HANDMADE THERAPY

Project 8: Tote Bag

I have been dying to post about my latest handmade adventure, but since I am making everything I give as gifts this year I didn't want to spoil the surprise. However, the first handmade tote I created for the festive season was gifted today for my Step Mother's birthday so I can let you have a look now that she has opened it up.

As an aside, I wanted to commit to a handmade Christmas for lots of reasons (I have the time, the fabric stash and the commitment to handmade) but one thing it is NOT, is cheap! I will have spent more money this year than in many others despite not venturing to the stores for my gifts because of buying patterns, trims, threads, equipment (a rotary cutter, ruler and mat blew my budget straight away). Anyway that is not the point. I want all of my loved ones to have something unique, heartfelt and personal and we all know that is the allure of handmade and I fully support it as a philosophy and industry.


So, a reversible tote bag. I bought a wonderfully inspiring book called One Yard Wonders to get me going. There are so many useful projects and many that even I could do with my limited sewing experience. Plus, the presentation of the book and the accessible instructions (and patterns provided) made this a perfect project for me. The pattern was for a basic tote bag that could be rolled up and stashed for easy storage but I took a little creative license with it and made it reversible with no little tab to roll it up. Let's just say it is my interpretation in the spirit of the design!




What I love about projects like this is the opportunity to use beautiful, bold, colourful, fun fabrics, threads and trims. I want the contrasts and choices of the fabrics to make an impact and this tote was a perfect way for me to showcase these gorgeous choices from Amy Butler (I used her Arabesque and Memento designs from the Love collection).

Not to spoil the surprise for my near and/or dear but I guess the secret is kind of out! Tote bags it is, with each one using a carefully and lovingly chosen selection of fabrics and other little details. Some of you might even get a little extra handmade goodness if I can work out how to do anything other than a tote!! Back to the sewing machine....

H is for Handmade

It just couldn't be anything else could it? The fundamental inspiration for this blog is my utter admiration for the handmade movement, the people who have carved out their unique niches and the glorious array of beautiful things they create.

If you haven't read the book Handmade Nation: The Rise of DIY, Craft and Design or seen the documentary that inspired it, then do it...NOW. It is an inspiring and energizing look at some of the very best in the handmade movement.

I have tried my hand at various handmade projects, the results of which I have posted here as part of my Handmade Therapy series on Apothecary Fox.

Framed Fabric gives an instant and ever changing splash of colour and design to any space...


Ukranian Pysanky eggs, delicately etched to create intricate patterns...


Inspiration boards to capture your thoughts, dreams and inspirations...


Floral displays that express personal character and compliment the rustic feel of an event...

But I am not a professional by any means, just an enthusiast and I love to support handmade whenever possible hence my Etsy infatuation. You see, when you buy handmade you are not only getting a unique item to treasure, but you are directly supporting an individual in their pursuit of their own passion and that is a truly satisfying thing. So go on, Buy Handmade today!

HANDMADE THERAPY

PROJECT 6: HAND PAINTED CERAMIC MUG

You know those "paint your own" places where kids can go and paint pottery, then give the resulting masterpiece to their mother for her to cherish? I have always had an urge to create my own painted piece, but these places always strike me as an alternative to jungle gyms, packed with screaming kids flinging paint at each other. Maybe not, but I have always been put off. Until now...


Flower Brook Pottery, owned by resident potter and artist Janno Gay, can be found nestled in the picture perfect Vermont town of Dorset. This is ground zero for seersucker jackets, L.L.Bean totes (monogrammed, natch), labradors, and golf as a full time past time. Old money and old world charm. Think quintessential New England village, and you've got it.

A glimpse at a selection of Janno's current work.

