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Etsy Find: Seward Handmade Table

CasaSugar — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 05:30:23 -0700

I look at furniture all day long, so it's rare when one piece brings me to a standstill. The Seward Handmade Table ($899) from Black Elm Woodworking did just that. This unique design, with its increased slat length towards the center of the table, is a clever update of the classic George Nelson design, and, in my opinion, an improvement. At 18 inches tall and three feet long, it's the perfect size for a small coffee table or accent table. Handmade from walnut and cherry, it's a striking, solid table that is a great investment piece.

Casa Verde: Handprinted Fabric From Home Sweet

CasaSugar — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 06:15:45 -0700

If your eye is tired of the same old fabric designs, then check out Home Sweet. This small textile design company is run by Jennifer Nelson out of her Delaware home, where she designs and then handblocks her fabric patterns. Specializing in hand-printed, environmentally friendly fabrics and home goods, Home Sweet's designs are fresh and modern, with a dash of retro charm.

Explaining her design philosophy, Jennifer notes, "It's a labor of love, because it takes a lot more time to make something than it does to buy it, but I’m motivated by the finished projects. They’re organic and beautiful, and the fact that I’ve invested myself in them gives them roots."

Want to see more of Home Sweet's designs? Then read more.

Home Sweet’s patterns are printed on a 55 percent hemp/45 percent organic cotton blend fabric that has a natural color for its background. The fabric's weight is best suited for use in upholstery, pillow covers, drapes, totes, and other home-related projects. Jennifer uses eco-friendly water-based inks for her patterns, which may fade in time. If you're concerned about this possibility, you may want to dry clean (at an eco-friendlier dry cleaner, of course) your fabrics.

If you have a specific fabric use or pattern in mind, you can contact Jennifer to commission a project, or to refine your idea. And if you see something you like, check out Home Sweet's Etsy shop to make a purchase.

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Open House: Handmade Presents For the Holidays

CasaSugar — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:00:30 -0800

This weekend was a big craft push for me. I sewed pillows, aprons, and bags. I strained infused oils made from garden herbs and turned them into hand salve, and I also worked on some embroidery. It wasn't so much a relaxing weekend as it was a furiously productive one, but I feel relieved to have a good number of my handmade presents ready for wrapping.
Last year, 25 percent of you told me that you were making holiday gifts. That's a pretty big number! This year, are you doing the same? If you've never made handmade gifts in the past, are you doing so this year? Tell me about all of the projects that you have in the works, that you hope to still start, and which ones you've finished. Anyone have a brilliant idea for last-minute craft projects? Share them with the rest of us in the comments!

Home Library: Handmade Hellos

CasaSugar — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:00:30 -0800

Signed, sealed, and delivered from the ladies of Hello!Lucky letterpress, the new how-to book Handmade Hellos ($19.95) gives rebirth to a long-lost craft: card making. It's one thing to hand write a note in today's world of email, SMS, MMS, IM, BBM, etc. - a good thing. But to forgo Papyrus and make a card by hand shows nonpareil thoughtfulness. Thanks to this delightful book, which is a compilation of over 25 projects from today's most talented card makers, you can choose your own level of thoughtfulness: basic (30 minutes or less), moderate (two hours or less), or advanced (an afternoon). For a handsome catch you're trying to impress, this volume will show you how to silk-screen a wooden card reading, "Wood You Be My Valentine?" For a quick but humorous birthday card, you can make a cocktail hour card using vintage photographs and a wry one-liner. Straightforward instructions make even the advanced projects unintimidating, and ready-to-use patterns cut out the creativity requirement for those of you who aren't artistes. But perhaps most notably, after page after page of adorable illustrations and cheerful designs, you won't want to say goodbye to Handmade Hellos.

