Blisstree » handmade

Heirloom Quality Biscuit Cutters

Michelle Smith — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:46:11 +0000

Etsy weekend shopping… Wood Elements carries “heirloom-quality” biscuit cutters. They are hand turned and finished with a mineral oil that is safe for contact with food. The biscuit cutter also works well for cutting a circle shape into cookie dough.

They are 3 inches high, with a 2 1/4 inch diameter. They are carved from cherry wood. Each cutter is handmade and one of a kind.

Cherry is abundant in North America which explains its notoriety defining such America styles as Shaker and Mission woodwork. Classic and rich, cherry is a yellow wood that deepens to a mahogany color when exposed to sunlight. Although it is a traditional wood, cherry offers a feeling of distinction with its wave-like grain and fine texture.

Biscuit Cutter Cherry
$14 (for one)

The biscuit cutters are also made in maple. These would make a great gift, especially for someone who is knew to baking, or as something to pass down to your kids someday.

Image credit: Wood Elements at Etsy

Post from: Blisstree

Heirloom Quality Biscuit Cutters

Create Hand-Cut Words

Christine Gooding — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:00:08 +0000

Crafting, most especially scrapbooking, is an artform that has never been this easy since the onslaught of countless innovations of ready made embellishments and templates. The shaped cardstock and patterned papers, those thematic images with adhesive backing, die-cut shapes and of course, those adorable alphabets (made out of chipboard stickers, foam or even fabric) have made this hobby a more pleasurable experience each time.

But I think the most versatile of all the above are the patterned papers. And why not? One can do a lot with it with just a pinch of imagination and a dash of patience. But don’t get me wrong. Like a major chunk of crafters out there, I am a sucker for those cute alphabets, too. But from time to time, I get tired of them (although I still hoard them!). Sometimes I just want to make something beautiful yet extra-ordinary… and you can only achieve that if you go handmade.

Image by: Studio Calico

Here’s a tutorial about hand-cut words through the Studio Calico blog that you can use to make that undeniable impact on your layout or project. All you have to do is handwrite your word/s, use your trusty exacto knife and have lots and lots of patience.

Post from: Blisstree

Create Hand-Cut Words

Etsy Find: Pear Funky Teapot

Michelle Smith — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 21:40:04 +0000

I collect teapots and I’m always looking for something new to add my collection. Take a look at this unique pot that I found at Romy and Clare’s Designs at Etsy.com. It doesn’t have your typical squat, round shape, instead it reminds of a pregnant lady. See how it has her swayed back and rounded front?

Pear Funky Teapot – $84
by Romy and Clare Designs

The Pear Funky Teapot is a generous size 9×11 inches and it’s painted a deep, glossy black with fresh, green pears.

Our Pear pottery collection was inspired by nature. Its bold graphic look is sophisticated yet still fits a casual lifestyle.

We freehand draw, hand paint and sign each piece individually. Through the use of several layers of underglaze, our pieces boast a rich vibrant color palette. All of our pottery is functional and food safe. Dishwasher safe, but handwashing recommended.

If you enjoy this pear design as much as I do, then take a look at the Romy and Clare Designs shop where you’ll find a big selection of items including plates, canisters, sushi trays, and a cream and sugar set.

Image credit: Romy and Clare Designs at Etsy.com

Post from: Blisstree

Etsy Find: Pear Funky Teapot

Etsy Weekend Shopping – Aprons

Michelle Smith — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:51:53 +0000

I was watching a cooking show this weekend where the host uses 5 ingredients per dish. It’s a pretty good show, but what caught my attention was that she was actually acting like a real cook. No long sleeves down hanging in the food. Her hair was pulled back. She was wearing an apron.

The first thing I do when entering the kitchen is to pull my long hair up and back. Nobody wants any of that in their food. Yuck. I push up my sleeves and make sure that nothing is going to interfere with my work. I don’t use an apron, though. I love them and own a couple, but I somehow lost the habit. If you are a messy cook, it’s definitely a good idea to wear one.

Here are a few cute aprons that I found at Etsy today…..

Retro Inspired Full Floral Apron
$30 at Pretty In Pies

Full apron featuring a handy front pocket and rickrack trim. One size fits most with the following measurements – top bib is 10 inches and bottom bib is 20 inches.

Black and White Noguchi Apron
$38 at Stone Valentine

Full length apron made from durable heavy fabric in a fun, bold, black and white graphic print.

