Heartful Handmade Blog

clear your clutter with cedar wood storage trunks by lori sanders

Storage containers that let you keep things out of sight, but close at hand when you need them, are much needed in our modern world of gadgets and contraptions and whatnot.  We used to be able to blame all the clutter on the kids, but nowadays pretty much everyone has a gazillion gadgets and projects to keep up with.  We're knitting and quilting and photographing and painting and DVD watching and gaming and doing all kinds of things that give us pleasure as they add to our clutter.  So containers that keep this stuff out of sight when we're not using it, but make easy to get to when we are, is the order of the day.  And if the container can do its job and be nice to look at too, you've pretty much hit pay dirt.

Cedar Wood Storage Trunk

This pretty cedar wood storage trunk by Lori Sanders is a perfect example.  It has thoroughly modern rustic charm, and at three feet long and 17 inches in height and in depth, it's a perfect size for storing linens or the wool throws you don't use during the warmer months.  And you can easily stash away your handwork projects to clear space on the couch for guests.   Lori also does this same storage trunk in a natural wood finish, so she's covered a wide range of decor options. You need to plan ahead if you can see this trunk in your space.  Lori's trucks are made-to-order and it'll take a couple of weeks or so before yours arrives.   So click the image or link for more views and the details.  Or go to Lori Sanders' TrunkSpot storefront and navigate around from there.

handmade pine needle and rafia basket

This pretty pine needle basket is marked down 30% today.  It was woven by hand in Guatemala by women from the Komon Utzil combine.  Komon Utzil means "For the Wellbeing of All" in the Maya language.  That's a fitting name because the combine allows these women to use their one marketable skill, weaving, for the good of the community through sales of the products they make.  The needles for this basket were gathered from the nearby Sololá region.  Pine needles in their natural state were mixed with dyed ones to create contrast, then rafia was sewn in to create the overall pattern.

The basket is 8-3/4 inches in diameter and two inches high, so it's pretty roomy if you want to use it for storage.  It's a great size to hold socks by the entry door if yours is a no-shoes home.  The socks will pick up the subtle and fresh smell of pine the basket gives off.  The regular price of this lovely basket is $49.95, but you can get it today for just $44.96.

vintage cigar labels and old key west on art tiles

Key West.  Havana Row.   Those words alone conjure up exotic images that most of us got from old movies.  But David and Mike live in modern day Key West.  And their company, Havana Row, is busy conjuring up new old images you can enjoy for years to come.  They create handmade stone art tiles using lithographs of vintage cigar labels, postcards, pin-ups, Hemingway photographs, and other cool images.  They'll even create custom tiles using images you provide.  The colors are clear and vibrant and permanent. 

And the selection of images is impressive.  These are my favorites from the Cuban Cigars and Old Key West galleries.  

There are lots more to choose from, so click on over to Havana Row and check them out now.   You can buy the tiles as coasters with a cork backing, or as decor with a built-in easel and hanger.   A standard tile is $20 and a custom tile is $25.  But the individual price goes down (to as low as $12.50) when you buy more.

cool handmade vases on heartful shopping pages

I've written before (and will surely again) about my lifelong love affair with vases.  It goes back to my childhood and my fascination with my mother's small collection of art deco vases.  They reminded me of the old black & white movies I loved to watch on tv, and they conjured up images of glamour and fun and intrigue and whimsey and all the other stuff those old movies conveyed.  For a kid growing up in a gritty neighborhood a stone's throw from downtown Los Angeles, those old movies provided a glimpse into another world.  And my mother's vases somehow brought that world into our home.

Vases also make wonderful gifts.  One of my favorite vases was a wedding gift.  I didn't really know the couple who gave it.  They were acquaintances of my new husband.  But that vase spoke to me so directly that, to this day, I recall the face of the woman who gave it, even though I forgot her name years ago.  The vase is still in use.  It has outlived the marriage by over thirty years.  It's even outlived the ex-husband.  Maybe all that is why I love that vase as much today as I did way back then.  Because it connects me to that distant time in my life the same way my mother's vases connected me to a world I imagined.

