Handmade Wonderful

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This is my cat, Sophie.  She lives with my parents in Michigan, and is therefore “my cat” whenever it’s convenient, as in:
“Alli, why don’t you brush your cat while you’re here?”
“Alli, I made an appointment for you to take your cat to the vet.”
“Alli, your cat puked on the living room floor!”

Regardless, I’m looking forward to seeing Sophie while I’m in Michigan next week.  I might even enjoy brushing her, but I hope she doesn’t puke while I’m there!

In honor of Sophie, here are a few kitty-related goodies on Etsy:

This signed print is by artist Ron Krajewski of Pennsylvania. Abyssinian cats are generally very friendly and playful–unlike Sophie.  While Sophie enjoys the company of those she loves, she tends is very lazy and routine-oriented.  If no one else goes for it, I think the print would look amazing on my own wall!

This is one of the cutest, most original tech cozies I’ve seen!  I love how it’s quilty, and the embroydered black cat flourish is very stylish.

Finally, something cute and fun for your cat!  This hemp catnip mouse is so cute that it could easily pose as floor decor.

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Tags: cat, etsy, sophie, wall art, watercolor

After a hiatus that took longer than expected, I have decided to shake things up a bit.  I want to make this blog a bit more personal.  From now on I will be using the word “I” more often in my posts as well as discussing crafty persuits of my own.  I hope this will insprire me to both craft and write.

I plan on keeping the weekly features, but they may occasionally be skipped.  (For instance, there will not be an interview this Saturday.)  They are still features I enjoy.

I also still accept submissions, ideas, etc.  If you know of anything crafty and cool (I’m being specifically vague) send me an email.

Cheers,
Alli

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Tags: personal

Handmade Wonderful will not be updated this Thursday-Sunday because I will be in New York City for The Last Hope with my local group hacdc!

This means there wont be any Thursday Recipes or Interview Saturday this week. In the mean time, check out my treasury on etsy, before it goes away.

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It’s mid July, and here in the United States that means it’s the middle of summer. Kids, by now, have forgotten everything they learned in school the year before. Summer is no longer a novelty and yet there is no need to try and hold on to it. Here are a few finds on Etsy that represent those midsummer days:

From left to right, top to bottom:
1. Young ones and old ones can feel summery with this beautiful Flower in Your Hair Headband by fleurfatale.
2. Who says dogs can’t be stylish during the summer? Slip your dog’s collar through this Drop of Sweetness Dog Bandanna. Created by The Everyday Dog Studio.
3. Prism Schism crafted the perfect earrings for grilling in the backyard: Hot Dog Polymer Clay Earrings!
4. Keep your head cool with summer’s favorite fabric, seersucker. The Seersucker Pageboy Hat, by piperandpaisley.

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Tags: dogs, earrings, etsy, fabulous etsy finds, handmade, jewelry, pets, Style, summer

Some of the most delicious bags I’ve ever seen are fresh from Baltimore by designer Rebecca of Bake Sale Designs. These ingenious Bangle bags can be worn on the wrist like a bracelet:

Most of her bags are limited edition, so you don’t have to worry much about having the same bag as someone else! It also means you should hurry up and order your favorite right away before it’s sold out! She also makes other styles of bags including totes and zipper pouches. Besides bags, Bake Sale Designs sells lovely handmade scarves, housewares, and flower pins:

What a treat!

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Tags: bangle, Craft, handbags, handmade, jewelry, pin, Style

This week’s interviewee is the talented Michigan resident Stephanie of The Phantom Limb. Stephanie uses inspiration from her home state of Michigan to create beautiful works of art, cards, and journals.

Tell the Handmade Wonderful readers a little about yourself and what you do.

My name is Stephanie and I’ve been making and selling paper crafts under the name Phantom Limb for a few years now. Most of my goods are bright, happy and made from re-claimed materials. My creations reflection my love of assemblage and my day job as a graphic designer.

I prefer selling my goods in person, at fairs and in shops, because I enjoy the community interaction of the DIY movement as much as the making.

I also run Handmade Detroit and the Detroit Urban Craft Fair with some friends.

How did you come up with your shop name, “The Phantom Limb”?

Phantom Limb is really just a metaphor for the company’s mission - to take stuff someone they aren’t using anymore – bought at a garage sale or saved from the trash bin - and turned into a “must have” useable or beautiful object. My tagline is “the stuff you’re missing.”

You live in Michigan, where I’m from originally. I know that the economy in Michigan, particularly in Detroit, is at a low point. How does that effect you as a crafter?

Definitely the economy and the state of Detroit helps shape my creations –- mainly that I fell pushed to create happy objects. I want people to see that Detroit is more than it’s horrible national headlines; that happy people do live here; that, just as “trash” can be turned into art, our city can be re-invented.

How has living in Michigan inspired your creations?

The lakes, the trees, the hills — it is beautiful here. The Michigan map journal was created so people would have a place to reflect on the state’s beauty.

Tell me about your 100 trees project.

I tend to jump from project to project, and since trees have always been calming to me, the project is a way to explore them and hopefully, grow my illustration talents a bit, too.

Photos of them can be seen here.

Explain the creative process works for you. How do you get from initial idea to finished product?

It’s a lot of playing around and exploring. I keep an art journal that I write ideas in, either sketches or writing, which seem to come while I’m doing something to occupy my manual mind. For example, driving to work. I also get a lot of ideas in my sleep, particularly if I’ve experienced something particularly inspiring – a movie, a typeface - during the day.

What one craft supply could you not live without?

Scissors! I even keep a pair in my car.

What is your favorite item for sale in your shop?

What advice would you give to someone wanting to sell her or his crafts?

Be persistent. Remember that rejection isn’t personal. What works for one person may not for you, and being willing to try lots of outlets before you find your niche is important.

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Tags: cards, collages, Craft, etsy, interview monday, journals, Michigan, wall art

One of my favorite desserts to make and eat is chocolate mousse pie. This is a really easy recipe that uses a food processor (and is the only thing I ever make with said device). I made one for Thanksgiving a couple years ago, and was the first dessert to be polished off by my family members! The hardest part is beating the cream into peaks. This recipe contains dairy.

Ingredients

Crust
21 chocolate sandwich cookies (such as Oreos)
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces, room temperature

Mousse
12 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
3 3/4 cups chilled whipping cream
1/4 cup sugar

Chocolate shavings (optional)

Preparation

Crust:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides. Finely grind cookies in processor. Add butter and process until mixture is evenly moistened. Press crumb mixture onto bottom and up sides of prepared pan to form thin crust. Bake crust 5 minutes. Transfer crust to rack and cool completely.

Mousse:
Combine chocolate, vanilla and salt in processor. Bring 1 cup cream to boil in heavy small saucepan. With processor running, gradually pour hot cream through feed tube and process until chocolate is melted and smooth. Transfer mixture to large bowl. Cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally.

Beat 2 cups cream and sugar in large bowl to stiff peaks. Fold into chocolate mixture. Pour mousse into prepared crust. Chill until set, about 6 hours. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead.).

Beat remaining 3/4 cup cream in medium bowl to firm peaks. Transfer to pastry bag fitted with medium star tip. Pipe rosettes of cream around edge of cake. Garnish with chocolate shavings.

From epicurious.com [link].

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Tags: crafting in the kitchen, dessert, pie, recipes, vegitarian