Handcut & Handmade Soap From PELLE

Oh, so pretty! As if creating fantastic lighting isn’t enough, dynamic duo Jean Pelle and Oliver Pelle have ventured into the world of soap making. These gorgeous gems are handmade and hand cut in their Brooklyn studio.

This fab collection is inspired by gemstones such as rose quartz, aquamarine, jade and onyx. The soaps combine brilliant colors with essential oils like eucalyptus, which is a favorite of mine, and camphor. They come in 3 sizes and 7 color & scent combinations. I so want the job of making jewels from soap. Sounds cathartic.

Connect with PELLE:
SITE | SHOP | TWITTER | FACEBOOK| JOURNAL

Clean & Handmade Soap From SCOUT

Good clean soap with a cause, that’s what SCOUT is all about. When you choose to buy a bar of soap from SCOUT, one bar will be donated to a community in need via their partnership with Clean the World. Clean the World is a Florida-based not-for-profit organization whose mission is to distribute hygiene kits and soap donations to communities in need, worldwide.

SCOUT currently offers two soaps in their shop: a Bentonite Clay Shave Bar and a Grapefruit Rosemary Moisture Bar. Both are handmade in small batches and are 100% vegetable based, palm-free, cruelty-free soaps.

Connect with SCOUT:
SHOP | SITE | FACEBOOK

Get Inspired With Handy Handmade From Machine Era Co.

Here’s a cool project that I found on Kickstarter that definitely looks like a winner. It’s from Adam Hogsett’s Machine Era:

Machine Era Co. from Taylor Mackillop on Vimeo.

Now, I know Kickstarter has had some dud projects recently. But this one not only seems practical, it’s also made by a company that already makes a few really sweet items, which I will focus on after we talk about the KeySquare. As you can tell from looking at the amount of backers, I’m not the only one who thinks that Machine Era has one sweet trinket in their arsenal.

It’s really very simple, but that doesn’t take away from it’s beauty. Designed to hold securely to a belt loop, the KeySquare is cut and machined from a solid block of stainless steel. Why does that sound amazing? Each piece is hand finished to ensure quality and any scratches can be buffed out, which is the beauty of using a block of stainless steel.

Oh, and you get a set of coasters based on your donation level. These are no ordinary coasters. See for yourself:

I think this is one amazing little bit o’ coolness. Machine Era already has established itself as a purveyor of good handmade design. Check out these two openers they already have in their shop. One word: whales!

Connect with Machine Era Co.:
KICKSTARTER | SHOP | BLOG

Fun & Inspiring Handmade Posters from Adam Mann

This is still one of the funniest posters I’ve seen since I started blogging. Adam Mann has a great sense of humor and a fab collection of art. You can get any of his handmade posters at the great price of 3 for $30. That’s pretty sweet, aye? Here are three new pieces from his shop.

Connect with Adam Mann:
SHOP | SITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

Have Some Handmade Fun With Stamps from Ink + Wit

I can’t think of a more creative treasure than these stamp sets from Ink + Wit. Tara Hogan can do no wrong in my book and these sets are on my wishlist for sure. What really great about these is that you can use them so many different ways.

From making your own cards to customized wrapping paper, the uses are limited only by your imagination. While I adore them all, this polar bear keeps calling my name. Where can I get those blue socks?

Connect with Ink + Wit:
SHOP | SITE | TWITTER | BLOG

December is Get Ready 2013 Month

2013 is almost here and it’s time to get organized and ready. Let the LAB help you to make a big creative splash when the new year starts. For the month of December, I’ll be sharing all kinds of goodies with you. Here’s what’s in store:

