Heartful Handmade Blog

heirloom quality handmade memory book

In our modern world of electronic communication, this gorgeous handmade wooden book feels especially special.  A single blue and black feather shows through the window carved on the front cover.  And the binding is designed to allow the book to lay flat when open.  This polished cherry wood book is 10" x 7^1/4", big enough to use as a journal or to store photos and cherished memories.  And, of course, it's a beautiful display piece on its own.  This is just one of a wide selection of one-of-a-kind handmade books made by Michelle Skiba at Three Trees Bindery, in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Journal sizes and prices vary from small to medium to large.  And there are some beautiful wedding guest books.  Custom orders are welcomed.  So click on over now to check out the heirloom quality handmade books at Three Trees Bindery.  This large shadows journal is $170.

a cheerful happy handmade silver fig

This lovely handmade fig inspired necklace was created by Jean at 3squares.  Most of Jean's jewelry is inspired in some way by food, letting her blend twin passions, cooking and jewelry-making, into an unusual artistic stew.  Her shop has so many wonderful pieces that deciding on one to feature was as difficult as choosing what to eat in a great restaurant.  But, being a native Californian used to fig and avocado trees in the backyard, it came down to this necklace or the Avocado Bracelet.  The fig won out because it's so cheerful and happy and fitting for this second day of a new spring.  Crafted from hand-cut oxidized sterling, it measures about 1-3/8" by 1-3/4" and hangs from a 16" sterling silver chain.  Its brightly colored center is formed from fabric.  Jean's shop offers a full menu of lovely jewelry choices.  So click on over to 3squares and check them out for yourself.  This necklace is $76.

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3squares in also in Handmade Lookup.

a cardigan with built in shawl and flair

This is nice.  The folks at Ahpeele call it a throw-over wrap, and I guess that's as good a name as any.  But I call it a shawligan because it combines the best features of a long draping shawl and a cardigan.  So you get nice long sleeves, complete back coverage, a lovely draping front, and head coverage when you want it.  It's made from a stretchy 100% unrefined cotten jersey fabric that's been slubbed (woven from uneven fibers) to give it a soft and natural surface texture.  The blooming river reed design adds subtle drama, making this a practical wrap with a bit of casual flair.  Ahpeele specializes in hand-screened limited edition t-shirts and hoodies.  And some other nice pieces.  Like this shawligan.  It's $60.

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Ahpeele is also in Handmade Lookup.

an eco-friendly multi-styled hemp jacket

I'm a fan of hemp clothing.  I love the way it drapes, the way it keeps you cool in summer heat, and how it develops character with age.  Andrea, at Gaia Conceptions in Greensboro, North Carolina, creates some really magical hemp/organic cotten dresses, tops, skirts, and pants.  She works with high quality locally sourced fabrics.  And, after constructing the garment, she hand dyes it using eco-friendly tints and methods.  And Andrea's garments are really special because she has a way of designing multiple styles into a single piece.  Take, for example,  these two views of her Snap Wrap Jacket.  One view shows the front panels left unsnapped and hanging freely.  In the other, the panels are crossed and snapped behind the neck beneath the generous hood.  They can also be snapped at the back of the waist for yet another look. And this is just one of many such clever, practical, and gorgeous pieces in hemp, organic cotton, organic wool, and raw silk.  And Andrea will custom fit them to your exact measurements and specifications.  So click on over to Gaia Conceptions and check out all the cool clothing.  This jacket is $165. 

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Gaia Conceptions is also in Handmade Lookup.

very unusual jewelry with a classic touch

Joanne Harrill, the artist behind JoJoBell, creates jewelry that refuses to be categorized.  Her designs are highly original and very unusual, but with a classic timelessness about them.  This pendant is a good example.  It's a sterling silver composition that builds on an antique salt and pepper shaker with fine silver, hand cut sterling sheet metal, 14k gold filled precious metals, and a unique artistic sensibility.  This is one-of-a-kind jewelry magic.  The pendant is an impressive 2-1/2" long and comes with a 28" adjustable chain.   You'll find other mesmerizing pieces of art jewelry at JoJoBell.  This pendant is $155.00.

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JoJoBell is also in Handmade Lookup.

unusual jewelry with a past you can read

The artist behind foundling, in Ashville, North Carolina, creates jewelry with a history and a beautiful future. Her primary materials are silver, resin, and a green mindset that plays out in her artistic creations:  Beautifully styled and sometimes delicate pieces composed of recycled and repurposed found items, fabric, and words and images from books, maps, and such.  These pieces are special.  They are different, they are beautiful, they are handmade, and they are imbued with a sense of purpose beyond their intended purpose.  Do check out the lovely jewelry at foundling.  The pictured necklace is $60.00.

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Foundling is also in Handmade Lookup.

handmade felted soap by sofino

This is a beautiful, practical, unusual handmade product.  It's soap encased in a merino wool felt sack.  You wet and rub it to bring lather through the wool.  It's exfoliating to the skin and beautifying to the room.  These are great for gifts and for travel.  And the felt sacks are reusable as scrubbing pads or containers after the soap is gone.  Both the soap and the sacks are made by SoFino in Charlotte, North Carolina.  

There are loads of designs:  Animals, hearts, polka dots, mushrooms, flowers, and more.  Sizes and prices vary, and some are sold in sets. The brown pebbles shown here are sold individually at $10.00 each. Check out the whole collection.

pretty birdie custom coat from vintage wool

My search for fashionable ways to stay warm has turned up this lovely custom made coat from the Pretty Birdie clothing line by Stephanie Teague. You have a choice of two vintage Pendleton wools, 3/4 or full length sleeves, or even a different coat length.  This is classic styling at its best:  Hand sewn top stitching around the collar, silk hemp lining, and generous outer pockets, $295.00. Stephanie Teague entry in Handmade Lookup.

cool looking slippers from broken hallelujah

 Brandy at Broken Hallelujah, in Wilmington, North Carolina, crochets Mary Jane style slippers (or house shoes) that are stylish and fun and come in a variety of color combinations.  She also makes coin purses, coffee cozies, and other useful items.

Visit Broken Hallelujah in Handmade Lookup

modern artisans

Modern Artisans carries handcrafted home and garden products, as well as jewelry and gift items.  The company is based in Raleigh, North Carolina, but the artisans are spread all over.

Click here for more info.