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Tag: handmade

Etsy finds: Cozy cozies

Happy New Year, everyone! My break went a little longer than originally planned, due to excessive snow in the UK, last-minute timetable changes and an impromptu trip home to Canada. I’m back in London now, and ready to embrace 2011 with open arms. But as we all know, January can be a dreary, depressing month. My top tip for beating the blues? Stay inside with a mug of something warm and steaming. To keep it that way, check out these handmade cozies from Etsy:

1. I received one of Anne Bursey’s Wool Coffee Warmers for Christmas, and can’t wait to put it through its paces. Like a touque for your Bodum! 2. I’ve featured KnitStorm‘s work before, but this bright orange cozy was too sweet to resist.

3. This set of two knitted egg cozies from Imali is just about the sweetest thing ever, don’t you think? 4. But of course, Riley Co.‘s Forest Fox Coffee Cozy could give them a run for their money. 5. I love the traditional style of this Cornishware-style striped tea cozy from The Fluffy Duck.

6. This chic tea cozy from Argyle St. is made from luxurious cashmere felt.  7. Inklore‘s Ray of Light linen cozy is modern chic at its best.

Posted in Etsy on January 10th, 2011 by Ele | 2 comments
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Etsy find: Redstitch

I just love it when my readers make life easy for me. While I was away on holiday last month, I got an email from a reader in Holland about her new Etsy shop, Redstitch. Stocking handmade potholders, brooches, dolls and more, the shop immediately grabbed me with its charming items and great use of fabric.

Potholders are quite retro, and can sometimes also seem out-of-date with all the high-tech oven mitts around these days. But Redstitch’s are bang up to date, with a modern shape, useful hook and great colours. My favourite is this lovely white pair, though there’s something here for every taste.

Posted in Etsy on October 3rd, 2010 by Ele | 1 comment so far
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Etsy find: KnitStorm

It’s coming around to my afternoon tea time around here, so consider this post slightly biased. It might be sunny outside, but I’m not really a frappaccino kind of girl; instead, I’ve completely fallen for the adorable knitted cozies of KnitStorm. Kate makes them for mugs and take-away beverage cups, in a huge variety of colours and styles. I’m having a hard time deciding which one I like best- help me out?

Etsy find: KnitStorm

Etsy find: KnitStorm

Etsy find: KnitStorm

Etsy find: KnitStorm

Etsy find: KnitStorm

Posted in Etsy on April 26th, 2010 by Ele | 1 comment so far
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Light my Candle: Loglike and sinead o moore

Hello, my friends! Yes, I am finally back here after a far-too-long blogging hiatus. As much as I hated ignoring you, spending the last couple weeks away from my computer screen was necessary and important: I had work to do, family in town, and plans to make.

But I’m back now, and in the spirit of re-igniting my blogging mojo, thought I’d share a couple of items which caught my eye over the past weeks. Yes, I know it’s a bizarre time of year to be thinking about candles, but I just can’t help myself- these holders are so lovely and covetable. Read on and you’ll see what I mean.

I stumbled across these beauties from Loglike on The Beat That My Heart Skipped. Made from found vintage saucers and reclaimed, hand-carved Welsh wood, they’ve got a rustic-retro quality which I’m loving. Check out their Folksy shop for the entire range.

Loglike

Loglike

Loglike

My second find was sinead o moore, who handcrafts lovely ceramics and sells them weekly at Greenwhich Market (and elsewhere). I was immediately taken by her porcelain tealight holders, paper-thin and egglike in their fragility. I’d like a pair of the turquoise ones, please.

sinead o moore

sinead o moore

sinead o moore

Posted in Products on April 21st, 2010 by Ele | 3 comments
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Etsy find: Jason Russell

Happy Monday! Let’s kick the week off with some covetable ceramics, shall we? You all know I’m a sucker for old-fashioned pottery, and Jason Russell‘s fits the bill perfectly. I’m digging the solid, rustic shapes and pleasing earth tones, as well as the odd splash of refreshing colour. Check out my picks from this great new shop.

