Everyday Handmade: Mini Retreat Kit

I hope you're having a peaceful and joy-filled week! For me this has been a week of introspection, and so I thought this installment of Everyday Handmade would be the perfect opportunity to create a mini retreat kit of sorts. Here are some lovely handmade items to get you started on an afternoon or evening of peace and deep thought.

First, draw a nice hot bath and luxuriate in the quiet with this Handmade Soap Gift Basket from Sweet Sally's Soaps. Find it here.

Then cozy up in this beautiful Big Olive Green Cardigan from Love and Knit. Find it here.

Then get in touch with your mystical side by wearing this Purple Pink Gold Agate Necklace from Sumikoshop. Find it here.

And settle in with this gorgeous handmade Black Bird Feather Journal from Three Trees Bindery. Find it here.

And contemplate your wild life, inspired by this photograph "The Dream Gatherer" by My Antarctica. Find it here.

I hope you enjoyed this collection and will use it as an excuse to take some time out and relax! Here's some wisdom from one of my favorite poets to get you started:

"You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves."

-from Wild Geese by Mary Oliver

Everyday Handmade: Dreaming of Spring

Happy New Year! I hope you're having a wonder-filled beginning to your 2012!

Outside my window as I write this, the wind is howling and the whole scene is gray and white. It's deep winter here in Boulder, Colorado! And yet . . . I'm dreaming of spring. I've been obsessively reading gardening books and planning out all that I will grow this year, even though our last frost date here is in the middle of May. Wishful thinking I suppose! I thought some of you out there might be able to relate and could use a little fanciful warm-up (and who doesn't love spring anyway?). So here it goes, some visions of spring for this installment of Everyday Handmade:

For me this is the quintessential image of spring---the blooming trees. I fall in love with them every year, and this photo by Eye Poetry Photography captures them perfectly. Find it here.

And spring wouldn't be possible without the bees, and these Crocheted Bumble Bees by Sabahnur are just the cutest. Find them here.

This delicate watercolor illustration of Rose Mallow by Ali Herrmann carries that sweet, whimsical essence that I love about spring. Find it here.

I think these Spring Tree Coasters by Monika Design are the perfect way to dream of spring while in the dead of winter---slide your cup of tea onto one of these and you'll be transported. Find them here.

Who wouldn't like to carry around some little butterflies with them during the cold season? These 3D Goldfilled Butterfly Earrings by Terminy are just the ticket. Find them here.

Last but not least, doesn't this Green Field Spring photo by Photography Dream just make you want to run out and frolic in this field? I would like to go there right now! Find it here.

Thanks so much for escaping with me! Have a wondrous and warm day!

Everyday Handmade: For Her

Hello there! I'm back with a new Everyday Handmade gift guide!

Let's be honest: there are mountains of beautiful handmade items out there to suit every fancy of every lady you know. One stroll around Etsy, and you'll find at least a dozen things you could gift right now. Perhaps then it's an upside-down problem: there are just too many things to sift through! With this gift guide I'm giving you a nice little curated collection of gifts For Her that I think any lady {myself included} would be delighted to receive. Here we go . . .

These Women's Lime Green "Early Morn" Bloomers by My Fair Maiden are just too cute! What lady wouldn't love a pair of unique handmade underpants!? Find them here.

This Pearl Gray Bandeau Bra/Skirt/Belt/Miracle Twist by Moon Halo is truly one of the most amazing articles of clothing I've ever seen---talk about multi-purpose! And fashionable to boot! Find it and see all of its different uses here.

I love the old delicate feel of this Wild Rose Tumbler by Just Mare. To drink from this cup would feel like jumping into an old novel {Pride and Prejudice perhaps?}. Find it here.

This Hand Crochet Wrap by Silvia66 would be a beautiful handmade addition to any lady's wardrobe. I think it would look great with jeans or a fine dress. Find it here.

Lastly, I love everything about this Aleina Pleated Linen Bag by Ira Grant---the shape, soft tone, and whimsical decorative touches! It would make a darling gift for any lady who appreciates the creativity and craft of handmade. Find it here.

Thanks so much for taking a gander at this gift guide! I hope it gave you some bright gift ideas for the ladies in your life. {check out my Gift Guide For Him and Gift Guide For the Kiddos}.

Happy Handmade Shopping!

Everyday Handmade: For the Kiddos

Good day to you! I'm back with a new Everyday Handmade gift guide! It's time to get shopping for the sweet little ones in your life. Of course there are aisles of factory-made thingamajigs out there, but there are also troves of beautiful handmade gifts for the kiddos too! Kids will love them for their creativity and fun, and you will love them because they'll help you start teaching your little guys the value of handmade early, and support handmade makers! Here's a fun round-up to get you started . . .

I love this fun embroidered Organic Messenger Hip Bag by Sewn Natural! Any little person would be delighted to carry along their own favorite toys in this bag. Find it here.

