Heartful Handmade Blog

a protective eye of horus on your tee

Jody at Blackbird Tees creates really cool t-shirts and hoodies that she hand prints with her own original designs (in unisex and womens sizes from XS to XL). Subject matter covers a wide and interesting range.  Clara Bow, the 20's "It" girl, for example. Or an ink-blot octopus.  Or a wonderfully whimsical bow tie tee. The Eye of Horus is an ancient Egyptian symbol of health and protection.  As rendered by Jody on this very nice long-sleeved slouch, it also symbolizes classy, timeless, and totally now style. You'll find lots more examples of Jody's creative artistry in her shop.  But a looksee on your part will explain it a lot faster than a bunch of words on mine.  So click on over and check out the cool t-shirts and hoodies at Blackbird Tees.  This one is $37.

* * *

Blackbird Tees is also in Handmade Lookup.

a modern bracelet with an ancient egyptian vibe

This gorgeous silver bracelet recreates a spiral design that dates back to ancient egypt.  I love its timeless quality, and the way it combines solid sturdiness with a kind of delicate sensuality.  This is a one-of-a-kind creation by Jennifer Stenhouse.  Her shop, Jennifer Stenhouse Studio, has an engaging selection of unique, beautiful and very unusual rings, earrings, and necklaces.  And this bracelet.  It's $120.

* * *

Jennifer Stenhouse 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

stained glass flower bouquet

I love the way stained glass breaks up streaming light into patterns that play out on walls and ceilings.  Every show is an original.  There's never a rerun because the light is never the way it was yesterday or last week or last month.

This is just one of several fetchingly lovely stained glass panels by Kyle Schumacher. Some are clear glass, others are brightly colored.  He's got spiders and owls and fish and butterflies and peacocks and more.  They can sit prettily on a window sill, or they can be hung from the attached (but well hidden) hooks.  So hop on over to his shop and check 'em out.

8/22/2010 UPDATE:  THE PICTURED PANEL IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.

sterling silver sutured heart necklace

This sweet heart pendant says so much.  Is it a broken heart?  One now mended?  A bursting heart?  A fragile heart? An open heart?  A playful heart?  A football lover's heart? Whatever, whoever, why ever . . . it's lovely.  And it's a nice size, at 1-1/4 inches long and 1 inch wide.  

The back is special too, with faux rubies forming the eyes of a creature called Mortimer.  Front, back and the 16 inch rollo chain were all created by Lyndsay, the jewelry artist at Idle Hands Designs in Seattle.  $86.00 in either bright or oxidized brushed sterling.

sandmaiden felted wool hoody

Here's another nice find for my fashionable warmers series. This so elegant hoody is washable felted merino wool.  I love the way the fabric drapes over the fitted dolman sleeves and at the waist. It will look great with jeans, gabardine slacks, or skirts. It's one of those casually ready for anything items.  And Sandmaiden, in Seattle, will make it to fit you perfectly, based on your exact measurements.  The lightweight stretchy fabric is custom knitted for Sandmaiden in the USA and comes in 10 rich colors.  $115.   Go to Sandmaiden.

And also check out some other fashionable warmers I've found.

valentine warmth in reclaimed cashmere scarf

This scarf is made from 100% cashmere reclaimed from sweaters.  It's big, bright, cozy, and washable.  It'll make a wonderful Valentine gift.  There's only one, and when it's gone it's gone.  So, if you're interested, do check out the details on this lovely handmade cashmere scarf.  $40.00 at Haute Goat in Seattle.

sock-comfy slippers

Pawfelts wool felt slipper socks are perfect winter house shoes.  Snuggly warm as soft wool socks, but more substantial because they're felted (a process that tangles the wool fibers so they lock into a strong matted material).  Pawfelts are available in men's and women's sizes and come in a wide variety of colors and color combinations.  Some are ankle high, some are sock high.  All are washable and will conform to the shape of your foot.