Heartful Handmade Blog

dagmar designs beautiful handmade cotton storage bins

This recent Etsy Blog post on jewelry boxes gave me the idea of featuring some handmade storage containers.  Spring has sprung and the best way to start spring cleaning is to get rid of the clutter.  I'm no expert on cleaning or clutter clearing, but I can write the book when it comes to stashing things away in pretty boxes and baskets.  So that will be my contribution to your clutter clearing efforts.  I'll find some really nice storage containers and you figure out what to put in them.

This lovely storage bin by Dagmar is made from 100% organic cotton canvas.  And Dagmar hand painted the pretty field flowers design using a non-toxic ink.  This is a made-to-order bin, so you have some customization options available.  For example, you can request a different lining color.  Or you can request that a tag be added so the bin can be hung from a hook.  At 6 inches tall, this bin is suitable for storing small items.  But Dagmar has several sizes of bins in her shop, and she has lots of equally beautiful designs.  And Dagmar is also open to custom orders, so don't be shy about letting her know what will work best for you.  All it takes is an email message to Dagmar to get your clutter clearing ball rolling.  And besides lots of lovely handmade storage bins, Dagmar also has pillows and housewares and more.  So be sure to check out the rest of her shop, too.

lightening bolt cufflinks say it large in a small way

These lightening bolt cufflinks are a sure-fire way to make a big statement in a fun and (kinda) subtle way.  They were made by Jennifer at Nostalgic Links, where you'll find an impressive array of unusual handmade cufflinks. This shop is worth a visit with the holidays coming up, because just browsing its extensive selection of links gives you a burst of creative-gifts-for-guys ideas. Whether he's into sports, travel, nature, card games, or just plain fun, you'll find something unique and perfectly on-spot at Nostalgic Links. Jennifer's handmade cufflinks are original, they're well made, and they're very reasonably priced.  So I suggest you click on over to Nostalgic Links and check them all out for yourself.  These lightening bolt cufflinks are $24.95.

little boxes of handmade silver poppies for you ears

These wonderful little silver earrings were made by Joelle, the prolific artist behind June Designs in Montreal. They're called Poppies in a Box and are a little over a half inch square.  The asymmetrical design makes these earrings perfect unmatched matches, with the lucky wearer becoming an important part of the artistic display.  And you'll find lots more cool jewelry in Joelle's very well stocked shop.  There are more earrings, necklaces, and lots of rings.  Most are silver or gold, and there are a few very nice crystal pieces.  There's also a charming pearl bracelet and a stunning diamond ring.  Joelle also does custom work, so click on over to June Designs and check it all out for yourself.  These earrings are $122.

a scarf that's a trip to the beach

Long, flowing scarves are a staple in any serious wardrobe.  That's because they bring a sense of high style to pretty much anything:  Jeans, dresses, coats, jackets, whatever you're wearing gets kicked up a notch or two with the addition of a nice full nicely made scarf.  Like this nice big beach of a scarf.  It's 21 x 90 inches of thin tie dyed cotton in varying shades of pale green that remind me of the colors of water and foam and sun and sand at Carmel beach at high noon in July.  And the leather lasso that comes with it adds a bit of the rocks and surrounding cypress trees.  The set is available from Scout and Catalogue in Toronto, where you'll find plenty more nice big scarves, along with some very nice bags.  So click on over and check out Scout and Catalogue now.  This scarf and leather lasso set is $118.

lovely earrings to change your outlook on life

Kerri Hale loves working with crystals, especially sparkling faceted ones.  And prehnite is clearly a favorite of hers because she has lots of beautiful designs that make use of this wonderful green stone.  Prehnite is thought to have protective and healing qualities, and the ability to help in a search for inner truth.  Rose quartz is thought to help open the heart and to bring more love into one's life, and both stones are supposed to help you move beyond old hurts and pain.  If there's any truth to these beliefs, then these lovely prehnite and rose quartz earrings carry a great deal of mystical power to bring the wearer more harmony, peace, and love.  But, even if it's all hogwash, their beauty alone is well worth their $38 price.  You'll find lots more beautiful (and possibly life changing) jewelry in Kerri Hale's online shop. 

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Kerri Hale is also in Handmade Lookup.

sweet and charming steampunk necklace

There's something sweet about this necklace created from a watch face, dial, gears, wheels and cogs.  These vintage parts, along with the added bee and Swarovski crystals give it a sense of having floated in from another world and time.  Nice.  It's from the Calgary shop A Second Time, where you'll find lots of beautiful and interesting creations  made from vintage watch parts and other repurposed materials.  But, if one grabs your fancy, you'd better grab it.  Because they're all one-of-a-kind.   This one is $45.00.

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A Second Time is also in Handmade Lookup.

unusual sterling silver ruffles for your ears

These are fun earrings.  They're hand-cut sterling silver ruffles that measure 1-1/2 inches, including the shephard hooks.  These charming beauties were created by Zoe at Sleepy Moon Design, in Vancouver, Canada.  This shop is chock full of unusual, interesting, and very beautiful jewelry.  These are $45.00.

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And, while we're on the subject, please check out my recently curated collection of silver earrings.  If I'd known about Zoe then, her shop would have been included too.

this bright yellow felt brooch won't wilt

This bright felt black-eyed susan brooch is a perfect way to carry summer cheer all through fall and winter.  At three inches across, it's big enough to make a statement.  And the shiny black faceted glass button in the center adds a bit of punch.  I like the contrast of its almost formal bearing against the more casual looking yellow felt.  It's maker, AllSortsStudio in Toronto, has a nice collection of unusual felt brooches for sale.  This one is $14.00.

personal hiding places in recycled books

The Book Box Company, on Vancouver Island in Canada, users recycled books to create storage boxes for personal items like jewelry, passports, or important documents.  They somehow harden the pages into a solid mass which they then hollow out through a machining process. The finished product uses the top cover as a box lid.  Book Boxes come in a range of sizes from small to XX-large and a wide variety of titles, from classics to contemporary novels.

I've long used books to store thin paper documents, but this is a cool way to extend bookshelf storage to things with a bit more heft.

Browse the Book Box Company site.

cognitive creations turns hardware into jewelry

The very artistic creator behind COGnitive Creations, in Winnepeg, uses watch parts, compasses, and other hardware to make thoroughly modern and sometimes edgy rings, necklaces, pendants, and hair accessories.  

Check out the COGnitive Creations entry in Handmade Lookup.