What kiddo doesn't love seeing their own self in a new way? This Personalized Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle by Bella Puzzles will have them piecing themselves together with glee. Find it here.

I love this Organic Robot Placemat by Pure Pixie! It's the perfect combo of fun and functional! Find it here.

Add more pizazz to any kid's bath time with this Building Block/Men Soap Set by A Breath of French Air. Find it here.

And last but not least, no child's life would be complete without a sweet teddy bear {I had a whole troop}, and this Brown Teddy Bear by Sabahnur has the cutest face and just makes you want to hug him. Find it here.

I hope you got some handmade-gift-getting inspiration from this collection! I'll be back with more great gifts in the coming days! {Check out my Gift Guide For Him}

Everyday Handmade: For Him

Hello Hello! Can you believe it's almost the holidays!? It's time to get on that holiday gift list, and there is no better excuse than that to start searching the vast virtual aisles of handmade on Etsy! To give you a little help, I'll be rounding up a series of everyday handmade gift guides over the next couple of weeks. This week I'm rounding up gifts for those special guys in your life. Sometimes there seems to be every manner of handmade gifts for women, but what do you get the handmade-loving men? Sit back, relax, and peruse these fine handmade finds for him . . .

Help him keep his hands warm (and celebrate trees) while enjoying a cold beer with this Birch Bark Beer Cozy from Eves Little Earthings. Find them here.

Speaking of beer---why not celebrate it in the shower too with this great Organic Beer Soap {made with Guinness Stout!} by Sweet Sallys Soaps. Find it here along with so many other unique soaps.

Give your guy a little handmade country bling---jewelry for his belt! This Turquoise Mosaic Belt Buckle by Romy and Clare is so gorgeous you may want to get one for yourself too! Find it here.

The quirky little fish in this Pebble and Fish Key/Bag Chain by Gifts and Stars is bound to make Him smile. And he'll think of you every time he pulls out his keys! Find it here.

This Sterling Silver Personalized Ring by Monkeys Always Look would be an amazing way to inspire a special guy in your life and show him how much he means to you! Find it here. Order it soon! These are made to order!

This Hand-sewn Leather briefcase by Sleeway is a stunner and would make a tremendous gift for the office-going man who appreciates fine handmade quality that he can use everyday. Find it here.

I hope this little round-up gave you some new great handmade gift ideas! Happy shopping!

Handmade Freedom

Can shopping promote freedom? Hmm, maybe that seems like a stretch. Certainly the accumulation of stuff for stuff's sake can't equate to freedom but just maybe how and where we shop can help ensure choice and diversity.

Fingerless Gloves by Tickled Pink Kints

I decided to look for some answers by being my own guinea pig and went in search of fingerless gloves. My closest big box store offered two kinds of fingerless gloves. The styles were slightly different and only came in 3 color combinations - pink, black or pink and black.They were, thin, poorly made and at $2 and $3 appeared to make a strong case for “you get what you pay for”. The buyers for major retailers make many preliminary decisions for us. They limited color, style, quality and price. They separated me from the maker and the process. Aren’t I smart enough to make those decisions myself? According to Jeff Milchen at ReclaimDemocray.org “As fewer giant corporations dominate both production and sales, our options - determinded by a powerful few - will be drastically reduced.”

Persian Green Mohair Fingerless Gloves by Love and Knit

Now consider my expericence shopping for fingerless gloves from small independent sellers. I typed fingerless gloves into the Etsy search box and came up with 21,619 items. While some of the shops have the same style/color limitations as “Big Box”, combined they created great diversity! I could chose from long, short, fold-over mitten, with buttons, without buttons, stripes, fancey, plain, men’s or women’s, natural or man made fibers. I narrowed my search further and found for example that just one of Tickled Pink Kint's 10 fingerless glove designs can be ordered in 16 different colors. (Sierra? Ruby Red? Sea Blue?).

The U.S. Small Business Administration says that the average American shopper will spend $704.18 on holiday gifts and seasonal merchandise this year. So while you’re making your list and checking it twice remember, each dollar is a vote for the kind of world you want. Vote wisely.

Fingerless gloves in Violet by DonataFelt

Ltd Edition Yellow Cashmere Frilled gloves by Ileaiye

Storm Warmers from InnerWild

Everyday Handmade: Centerpieces

Hello Hello! I hope you're enjoying your last week of this fine month of October! As we all continue to get ready for the coming holiday season, this installment of Everyday Handmade I'm rounding up creative centerpieces to give your table a festive handmade focal point! Here are four lovely dashes of brightness I discovered . . .

I love these Metal Flowers by Merritt Hyde. They would add a great glimmer of color to any table, and they never fade! Find them here.

This Porcelain Pomegranate Vase by New Moon Studio is so elegant and organic! I love the rich red color that really would add some pizazz to any dinner. Wouldn't it be especially great on your holiday table? And it's on sale! Find it here.

