional little project sack for our readers out there who love to knit and/or crochet! Handmade in Europe from all natural linen, KnitterBag carries all different sizes of these lovely project bags as well as wristlet pouches, and needle organizers to keep all of your supplies neat and organized. The owl bag shown above even comes complete with pockets for your knitting needles…could it get any more cute?

Once Again Recycled Designs

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I love these dinner napkins and grocery bags made from upcycled vintage linens.

Once Again Recycled Designs: My name is Megan and I am an Interior Designer. The inspiration behind my creations is coming up with unique, functional designs that make life a little easier and saving the world…well sort of… I wanted to find a way for my designs to stand out and also to do my part by recycling. So I decided to take on the challenge of designing with 2nd hand finds at thrift stores, garage sales, and yes, even the garbage. “One mans trash is another mans treasure” I have discovered pillow cases make great bags, linens can be chopped up and sewn back together as baby blankets, pillows, coasters, placemats…the possibilities are virtually endless. I have two amazing children who also inspire me create fun kids stuff. So…will see how it goes…

Papaver Vert

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Papaver Vert: Patty Benson started Papaver Vert in 2007 making her small apartment shared with her husband, into a small creative studio in Northern California. Based on form, function and bold color, Patty’s work utilizes the time consuming technique of crocheting and wet felting wool to create tactile pieces with a contemporary twist.

Learning how to crochet a few years ago, she immediately found a medium that combined her love of wool with her love of home decor. Feeling that home accessories shouldn’t just be limited to ceramic or glass, and that felted wool doesn’t have to mean something old-school, she loves the idea of taking the ancient technique of felting to design something entirely new.

Patty loves that wool is a renewable resource and she stands behind a non-mass produced sensibility. Each piece is lovingly handmade in her studio and she figures the more attention put into the craft, the better the quality, the longer it will last and the less need to buy more, more, more.

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Art Nest

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Art Nest is a place to celebrate everyday beauty, hard work, living creatively, artistic achievements and remembering to live simply.

I make these pincushion rings using my favorite fabrics, lush colored wool felt and nickel free, silver plated adjustable rings. I’ve been using mine for nearly four months now. I don’t think I can ever go back to storing my pins in a red tomato.Wearing my pincushion ring allows for more freedom while I sew at my machine. When not in use, I hang the pincushion on the bobbin winder.

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Heather Palmer

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This small sculptural glass bowl adds a delicate touch of color where ever it is placed. The open lattice work makes these pieces appear to be light as a feather. And, while they are delicate the overall form is sturdy, like actual nests. The process used to make these insures that no two are ever alike. Each unique with its own twists and bends. This aqua color is like a cool drink of water.

Heather Palmer is a craftsman, artist and maker. Heather primarily uses glass to create objects but loves lots of other mediums too. Her work is varied including both functional and non functional pieces. She is inspired by communication, experimentation, play and from learning new ways of working. From these inspirations she and her work continually grow.