![[Giveaway] $50 Kohl's Gift Card](http://plainjanemom.com/wp-content/themes/arthemia-premium/scripts/timthumb.php?src=/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/kohls.jpg&w=175&h=150&zc=1&q=100)
I love handmade things. They make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
OK folks, I'm really excited because it's time to take the wraps off my new baby!
I love love love buying things from real people who make stuff with their own two hands, and I am also a faithful Etsy shopper. Combine these two facts with my terminal case of Compulsive Blogging Personality Disorder (CBPD) and you get my new site:
"Try Handmade"
I am completely enamored of handmade products and I want to share this love with you. I understand that it can initially seem intimidating making a purchase from an individual instead of a faceless yet 'reliable' corporation, and I am here to help you find items which will help change your mind using nothing but the sheer power of their incredibleness.
I find it wonderful and awe-inspiring that there really are people out there making so many things which we can choose instead of mass-produced dreck. I'm certainly not advocating that everyone out there build their own cars, or even that everyone buys a handmade car, but when options for beautiful jewelry, clothing, and household items are out there and affordable, I say why not.
Whether you buy handmade new items, or upcycled / recycled / repurposed, you're doing the planet a favor, and you are helping to support an artisan. What could be better than that? New factories will get built with or without my help, but being able to encourage and support artists, artisans, crafters, and hobbyists is a dream come true for me.
Will you follow along?
I really hope you like it — I am loving writing it. Here are a few of the finds I've featured recently.
If you like seeing beautiful things every day, you can subscribe via RSS, in Bloglines, in email, or just bookmark Try Handmade to come back to later.
Thanks so much for checking it out, and I'm curious to know what you think ;)
OMG. I LOVE it!! Great idea, I've subscribed already!!
sam's latest post: On the Brink
Nothing like taking advantage of my shopping addiction and my love of beautiful handcrafting.
DD's latest post: A HOUSEKEEPING NOTE THAT MORPHED INTO A NOVEL
DD, my pleasure ;)
Awesome idea :) Wondering if you'd consider my home-made photo greeting cards as part of "Try Homemade"?
Dawn @ Coming to a Nursery Near You's latest post: Wordless Wednesday – New Nephew Edition!
I love etsy! And it's so good that they accept payments from paypal! :) It makes easier to buy the things that you want there.
Looking forward to sell some of my stuff too someday.
Yvie's latest post: Tower!
I love Etsy too. And homemade in general. I have the most wonderful winter hat this year, warm felted wool, courtesy of an Esty shop. I can't wait to check out your new site.
MommyTime's latest post: How Far Would You Go for Your Children?
Great idea for a blog! I love buying handmade, and I love making handmade. Maybe this will spur/inspire me to get back to sewing again.
Christina's latest post: I'm Keeping Her Away From Cosmo While I Still Can
Hey Dawn, just let me know when your site is ready! :)
There's some fabulous things you've featured. Could I please plug a blog friend of mine - Stacie Florer. She makes some beautiful jewellrey. Her Etsy store address is http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5077063.
jen's latest post: Cardigans are my favourite
Ha… CBPD! I had breakfast with some of my bloggy friends today and we were talking about the dangers of BUI - "blogging under the influence".
manager mom's latest post: To My No Longer A First Grader
Yikes, manager mom, BUI is another tricky disorder ;)
I think (I KNOW) I have CBPD, too.
Congrats on the new blog baby…it's a beauty!
Jamie's latest post: Trampy, Toothless Tots R Us
Jamie, glad you like it, and thank you thank you thank you for the Stumble!!
I love the new blog! But if I go into debt because of you and Etsy, it'll be on your conscience…
Naomi's latest post: My 15 minutes…
Well Naomi, at least your money will be going to support the arts, so you can console yourself with that while you're living in a cardboard box ;)
Great idea - I find it difficult to wade through all the available possibilities, and you will be like my personal shopper! Awesome….
Gudrun's latest post: Summer to-do list
I agree, I love handmade items. I am always surfing on etsy for goodies since I lack the talent myself.
I am troubled at so conspicuously benefiting from your blogging related mental illness but blimey - another great site.
moobs's latest post: Communion
I love Etsy! I have found some really great things through Etsy. I'm heading to your new place now.
slackermommy's latest post: How not to discipline if you have an impulsive child
Hi Erika!
I'm so delighted to find someone who actually appreciate hand made products. It seem like most people are into factory made ones and doesn't really see the uniqueness & creativity of anything made personally by hand anymore! Needless to say, I dig hand made ones too. As a matter of fact, I make my own Jewelries. I have made one for my daughter and she cherishes it so much.That's always a priceless reward! btw, I found you in mybloglog and has added you in my contact. I'm zenforyou. Take care now!
I love that you are doing this! I saw your feeback too and I'm glad you like the ring!
Lotta's latest post: Playing Dress Up
It's a really fantastic site, Erika! I've been meaning and meaning and meaning to check it out and finally did. Definitely will be doing lots of shopping for handmade items for every upcoming birthday/holiday!
Jennifer's latest post: I refuse to admit whether I cried when I saw Thomas
oooh, I'm going to go check it out
Leave a comment!
About
My life in California with my husband Craig and our sons Henry (6.5), Ed (6), and Charlie (3.75).
» About & Contact Me
Go Read It Today »
Dear Jenny,
I can't stop laughing.
Love,
Erika
P.S. Send me your Google phone.
And Karrie's back too -- yay!
I'm glad you're back :)
"Sleep study" sounds so peaceful and calm. Apparently not.
Blogger Holiday Cookie Party! Yay! I love bloggers, holidays, cookies, and parties. What could be better than this?
"Parents who choose a stroller that seats their baby facing away from them could risk long-term development problems in their children" -- I call BULLSHIT. Why is this being made an issue?
Need a new sewing machine? Polliwogged is giving away two Singer Curvys.
Holy crap.
Oh Christina, there's no shame at all. And good for you for deciding to fight for your marriage.
OK, we're all meeting Laura at pickup today and we're going to kick ass and take names.
Amen.
Loralee is at the hospital with a major kidney infection. Hustle over and tell her something funny.
Perfect! I couldn't have said it better myself.
YAY Simone!!
Sounds heavenly, but I'm left wondering what in the world is a "Teutonic spank?"
My Posts Elsewhere »
Randomly Peruse my Blogroll
Directories
Cheap Diapers
All Brands, Free Shipping -- This is why I never had a trunk crammed full of diaper boxes. (And at one point I had 3 kids in diapers, so that's saying something!)