For many of us the thought of handmade gifts probably conjures up memories of construction paper Mother's Day cards and itchy knit scarves. Thankfully that notion is changing as a new wave of DIY (do it yourself) appreciation is gaining momentum around the world. From Germany to New Zealand, people are eschewing the consumer culture tradition of mass produced presents, and opting instead to make and sell their own crafty creations. In the last few years not a month has gone by without an independent craftsperson and her/his items being featured in a major magazine or television program! To the joy of creative artisans and DIY shoppers alike, it seems that handmade items are becoming a permanent fixture as gift options.
Since there are countless artists offering their handmade crafts we can't mention them all, but featured below are some of our favorite online DIY stores. They represent a good cross-section of the best handcrafted gift items available; unique handmade jewelry, handmade cards, handmade purses, handmade clothing, and a ton of other one-of-a-kind goodies.
Cut+Paste is the original online crafty mega store. Back in 2002 the proprietress, Jenny, wanted "a fun place for me to sell some stuff. Noticing that lots of other crafty kids didn't have a place to show off their stuff, I offered consignment a few months after the site launched." In the years since then she has showcased over 70 designers and their amazing variety of handmade items. You'll find Cut+Paste linked on nearly every other crafty website; a testament to the store's quality and status as the seminal online crafty marketplace. Categories include Clothing, Accessories, Bags, Books + Zines, Paper Goods, and Other. (Clockwise from top left: handmade necklace, vintage shoes, reconstructed t-shirt, handmade top, felted brooch, and handspun yarn)
Plain Mabel, besides having a great name, carries an extremely varied selection of items created by dozens of independent artists. They specialize in "extraordinary accessories, home décor, toys, handmade stationery, craft gear, and more", with a definite emphasis on more. Their selection of clever handmade gifts include items suitable for absolutely everyone on your shopping list, and there's even a "shop by price" function to help you stay within your budget. Updates are quite frequent so be sure to sign up for the newsletter to stay current. Categories include Bags & Pouches, Jewelry, Accessories, Home & Stationery, Crafting, and Toys & Fun Stuff. (Clockwise from top left: handmade necklace, hand crocheted California roll magnet, beaded stitch marker, handmade greeting card, and handmade doll)
Lekkner is our favorite one-lady crafty website for so many reasons. Melissa creates a seemingly endless assortment of reconstructed clothing and accessories, and she does it using mostly recycled/vintage t-shirts. She likes the creative challenge, and finds a sense of satisfaction in turning boxy thrift store castoffs into one-of-a-kind, wearable art. No animal-derived materials (such as leather or wool) are ever used in any Lekkner items. Further putting her ethics into action, Melissa donates a portion of her profits to a greyhound rescue organization, and spearheads the Crafters for Critters website that gives all proceeds to an animal rescue group. Categories include Custom Reconstructed Clothing (tops, bottoms, bags, & dresses), Screen Printed T-shirts, Pouches & Totes, Earrings & Brooches, and Vegetarian Items (shirts, buttons, and pouches) (Clockwise from top left: reconstructed pocket pouch, vegetarian button set, reconstructed zip hoodie, and handmade bag)
Sewing Stars carries many crafty and artsy items made by Teresa. Her sweet animal illustrations adorn most of the products including hand made cards and handmade stationery, as well as zip pouches and magnets. She has an eye for gorgeous color combinations and clean design, making all Sewing Stars goodies a real aesthetic treat. There is also a line of colorful stuffed animals that would be great as a handmade baby gift, but are equally loved by adult crafty connoisseurs! Categories include Stuffed Creatures, Paper Goods, Magnet Sets, Handbags & Pouches, Paintings, Crafty Friends (items made by others) and Bits & Pieces (buttons, charms, t-shirts, etc). (Clockwise from top left: hand made invitation, panda doll, zipper pouch, and magnet)
Bird in a Skirt is the epitome of DIY fashion, and another Mable's favorite. Almost everything is designed and sewn by Vickey, with meticulous attention to the small finishing touches. Like many handcrafted goods, you just don't find that kind of detailed work in a mass-produced item! Every creation is refreshingly unique, but the one-of-a-kind reconstructed clothing is absolutely gorgeous. Bird in a Skirt bags (all designed from handmade patterns) are also stunning and original. For more examples of Vickey's creative genius be sure to check out the Gallery of sold items. 10% of profits go to charity. Categories include Bags & Accessories, Clothing, Paper Goods, and Other (earrings and vintage housewares) (Clockwise from top left: handmade book, reconstructed halter top, zipper pouch, and hand made purse)
If you're familiar with any of these fantastic online stores then you probably know they are the tip of the iceberg. To find more talented artists, crafters, and designers of all kinds there are a few websites that will make searching easier. Craftster's Shop Crafty showcases online businesses that sell craft supplies or hand made crafts. I Buy DIY and the Indie Collective are other fairly comprehensive lists of craftpersons that are in the DIY community. If you still can't decide on which independent designer to purchase your one of a kind gifts from, check out The Sampler. It's is an ever-changing monthly collection of samples, goodies, promos and more from indie crafters, record labels and zines. For a very reasonable fee you can be surprised every month with a new assortment of crafty wares, delivered right to your door.
Handmade gifts have so many advantages over their mass-produced counterparts, and because of the variety and price ranges available you can make everyone on your shopping list happy. Give your loved ones a handmade one-of-a-kind gift, and support independent businesses at the same time. Many students, stay at home parents, disabled, and elderly artists have found a steady income and fulfilling work in selling their crafts online. It's a win-win situation for indie artisans, and handmade shoppers alike. Next time you quiz your friends and family about the gifts they received from you last Christmas/Birthday/Anniversary/etc. you won't just see that deep-in-thought look. Their face will probably light up as they thank you again for the thoughtful and unique handcrafted present.
-Lauren
