Heartful Handmade Blog

handmade ceramic teabag and teaspoon rests

These pretty little handmade ceramic discs are designed as teabag holders or teaspoon rests, making them great for adding a bit of elegance to tea time when the brew is served up in mugs.  And they make really nice gifts, too.  The ones in this set are 2-1/2 inches round, and the set of four is $19.00.

 

They were made by the talented ceramic artist at Jules Ceramics, who also made this lovely cooking-serving spoon rest,  This one is 4-1/2 inches long by 4-1/4 inches wide and is perfect for the buffet table or stovetop.  It's $10.50.

Besides tea bag holders and spoon rests, Jules Ceramics also has a nice selection of ceramic pendants, and more nice pieces for the home or gift giving.  So click on over and check out Jules Ceramics now.

intriguing masks and colorful hearts for your wall

I was drawn into Mudgoddess by the intriguing clay masks created by shop owner Katherine Mathisen.  They're cast from molds she creates from live models.  She then paints the masks with colorful designs inspired by tribal art.  Whimsical hearts designed as wall art are also a feature of this shop.  Some are inscribed with words of love or affirmation, and you can even order customized hearts with a specific name or other wording.  This is a wonderful shop.  You need to click on over to Mudgoddess to check all out for yourself.  The mask shown here is $75. 

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Mudgoddess is also in Handmade Lookup. 

a stoneware butter dish that keeps the butter fresh

Lee Daniels, in Brinnon, Washington, creates stoneware pottery that is both beautiful and functional.  In fact, she suggests specific functions for many of her pieces:  Pouring vessel, cream pitcher, water pitcher, whiskey cups, garlic keeper, and more.  She has bowls of all sorts, and some very unusual vases, bottles, and jars.  When I saw her moth jar, I thought she might be getting carried away with use suggestions.  But it turns out the moth is the decoration on this piece.  This butter dish spoke directly to me because I use butter every day and I like my butter kept at room temperature.  This dish is modeled on an old French innovation designed to keep the butter fresh.  You pack butter into the container on the underside of the lid.  And you keep an inch or so of fresh water in the pot.  When the lid (and butter) are in place, the water forms a seal that creates an airtight bacteria-free container.  Clever!  $28.00

unusual white porcelain mobile by suite one studio

This unusual mobile is made of ninety-three handmade porcelain leaves suspended from a handmade porcelain twig. It is simple elegance and will work practically anywhere in the house.  I would place it where it can cast shadows that move in concert with the sun.  The artist at SuiteOneStudio, who made it, has lots of suggestions for hanging. An interesting one is to use it as a faux chandelier in an area with a high ceiling.  I pictured it immediately in a stairwell that has a window but no ceiling lights.  It would add an artful playfulness and make climbing the stairs a visually engaging form of pleasant exercise.  $160.00.

keep dip chilled and pretty

This two-piece dip chiller bowl is so cool! (No pun intended). You put cold water and/or ice in the large base container. Then sit the bowl of dip or potato salad or whatever on top. I like the added height also because it creates an eye-pleasing additional level on the serving table. This handmade stoneware set is from rzdesign in Evanston, Illinois, and comes in a couple of other colors/glazes. $22.50.

black and white kitty butter dish by alison palmer

I really like this Black and White Kitty butter dish.  It's functional, artistically engaging, and has just enough "cute" to bring a bit of whimsy to a too early breakfast before a too early meeting.

It's slip cast from a plaster mold made from a handmade model, by Alison Palmer.  $70.00.

glazed over for earthy functional ceramics

Jill, the potter at Glazed Over, creates ceramic pieces in mostly warm earth tones with interesting multicolor glazes.  She runs the gamut of functional items for the kitchen, with mugs, bowls, plates, salt and pepper shakers, and casseroles, to garden sticks, to whimsical one-of-kind buttons.  She lives in Long Island, New York.

View Glazed over in Handmade Lookup. 

floating glowbowls by diana fayt

I really like this set of "glowbowls" for hanging tealight candles.  They come in strands of five, seven, or nine cups, but they're made-to-order, so you can make special requests depending on your needs.  What a great way to add some magic to your space.  By Diana Fayt, at One Blackbird.

Click here for more info.

gallery 5 artist and artisan collective

Wearable art and fine crafts by about 100 American artists spread around the U.S.  Their focus is ceramics, glass, fiber, metal and wood.  There are a lot of interesting products at this site, lots of sale items, and free shipping in the U.S.

Click here for more info.

pat's pottery creates unique tea sets and coffee mugs

Pat's Pottery, in Fort Lauderdale, creates one-of-a-kind hand formed and wheel thrown pottery.  Her custom personalized pieces make great gifts for teachers, office workers, family members, or others who like exclusive access to their coffee cups.