Spring might be around the corner, but there’s still soup to be eaten. I’d like mine from one of these heavy soup bowls, please:

Jason Russell

I love the colour and shape of these egg cups, too:

Jason Russell

There’s something so lovely and retro-but-modern about these coffee mugs. I like the squat shape and the graceful dripping glaze:

Jason Russell

Nesting bowls are always useful for prep and serving, and this striped set is pure country kitchen:

Jason Russell

This blue serving bowl is my favourite item. The colour is to die for and the shape modern and understated:

Jason Russell

Posted in Etsy on March 15th, 2010 by Ele | Comments Off
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Etsy find: swan times two

To make up for the slow blogging (so far) this year, I’ve got a double treat to share with you today! Lyn Swan is a talented potter living and working out of Sonoma, California. She keeps not one but two Etsy shops; lyn swan for ethereal porcelain pieces, and clayswan for colourful, Fiestaware-inspired pottery.

lyn swan

I love the colour of these mini balloon bowls:

lyn swan

The larger balloon bowl in white is special, too:

lyn swan

What a lovely petite porcelain cup… perfect for an espresso:

lyn swan

Check out this sculptural watering can:

lyn swan

I covet this cheerful green tray. Perfect for cookies or other nibbles:

lyn swan

clayswan

If you’ve been searching for a salt pig, then search no further. I love this bright yellow one:

clayswan

How perfect is this JUNK vessel for storing pencils and other items?:

clayswan

I dig the fluidity of this creamer and sugar bowl set:

clayswan

This teal vase would be lovely with or without flowers:

clayswan

These two tiny trays are perfect for serving or storing:

clayswan

Posted in Etsy on January 11th, 2010 by Ele | 2 comments
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Etsy finds: Ten for 2010

Happy New Year! It’s a new week, and new month and a new year, and although I let things around here slide toward the end of December, I’m determined to step up my game in 2010. I’m not in the mood to focus on one shop today; my brain isn’t yet back in “working mode”. Instead, here are ten random, lovely, and covetable kitchen finds from Etsy. Enjoy!

The fantastic shop Brookish has added some new items, including these whimsical Mr. Darcy proposal dish towel:

ten for 2010

I also love this Dolphin Tea Towel from niceBreeze:

ten for 2010

This pair of Flower Trivets is so pretty, I almost wouldn’t want to put anything on them! From Uncommon Eye:

ten for 2010

How’s this for a New Year’s resolution? Beat Batter and Bake Stuff spoof print from Queen’s Spoof:

ten for 2010

VintageO‘s pair of glazed stoneware bowls is lovely (and I love the photography!):

ten for 2010

My Mum has several of these cups, and I never really thought about their charm before now. Vintage tin measuring cup from buppins:

ten for 2010

I like this sandwich/snack bag from Country Life Naturals, which is made of a vintage tea towel with a food-safe liner:

ten for 2010

CeramicJen has some wonderful items; I especially like her Flying Bird Teabowl:

ten for 2010

I love the feeling of this Teapot in Blue print from Studio Lyon- it’s so unique and decorative:

ten for 2010

This Colander Pendant Lamp by Purpose ReDesign Studio would be great in an industrial modern kitchen:

ten for 2010

Posted in Etsy on January 4th, 2010 by Ele | 1 comment so far
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Holiday Gift Guide: Handmade

Welcome to the Kitchenisms Holiday Gift Guide 2009, a week-long extravaganza of cool present ideas for the holiday season. Each day has a different theme, and I try to include both stocking stuffers and big-ticket items. You’ll find a mix of new finds and favourites from the archives here, all stuff I’d love to find under the tree on the 25th!

The best gifts come from the heart, and handmade items, crafted with love and attention, sit at the top of this list. Of course, not everyone is crafty- and nor do they have to be. Thanks to sites like Etsy and Big Cartel, handmade no longer has to be homemade, and everyone can get in on the fun. Check out these extra-special pieces for the extra-special people on your shopping list.

