handmade Archives - shell chic'd

Gift Guide:: A Handmade Holiday

December 5, 2014 by Emily 7 Comments

I’m not sure anyone will appreciate your business this holiday season more than two groups: the small, independent stores and businesses, and the artists, shown here today. Those who forgo their own holiday events to finish your order in time for Christmas delivery, who stay up until the wee hours polishing off projects, barely having time to tend to their sore, busy little hands.

So here’s a gift guide close to my heart, featuring everything handmade [and I’m including art and photography in that category, mmmkay?]. Many of these creative souls have become good friends of mine, though I include them here not out of bias, but because I don’t think there is a person I know who would be disappointed to receive ANYTHING on this list…

Best part? Everything is well under $100. Most are under $50!

Do yourself and these darling shop owners a favor and be sure to order very, very soon to ensure delivery by Christmas!

Made in America

October 8, 2013 by Emily Leave a Comment

It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of American-made goods. So when American Field popped up in the SoWa area a couple weekends ago, you know where I was to be found!

Created by Ball and Buck, American Field is the largest gathering of made-in-the-USA apparel, footwear, and accessories. I saw lots of familiar faces, but also met a number of impressive new brands.

L.L. Bean was a co-sponsor, and since I usually rely on their catalogue, it was so great getting to see so many of their current products in person— and being made right there! They had a seamstress on hand working live on the famous canvas totes.

The Bootmobile even made the trip from Maine!

Vintage ties from General Knot Co.

The fine gentlemen of New England Outerwear were there! So inspired by this company— read my review of their shoes here.

Stunning capes with nautical-inspired details by Ellsworth & Ivey. I’m excited to tell you a lot more about them in a couple weeks, so stay tuned!

I’m a sucker for pretty paper products, so I loved meeting the folks behind Almanac Industries. Their paper, leather, and cloth products are all made by hand in Baltimore.

I’m still such a huge fan of Paxton 1345 boxers. Read my review of them here!

Lots of soft choices from New England Shirt Co., manufactured in Fall River, Mass.

This is hardly even a sampling of all the vendors that were present; just a select few of my favorite booths.

You can vote for the next location of the American Field show on their website, but I definitely have my fingers crossed for Boston again 🙂 So inspiring to see so many quality goods being made over here, and the more we buy from them, the more jobs they can create. #politicaltalkover 🙂

Sail the Ocean Blue

September 25, 2013 by Emily Leave a Comment

I cannot let go of summer this year.

Last weekend, we were down by the Boston Harbor when we decided to take advantage of tourists being gone for the season, and hop on the Liberty Clipper for a last-minute sunset sail. It was the perfect way to send off the season, and the fact that we didn’t plan far ahead of time made it all the more fun.

I wore my new scarf from Margaret Turner Designs. This scarf designer totally knows the way to my heart— seashell designs galore! Mine is cotton voile, but she also offers silk scarves, baby blankets, and watercolor prints now, all with this darling shell theme! You know I am just smitten.

pssst! Margaret was just featured in Coastal Living, so you know these are about to get big! Next on my wish list is her Starfish Skinny Scarf and Sand Dollar Surf Silk Scarf [how Lilly is this one?!].

ANYWAY, back to the cruise.

I tell ya, it’s downright magical seeing this beautiful city of ours from the water. Watching the sunset with a Dark & Stormy in hand wasn’t half-bad either. Can’t wait for an opportunity to do this again!

Sew Customizable

August 14, 2013 by Emily 11 Comments

I’ve always been a bit of a bag lady. When I was younger, I told people I wanted to be Kate Spade when I grew up. While I haven’t gone on to become a purse designer (yet at least!), I have such admiration for those who are. Meet Sarah from Sew Sarah R, whose pages upon pages of clutch designs have me drooling.

Totally customizable, from the fabric [ exterior + lining! ], to a personalized label inside, to monograms or other stitching on the outside, these clutches make such perfect gifts— especially for bridesmaids! Get your right-hand ladies matching ones, or coordinating colors, and add a chain if you want to make sure their hands are free for bouquets! Getting a big or little in your sorority this semester? Treat them with their letters on a clutch in your house’s colors.

