I love handmade things. They make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

June 18, 2008 48 Comments

OK folks, I’m really excited because it’s time to take the wraps off my new baby!

I love love love buying things from real people who make stuff with their own two hands, and I am also a faithful Etsy shopper. Combine these two facts with my terminal case of Compulsive Blogging Personality Disorder (CBPD) and you get my new site:

“Try Handmade“

I am completely enamored of handmade products and I want to share this love with you. I understand that it can initially seem intimidating making a purchase from an individual instead of a faceless yet ‘reliable’ corporation, and I am here to help you find items which will help change your mind using nothing but the sheer power of their incredibleness.

I find it wonderful and awe-inspiring that there really are people out there making so many things which we can choose instead of mass-produced dreck. I’m certainly not advocating that everyone out there build their own cars, or even that everyone buys a handmade car, but when options for beautiful jewelry, clothing, and household items are out there and affordable, I say why not.

Whether you buy handmade new items, or upcycled / recycled / repurposed, you’re doing the planet a favor, and you are helping to support an artisan. What could be better than that? New factories will get built with or without my help, but being able to encourage and support artists, artisans, crafters, and hobbyists is a dream come true for me.

Will you follow along?

I really hope you like it — I am loving writing it. Here are a few of the finds I’ve featured recently.

If you like seeing beautiful things every day, you can subscribe via RSS, in Bloglines, in email, or just bookmark Try Handmade to come back to later.

Thanks so much for checking it out, and I’m curious to know what you think ;)

Filed Under: From PlainJaneMom.com Tagged With: etsy, handmade, shopping

Comments

  1. sam says

    June 18, 2008 at 2:30 pm

    OMG. I LOVE it!! Great idea, I've subscribed already!!

    sam's latest post: On the Brink

    Reply
  2. sam says

    June 18, 2008 at 7:30 am

    OMG. I LOVE it!! Great idea, I've subscribed already!!

    sam's latest post: On the Brink

    Reply
  3. DD says

    June 18, 2008 at 2:38 pm

    Nothing like taking advantage of my shopping addiction and my love of beautiful handcrafting.

    DD's latest post: A HOUSEKEEPING NOTE THAT MORPHED INTO A NOVEL

    Reply
  4. DD says

    June 18, 2008 at 7:38 am

    Nothing like taking advantage of my shopping addiction and my love of beautiful handcrafting.

    DD's latest post: A HOUSEKEEPING NOTE THAT MORPHED INTO A NOVEL

    Reply
  5. MommyTime says

    June 18, 2008 at 6:47 pm

    I love Etsy too. And homemade in general. I have the most wonderful winter hat this year, warm felted wool, courtesy of an Esty shop. I can't wait to check out your new site.

    MommyTime's latest post: How Far Would You Go for Your Children?

    Reply
  6. MommyTime says

    June 18, 2008 at 11:47 am

    I love Etsy too. And homemade in general. I have the most wonderful winter hat this year, warm felted wool, courtesy of an Esty shop. I can't wait to check out your new site.

    MommyTime's latest post: How Far Would You Go for Your Children?

    Reply
  7. Erika Jurney says

    June 18, 2008 at 9:39 pm

    DD, my pleasure ;)

    Reply
  8. Erika Jurney says

    June 18, 2008 at 2:39 pm

    DD, my pleasure ;)

    Reply
  9. Dawn @ Coming to a Nursery Nea says

    June 18, 2008 at 10:02 pm

    Awesome idea :) Wondering if you’d consider my home-made photo greeting cards as part of “Try Homemade”?

    Dawn @ Coming to a Nursery Near You’s latest post: Wordless Wednesday – New Nephew Edition!

    Reply
  10. Dawn @ Coming to a Nursery Near You says

    June 18, 2008 at 3:02 pm

    Awesome idea :) Wondering if you’d consider my home-made photo greeting cards as part of “Try Homemade”?

    Dawn @ Coming to a Nursery Near You’s latest post: Wordless Wednesday – New Nephew Edition!

    Reply
  11. Yvie says

    June 18, 2008 at 10:30 pm

    I love etsy! And it’s so good that they accept payments from paypal! :) It makes easier to buy the things that you want there.

    Looking forward to sell some of my stuff too someday.

    Yvie’s latest post: Tower!