Janno paints beautiful designs of flowers, fruit, animals and foliage on her own hand thrown pieces of pottery. Simplistic in design, vibrant in colour and delicately detailed, her pieces are favourites of mine (I own an embarrassing amount of her mugs!) To say she is talented is a gross understatement. She has an inspiration to me as an artist and business owner, and I am glad to be able to call her a friend. Anyway, I digress. Janno not only sells her own work, but has recently introduced her own "Paint Your Own" area in her boutique and I jumped at the chance to give it a go.

There is a huge range of pieces for you to decorate. Mugs, teacups, teapots, tiles, butter dishes, plates, bowls...something for everyone. The deal is, you pay for the cost of the piece, and then $4 for every half hour you take to complete the piece. Serious bargain.

Once you have chosen your piece (I picked a mug, old habits), then choose from the delicious range of paint colours (small tiles handily show what they will look like once glazed and fired).

The paint palette keeps your colours organised and avoids too much mess.

TOP TIP: take time to plan the design you want to create before hand. That way, you can jump right into the fun part of creating your design. Janno provides lots of books for inspiration, and is always on hand to give expert advice to help you achieve the design you want. Alternatively, just get spontaneous and wing it.

I drew my design on in pencil as this burns off in the kiln later, and made the process so much less daunting to me, and left little to chance. I am somewhat of a perfectionist!

And then the fun part! Paint on the design you want, in the colours you have chosen. With every kind of brush you can imagine available to me, I stuck to a thin one to give me more precision control. The ceramic soaks up the paint pretty quickly, almost like blotting paper so I learnt that less is more as I went along.

TOP TIP: If you want to create (almost) perfect stripes, use thin masking tape (I used japanese washi tape) to mark off the area you want to paint, then paint the exposed area and remove the tape to reveal your stripe. I did this at the top and the bottom of the mug.

Don't forget to paint the inside too if you want. I did polka dots. And sign your piece on the bottom like a professional.

The finished product(s)...I did two in the end, couldn't stop myself! Polka dots seemed like far too good an idea to waste on just the inside of a mug.

I am crazy excited about the finished product and love how glossy and vibrant they turned out to be. Not bad for my first attempts. I already know this is the start of a new creative outlet for me. My favourite Handmade Therapy by far! Thanks Janno!! x

P.S. You can just drop into Flower Brook Pottery to paint a piece if you are on your own, but why not make an occasion of it and book in with Janno for an evening session with a group of you (bring some vino to help with the creative inspiration!).

I will be showcasing Janno's work and boutique in their own right sometime soon, once I sweet talk her. Until then, follow Janno's latest work and goings on, by adding her Facebook page to your favourites.

CROCHET LOVE

I just had to share with you a little birthday pressie I bought for myself recently, this gorgeous crocheted blanket by the supremely talented Chrissy from Popsicle Stick.

A while back I included her work in one of my Weekly Remedies posts and it was the single item that prompted the most comments and messages that I have ever featured. Ofcourse I decided that I just had to have one, and I embarked on a wonderful process of choosing the colourway and over all look of the blanket with a considerable amount of help from Chrissy. Pink and Green were clearly going to be the main colours but faced with the array of shades and choices I needed her guidance and advice. A last minute addition was a light green ruffle around the edge that for me is just the crowning glory of this work of art. This was a wonderful experience of collaboration and support from a very gifted crafter, and we were united every step of the way.

I have the utmost admiration for the talented artisans and crafters that I search out on a daily basis, and could not begin to imagine the patience and dedication it takes to make something as beautiful as this. All I can say is, it is MUCH appreciated by myself and so many others just by the small amount of feedback I get on the items I choose to feature, that they have created.

So, not only do I urge you to check out Chrissy's other work on Etsy, but I positively command you to take time to work with any of these wonderful talents and have a piece of art of your very own. This is so much more than just spending money on a beautiful thing. This is about building a relationship with a person who puts their heart and soul into the piece you purchase, that you will most certainly feel when you use and admire that piece in your own home. It is a two way relationship that may well last into the future and will most certainly create a story and memory for you to share.

Buy Handmade....make it your New Year's pledge. You know it makes sense. x