I know should my wedding day ever come, I’ll be treating my bridesmaids to these— and maybe another for myself!

Sarah is offering my readers 10% off clutches from her Etsy shop with the code Shell, or if you buy from her website, you can enjoy free shipping until August 19th! Can’t wait to see what you all pick out 🙂

New Jewel(s)

August 25, 2011 by Emily Leave a Comment

Happy Thursday cuties! I need to share with you the sweetest new jewelry I’ve found online lately…

After seeing this post from Glitter & Pearls, I became obsessed with finding a starfish cuff to finish off summer with. I love this one from Anthropologie but it’s oh, you know, only 200 wallet-burnin’ bucks. But then I saw this post from stripes & sequins and found one I liked even more at BaubleBar!

This has got to be my new favorite online jewelry retailer. Not only are the prices way fair, but the package also arrived with a hand-written note from owners Amy and Daniella! Now really, how often do you see that anymore? Will definitely be buying from them again- if not for their jewelry for their amazing customer service! (But definitely for their jewelry…)

I’m also in love with my new rosette necklace from Etsy member the sweet shoppe:

I’ve been at Etsy fan forever, but usually I just browse. This summer was the first time I ever purchased anything. The last two products I bought from Etsy sellers took forever to arrive, but my necklace arrived so quickly and I couldn’t be happier with it! Plus, Suzy is offering a deluxe set right now: choose any ring, necklace, and earrings for $35! You can’t beat that, so please take advantage of it for me!

Do you have any online jewelry retailers you always turn to? Or any other good Etsy shops to recommend?

Brydferth: Handmade Fabric Rosette Accessories

May 26, 2011 by Emily Leave a Comment

I adore flowers.

Ok, generic statement, who doesn’t? But I especially love them because they, like my own style, can either go preppy or hippy. This Etsy designer, Brydferth, has created the most beautiful rosette accessories. Headbands, barrettes, clutches, rings, shoe clips, even a bridal veil!

Black Lace and Golden Silk Rosette Bracelet, $25

Lavender Silk Rosette Shoe Clips with Bluette Clips, $34

Turquoise Blue Cotton Rosette Bobby Pin, $8

Rosette Headband, $34

For the Bride Rosette Hair Piece with Bird Cage, $70

Leanna at The Violet Reaction is hosting a Brydferth giveaway this week: winner receives a custom cotton rosette bobby pin! I don’t know how I’d even choose a color if I were lucky enough to receive it– will probably end up buying a few on my own anyway 🙂

Check out more of these great accessories here, and let me know what your favorites are. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: thank goodness for Etsy!

Memory Boxes

May 23, 2011 by Emily 1 Comment

I can finally post this now that Commencement is over!

As graduation gifts for my roommates, I decorated eight little wooden memory boxes:

Unfinished wooden boxes can be found in a variety of shapes and sizes at pretty much every craft store. Using leftover green paint from rooms in our apartment, I sponged the outside of them all first and then stained the inside with wood stainer. To embellish, I modpodged a photo onto each (the antique looking edges are really just from ripping the paper!), and then stamped them with various Paper Source rubber stamps (like this one).

Finally, I tagged them all with gsg (for Green Street Girls) by modpodging newspaper letter cutouts onto the front.

Best part? Talia’s sister told her they looked “so Anthropologie” 🙂

Gift Guide:: A Handmade Holiday

Like this:

Made in America

Like this:

Sail the Ocean Blue

Like this:

Sew Customizable

Like this:

New Jewel(s)

Like this:

Brydferth: Handmade Fabric Rosette Accessories

Like this:

Memory Boxes

Like this:

sharing is caring!

Like this:

sharing is caring!

Like this:

sharing is caring!

Like this:

sharing is caring!

Like this:

sharing is caring!

Like this:

sharing is caring!

Like this:

sharing is caring!

Like this: