Ah, the combination of hi-tech and handmade. It makes me happy. Our family just welcomed another member of the i-family to our home and our brand shiny new iPad mini needs a case, so I went Etsy browsing!
Bonspiel Creation – Victoria, BC
One-of-a-Kind sleeve style case, made from a piece of an oil painting that has been sealed to be weather resistant. Upcycled buckle and leather trim as well. Created by Bonspiel Creation from Victoria, BC.
Princess Tree Accessories – Toronto
Charcoal and lime green iPad mini case from Princess Tree Accessories, based out of Toronto. (on sale for $30.14 CAD with a free iPhone 4/4S case, too!)
downgirl – Guelph
Handknit Sock Monkey iPad Mini sleeve by downgirl, from Guelph, ON. ($29.11 CAD)
Vintage Fabric Finds – Annapolis Royal, NS
Padded iPad Mini sleeve in grey chevron with velcro closure by VintageFabricFinds from Annapolis Royal, NS. ($22.00 CAD)
BoutiqueId – Montreal, QC
Felt Fox sleeve, with small front pocket and included D rings to turn it into a small messenger back from Boutique Id in Montreal, QC. ($64.46 CAD)
Molipop – Quesnel, BC
Padded cotton sleeve with velcro closure from Molipop in Quesnel, BC. ($28.07 CAD)
Zenok Leather – Vancouver, BC
Hand stitched leather sleeve with snap, and option for monogram. By Zenok Leather in Vancouver, BC. ($88.37 CAD)
Shibang Designs – Montreal, QC
Cotton sleeve with screen-printed branches and a bright cobalt blue flower appliqued on the front. Shibang Designs from Montreal, QC. ($46.78 CAD)
All of these makers and designers have lots more product available in their shops! Colours and sizes to fit lots of different devices. Enjoy :)
~Sarah
I met the lovely Jolanta of Jola V. Designs on Twitter, and then at the OOAK Vancouver show last December. Not only is she on the “tall girls” team with me, but she also has a bag called the “Sarah”. Match made in heaven!
The Sarah bag, like all of Jolanta’s pieces, is made using leather that is pre-cut, overstock, repurposed or liquidated. I appreciate that the hides she uses are being being turned into beautiful bags rather than shredded or sent to landfill. This means that Jolanta often has limited (but fabulous) colour runs for her bags, making them that much more special.
A group of Sarah bags - love the colours!
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Having seen Jolanta’s super-soft bags in person, I love the extra special details (the ruffles, the braided strap, the added knot of leather) and the way those are incorporated into very functional and roomy construction.
The "Katie" bag
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The lacing is a great detail on this Jaki tote
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She has also recently added canvas totes to her line, which are adorable (no surprise there!). These would add a little fun to your travel or beach wardrobe, or fill it up at the local farmers market!
The ruffles! I love the ruffles!
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So, do you love them?! Here’s some good news – Jola V Designs is celebrating 2 years in business, and Jolanta is offering a chance to win one of her popular Sarah bags – drop by the Facebook page and comment here for a chance to win!
You can also find Jolanta on Twitter, and all of her bags are available on her website at JolaVDesigns.com. If you’re an Etsy fan, you can visit her shop there, too but it is a limited selection – check her website for full range of colours and styles!
Enjoy!
~Sarah
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: There are few things on this earth cuter than baby feet. It’s undeniable. Those pudgy little sausage toes, the delectable little soft roundness… I can’t get enough. I just want to eat. them. up.
Since I clearly can’t do that (unless I want a very interesting call from child services), I must content myself with dressing those little toes in tiny adorable shoes. Admittedly, due to their close relationship with baby feet, the shoes are also on the short list for cutest thing ever. Right now I am loving these ones from Soft Soul Baby Shoes in Montreal.
Eeeee! The patch! on the one eye!
You can even get them personalized with your little munchkin’s name or initial, just to make them a little more special.
Choose your colours, add baby's personal details, and voila!
Or perhaps these are a bit more baby’s style:
Just right for the edgy, misunderstood pre-pre-pre-teen.
If you, like me, have spent countless hours trying to find warm boots that are suitable (read: soft soled) for a kiddo who is just learning to take those first brave toddling steps, look no further!
