Shop + Tell: Me

Who: me!! How often do you indie-shop? I’ve had to significantly decrease my shopping sprees since quitting my job. And editing Heart Handmade does not make things easier... I see so many amazing things on a daily basis, but sometimes I just can't help myself. I probably buy one thing a month (when I'm "good") and have been making a conscious effort to buy presents from indie artists (inspired by Melissa). Scores...Blue and cream Toile tunic top from Katsai How does it make you feel? unique, comfortable, happy, proud, up-for-anything What made you buy it? I interviewed Bonnie for the blog and immediately fell in love with her tops, but wasn’t quite lucky enough to snag one... until one day I just happened to go on her site and LUCKY ME! One in my size.

Shop + Tell: Perfect Bound

So exciting to have both Julie and Kathryn here today (yay!) - I'm such a huge fan. I consider their blog - Perfect Bound the Audrey Hepburn of blogs!!

Who: Julie of Perfect Bound!! How often do you indie-shop? I try to buy indie/handmade as often as possible. It's not very hard to do since I seem to be drawn to the charm of handmade items! Scores...a red and white recycled poppy pin from foundling. How does it make you feel? Special, charming, happy, inspired, lovely What made you buy it? So often I'll have on outfit an and feel like I'm missing that something that sets it apart and gives it a little personality. When I found these, I knew they were just what I was looking for! They're great because I can also attach them to tote or hair tie. Betsy's since added to the selection of colours and sizes... I think I'll be adding to my collection!

Who: Kathryn of Perfect Bound!! How often do you indie-shop? I would say it's becoming more frequent, as I really appreciate the time and effort that goes into creating something. And I think supporting the indie/handmade market is so important. Scores...a canvas tote from the lovely Lisa of Good on Paper How does it make you feel? eco friendly, creative, jovial, playful, cute What made you buy it? I was looking for a fun tote bag that wasn't too heavy so it would easily fold up and fit in my purse. This way I can put any purchases I make in the tote bag instead of using a plastic shopping bag from the store. This one was perfect, and super cute too!

Thanks Julie & Kathryn!!

Are you an avid handmade shopper and recently bought something that you're absolutely in love with? Share it and help spread the love for handmade on Shop+Tell! Email me at hearthandmade[at]gmail[dot]com w/ subject Shop+Tell.

Shop + Tell: Emma Kidd

Who: Emma Kidd of ben conservo, a wonderful artist who can do wonders with a moleskine notebook!! How often do you indie-shop? I buy indie/handmade products for all my presents, but I usually buy one item a month for me, such as a print that takes my fancy, as I am a collector. Scores...2 Gocco prints by Amanda Blake. How does it make you feel? Intrigued, inspired, familiar, calm and waiting. What made you buy it? I bought this product because they are beautiful pieces all on their own. I have an urge to buy other pieces of hers, but I am being reasonable.

Thanks Emma!!

Are you an avid handmade shopper and recently bought something that you're absolutely in love with? Share it and help spread the love for handmade on Shop+Tell! Email me at hearthandmade[at]gmail[dot]com w/ subject Shop+Tell.

Shop + Tell: Ez of Creature Comforts

Who: The wonderfully talented - don’t know where she gets all her energy from - Ez of Creature Comforts, Muse and Wren & Chickadee! How often do you indie-shop? I purchase indie / handmade goods as frequently as I can - both online and within my day to day life. Indie's where it's at! Scores...an Abigail Brown Matchbox tweeter- PANTO How does it make you feel? Cheerful, Creative, Inspired, Bright, Twitterpated What made you buy it? I've admired Abigail's whimsical creations for some time now, but I knew I had to have my own little Matchbox Tweeter when I saw one that my friend Melissa had. Too cute to pass up! Each one of Abigail's creations are one of a kind, and I chose this specific bird because of it's bright yellow fabric and aqua accents... my favorite colors!

Thanks Ez!!

Are you an avid handmade shopper and recently bought something that you're absolutely in love with? Share it and help spread the love for handmade on Shop+Tell! Email me at hearthandmade[at]gmail[dot]com w/ subject Shop+Tell.

Shop + Tell: Monica

Who: Monica of M & Co., a blog full of yummy yummy things...she describes it as "Eclectic interiors, decorating, crafts, gardening and my doings around the house." Scores...a Secret Serenity Ring necklace from Ouch! by ko-ko-no, a small Swedish jewellery line, by designer Katarine Cornelius. She is inspired by Tokyo where she used to live, and Ko-Ko-no apparently means Individuality in Japanese. How does it make you feel? Cute, secretive, loved and a bit mischievous (After all I could have arsenic in that secret container, right?! ;-)) Why did you decide to buy it? I'm mad about everything egg shaped, and when I saw this hanging in a small boutique I just knew I had to have it! Its beautiful, and I can use it in many ways around my neck, wrapped twice around my neck, as a belt, as a chain on my purse and around my arm. The egg can easily be removed and fastened to other things as well ...so its really a great buy :-)! And the best of all is the little secret container where I carry a special note from the husband :-)

Thanks Monica!!