I’ve mentioned Nikole Herriot’s lovely blog forty-sixth at grace before, as well as her shop herriot grace. The beautiful spoons, stands and dishes that Nikole and her father make and sell together are hand-carved from salvaged wood- definitely deserving of a place under the Christmas tree:

Holiday Gift Guide: Handmade

I discovered the Fine Little Shop (attached to the blog Fine Little Day) just the other day through Decor8. I love these charming little boards for cutting and serving sandwiches or cheese:

Holiday Gift Guide: Handmade

I like Etsy for pottery, and Jenny Blasen Pottery has some beautiful pieces in her shop. I was especially drawn to this pair of modern-looking Black and White Bowls:

Holiday Gift Guide: Handmade

I’ve been curious about these chunky hand-knit washcloths from Zummi for a while now. This set in Moss, Sand and Cedar look good for mopping up spills or drying dishes:

Holiday Gift Guide: Handmade

tinsnips‘ Dimple Cups are probably the most whimsical and charming espresso cups I’ve seen in a while- they remind me of fluffy clouds, or marshmallows! Perfect for a coffee or sake fan with a sense of humour:

Holiday Gift Guide: Handmade

I wish the Selvedge Drygoods shop had better photos, but they do have some lovely handmade goodies. The Ruth Cross and Linda Bloomfield Tea Set combines the skills of these two artists in the sweetest way- a teapot and mugs with hand-knit cozies! Perfect for snuggling up this winter:

Holiday Gift Guide: 2009

Posted in Gift Guide on December 3rd, 2009 by Ele | Comments Off
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Etsy find: Prince Design UK

I didn’t manage to get an Etsy post done yesterday, but better late than never, right? Today I want to share the work of Prince Design UK, an Etsy shop run by Elizabeth Prince.

Elizabeth is a ceramicist who lives and works in Northern England, and sells her work online, as well as through independent retail shops. Her work is largely inspired by nature, but is contemporary in feel. Check out some of my favourite pieces.

This trio of Stacking Poppy Bowls is so pretty and delicate, I think they’d look great on a kitchen windowsill:

Prince Design UK

Elizabeth does a whole bunch of individual poppy bowls, too. This large Salad Bowl is gorgeous:

Prince Design UK

The perforated Colander and Fruit Bowl is multipurpose- suitable for both washing and storing fruits:

Prince Design UK

I love the Lacy Bird Bowl Duo, a set of shallow dishes that can be used for display, as well as practically:

Prince Design UK

The Flying Ducks Dessert Plate is simply adorable, and I can definitely picture serving up some pie on it:

Prince Design UK

Not exactly kitchen-related (though I suppose you could hang them anywhere), these Butterfly Snowflake Christmas Ornaments are pretty and festive, without being kitsch:

Prince Design UK

Posted in Etsy on November 10th, 2009 by Ele | 2 comments
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Etsy finds: Oven Mitts

Every kitchen needs a pair, right? And unless you prefer those frightening silicone ones, they might as well look nice. Check out these offerings from Etsy…

This pair from Vintage Hotcakes is made out of a vintage tea towel:

etsy finds: oven mitts

I’ve featured the girlscantell shop before, and I still love the illustrated oven mitts. This Joy of Cooking version is perfect for foodies: 

etsy finds: oven mitts

For full-on vintage kitsch Cath Kidston-style, this Roses oven mitt from City Chic Country Mouse will do the job: 

etsy finds: oven mitts

This Selection of Tea oven mitt from Teri’s Treasure has the cutest print, and nice colours, too:

etsy finds: oven mitts

I like the cheerful print of this flowered pair from feet up furnishings (there are potholders and a tea cozy to match, too!):

etsy finds: oven mitts

Posted in Etsy on August 24th, 2009 by Ele | 2 comments
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