Written by Wenona Napolitano
Published on November 20th, 2009
A woman’s handbag is an extension of herself. It shows off her style, her personality and her ability to coordinate the perfect bag with her outfit. Many of us can’t really afford to have a bag for every outfit or mood but with a little craftiness and the help of this new book…maybe we can.
Refashioned Bags: Upcycle Anything into High-Style Handbags
is a new book that shows us how to turn almost anything into a fun, funky and fabulous handbags.
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Written by Wenona Napolitano
Published on November 18th, 2009
Are you looking for more ideas to make the holidays handmade this year? Drop by FaveCrafts.com.
There’s a great article Go Green This Christmas full of ideas and links to fun Christmas crafts that would make great gifts. Make sure to check out the list of 34 green Christmas crafts. Read the rest of this entry »
Written by Becky Striepe
Published on November 18th, 2009

The weather is getting colder, and we have a handmade holiday on our minds! Handmade gifts have heart, are better for the environment, and, if you opt to buy, it supports independent artists!
If you want to have a totally handmade holiday, now is the time to get started. Over the next couple of months, we’ll be posting about recycled gifts and giftwrap you can make yourself and great handmade finds for sale!
I just love ornaments! Not only do they look lovely on the tree, they make great little stocking stuffers. In this video, Kim Buchheit of Wildly Wooly shows us how to make acorn ornaments out of felted wool and real acorn caps! You could also use them as pendants, like in the photo above, by just stringing them onto a cord or some hemp and adding a simple clasp.
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Written by Becky Striepe
Published on November 11th, 2009

The weather is getting colder, and we have a handmade holiday on our minds! Handmade gifts have heart, are better for the environment, and, if you opt to buy, it supports independent artists!
If you want to have a totally handmade holiday, now is the time to get started. Over the next couple of months, we’ll be posting about recycled gifts and giftwrap you can make yourself and great handmade finds for sale!
Really, it was like kismet. My girlfriend’s birthday brunch was on Sunday, and on Saturday my booth at the Cabbagetown Chomp and Stomp was right next to the lovely Lightdaughter Press. Since my friend is back in school, I picked up one of their journals printed with “Today you will be happier than a bird with a french fry” printed on the cover. To make the gift extra special, I decided to make her a little cozy to keep it in along with her favorite pen. I just love that her gift is a combination of a purchased handmade item and something handmade by me!
Want to make your very own journal cozy? Here’s how!
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Written by Wenona Napolitano
Published on November 7th, 2009
Do you woodwork? Chances are you have a box of leftover odds and ends of wood that can be turned into something cute for the holidays.
My husband has a huge box of wood pieces that he throws leftovers into after he’s done making a project. These pieces can range from tiny little scraps to half a two by four. But for some reason he had a bunch of pieces that were all about the same size left over from making something and we came up with these cute little snowmen. Read the rest of this entry »
Written by Wenona Napolitano
Published on November 6th, 2009
Holiday stockings don’t need to be made from plush furry fabric or rich red velvet. They can be made from any fabric you like that reflects your style, eclectic tastes, or interior decor.
A long time ago I worked for a furniture store. One day they were clearing out all the sample fabric swatches and books that had been discontinued. And what were they going to do with it all?
Toss it in the dumpster. Stacks and stacks of rich, fancy, and fabulous pieces of fabric. All to the trash. I just couldn’t let it happen. Read the rest of this entry »
Written by Becky Striepe
Published on November 4th, 2009
The weather is getting colder, and we have a handmade holiday on our minds! Handmade gifts have heart, are better for the environment, and, if you opt to buy, it supports independent artists!
If you want to have a totally handmade holiday, now is the time to get started. Over the next couple of months, we’ll be posting about recycled gifts and giftwrap you can make yourself and great handmade finds for sale!
When my pal Jes from Cupcake Punk posted about making her own apple butter, I just new this was the perfect holiday food gift! We’re all about mason jars full of tasty treats around the holidays, and you know we’re into canning around here, so this seemed just perfect! Not only is apple butter a crowd pleaser, but since apples are in season right now, you can probably find local ones pretty easily!
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Written by Wenona Napolitano
Published on October 30th, 2009
Now here’s what a little creativity can come up with; Motherboard Gifts is a company that utilizes old motherboards and computer parts to make reclaimed gifts like money clips, picture frames, clocks, coasters, jewelry, bookmarks, binders, business card cases and even Christmas ornaments.
These are eco-friendly gifts even the most tech savvy, computer geek may love. Read the rest of this entry »
Written by Becky Striepe
Published on October 28th, 2009
The weather is getting colder, and we have a handmade holiday on our minds! Handmade gifts have heart, are better for the environment, and, if you opt to buy, it supports independent artists!
If you want to have a totally handmade holiday, now is the time to get started. Over the next couple of months, we’ll be posting about recycled gifts and giftwrap you can make yourself and great handmade finds for sale!
There are lots of ecofriendly gift wrap options out there if you’re feeling the traditional, paper wrapping thing. If you want to branch out a bit, though, you might try wrapping some gifts this year using the traditional Japanese method furoshiki. Here’s how!
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Written by Wenona Napolitano
Published on October 23rd, 2009
I worry about the art and craft supplies my kids use much more than what I use, even though I try to keep my own supplies as safe as possible. But when it comes to my kids I want to know their stuff isn’t full of toxins.
Clementine Art feels the same way that’s why they have created a line of safe art and craft products with kids in mind.
Clementine Art has safe markers, natural glue, natural soy crayon rocks, soy crayons (that are shaped for little hands to hold), really safe finger paints, and natural modeling dough. Read the rest of this entry »