I 💗making simple little things but I am also drawn to the handmade treasures that others create. Handcrafted things appeal to me because they can be well-made, unique, detailed, thoughtful and very beautiful.
Simple and useful rope baskets.
(from this Women's Creative Centre)
A sweetly scented lavender sachet.
(I 💜 the way an old doily has been used to make this.)
(I 💜 the way an old doily has been used to make this.)
A beautiful little ceramic bell.
(made by Kylie of Paper Boat Press)
While I try to make most of the gifts our family gives to those in our lives whom we adore, there are times when I will choose something a local crafter has made to either give instead or to augment my own handmade gift. The simple rope baskets in the first photo will hold some of my handmade washcloths come Christmas time.
Typically, the handmade things I buy are not things I know how to make myself or they are little things that spark an idea. I bought the the little lavender sachet in the second photo because of the way the maker has re-purposed an old doily. I love using old linens and doilies in the things I make too so on my sewing table at the moment is the beginnings of a pincushion inspired by this little lavender sachet.
Typically, the handmade things I buy are not things I know how to make myself or they are little things that spark an idea. I bought the the little lavender sachet in the second photo because of the way the maker has re-purposed an old doily. I love using old linens and doilies in the things I make too so on my sewing table at the moment is the beginnings of a pincushion inspired by this little lavender sachet.
Supporting the makers in my community has led me away from that which is mass produced to that which is crafted locally. It keeps more of my $ in my local community and helps to ensure that the markets and little shops, that expand my shopping choices in my local area, continue to survive and hopefully thrive. It connects me to the creative folk who craft these lovely things. The sweet handmade bell, in the third photo, is a special farewell gift for someone very dear. It was made by a local ceramicist and poet, Kylie Johnson, who is not only incredibly talented but a most lovely and gentle soul too. When I dropped in to her little shop, we had a long, wide-ranging conversation of a kind that is not possible with oneself at the self-serve checkout of a large retail chain.
I noticed, while out and about on the weekend, that Christmas trinkets are beginning to appear in some shops now. I really think this happens earlier every year! I still have a lot of my own Xmas crafting to do (I always seem to get behind with it) but I am happy to have a few handmade gifts, made by others, to give this year too.
Meg
Very pretty! I think we are living in a time when many women are marketing and selling their creations! I notice it more in rural areas. Andrea
ReplyDeleteI agree, Andrea. I think that there is much more interest again now in crafts such as knitting, crocheting, sewing, weaving and so on. I think this is a wonderful thing because it means there are people also wanting to learn those skills too, like me! Meg:)
DeleteI love supporting handmade crafters too. Everything has character and is so much more unique than something you get at the big chain shops. I remember when I tried my hand at embroidery, I would make small groups of flowers or motifs to try different stitches, then cut them out into circles and stitch them onto fabric to make lavender sachets. I still get a kick every time I see them in my drawers. xx Susan
ReplyDeleteYour little lavender sachets sound lovely, Susan. I think handmade things have a special quality about them too. Meg)
DeleteI love handmade items. They can be more expensive than mass produced items, but I think they are unique.
ReplyDeleteThe lavender sachet is very pretty. :)
I think the lavender sachet is so sweet, Nil, and it smells divine! I keep a lookout for inexpensive handmade items. Two of the little rope baskets cost less that $8 each and the little sachet was only $5. Meg:)
DeleteI was here reading this post when I got email notification that you had left a comment on my latest. That gave me a smile. :)
ReplyDeleteI love those rope baskets! And I have a lot of vintage embroidered linens that I need to find some way to use; the sachet is so sweet. We are doing a handmade Christmas this year. I just received a pattern book in the mail yesterday. It thrills me no end, and I want to share it on my blog, but then my daughter would no what she's getting for Christmas! :)
I like visiting your blog, Kath. I was looking at your handmade cards this morning:) Luckily, many people who I give gifts too don't read my blog so I can safely post about the things I make or buy for them. Meg:)
DeleteMeg, Maria has a question for you on my blog about doilies if you want to get in contact with her. I love handmade gifts. Some of the stores have had Christmas decorations etc, on sale for weeks now. Why I don't know ;-)
ReplyDeleteOh, thanks for letting me know, Chel. I'll pop over and read her question shortly. I think Xmas shenanigans get earlier every year. Must be fierce competition for our Xmas $. Meg
DeleteWhat lovely purchases, don't you love how supporting a local crafter can then spark your own creativity.