    Reply
  12. Yvie says

    June 18, 2008 at 3:30 pm

    I love etsy! And it’s so good that they accept payments from paypal! :) It makes easier to buy the things that you want there.

    Looking forward to sell some of my stuff too someday.

    Yvie’s latest post: Tower!

    Reply
  13. Christina says

    June 19, 2008 at 10:28 am

    Great idea for a blog! I love buying handmade, and I love making handmade. Maybe this will spur/inspire me to get back to sewing again.

    Christina's latest post: I'm Keeping Her Away From Cosmo While I Still Can

    Reply
  14. Christina says

    June 19, 2008 at 3:28 am

    Great idea for a blog! I love buying handmade, and I love making handmade. Maybe this will spur/inspire me to get back to sewing again.

    Christina's latest post: I'm Keeping Her Away From Cosmo While I Still Can

    Reply
  15. Erika Jurney says

    June 19, 2008 at 10:35 am

    Hey Dawn, just let me know when your site is ready! :)

    Reply
  16. Erika Jurney says

    June 19, 2008 at 3:35 am

    Hey Dawn, just let me know when your site is ready! :)

    Reply
  17. jen says

    June 19, 2008 at 9:34 pm

    There's some fabulous things you've featured. Could I please plug a blog friend of mine – Stacie Florer. She makes some beautiful jewellrey. Her Etsy store address is http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5077063.

    jen's latest post: Cardigans are my favourite

    Reply
  18. jen says

    June 19, 2008 at 2:34 pm

    There's some fabulous things you've featured. Could I please plug a blog friend of mine – Stacie Florer. She makes some beautiful jewellrey. Her Etsy store address is http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5077063.

    jen's latest post: Cardigans are my favourite

    Reply
  19. manager mom says

    June 20, 2008 at 6:11 pm

    Ha… CBPD! I had breakfast with some of my bloggy friends today and we were talking about the dangers of BUI – "blogging under the influence".

    manager mom's latest post: To My No Longer A First Grader

    Reply
  20. manager mom says

    June 20, 2008 at 11:11 am

    Ha… CBPD! I had breakfast with some of my bloggy friends today and we were talking about the dangers of BUI – "blogging under the influence".

    manager mom's latest post: To My No Longer A First Grader

    Reply
  21. Erika Jurney says

    June 20, 2008 at 6:19 pm

    Yikes, manager mom, BUI is another tricky disorder ;)

    Reply
  22. Erika Jurney says

    June 20, 2008 at 11:19 am

    Yikes, manager mom, BUI is another tricky disorder ;)

    Reply
  23. Jamie says

    June 21, 2008 at 12:20 pm

    I think (I KNOW) I have CBPD, too.

    Congrats on the new blog baby…it's a beauty!

    Jamie's latest post: Trampy, Toothless Tots R Us

    Reply
  24. Jamie says

    June 21, 2008 at 5:20 am

    I think (I KNOW) I have CBPD, too.

    Congrats on the new blog baby…it's a beauty!

    Jamie's latest post: Trampy, Toothless Tots R Us

    Reply
  25. Erika Jurney says

    June 21, 2008 at 1:14 pm

    Jamie, glad you like it, and thank you thank you thank you for the Stumble!!

    Reply
  26. Erika Jurney says

    June 21, 2008 at 6:14 am

    Jamie, glad you like it, and thank you thank you thank you for the Stumble!!

    Reply
  27. Naomi says

    June 22, 2008 at 12:02 pm

    I love the new blog! But if I go into debt because of you and Etsy, it'll be on your conscience…

    Naomi's latest post: My 15 minutes…

    Reply
  28. Naomi says

    June 22, 2008 at 5:02 am

    I love the new blog! But if I go into debt because of you and Etsy, it'll be on your conscience…

    Naomi's latest post: My 15 minutes…

    Reply
  29. Erika Jurney says

    June 22, 2008 at 7:46 pm

    Well Naomi, at least your money will be going to support the arts, so you can console yourself with that while you’re living in a cardboard box ;)

    Reply
  30. Erika Jurney says

    June 22, 2008 at 12:46 pm

    Well Naomi, at least your money will be going to support the arts, so you can console yourself with that while you’re living in a cardboard box ;)

    Reply
  31. Gudrun says

    June 23, 2008 at 7:50 pm

    Great idea – I find it difficult to wade through all the available possibilities, and you will be like my personal shopper! Awesome….