SALE Apron – Amy Butler Ruffles
$25 at Don’t Look Back

Cute, half apron made with Amy Butler cotton fabric. I love the ruffles. This apron is 14 inches long.

Image credits: Pretty In Pies, Stone Valentine, and Don’t Look Back at Etsy

Post from: Blisstree

Etsy Weekend Shopping – Aprons

Eco-Friendly Glassware from YAVA Glass

Michelle Smith — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 02:24:11 +0000

YAVA Glass was a featured shop at Etsy this weekend. They offer eco-friendly glassware. “YAVA G l a s s specializes in taking recycled beverage bottles with screen-printed labels and converting them into decorative glassware.”

Here are some examples of what YAVA has available…

Recycled Rolling Rock Beer Bottle Coasters
Set of 4 for $30

These coasters are made from “kiln-fired” bottles. They measure 3.5 inches by 3.5 inches.

Recycled Bubble Up Soda Bottle Glasses
Set of 4 for $28

Set of bottle glasses measure 4.5 inches tall and can hold up 8 ounces of beverage.

More glasses, coasters, and spoonrests available in other recycled bottle styles including Grey Goose Vodka, Corona beer, etc.

Image credit: YAVA Glass

Post from: Blisstree

Eco-Friendly Glassware from YAVA Glass

Unique, Colorful, Fun, Wobbly Plates

Michelle Smith — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 23:20:27 +0000

Another great Etsy find….. Wobbly Squeezy Lime Pickle Breakfast plates from atelierBB’s shop. Wobbly platesare pretty much what you’d expect; lop-side-y, one-of-a-kind, and a whole lot of fun.

This set includes 1 each of lime, cream, green, and yellow plate. Other color combos are available including the Luna Orangina Breakfast Croissant collection of yellow, curry, dark orange, and light orange.

The plates are made of stoneware and the glaze is dishwasher, microwave, and of course safe to eat off of. They are approximately 7 inches in diameter or 18.5 cm. They are all handmade and unique, each just a little different from the last.

Take a look at the atelierBB shop. It’s full of all sorts of Wobbly plates and bowls, all made with lead-free glaze in the artist’s Brooklyn, NY, studio. The full range of colors is impressive. Something for everyone.

Image credit: atelierBB shop at Etsy.com

Post from: Blisstree

Unique, Colorful, Fun, Wobbly Plates

Personalized Wedding Cake Toppers

Michelle Smith — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:14:33 +0000

I love to go sight-seeing through the Etsy shops and today, in the special wedding section, I found customized Wedding Cake Toppers for only $250. A $100 deposit is all it takes to begin work on a handmade cake topper that bears a striking resemblance to bride and groom.

Toppers are sculpted from dollmaking clay which is layered over a stronger armature for durability. They measure about 5-6 inches in height. You can personalize your topper even further by adding touches like a likeness of your pet. How cool is this? I cannot imagine a cooler, more unique keepsake for the bride and groom.

You can find the toppers at the PatysClay Shop at Etsy.com.

Image Credit: PatysClay shop at Etsy.com

Post from: Blisstree

Personalized Wedding Cake Toppers

Handmade Quilts & Fabric Art for Gifts

Mary Emma Allen — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:31:53 +0000

Handmade Gifts
My daughter just read an article reporting that more people are purchasing craft supplies and making gifts or buying them this year for Christmas. The Etsy online site has been doing a phenomenol business in some areas. This reminds me of days ago.
For I grew up in the era of handmade or homemade gifts. Sometimes this was because we and our relatives didn’t have the money to purchase many from the store or mail order catalog. Often it simply was because we liked to make something special and the recipients enjoyed these gifts.
In later years, when I had a family, we made gifts for my mom and for my mother-in-law as well as others. One Christmas, my daughter Beth stitched my mother a lap quilt. Mother always had enjoyed quilts although she hadn’t made any since she was a child.

She seemed to enjoy this gift, even though she had Alzheimer’s and resided in a nursing home. She would finger the pattern and pieces and comment, “Pretty.”

My mother-in-law asked Beth to make her a small quilt to hang on her wall. Beth used the Ohio Star pattern because Mum grew up in that state, even though she’d spent the last 60 years of her life in New Hampshire.

Do you make quilted and fabric art gifts for the people in your life? Share with us what you made this year (unless the person you’ve made it for reads Quilting and Patchwork, too!).

(Amazon image)

Post from: Blisstree

Handmade Quilts & Fabric Art for Gifts