For the fashionista on the move!
I know I may have a bit of an obsession, but these are seriously cute, right?
Head to the Soft Soul website for more details, or you can also see the multitude of options (seriously: endless combinations!), at the Etsy shop.
~Jennifer
I’m in love. It’s true – this cuff from Ruby Star Designs has me swooning. I’m not sure I’m going to be able to wait until this post goes live before I buy it (I like to give you guys a shot, but all’s fair in love and war, right?!)
I'm already picturing the outfit I'd wear this with...
The artist is a photographer and graphic designer from Vancouver, who doesn’t share their name on Etsy but does let us know that as a child they once made a set of blue corduroy, satin trimmed shoes for their cat. That’s creativity that I can get behind. What I’d like to know is whether or not the cat deigned to wear the shoes!
Back to the current project – the cuffs are decorated with the artist’s own illustrations and photos, mixed up with some vintage illustrations as well. They are unique, modern yet retro at the same time, and somehow the thought of wearing a moose on my wrist seems classic and elegant in this form.
Pair this with your favourite LBD. Dare you. You'll be the best-dressed in the room!
*dreaming of Spring*
Someone we know well here at Canadian+Handmade (ahem *mygirlthursday*) is planning a craft-themed tattoo. The less adventurous among us craft-lovers might choose this cuff instead!
Classically elegant machinery
The cuffs are all adjustable for small to medium sized wrists, and some are available in a narrower version as well. You can check out the full selection on the Etsy shop at Ruby Star Design!
Cheers,
~Sarah
When you think of belt buckles, what image comes to mind? Is it the silver cowboy type buckle? If that is your personal style, then great! I know many people who wear them and look good doing it, but if those ones don’t suit your taste, what are you to do? You don’t have to be stuck with the boring, plain, department store belt with zero personality.
One great example: Flight Path Designs. They make handmade leather belt buckles with funky graphic designs. The images range from girly and flowery, to 50′s retro, even travel and animal themes. What a fun and unexpected way to add a little personal touch to an outfit.
Can't you just see this paired with some vintage clothes on a stylish urban photographer?
Bright and colourful, this butterfly buckle is definitely a statement piece!
To me, this one looks like diagrams out of a science notebook. Perfect for that fun loving "geek" in your life
This just warms my little Canadian heart...
Flight Path is attempting to have a new buckle in the Etsy shop every day from now until Christmas, so check back often to see all the new pieces! You can also see new additions and updates on the Facebook page, or follow on Twitter so you won’t miss a thing.
Here’s to finding new and creative ways to express yourself,
~Jennifer
Back in high school and university, I indulged in a mild office supply addiction. Living in France for a year, with fountain pens and all the lovely notebooks and papers, didn’t help. Sadly, for the last few years my laptop has taken over and I hardly ever write with pen and paper anymore.
I just discovered these handbound journals, though, and they are so lovely that I’m already dreaming about a trip to the office supply store to stock up on my favourite inks and pens!
Rhonda, at Etsy’s My Handbound Books, lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia with her family. She discovered book binding while she was still at library school and immediately felt a connection to the art. Rhonda’s collection of handbound journals and notebooks are often covered in leather or suede, with straps, buttons or twine to help keep them closed and tidy.
I have a bit of an affinity for the Medieval era, and this notebook made in the style of the 1600′s struck my fancy immediately:
Love the button and strap detail!
I love the different straps and wraps that she uses to keep the notebook together in your bag or on your desk – this mini journal looks very elegant, and I think it would be perfect to use as a small travel journal or idea book!
The perfect size for an always-handy notebook!
All of the notebooks have torn-edge paper, many with recycled papers, and the combination of the rough paper and the leathers and suedes make these notebooks very special.
Charming, for grocery lists or your next manuscript!
You can find Rhonda’s books at her shop on Etsy, or visit her at her blog (check out this post, where she makes notebooks out of the boxes from “As Advertised on TV” products like the SlapChop and the Snuggie!). You can also follow her on Twitter (@myhandboundbook) or on Facebook! Rhonda is everywhere!
Cheers,
~Sarah
