Hello, I'm Handmade! • a blog that spotlights the best of handmade. art, and vintage.

Reset Reality: Abstract Figure Art and Bird Illustrations by Vanessa Lee

April 10, 2015April 8, 2015 by HelloImHandmade

Reset Reality: Artwork by Vanessa Lee on www.HelloImHandmade.com

invest in Alcoa shares After graduating from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Vanessa Lee experienced some success selling her art in craft shows around the city. But it wasn’t until her move to New York City, and working 70 hours a week in two part-time jobs, she realized she needed to pick up her creative practice again; “I opened up my Etsy shop in 2012. The first day, I listed 16 paintings and didn’t expect much to happen… But two months later, someone bought six paintings and my jaw dropped. There’s been a huge learning curve to build the business up, and every sale that comes in, I call it a small success. I still work two jobs, seven days, but the circumstances behind my schedule are much more conducive to running a small business, painting and being creative. Sometimes I feel like the busiest person on the planet, but it’s because I have a dream and I want to see it to fruition.”

Vanessa’s work is unique and filled with juxtapostion: from her highly detailed bird illustrations, to her abstract figure art. She started selling her work on Etsy because “Having an outlet to present and sell my creative works on my own terms, without going through a gallery or the hoops of the art world really appeals to me. To be a successful artist, one must learn how to wear many hats and have multiple venues to sell the work. In addition to selling on Etsy, I participate in many local craft fairs and enjoy talking to people about what I do in person. Right now, I am in the middle of research of what my next step should be…”

It’s always nice to hear about other couples that work together (my fiance and I do, too), so I love that Vanessa added, “My partner, who has been with me through thick and thin for the last eight years, has supported me throughout my creative career. He also has a small business going on Etsy, shoofish.etsy.com which I assist in managing. Having two creative people in a relationship can have its ups and downs, but I think in the end the results are rewarding.” Indeed!

I, for one, am looking forward to seeing what those next steps are. Here is just a small sample of Vanessa’s paintings:

invest in Alcoa shares in Hong Kong You can also find Vanessa on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Fresh Bib – reversible bandana bibs

April 9, 2015April 6, 2015 by HelloImHandmade

I love the concept of Fresh Bib; each month they deliver a reversible bandana bib straight to your home, in a fresh and modern print. Shipping is always free, and they stop when your baby stops drooling! And Fresh Bib was started in a way almost any new mom can relate to: a free, quiet moment in the shower led to this genius idea. Brooke explains, “When I had my boys, the first several months were insanely hard. The best thing about those months were baby snuggles, naps and free meals with a side of hugs from friends. I had an etsy shop selling bibs and my husband was shooting promos and product stills for a subscription sock company. I was in the shower one day (where all good ideas are born) and thought, what about a bib subscription that also encourages mamas? Happy mail to bring smiles to their days?! That was it… Fresh BiB was born.”

Brooke also explained her long family history of seamstresses, and how she even used a part of her mother’s wedding dress for her own. When I asked why handmade is so important to her, she replied, “Handmade items have love poured into them. Someone has chosen to take their time – when there are SO many other things they could be doing these days – to make that item. It has a story. It captures a moment in time. It’s a giving. I love the handmade craft movement that is taking place right now. Having a trade or a skill that can never be taken from you, even if the market crashes, is a gift and an art no matter the end product.” Indeed.

Alcoa shares When you visit their web site, you can really feel the inspiration behind one of the stand out details in all of their reversible bandana bibs: “We use green thread and green snaps on ALL of our bibs. It’s our version of clouds with silver linings. We want to remind mamas that everyday is a fresh new start. We all need that little reminder once in a while.”

Fresh Bib reversible bandana bibs on www.HelloImHandMade.com

Watch this quick video to see real moms and their impressions of Fresh Bib:

You can also find Fresh Bib on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

Stellar Designs Jewelry: because everyone deserves a stellar piece of jewelry

April 8, 2015April 2, 2015 by HelloImHandmade

Like many small business, Stellar Designs jewelry started off as a hobby, simply two girls, actually sisters, making jewelry for themselves. And just a like a small business fairy tale, making jewelry for ourselves turned itself miraculously into a successful and thriving small business! Cheryl (one of the sisters behind Stellar Designs jewelry) told me, “My sister and I wanted to make a unique piece of jewelry, our first aluminum wire necklace! Once we started wearing them, our friends and family wanted some too…then it just snowballed from there! We say that our business just like a little fairy tale!” I love stories like that.

One of Cheryl’s most cherished items growing up was a hand knitted afghan from her grandmother (who actually made one for each of her 22 grandchildren!), and she believes things made by hand are special because it “gives that extra care and love into each piece. Handmade pieces have a special “energy” that commercially pieces just don’t have!”

Luckily these two sisters love spending time together, “We get to create pieces together, and also attend trade shows together, too! Trade shows are by far our favorite time together…We get to meet and be inspired by all of our fabulous customers, and it’s an opportunity for us to dress the same and be goofy sisters, too!”

