Had some fun with Photobucket Effects

Working on Making a Thumbnail for Twitter.  Went with choice #1.  Thoughts?

Be Good to Your Mama!

My mom is a little hard to shop for.  She doesn't like trinkets -- if it doesn't match her house or have a function, it will end up in the garage sale the next summer.  She is of course sentimental though from time to time.  Here are some handmade gifts I am thinking about getting for her:

Garden Spoons! Personalize these with a message for mom.  

Find them on Etsy here.

Mother's Bird Nest Necklace

Visit My Beautiful Mess Shop here.

Recycled Barn-Wood Hearts!

I ordered these here. 

Children's Names On Brass Bracelet 

From Lisa Lehmann Designs.

Happy Mother's Day!

Firefly Handmade

The beautiful weather of Boulder, CO., and lovely flatirons layered just behind the Chautauqua Community House created the perfect spring atmosphere for the Firefly Handmade at the Makerie, handmade-artist showcase and market. 

The Makerie is, "a weekend to play." This retreat for creatives, or those who are not creative but would like to be, offered classes and workshops in conjunction with the craft market Firefly Handmade put on.

The artisans selling their handiwork were all so friendly.  I saw many pieces of jewelry so dainty and perfect, that I was thankful I left my wallet in the car - could have spent a fortune!

I had two favorites at Firefly Handmade.  They were favorites because they were unique.  I hadn't seen anything quite like their art before, AND, they both crafted items that are useful - handy actually.

First, I met Two Plust Two:

Reusable food-safe bags

Bowl covers and mini-bowl covers - love these!

Visit Two Plus Two's website Here

Another favorite was Labudde - coffee bag laptop, iPad and iPod cases.  This vendor saw itself as a niche in the handmade world and I agree.

Visit the Labudde shop here

Who else visited Firefly Handmade? Who were your favorite artists?

Keeping Time Creatively

Lately I have been fascinated by time. No matter how much we obsess over it, trying to make the most of every moment, or how much we ignore it; humankind is ultimately powerless against the ticking of the clock.  So you may as well be cute about the way you keep track of it!  Here are some of the sweetest handmade clocks I've come across.  

Lemons!

Half Globe

Bingo Time

White Button Clock

Decoylab Owl

Snowfawn Clock

Pup Clock

DIY wood clock

Looking to Decorate Outside?

Try this Spring Bunting Pattern from Mollie Makes:

Get the Pattern from Mollie Makes here

What a perfect Easter picnic decoration 

  

{{ Remember to use fair-trade yarns - if you dont have an ethical/sustainable yarn store check Paloma Textiles }}

Easter Baskets

Came across Deanne's adorable Easter baskets.

FROGGY

These are way too cute!  Too cute to not keep, so instead of filling these baskets with goodies and giving them away, try lining the baskets with plastic and plant Easter lilies inside.  Set them on the porch or in the middle of the table.

BUNNY

CHIC

Visit Deanne's shop on Etsy 

Welcome!

The Handmade Index is a collective of creativity.  We feature handmade artisans and encourage the sharing of ideas.  The Handmade Index gives priority to ethically sourced projects and creative efforts that  are socially conscious.  and well ... we are still discovering who we are! Join us along the way. xx Laura