CasaSugar

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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New and Noteworthy: Poppytalk Handmade Online Virtual Street Market

CasaSugar — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 09:30:00 -0700

Poppytalk goes live today with Poppytalk Handmade, the first online virtual street market, curated by Poppytalk. The market will last one month, and will showcase handmade and vintage goods from 75 international emerging designers and artists. This month's designers come from everywhere from Paris to Israel, South Africa, the US, Canada, England, and beyond. The market will offer details and enlarged views of the products, and will also direct customers to the vendor's online shop (be it etsy, mintd, dawanda, or other) with just the click of a "buy" button. I can feel my wallet getting lighter already!

Etsy Finds: Talking Turkey

CasaSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:00:13 -0800

Whether you're eating the classic Thanksgiving bird next Thursday, or just want to add a kitschy reminder of it at your celebration, I've found plenty of ways to talk turkey this Thanksgiving - and all of those ways are handmade, of course!

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Roundup: Designer Ornaments

CasaSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:00:22 -0800

It's no wonder that these three Mouthblown Glass Bell Ornaments ($30-45) are drop-dead gorgeous: they were designed this year for the MoMa by none other than world-renowned industrial designer Eva Zeisel - who turned 103 years old last week! I'm absolutely in love with them. I almost feel guilty for owning drugstore variety ornaments. I think there should be a balance though; a few basic ball ornaments mixed with handmade and designer ones sounds like a ideal balance to me. To give your tree that luxury art element, I've rounded up a few more designer ornaments for you.

Michael Aram - $39.00	Jonathan Adler Pop Bird Ornament - $28.00
Kimberly Wolcott - $48.00	Jay Strongwater - $125.00
Jonathan Adler Dove Ornament - $24.00	Kimberly Wolcott Amazing Love Christmas Ornament - $45.00
Michael Aram Golden Pear Ornament - $39.00	Arthur Court Christmas Ornament, 2.5" Peace Symbol - $20.00
Jonathan Adler Pop Giraffe Ornament - $28.00	Michael Aram - bellflower ornament by michael aram - $29.00
Michael Aram Pine Cone Ornament - $39.00