Their love and enthusiasm really shows: from their energy to their web site, and especially in the pieces they create. Take a look:

Chevron necklace from Stellar Designs Jewelry

Long rectangle earrings from Stellar Designs Jewelry

Stacking custom name rings from Stellar Designs Jewelry

You can also find Stellar Designs on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Just showing a little handmade love…

April 6, 2015March 31, 2015 by HelloImHandmade

It’s no secret, I love handmade! And I truly feel honored to hear, and share, the stories from so many people who take their time and talents to make things by hand. So I just had to share a little handmade love. Just sayin’.

Monicas Mats: Handmade Waterproof Baby Change and Play Mats

April 4, 2015March 18, 2015 by HelloImHandmade

If you’re looking for a stylish gift for a new mom, Monica’s Mats has your answer. These handmade play mats (that can also be used for diaper changes) have modern, cool prints, and are waterproof! Take them to the park, the living room, grandma and grandpa’s house… Wherever you go! These mats are lined with 100% cotton, offering soft padding for your little ones. The waterproof interior is easy to wipe clean but also durable to withstand machine washing and play time.

Monica’s Mats on Hello, I’m Handmade!

You can also find Monica’s Mats on Instagram and Facebook.

cAperture – Fine Art Photographs

March 31, 2015March 28, 2015 by HelloImHandmade

Not only does Jenessa, from cAperture, create beautiful fine art photographs from travel to landscapes, but she started her business like many of us do – in uncertainty. ” For me, it began as an off-handed comment from a friend: ‘Are you going to become a photographer? You should.’ It had never crossed my mind to take something I did purely from the love of photographs an make it into a business. I had always thought that photography and the arts weren’t something I could ever get into; that I’d ever be creative enough for. ‘Only one in a million are successful’ were my usual thoughts. However, those words, ‘You should’ kept rolling and rolling around in my head. I did my research, and took a leap. Here I am, taking my one in a million shot and going for the dream – and loving every minute.”

When I asked her about what her favorite part of being in business for herself was, she replied, “The thing I enjoy most about being in business is the unexpected creativity that business requires. How to present my photos, how to market my photos, how to ship my photos; all takes thought, creativity, and planning. It’s fulfilling to know that I put myself out there; that the choices I make, good or bad, are my choices and created by me.”

When we talked about the importance of handmade, Jenessa brought up the fact that her items are more “eye made.” I love that idea, and it’s so true! “Making things by hand is important because it fosters creativity, uniqueness, and variety, which otherwise might disappear in a world of 50 billion necklaces that look exactly like that, or 50 billion photos that look exactly like this. My work is less handmade and more ‘eye-made’ what I make comes from my eyes and mind and it is how I see the world, it isn’t how anyone else sees it- it is only mine. Your vision would be different and that diversity is a good thing.”

Her photographs really do stand out. Here are just a few examples, so you can see what I mean:

cAperture Brooklyn Bridge fine art photography on www.HelloImHandmade.com

cAperture French Bulldog fine art photography on www.HelloImHandmade.com

cAperture Venice fine art travel photography on www.HelloImHandmade.com

You can also find cAperture on Instagram and Facebook.

Reverie Drift: handmade leather goods

March 29, 2015March 30, 2015 by HelloImHandmade

I love the laid-back, boho flavor of the handmade leather goods at Reverie Drift. Lauren Brothers, the owner, designer and maker there, moved from NY to L.A., and “fell in love with the endless summer and the spirit of the slower paced city.”

Lauren started Reverie Drift because “As a costume designer and a stylist I realized I had a unique voice that I wanted to share that the medium of the film industry didn’t really allow. I have a BFA in Fiber Art/Textile Studies so my education allowed the leap from stylist to starting this business making handmade products an easy one.” Plus, she adds “I love creating and having the freedom to explore and develop my own designs but I mostly love sharing my vision with my community. I have always made my own clothes and accessories and people are always saying “I could never pull that off” I just don’t believe in those limits- we should all feel free to express ourselves in any way we want, sharing products to motivate self expression- that’s such a thrill!”

When I asked her why she thinks making things by hand is important, Lauren replied “It’s incredibly empowering to be able to take my personal vision and be able to manifest it into reality. The ability to create something unique and with quality is so gratifying. And then to share it, that’s such a reward! I believe that the energy I put into each piece stays with that piece and when you buy my product, you become part of a story. That just doesn’t happen at the mall. I am so grateful that working with my hands is second nature. It’s really amazing that the handmade culture is coming back, like a new old tradition.”

The Reverie Drift Collection is inspired by and made for the wanderers out there who are following their reveries and drifting through a beautiful life. Here are just a few of Lauren’s handmade leather goods…

Bohemian style envelope clutch from the Reverie Drift Collection on HelloImHandmade.com

Bucket style purse from the Reverie Drift Collection on HelloImHandmade.com

Bohemian style pouch purse from the Reverie Drift Collection on HelloImHandmade.com

You can also find Reverie Drift on Etsy, Instagram, tumblr, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

JeannieRichard: beaded and chainmaille jewelry

March 27, 2015March 24, 2015 by HelloImHandmade

Husband and wife team Jeannie and Richard from JeannieRichard know a thing or two about being in business – they’ve had a design SOHO since 2002. But it was a “yearning of returning to create with our hands” that lead them to start making beaded and chainmaille jewelry as a creative outlet. And creativity is important to the duo, “Answering to no one but to ourselves is definitely a big plus point for any creative. Especially when we are designing jewelry in our style for a wide audience and not to a specific client. This allows us to be free with our creative processes.”