ReplyDeleteI recently bought a knitting project bag that was a perfect size and quite unique, it was so useful I decided to make some myself in different sizes and now I am enjoying making them for gifts .So much fun to stash dive in the fabric cupboard and choose something relevant to a friend.
Anything you aren't really sure about with construction, sequence or special touches can be found on Utube.
What fun.
Project bags make such lovely gifts, don't they! I have a couple of beautiful stitched project bags, by Melissa Wastney of tiny happy, and I now make my own too from the pattern in her book. I just get so inspired by the creativity of other people. I love too that such gifts can be made from beautiful and simple natural materials. Meg:)
DeleteI love those rope baskets and all the little handmade things you have chosen.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathy. I think the recipients will love them too. Meg:)
DeleteI love all these little treasures you've found Meg, but especially the bell. I usually buy a bell when I travel, as a memento. On another note, I accidentally deleted the comment you left on my latest post....fat finger syndrome.....so thanks for visiting, and I agree, rooms with a view are so nice for relaxing in, and I love my lounge room.
ReplyDeleteThe bell is just exquisite, Nanette! It sounds beautiful too. Choosing a bell from the places you visit sounds like a lovely tradition. Meg:)
DeleteI think who ever receives those gifts will be very happy, they are all lovely. You're right about Christmas happening earlier every year, my daughter works for one of the big retail chains and they started putting out Christmas items in the second week of September, it's ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteI think it's ridiculous too, Jan. It just reflects how commercialised Xmas has become here. Meg
DeleteOh, those are all such pretty things. Wonderful post, Meg. That's wonderful that you support the crafters and make so many of your own gifts, as well. The most popular gift that I make is soap. It's funny to me. Everybody uses it and loves it, though.
ReplyDeleteI find that people love to receive soap, Stephenie. The ones you make are lovely and would have that handmade quality that is so different to mass produced products. Meg ☺
DeleteThose handmade items are lovely! It's so nice of you to support local crafters!
ReplyDeleteI think it is important to support local crafters if you can so that their skills and talents are valued. By selling their wares, they offer an alternative and I appreciate that diversity. Meg ☺
DeleteThose items were certainly made with a lot of care. I'm all for supporting local businesses too. The most interesting item we've ever purchased was from a local Alpaca farm. It was many Christmases ago, when our daughter was much younger. It was an alpaca, made from real alpaca fur. It was about the size of a standard teddy, and so incredibly soft. She loved it. They didn't have many for sale, as alpaca wool was their main business.
ReplyDeleteThe little alpaca sounds like such a unique gift, Chris. I love the way little local businesses can come up with really interesting and different ways to use their resources. Meg:)
DeleteHandmade items are unique and it helps the local people, Etsy has some lovely things on there.
ReplyDeleteEtsy does have some very lovely things, Marlene. I have purchased some items from there but not for a long time now because I've been trying to find things in my local area. Meg:)
DeleteI too try and avoid the mass produced items from the larger stores, local is always the best and you can be sure you can purchase something pretty and oh so very different.
ReplyDeleteI love that handmade things are that bit different, Marlene. It's nice to give things like that to friends and family. Meg:)
DeleteWhat lovely items! I used to visit a lot of local shops with handmade items when I was younger, with my mother. She also loves those kinds of items. Sadly, I don't get to many of those kinds of shops these days- for me, it's mainly grocery stores, the occasional thrift shop, and sometimes big box stores (for things like cat litter). Gift giving is usually handmade items (handmade by me!) and things I can scrounge up secondhand in good condition. But now you've got me thinking about when my life slows down a bit, that handmade by others is the way to go. I like that. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Stephanie. For me, it's a combination of things. I make many of the gifts we give but I also buy little handmade things made by other people. I really enjoy making things myself but sometimes I run out of time. Meg:)
DeleteI totally agree Meg. There are so many wonderful crafters out there and we too like to support them. Handmade things are so lovely to receive... they speak of love and time given up in the making of the item.
ReplyDeleteI think many people love to receive handmade gifts, Cherie. I make lots of washcloths and they are always well received. Meg:)
DeleteHi Meg yes i like to support crafters as well ,and to be honest i think you cant beat a handmade item thats made with love,hope you have a wonderful week my friend xx
ReplyDeleteI think handmade items are the best too, Shez. Have a lovely week too! Meg☺
DeleteSome beautiful things, I love the repurposed doily too xx
ReplyDeleteI love repurposing doilies, Cheryl. They are often just a dollar or two at op-shops and are so pretty. Meg:)
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