Fab Blog Templates: Been thinking about refreshing your blog? Or maybe you want to take the #icandoit365 challenge for 2013. Either way, I’ll point you in the right direction with tons of free templates for you to use on your favorite blogging platforms. From WordPress to Tumblr, I’ve got some great freebies for you.
Grow, Grow, Grow: It’s time for you to grow your web shop beyond Etsy. I’ll be sharing with you some resources that can really help you to grow your online web selling prowess. I’ve got some exclusive discounts and more to share with you.
Branding: From logo design to using images in your shops that bloggers will want to use, I’ll be sharing insights from around the blogosphere to help you make the most of Brand: You. Oh, and there will be fonts, people. Lots and lots of fonts. Stop drooling…
Get Organized: Apps, online time managers, journals and calendars will be popping up all over the LAB. You’ll be so organized, you’ll have plenty of time for everything! You’ll be the master of time and space! You’ll bend time to your will…OK, so I can’t promise you that. What I can promise you is this: if you’re looking for the best organizing tools, you’ll find it here.

Join us Saturday, December 1st, for the first post. Let’s get organized together.

Get Inspired With The Handmade Fun of Commute by PlaySomething

Play Something, you had me at “interactive artwork with an emphasis on participatory design and abstract thinking“. Where were you when I was a wee lad? This looks like way too much fun:

Commute by PlaySomething! from PlaySomething! on Vimeo.

Commute consists of 5 6ft ropes in different colors, 15 handmade dowels (as seen below) and the 4 wooden panels representing the 5 boroughs on New York City. FYI, if you’re not familiar with NYC, the ropes are colored very similarly to the subway system. Children who play with Commute are encouraged to create their own subway routes. I know a few adults who would love to be able to do that in real life. When I lived in Brooklyn, I wanted a train stop that went from the Clark St. Station directly to the Strand Bookstore on 12th and Broadway. I also wanted wings, but that’s another story.

My suggestion to Bobby Genalo and Alberto Brizio, the makers of Commute: Put one of these in the Soho Station and let the commuters play. This has to count as therapy, right? I think kids will just love this. Grab yours here.

The Uniquely Handmade World of Bota de Vino

OK, so I didn’t have canteens on the brains when I went hunting for fresh handmade goodness to share. Oh, but it’s on the brain now, thanks to Bota de Vino. We usually think of canteens as camper gear, but you’ll probably not be taking these camping. Unless by camping, you mean a leisurely stroll through the Pearl District. In that case, you can count me in.

I just had to include Bota de Vino’s instructional graphics, just in case you need them. Don’t laugh, you know you’ll be referring to this image after fiddling with the thing for an hour or two.

Here’s the back story: Jesus Blanco Wineskins is a family company, started over 5 generations ago in the 19th century. Their business is based in the town of Sigüenza, located in the province of Guadalajara, Spain. What blew me away is the level of craftsmanship it takes to make the wineskins. Who knew there were 4 intricate steps involved? Here’s a photo of the shop where the skins are made:

I think these would make such a great gift, especially for the stylish road running travelers in your world.

Connect with Bota De Vino:
SITE | SHOP | FACEBOOK

The Colorful Handmade World of Yorktown Road

Have you had the pleasure of visiting Yorkshire Road? Once you venture into the colorful handmade world that Carol Gilbert has created, you’ll never forget it.

Carol hand-dyes the fabrics, conceives every pattern, construct each piece and document the process, which you can follow on her Flickr photostream. You know how I love it when artist let us in on their creative process. Here are just a few items from her well-stocked shop.

Connect with Yorktown Road:
SHOP | ETSY | SITE | FACEBOOK

Beautiful & Handmade – The Lauren Sigman Jewelry Collection

There is pure joy in Lauren Sigman’s collection. The colors, the stones and the designs just fill you with glee. I have to say, Lauren probably has some of the best photographs that I’ve seen in a handmade shop. If you want to know how to make your handmade items really stand out, just follow Lauren’s shop as a template. It makes it so much easier for bloggers to post your work when you have great images.

Now, about this exquisite collection. I’ll just let the images speak for themselves. Click on any one of them to head over to Lauren’s shop.