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