This set of three bone-white Limestone Tealight Candle Holders by Brooksbarrow would bring a pocket of peace to your party. And couldn't we all use a bit more peace around the holidays?! Find them here.

And last but not least, I love the woodsy feel of this Rustic Wood Tealight Holder with Snowflakes by Twigs and Blossoms. It makes me want to cozy up inside for a warm meal with family, and watch the snow fall. Find it here.

Thanks so much for looking. I hope these lovely handmade beauties add a little light to your day! Have a great week!

Everyday Handmade: Eating Together

The holiday season is on its way, and my personal favorite part is the chance to share good eats with my special favorite people. There's nothing that adds more flare to a good feast than beautiful serving and accent dishes, so for this installment of Everyday Handmade I've rounded up some beauties! Enjoy!

Doesn't this Stoneware Tapas Set from Glazed Over just make you want to have a tapas party? Let the pottery inspire your party! I can think of about a hundred other great uses for this set too! Find it here.

This Stacked Plates Set in Frost and White Porcelain by Suite One Studio would be the most stunning and whimsical way to put out good eats at a holiday party---and they'll match anything! And when you're not using them, they would be a gorgeous sculptural centerpiece. Just beautiful!

This Large Rectangular Deep Pear Platter from Romy and Clare just feels like fall and the time of bounty. I would love to have it on my Thanksgiving table! Find it here.

I can't imagine a better way to add a little fun and flair to appetizer time than with this Oh Deer 5 piece Appetizer Set by Just Mare. These plates are just darling, and they'll work for any season. Find them here.

Give little nibbles new life with this Celadon Green Lace Serving Set by Marci G. I love the texture of these plates and wouldn't they add a special bit of handmade elegance to any table? Find them here.

Here's to feasting and family time! I hope you enjoyed this round-up! Thanks for looking!

Everyday Handmade: Warm Wearables

Fall is my favorite season---there are the golden days with the beginning of a crispness, and the dark cold nights with a tinge of wood fire smell from any neighbor who might have a fireplace, and the chance to start bundling up again after the hot days of summer. It's not jacket weather quite yet in my town, but we're closing in, and with that comes the chance to stock up on beautiful handmade things that will keep you cozy. Today, for my Everyday Handmade series I'm rounding up some warm wearables---specifically scarves and such. Here we go . . .

First a perfect scarf for all seasons: This Grey Striped Linen Scarf/Shawl from SleeWay is just the ticket for Fall and beyond. And the striped gray will add a little something extra to any outfit while keeping the wind out. Find it and so many other beautiful linen scarves here.

Isn't this sweet little Bolero Scarf from Thread&etc? What a great way to warm up without having to wear a full coat or sweater! It would look cute with just about anything from a wintery dress to jeans. Find it here.

I love the elegance and playfulness of this Merino Wool Ruffle Shawl from Tickled Pink Knits. It's functional and has a little whimsy to it---my favorite combination. Find it here.

This Beehive Loop Scarf from Love and Knit will surely bring that warm cozy feeling to you every time you wear it with it's honey tones and big warmth, while adding a little pizazz to your cool weather outfit. Find it here.

Last but not least, I love the rustic chunky feeling of this Butterscotch Cowl from New Moon Crochet. It definitely makes the process of keeping your neck warm into a bright and happy opportunity. Find it here.

With so many options, how could you dare succumbing to a seasonal chill? I hope you enjoyed this warm and cozy round-up! Happy Fall!

Everyday Handmade: Happy Messages

Hello! I'm back with a new installment of Everyday Handmade! I love a happy inspirational message---a few feel good words sprinkled around your life can give you just the lift you need at just the right time. This week I rounded up a collection of happy feel-good handmade items by the lovely Artisans Gallery Teamers. I hope they inspire you and add a little smile to your day!

Wouldn't this "Bloom Little House Village" by The Little Red Door brighten up your windowsill or desk? I think we could all use a little more blooming in our lives. Find it here.

There's nothing greater than receiving a little inspiring message from a friend, and this "Just a Little Flower" Set of 6 Note Cards by Olive and Ruby is a beautiful example. Below the flower reads a quote by Hans Christian Anderson: " Just living is not enough said the butterfly. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower." That is a message I would love to send or receive in the mail! Find them here.

How could your day not be brighter if you start it with this "Good Day Sunshine To Go Cup Cozy" by KnitStorm. This is nothing but sweetness (and it gets The Beatles playing in my head)---and wouldn't it make a great gift!? Find it here.

And last but not least, with this "Star of Hope Totebag" by Bucktoothed Bunny every time you leave the house you can inspire yourself and everyone else you see---the star is made up of the word "hope" in all different languages of the world. Find it here.

Thanks lovely AG Teamers for making such inspired beautiful things! I hope you have a wonder-filled day!