Welcome to the first of my Friday posts in December where I get to shout about some of my favorite artists this year, all of whom make products by hand and out of love. Some of them donate a portion of their proceeds to charity, while others create with ethics in mind.

All of these crafters and artists truly believe in the wonder of creativity and the joy of making things by hand. I am lucky to know many of them, all of whom have inspired me beyond belief. If you’re doing a little online shopping today, you could do worse than to check them out… but if it’s for the holidays be sure to make sure you order with time to spare as handmade does take more time to construct, as it’s made with care and love. If you’re still in search for the best holiday gift for your children, you can try giving them popular ones like the best hand crafted wooden playhouse for sale.

1. The Walrus and the Carpenter is the online store of many wonderful things, but Giao’s Mary Jane cards make me want to write letters to friends far away, sharing the love of cute shoes and kneesocks across the world.

2. Cinnamon’s purses at Poise made me want to carry a different handbag every day of the year. Just beautiful.

3. Anti-Factory is an endeavor after my own heart, Stephanie creates the most wonderful pieces out of recycled clothes which often sell out quickly, so check back often…Joining the mailing list is the best way to be notified when things have been added.



4. A true one woman craft-tornado, Heidi makes the best plush toys imaginable over at My Paper Crane. Her creations make me dream a little bit about the joy of creativity when I’m in the grocery store, which is just lovely.

5. Demoderby’s products make me squee with glee. I have several of their buttons that I adorn my sweaters with all the time.



6. Holly of misshawklet spins yarn from fleece obtained from a local farm, which only makes it more beautiful. Not that it isn’t already flippin’ fantastic already.

7. Not only does Charlie have the best store name ever, A Minor Thread, she also makes the best things. The craft resurgence has done nothing for my already out-of-control handbag obsession!

8. Remember the schoolyard joke, “What’s up? Chicken butt?” well relive the wonder over at Young and With It. There are also gnome cards made by Dixie, need I say more?



9. Not only is Ileana super nice and sweet, but she also makes me want to learn to crochet….and make pretty things instead of political… not such a small feat. See the pretty over at India*Romeo.

10. Everytime I check out Kate’s artwork over at Obsessive Consumption, I not only adore it, but also question my own spending habits which makes her stuff even more incredible and inspiring.