They both had a lover of handmade, early on, “Growing up as a child to teenager hood, all my clothes were designed and sewn by my mother who studied fashion and was the envy of all my friends as I always wore OOAK of styles. I appreciated this very much and understood the effort and pride in every piece being created with much care and love. And for Richard, his first handmade item was a handcrafted classical guitar as he majored in music as a classical guitarist… nothing beats a handcrafted musical instrument, the imperfect beauty and sweet tones that were intended by the maker makes every guitar unique, no two are the same.”

Jeannie, answering these questions with a toddler afoot, added, “An item that is made by hand and with love imbues into the item a soul, that gives the item so much character, and sometimes even personality than those that are factory manufactured. And most importantly, supporting handmade items means supporting the makers – when you buy from us, know that you are not helping some CEO buy a new vacation home, or luxury vehicle.” I couldn’t agree more! Buying handmade means making a real difference in the lives of the makers. Plus, their jewelry is just so very pretty!

JeannieRichard beaded and chainmaille jewelry on HelloImHandmade.com

You can also find JeannieRichard on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

With Good Intention: yoga jewelry with purpose

March 26, 2015March 19, 2015 by HelloImHandmade

Kathleen Sweeney is the owner and designer of With Good Intention where she creates inspirational and yoga inspired handmade jewelry that is designed to carry with it both intention and meaning.   Her pieces are created with a variety of natural gemstones and vibrantly colored silk thread to create unique pieces that serve as beautiful reminders of the intentions we carry within us.

When I asked Kathleen what her favorite thing about being in business for yourself is, she replied, “My favorite thing about owning my own business is the sense of satisfaction I feel when I know my customers are happy. I love interacting with people while learning about their unique stories. I find it very inspiring. I also feel as though I have the freedom to create and thrive in an environment that brings me peace and a sense of independence.”

And why I asked her why she feels making hey yoga jewelry by hand is important, she told me, “In my opinion handmade items are invaluable. They showcase an artistry and craftsmanship that you just do not receive with mass produced objects. The individual who makes something handmade invests time, effort and lots of heart into his or her creations. I find it extremely inspiring that one can imagine something into existence by taking an idea and forging something beautiful out of it.”

Take a look at some of her beautiful yoga jewelry creations here…

With Good Intention, handmade jewelry on HelloImHandmade.com

Grey Feldspar and Rose Quartz beaded Mala with Pink Silk Tassel from With Good Intention

Hamsa Bracelets from With Good Intention

Black Obsidian, Fucshia Magnesite, and Grey Feldspar Necklace from With Good Intention

You can also find With Good Intention on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Finkie Futon: Storage for Your Fluffy Stuff!

March 25, 2015March 19, 2015 by HelloImHandmade

Susan Fink is the creator/designer of the Finkie Futon and the Finkie Pillow: Storage for Fluffy Stuff. The Finkie Futon is a storage solution for parents and a kid lounger in one! Parents can fill it up with stuffed animals, bedding, and pillows, and kids love having their own colorful floor lounger. It’s perfect for watching tv and reading in a reading nook.

Susan designed them in 2013 when she noticed her kids had too many stuffed animals and they needed more storage space for blankets and pillows. In her words, “I was overwhelmed with the amount of stuffed animals we had and all our bedding wouldn’t fit in our tiny linen closet. Most kids seem to have an attachment to their stuffed animals. I told myself, “I’m probably not the only parent with this problem!” I saw how much my kids loved the first finkie futon and I wanted to help other parents by offering this storage solution to them. I love multipurpose things so it had to look good, solve a problem, and be something fun for the kids! I gained more closet space, a comfy place for my kids to relax, and I now have less stress from seeing less clutter, haha!”

Making things by hand runs in her family, too, “When I was a little girl, I watched my grandma sew everyday. I sketched an apron with ruffles and pockets and asked her to make it for me. She made it exactly like I had asked and I was so happy to wear it everyday. It was so meaningful to me since it was handmade, with love, by my grandma.” She continues the tradition in her own way, “Making things by hand is so important because each item is unique. There’s something special knowing that it was also made just for you. With my finkie products, kids love designing their own pillows and blankets. I’m so touched that they even wait patiently for the mail for their pillows and blankies to arrive!”

It’s really a genius solution to common storage issues for families. Susan will even custom make them to match your own home decor. And, use coupon code FREESHIPFUTON for free shipping!

Finkie Futon: Storage for Your Fluffy Stuff!

Finkie Pillow: Storage for Your Fluffy Stuff!

Finkie Futon: Storage for Your Fluffy Stuff!

You can also find Finkie Futon on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google+.

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