fey, a.
1. giving an impression of vague unworldlinesss.
2. whimsical; strange
i am truly taken with business models that support and promote quality products straight from the hands and minds of artists. i used to think that handmade items were tremendously overpriced, but in fact i was wrong. while in certain cases 'handmade' is synonymous with a hefty price tag, in most cases a few extra dollars for a quaint, unique item with oodles of longevity is worth it.
fey handmade's "about us" section inspired this rave. with a low waste, high quality, friendly all around stance.
take a look at some of the functional and modestly ticketed things i found in the 'under $25' section (which is all can afford to peruse):
chrysanthemum
ship pillowcases
mini creamers
these three creamers are from pigeon toe ceramics
i've learned that there is no need to traverse large chain stores! memo books, bed linens, coffee/tea accessories (and so many other items-- dish towels, dishes, kitchen accessories, etc., all things used to furnish one's living space) come in all shapes and sizes in healthier venues.
check local farmers markets if online communities aren't cutting it for you. no shipping and interaction with vendors is always nice. boutiques in and around the city (especially seattle) have lines from local artists in their displays, too.
etsy is also a great resource for finding handmade and/or local artists. it is also pretty affordable.
a side note:
there's a documentary about the close-knit community immersed in most things made by hand. it is called handmade nation. worth seeing?