There are lots of cool future memories for someone in the Lookup^quick collection of vases.  You can shop by price or store or artist or all of the above.  This lovely Cherry Blossom Vase by Bryce Dimitruk is $125.

subtle lighting for a dramatic change of view

It's amazing how you can change your space just by adding a beautiful container of plants, or with lighting that creates a peaceful mood.  Both approaches have a way of transforming the energy and making everything seem new and fresh.  And when you're ready to change your space, here's the place for you to find that something special. 

Farrah Sit, who has a nice selection for you to choose from in her online shop, describes these elegantly simple porcelain planters and clustered hanging globes as "quiet minimalism."   And it's a fitting description.  But, all the same, the transformation of your space will come through loud and clear.  And Farrah Sit's pieces will be perfectly at home no matter what your style of decor.  They'll blend well wherever and with whatever, but their presence will bring a whole new point of view. 

So click on over now and check out Farrah Sit's porcelain energy changing decor.  This three-tiered hanging globe arrangement is $225.

these wood tiles make any space an art wall

These beautiful wooden tiles are a great way to add an artful touch to any area of your home or office.  They will display beautifully singly, or in groupings of whatever number rocks your boat.  You can create something totally unique through your choice of tiles and arrangement:  Three tiles arranged in a single vertical row, or four tiles in two rows of two or one row of four, or something totally abstract.  Whatever works for you and the space you have available is the right way to display these tiles.  They're made by Amber and Darleen, a very creative mother/daughter team, working in their Red Tile Studio in Dallas.  The images are all of original artworks by this artistic duo.  To create the tiles, an image print is affixed to a wood block and then sealed with glossy varnish and the wood is either stained or painted.  The tiles shown here are stained in walnut.  Red Tile Studio has an impressive collection for you to choose from, in a variety of colors and sizes.  You can purchase them individually or in specially priced sets.  And, besides these lovely tiles, you'll find gorgeous magnets (turn your refrigerator into a gallery), iPhone covers, wall pockets, and lots of other cool products.  Click on over to Red Tile Studio and check them out for yourself.  This set of four 5x5" tiles is $108.

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.

stay clutter-free with a stylish leather storage tote

Nice looking storage boxes are great for keeping things clutter free.  When you move clutter from the table, chair, counter, or whatever, into a nice box, it's like hitting the refresh key on your room and your outlook.  And this nice big leather box will add a bit of style to any room.  At 16" x 11" X 10", it's perfect for magazines, books, towels, sewing materials/supplies, and pretty much anything else you need to stow while keeping handy.  It's made by Gildem, in Channel Islands, California, where you'll also find some smaller size bins and other nice handmade home decor products made with natural non-toxic materials, low impact processes and minimal waste. So click on over to Gildem and check them out now.  This storage tote is $125.

little white porcelain hanging vases

I like small vases that let me salvage broken stems from bouquets.  Or a single rose. Or a geranium cutting.  Or an ivy stem.  Or whatever else I bring back from my daily walks.  At just under 7" high and 1-1/2" wide, these sweet hanging vases by Pigeon Toe Ceramics are perfect for all those uses.  Plus they're elegant and they hang from 12" leather cords.  So you can suspend them from window sills.  Or shower curtain rods.  Or from decorative hooks on small wall sections.  Or in groups on larger wall sections.  The list of uses and places is endless.  These porcelain test tube vases are made-to-order, and you have a choice of three cord colors.  So click on over to Pigeon Toe Ceramics and check them out.  $32/each.

say shut the door the quiet way

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!  How many times have you said that as the incoming flies and mosquitoes buzzed around your head?  This lovely sign is a wonderful way to shout it out consistently, colorfully, artfully, and humorously while adding a bit of sculptural decor to your home. This handcut sign measures 18 x 22 inches and arrives ready to hang.  And, if yellow is not perfect for your setting, there are nine other colors to choose from.  It's creator, William Dohman, will even do it up in a custom color for a slight extra fee.  And, besides this sign, his shop has several other sculptural signage  messages:  read, grow, keep calm, and more.  So click on over to WilliamDohman and check them all out.  This one is $175.