Gift Guide: Handmade Gifts For Indie Girls

CasaSugar — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 05:30:19 -0800

Last year, many of you told me that you were making or buying handmade gifts. Many of you also took the handmade pledge. So, if you're in the market for a one-of-a-kind gift for a special someone in your circle of friends, I thought I'd round up some of the best handmade gifts I've come across, using, of course, my favorite purveyor of everything DIY and handmade, Etsy.
These gifts are great choices for all of your independent-minded, design-savvy friends and family members who are looking for something as unique as they are this holiday season.

To see my handmade finds, read more.

There are a lot more where these came from, so visit Etsy or your local arts and craft fair for more great holiday gift ideas. And make sure to check out HolidaySugar for all of our holiday coverage.

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Etsy Find: Mix Tape Kitchen Towel

CasaSugar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 04:30:07 -0700

If, like me, you have fond teen memories of the beloved mix tape, then you might find yourself breathing a nostalgic sigh at the sight of this Mix Tape Kitchen Towel ($9.50). Each 100 perent cotton flower sack kitchen towel is silk screened with a print of a large mix tape in blue ink. Since each one is screened by hand, yours will be unique, just like that mix tape from 1992 that your first high school boyfriend passed to you in the hall between Algebra I and AP Biology.

Are You Giving Handmade This Holiday Season?

CasaSugar — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 11:00:52 -0800

Stephanie DosReis, a.k.a. A Little Deer, took the handmade pledge and decided to make this beautiful quilt for her son Gabe. It's adorned with a nice mix of blue and green patches, some bird silhouette appliqués, and a sweet pair of words, "Keep Warm."

I love that the quilt is handmade; it's a thoughtful and unique gift that her son will be sure to cherish for years to come. Will you be making or buying gifts this holiday season?
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Ann Wood's Adorable Handmade Cake Toppers

YumSugar — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 11:58:31 -0700

Every now and again I will find a product that stops me in my tracks, takes my breath away, or makes me squeal a super-high pitched "I neeeeeeds it!"

Well, these little birdie wedding cake toppers by Ann Wood actually made me do all three. Made from mostly vintage fabrics, trims and laces (including some from old too fragile to wear wedding dresses), these little birds will look absolutely darling on top of your wedding cake. They're handmade, and each set is pretty unique, she even does different variations - the standard bride/groom, as well as bride/bride and groom/groom versions. Each set is absolutely amazing and will look great on just about any wedding cake. However, since they're so unique and personal (she can actually do custom orders incorporating your own fabric and ideas), be prepared to spend a little bit of money on them - the sets start at $240 and top off at $400. But it's your big day and you're worth it, aren't you?

Source: Oh Joy!

New Product Alert! Beantown Handmade Neck Warmers

PetSugar — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 10:00:30 -0700

I already fell in love with Beantown Handmade's adorable doggie caps, but I can't imagine North getting much use out of one, save an awesome photo op. However, my sneak peek at their Fall Neck Warmers has me wondering if my pooch has a cold neck?! I consider myself way up there in the pet pampering department, and don't want my lil boy to be chilly.

Modeled by cute pup Bean, there's a Homecoming Night version ($16) on the left and an organic cotton one ($18) on the right. Yet, hands down (and necks covered), my personal favorite is The Shakespeare - it was created since their Boston would hide behind human legs on wintery walks, and has a limited-time price of $14 with eight colors to choose from. Guess that doggie scarf trend isn't going away anytime soon!

Handmade Jig Shirts Are a Perfect Fit For City Kids

LilSugar — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 10:00:00 -0700

City slickers unite with these adorable customized onesie gift packs created by Etsy-seller Handmade Jig ($32). Choose three designs from your favorite American cities including New York, San Francisco, Dallas, Seattle, Los Angeles and Chicago and Alyssa Coberly will add your lil one's name to the graphic, transfer the image to a 100% cotton garment, package it up in a wooden box and ship it off with a bow on top. The sets make great gifts for tots with relatives scattered throughout the country and can simply state the name of the city they showcase if you choose not to place a name on them. Coberly also creates similar sets with hat designs, zoo animals or castles and donates $1 from each order to Save the Children.