Heartful Handmade Blog

graceful artful joanna harrill jewelry

All of the pieces shown below were made by the same creative spirit.  Joanne Harrill, through her muse and alter ego, JoJoBell, creates lovely artisan jewelry and leather accessories.  And while at first glance these three pieces may seem very different, a closer look reveals an essential quality that unites them.  They are all little artworks built on a foundation of artful shapes and graceful form.  They weave an intricate path through elegant simplicity.  And they flow and bend in interesting ways that engage the mind the way good artwork should.

Sterling Silver and Copper Swirl Earrings, $48

These sterling silver and copper earrings are 2-1/4 inches long and 1-1/4 inches wide, and they are ready to ship.

Leather Cuff Bracelet, $45

This Lotus Petal Leather Cuff Bracelet comes in four sizes, from small to large, or any custom size you specify.

Sterling Silver Swirl Ring, $28

This beautiful shiny silver ring is 1 inch long and 1/2 inch wide, and is adjustible from sizes 6 through 8-1/2.

I last wrote about Joanne Harrill over two years ago.  And although the pendant I wrote about then is long gone, viewing it now gives you more perspective on the depth and range of her work.

handmade bags for the modern man

Guys today have a lot of baggage, and I'm not talking about the psychological kind.  I mean the kind of baggage that requires baggage, like cell phones, and computers, and e-readers, and . . .  you fill in the blanks.  And, in our newly connected mobile world, this stuff needs to be close at hand.   So guys today need a way to carry and keep up with their stuff.   This modern day dilemma inspired me to pull together a collection of bags for men in time for Father's Day.  It's a well rounded  collection with a bit of everything, from an iPhone case to full-blown messenger bags that can hold it all.  So, whether you're a guy needing a hand, or a friend looking for a way to help, click on over now and check out my new collection of Handpicked Handmade Bags for Men.

organize your organizers with this ipad/tablet purse

We're so wired up today we've become human data centers.  And the newest members of the don't-leave-home-without-it brigade are the smart phone and tablet (or mini-laptop) computers.  Makes sense.  These are necessary tools to help us navigate our travels (even those close to home), keep us connected, and hold our shopping and to-do lists.  But thoroughly modern well-wired people need thoroughly modern bags to keep all those organizing tools organized.  Like this gorgeous iPad purse.  It's stylish, it's sturdy, it's handmade.  Constructed of water-proof waxed canvas and oil-tanned leather, this bag will gain character with use and age.  And at 11" x 12" x 4" deep, it will easily stow your iPad or small laptop.  A separate outside pocket will keep your phone handy.   Its maker, Satchel & Page in Austin, Texas, has a nice selection of messenger/laptop bags, iPad/Tablet bags, and travel journals.  They're all high-quality, they're all good-looking, and they're all made to order just for you.  So click on over to Satchel & Page and check them out.  This beauty, the Alegna, is $180.

unique and colorful handmade leather shoes

These artsy shoes are dancing on my happy button and I can't stop smiling.  Are they just too cool, or what?  But don't let their whimsical styling fool you.  These handmade shoes are high-quality and made to last.  The leather is permanently colored and highly durable, and the painted toe designs are sealed into the leather.  With sizing options for men, women, and children, Mark and Cody Carter, at KoolShoos in Prescott, Arizona, will make them to fit your artistic sense of style and your feet.  It's easy.  You select a basic style:  High-top, Low-top, or Mary Jane.  You pick one of the 27 toe designs.  There are birds and alligators and frogs and flowers and lots of other cool images.  Then you pick a main color from a nice selection of solids and fanciful prints.  You also get to select trim and shoelace colors.  So when you put it all together you have a pair of shoes that are unusual and uniquely styled.  So click on over and check out these very cool handmade KoolShoos shoes for yourself.  The high-top style shown is $135.

a bag for all seasons and reasons

This bag is really special.  I love its classic lines and simple elegance.  It has that basic simplicity that never goes out of style and that you never grow tired of.  Its creator, Flux Productions in Brooklyn, calls it a compact tote bag.  It's 15" x 14" and four inches deep and has a nice large interior pocket.  It's perfect for commuting or travel.  You can carry a couple of books (or your Kindle), along with maps and all your other stuff.  It's even big enough to hold most laptop computers.  But you don't have to worry about this bag losing its elegant sense of style because the handstitched leather sides are firm and smooth and able to hide a multitude of carry-on sins.  And its satiny waxed surface will develop character with use and age.  This shop also has hand printed tees, wraps, and dresses.  So click on over and check out Flux Productions.  This brown and gray diplomat bag is $360.

emil congdon high-quality handmade bags

When I discovered recently that Emil Congdon's East Nashville Upholstery Etsy shop was gone, I set out to find out where he'd gone.  It turns out that Congdon had come to view what had been a hobby, handcrafting high-quality bags and wallets, in a different light. And it's now his day job.  He's catching up on backlogged orders and you can find him at Emil Erwin, his new website.  Get the story in this article from Nashville Scene and in the video below. The pictured waxed canvas briefcase is $750.

 

east nashville upholstery leather wallets

Emil Congdon's Etsy shop, East Nashville Upholstery, has been empty for the past few months.  But he's just reopened with a very nice collection of new products.  He has an interesting assortment of wallets, billfolds, and credit card cases that display his signature style of no-frills classic elegance.  I've selected here a two slot front pocket billfold/credit card case that goes for $15.00

He has also made some lovely leather journals and a beautiful leather mail bag.  So hop on over to East Nashville Upholstery to get a jump on the new offerings before word gets out that the shop is open again.

[4/16/2011:  Emil Congdon has a new shop. Click here for info.]

zuzsi handmade sandals

Nick (a female) creates sandals inspired by a Tamahumara Indian tribe's footwear.

[Zuzsi seems to have gone out of business, but you'll find other shops offering good handmade shoes at Handmade Lookup.]

belt buckle artwork

Rachel Hannah and Kerry Loeb create belt buckles that incorporate laminated photographic images.

Click here for The Urge to Adorn at Handmade Lookup.

te. made leather goods

te. means hand in japanese, and this Melbourne based leather goods label really takes 'handmade" to heart. te. wallets, belts, pouches, and purses are distinctively styled, some hand stitched with strong waxed linen thread. Te.'s elegantly understated designs go beyond fad and current fashion into that place reserved for truly classic styling.

Click here for the te. entry in Handmade Lookup.