Wonderfully Hand Quilted Baby Bibs

Look at the careful pattern placement.

Even though I don't have any children of my own,
I can still spot something unique and exceptional.  Quilted Hugs Bibs are just that.  Barb, owner of QHB, uses time consuming old fashioned quilting to produce bibs that are just stunning.   Each bib is made by carefully selecting the fabric and placement,  then individually quilted using a Pfaff sewing machine.  She uses the same attention to carefully placed patterns and fine finishing that one would expect from a high fashion Paris designer.  Pattern placement like this is time consuming and requires a set of serious skills.

In short each bib is an old fashioned quilt. No computerized patterns or machining for this product.  Waterproof, 100% cotton and completely washable.

Currently priced at $23.99, I fully expect the demand for this high quality luxury item to force the price upward so get them now folks. 
More images after the jump!

Exceptional Plans!

Turn of the Century Crochet Hooks $14

As many of you know I crochet for a living.  I have my fair share of crochet hooks as a result of this.  I have all the main sizes, makes, materials and styles.  The one thing, I don't have is a truly exceptional set of custom crochet hooks.  This is about to change.

Mr. William Schmidt is a co-owner of Turn of the Century Designs, which makes the most amazing and unique wood crochet hooks, knitting needles, hair picks, pens, pencils and other notions. Mr. Schmidt has agreed to work with with me to create my dream hooks.

Mr. Schmidt has been simply wonderful.   I wanted something special and practical as the hook set will be combined  3rd wedding anniversary and 31st birthday gift in one!  We started with a two basic designs for some ergonomic crochet hooks with I tested out over the course of a week to see which ones I would like best.  After selecting a design, we made some minor adjustments to the size.  We then narrowed down the sizes of the hooks I use the most often to be included in the set.  Next he patiently recommended different woods.  After researching wood options I have finalized my wood choice.


This where my story ends, for now.  We have completed that part of the planning or "Dreaming stage" as I call it.   I do not yet have my custom hooks so I will share more amazing hooks already made by Turn of the Century Designs and available for purchase on his site.

Crochet Hooks by Turn of the Century

The hooks shown are all by Turn of the Century designs.  Copyright Turn of the Century Designs

Sorry for the delays, but I have new hotness to make up for it!

Long time no see! I am sorry for keeping you waiting for a week but I PROMISE you will like this.

Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arranging.  Artist kensgardenpottery creates this masterfully thrown and hand built ikebana vase.  Just a few flowers expertly placed make for a beautiful and stunning arangement.  The slightly draped corners add a touch of sophistication and excitement.

Elegant Brown Ikebana Vase for $30 direct from the artist

Check out more images after the jump!

Spoiled for choice!!

Master glassblower Kevin Prochaska has me spoiled for choice.  I simply dont know which of his amazing crystal and 24k gold pieces I want.  There are dragons, otters and tigers oh my! Mr. Prochaska lists over 240 different crystal sculptures, ornaments, cake toppers and more.   Each piece is amazingly detailed and features master work one would be hard pressed to find elsewhere at this price point. His works start at just $45. 

One of the best and most amazing features of this artist's work is that he not only gives us the dragons and tigers, he also gives us beauty in unexpected places like the opossum, the hedgehog, the bison and the raccoon.

The featured dragon is available for just $75 direct from the artist. 

More images of his work after the jump.

Unfinished to perfection.

Artist Jonathan Wilson proves that sometimes, the unfinished is perfection.  This work is a Print of a beautifully unfinished watercolor of a woman holding a red rose.  It evokes romance, longing, maybe even loss and sadness.  Her full story is untold and more beautiful for it.

Available in a 7in x 7in high quality archival print direct from the artist for $29

Feeding My New Love of Cars.

Recently we traded in our featureless base Hyundai Accent for the fully loaded 2011 Ford Fiesta SES.  Up until we drove our Fiesta (named Fifi) off the lot I didnt really like cars.  That has changed.  As I learn more about cars, I love cars in general more as well as loving Fifi more.  I would love to collect real cars but sadly I dont have Oprah's money.  So I turn to model and toy cars.  Tim Bentley feeds my love of cars and woodwork in one swift ride of coolness!

His wood cars are carefully crafted in the USA by Mr. Bentley.  This model car is a mix of imaginative toy and part luxury model car.  Made entirely by hand save for the dowels rods.  Mr. Bentley uses Cherry, White Oak, Ash and Mahogany to create this masterpiece.    There are no stains, pigments or dyes used thus showing of the nature beauty of the various woods.

Purchase here for $79.99 

A Talented Artist Can Turn Ordinary Items into Something Extraordinary

Concert by Naoko Stoop

Artist Naoko Stoop starts with, of all things, used brown paper bags.  Care and attention is then taken to use the right inks so that Stoop can draw on them without damaging the medium.  Then beautiful archival prints are made of the drawings.  The result is a print that looks classic and subdued with just a hint of the rustic.

Detailed images and pricing after the jump.

Now THAT's A Clock

A One of Kind Creation by Cszackie

This has to be one of the most interesting and unusual clocks I have every seen.  Its part light show, part what the artist Cszakie calls "Post Steam Punk", part clock and all awesome. It has switches, motion and light detection and more. This is a clock from the 1950's or 60's that has brought back to life in style!  Check out more pictures after the jump.

Multitalented Artist Gives Us Dual Awesome

Talented artist gives a double dose of goodness with this painfully cute bear.  Both the print and the bear itself are available for purchase direct from the seller.

The bear is handmade from organic cotton by the artist and is 4"inches.  Available for $55.

The print is an ACEO ( art copy edition and original) Artist Trading Card.  The print (3.5 x 2.5 inches) comes in ready to display.  More pictures after the jump.

Available for $5

Now this is what a call a business card case/wallet

It's hard to find a business card case that grabs me.  Most are just plain and unexciting.  But handmade card cases and wallets are often very interesting and exciting.  How about one made of wood?

Acoustic Design's Wood Card case

Acoustic Design impresses the hard to impress with wow factor of a card case.  This cool case has hidden magnets for a spiffy and cool "click" open that will wow your customers and dazzle your friends.  More after the jump

A master at work

So I taught myself weaving earlier in the year, I suck at it.  I am ok with that. But I am able to identify a master at work when I see it.

I came across this master.  I dont know if the artist sees herself (or himself) as a master but her work is certainly amazing.

Buy through River Farm RI's Etsy Shop for $350

Look how even and perfect those edges are.  That's not easy to do, it takes skill. 

Alternative to the homepage

The etsy homepage looks like some bad Pier One imports nightmare. So I started this as a way feature exceptional handmade items and sellers on Etsy, eBay, ArtFire and anywhere else online!


First ever featured item:

Alice and Velazquez' Las Meninas gothic wonderland renaissance baroque lowbrow art fairy tale art print by Jasmine Becket-Griffith BIG 18x12

How cool is this artist interpretation? just a great work of art. one day i will be able to afford a custom print from this very talented artist.  I didnt even know what lowbrow art was till after I saw this artists work.

Buy through Jasmine Becket-Griffith's Etsy Shop  for $29.99