    Gudrun's latest post: Summer to-do list

    Reply
  32. Gudrun says

    June 23, 2008 at 12:50 pm

    Great idea – I find it difficult to wade through all the available possibilities, and you will be like my personal shopper! Awesome….

    Gudrun's latest post: Summer to-do list

    Reply
  33. Tink says

    June 24, 2008 at 12:47 pm

    I agree, I love handmade items. I am always surfing on etsy for goodies since I lack the talent myself.

    Reply
  34. Tink says

    June 24, 2008 at 5:47 am

    I agree, I love handmade items. I am always surfing on etsy for goodies since I lack the talent myself.

    Reply
  35. moobs says

    June 24, 2008 at 5:28 pm

    I am troubled at so conspicuously benefiting from your blogging related mental illness but blimey – another great site.

    moobs's latest post: Communion

    Reply
  36. moobs says

    June 24, 2008 at 10:28 am

    I am troubled at so conspicuously benefiting from your blogging related mental illness but blimey – another great site.

    moobs's latest post: Communion

    Reply
  37. slackermommy says

    June 25, 2008 at 1:43 pm

    I love Etsy! I have found some really great things through Etsy. I'm heading to your new place now.

    slackermommy's latest post: How not to discipline if you have an impulsive child

    Reply
  38. slackermommy says

    June 25, 2008 at 6:43 am

    I love Etsy! I have found some really great things through Etsy. I'm heading to your new place now.

    slackermommy's latest post: How not to discipline if you have an impulsive child

    Reply
  39. Maricris says

    June 27, 2008 at 11:18 pm

    Hi Erika!

    I'm so delighted to find someone who actually appreciate hand made products. It seem like most people are into factory made ones and doesn't really see the uniqueness & creativity of anything made personally by hand anymore! Needless to say, I dig hand made ones too. As a matter of fact, I make my own Jewelries. I have made one for my daughter and she cherishes it so much.That's always a priceless reward! btw, I found you in mybloglog and has added you in my contact. I'm zenforyou. Take care now!

    Reply
  40. Maricris says

    June 27, 2008 at 4:18 pm

    Hi Erika!

    I'm so delighted to find someone who actually appreciate hand made products. It seem like most people are into factory made ones and doesn't really see the uniqueness & creativity of anything made personally by hand anymore! Needless to say, I dig hand made ones too. As a matter of fact, I make my own Jewelries. I have made one for my daughter and she cherishes it so much.That's always a priceless reward! btw, I found you in mybloglog and has added you in my contact. I'm zenforyou. Take care now!

    Reply
  41. Lotta says

    June 28, 2008 at 11:34 pm

    I love that you are doing this! I saw your feeback too and I'm glad you like the ring!

    Lotta's latest post: Playing Dress Up

    Reply
  42. Lotta says

    June 28, 2008 at 4:34 pm

    I love that you are doing this! I saw your feeback too and I'm glad you like the ring!

    Lotta's latest post: Playing Dress Up

    Reply
  43. Jennifer says

    June 30, 2008 at 1:41 pm

    It's a really fantastic site, Erika! I've been meaning and meaning and meaning to check it out and finally did. Definitely will be doing lots of shopping for handmade items for every upcoming birthday/holiday!

    Jennifer's latest post: I refuse to admit whether I cried when I saw Thomas

    Reply
  44. Jennifer says

    June 30, 2008 at 6:41 am

    It's a really fantastic site, Erika! I've been meaning and meaning and meaning to check it out and finally did. Definitely will be doing lots of shopping for handmade items for every upcoming birthday/holiday!

    Jennifer's latest post: I refuse to admit whether I cried when I saw Thomas

    Reply
  45. kristina says

    July 5, 2008 at 8:03 am

    oooh, I'm going to go check it out

    Reply
  46. kristina says

    July 5, 2008 at 1:03 am

    oooh, I'm going to go check it out

    Reply
  47. vaso says

    May 18, 2010 at 3:01 am

    I just felt in love with your Japanese earings!!! They are great!!! How did you do that?

    Reply
  48. ginger says

    August 23, 2010 at 5:03 pm

    i love it! but i accidentally got something that i din’t mean to… how do i tell the person i don’t want it? i’m afraid my parents will get mad that i did it. what do i do?

    Reply

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