Are you an avid handmade shopper and recently bought something that you're absolutely in love with? Share it and help spread the love for handmade on Shop+Tell! Email me at hearthandmade[at]gmail[dot]com w/ subject Shop+Tell.

Shop + Tell: Karen of Me Myself and Kai

Who: Karen of memyselfandkai sent me one of the sweetest emails sharing her latest find from Shannon Hiramoto’s line machinemachine. How often do you indie-shop? Hmmm....it depends. Some months I won't buy anything. Other months I'll buy four or five things. I've tried to cut down my spending at places like Target so I can buy from an indie business instead. Scores...a bon dance dress from The Machine Stops. How does it make you feel? Special, Light, Happy, Nostalgic, and Fashionable What made you buy it? I live in the Southwest now, but I grew up in Hawaii and I instantly recognized that the dress was made out of bon dance scarves. Bon dances are a Buddhist tradition and a lot of folks from Hawaii attend. It's kind of like a big party. So the dress struck me as something uniquely Hawaii--not like the typical aloha-print dress or shirt. And the seller is from Hawaii and I felt an urge to support her work. I think I waited a day before buying it, but I kept checking on it compulsively and hoping no one else had purchased it yet. Finally I took the plunge and bought it because I knew I would love it and it would have a special meaning to me.

Thanks Karen!!

Are you an avid handmade shopper and recently bought something that you're absolutely in love with? Share it and help spread the love for handmade on Shop+Tell! Email me at hearthandmade[at]gmail[dot]com w/ subject Shop+Tell.

Shop + Tell: Melissa de la Fuente

Who: Melissa de la Fuente, desiger of the lovely Acts of Kindness jewelry line, weekly contributor at Creature Comforts and a special friend whom I met through this crazy world of blogging. How often do you indie-shop? Once a week, husband says 2x week! :) He is probably right! So, 8-12 items a month Not all for me of course! Truly! Scores... a DrikaB Giallo Weekender How does it make you feel? Happy, stylish, organized, fresh and unique What made you buy it? Well, the first thing that made me buy it was it's looks! It was love at first sight! Then, I liked it's size and price. I thought it was a good price and something I could swing as I needed a new purse.

Thanks Melissa!!

Are you an avid handmade shopper and recently bought something that you're absolutely in love with? Share it and help spread the love for handmade on Shop+Tell! Email me at hearthandmade[at]gmail[dot]com w/ subject Shop+Tell.

Shop + Tell: Erin Loechner

I'm so excited to introduce Shop+Tell, a new feature here on Heart Handmade. As a seller myself, I love the idea of seeing where my products end up after dropping them off at the post office. As a consumer, I usually have a couple of things running through my head before deciding to hit the buy button.

I hope that Shop+Tell will not only serve as a customer appreciation/testimonial tool but also help sellers by giving them insights into the reasoning behind a sale.

I've met so so many wonderful people from blogging and I'm so happy to have one of the most wonderful, sweetest, self-less, helpful, inspiring (I can go on and on) gals that I've met this year help introduce Shop+Tell...

Who:Erin Loechner of Design for Mankind (indie-shops once/month) Scores...a Terry Graziano Capricious hat How does it make you feel? Original,Incognito,Inspired, Playful, Ready What made you buy it? I bought the Capricious hat b/c I've always wanted to be a hat person and have never been able to quite pull it off. I figured since there are six different options for each hat, I'm bound to work one of them, yes? [Debatable, but it really is gorgeous!] Also, I rarely purchase things that aren't the bare essentials (it's one of my life goals). I slip often, but I do try to keep my shopping to a minimum. Since this is the first hat I've EVER purchased [can you believe it?], it will probably be my only for a while. The versatility was a great perk b/c I feel like I bought six hats for the price of one! [And, I bought it to reward myself for making the recent life-changing decision to resign from my current job. It was a change that needed to be made, but a hard one. What better way to reward myself than a metaphorical 'wearing of a different hat'?]

Thanks Erin!!

Are you an avid handmade shopper and recently bought something that you're absolutely in love with? Share it and help spread the love for handmade on Shop+Tell! Email me at hearthandmade[at]gmail[dot]com w/ subject Shop+Tell.