Five Simple & Elegant Ways to Incorporate Handmade Items into your Home

I come from a long line of talented artisans, and I have always believed that ‘making’ is in my DNA. Handmade items, either those made by me or someone else, have been my preferred type of gift to give for as long as I can remember. Over the years, I have found that not everyone shares my love for handmade creations, and I have also found that there is a range of perceptions, some might even say misconceptions, about them. Often times people think they are only appropriate for a certain design aesthetic and would look ‘out of place’ in an elegantly decorated home. Some think they are too ‘kitsch’ and are perhaps too reminiscent of items made during summer camp arts and crafts sessions, while many others believe they are not worth the higher price when compared to a mass-produced version of a similar style that can be found in a big box store.

I’m here today to tell you that handmade items are often made by superbly talented craftspeople, look lovely in homes with any style of decor, and showcase the skill and ingenuity of the artisans who lovingly created them. My home is full of handmade items that have been carefully curated over the years, and I treasure each one of them. Each piece tells a story and reminds me of a particular time, place, or person, and I believe that is what makes them truly priceless.

I thought it would be fun to showcase five simple and elegant ways handmade items can be incorporated into your home, no matter the decorating style. I personally own or have gifted several of these items, and the others are all on my “wish list”. Please note that this is not a sponsored post, and the links are not affiliate links – I’m simply sharing them because I love to showcase and support small handmade businesses. With springtime gatherings on the horizon, I wanted to focus this particular list on items you might like to give as gifts this spring, or find on your dining table, in your kitchen, or use as a special way to welcome guests into your home. I hope you enjoy the post!

Handmade Soap

Small-batch, artisan soaps are some of my favorite handmade items to have in my home. I love how beautiful they look on display, and I especially love that they tend to lack the harsh chemicals that are often found in commercial soaps on the market. Those same reasons make them great gift options. Simply select a scent and color scheme the recipient loves, and you have a thoughtful and elegant gift to give your loved ones this spring that is both beautiful and practical.

RB Soap Co. soaps are a favorite of mine for many reasons. I always love learning the story behind the maker, and Rhiannon Bosse has a beautiful story to tell. Inspired by the women who came before her, she learned at an early age that warm, relaxing baths are an essential part of self-care. Preferable to “practical and mundane” showers, luxurious baths provide her with an opportunity to relax, slow down, and put things in perspective. She turned to soap-making while looking to improve her health, and her soaps are a now a reminder to enjoy the simply ordinary moments of the day and to cherish the memories of the precious women in her life.

Rhiannon has been making small-batch artisan soaps and soaks in Rockford, Michigan since 2018. She uses only high-quality essential oils that she infuses with botanicals to create natural and vegan soaps that are gentle on sensitive skin and kind to the environment. I was fortunate to try some of her soaps in the fall of 2019, when we received them as gifts for attending the Bloom Bash Dallas Conference. They smelled wonderful, looked beautiful, and were soft and luxurious on my sensitive skin. I recommend them highly, and I simply love how Rhiannon describes them:

“My soaps have been said to cure sadness, soften skin, invigorate senses, serve as striking bathroom decor, and enrich lives.”

– Rhiannon Bosse

Learn more about Rhiannon’s journey, and sign up to receive details about her upcoming launches by visiting her website.

Wooden Cutting Boards

I lived in Ithaca, NY for five and a half years while attending graduate school, and I loved to visit the Ithaca Farmer’s Market each weekend. In addition to delicious bites made with the freshest ingredients and organic vegetables harvested from nearby farms, they had an amazing assortment of handmade items crafted by local artisans. One of my favorite stalls to visit was Plum Creek Design to peruse their gorgeous selection of intricate wooden cutting boards. Influenced by Japanese, Mission, and Shaker designs as well as by talented craftsmen such as George Nakishima and James Krenov, Bill Baker has been honing his skills in woodworking for more than 40 years. His expertise is evident in each piece. The intricate patterns and inlay truly make them works of art that are both beautiful and functional.

Bill also sells his pieces at Handwork Co-op, an artist collective located just off the Ithaca Commons in downtown Ithaca. I lived down the street from their shop, and Handwork was one of my go-to shops for finding thoughtful gifts – I always found something unique and meaningful. Be sure to peruse the assortment of cutting boards Bill creates – each one is more exquisite than the next. I especially love this one that is crafted from Cherry, Maple, Walnut, and Paduak woods. I have purchased several of his cutting boards as gifts over the years, and I own a pair of wooden tongs that I purchased from him way back during my first or second year of graduate school in the early 2000’s; they still look like new.

Several years ago, I tossed all of my plastic cutting boards and now only use glass (for meat) and wood (for everything else). I have seen so many gorgeous wooden cutting boards in a range of sizes and styles in local shops I’ve visited, but I have not seen something as intricate as the pieces created by Plum Creek Design. I would have purchased one of their cutting boards for myself, but I already have a wooden cutting board I love that was gifted to me by my brother and sister-in-law. If you are on the hunt for a beautiful piece that is easy to care for, I highly recommend these – they look great on display in your kitchen or as a stylish charcuterie board that you share with your guests. They also make great gifts for foodies, charcuterie board lovers, or anyone looking to swap out their dingy plastic cutting boards for something more stylish and less plasticky.

Scalloped Ceramic Bowls

You may have noticed that scallops are definitely on-trend these days. They can often be found on bed linens, table linens, or as decorative details on side tables, coffee tables, and nightstands. You’ll also see them (or their “wavy” counterparts) on dinnerware and a variety of home decor pieces. I love scalloped details and think they are classic and timeless. I send hand-written notes with each ornament order I receive in my Etsy shop, and I have been using scalloped note cards for several years. I really love how they elevate the look of a simple cream notecard. If you followed the “saga of the scalloped bowl” in my Frugal February recap post, then you know my love for scalloped details was strong enough to make me break my challenge on the very first day, but luckily I got right back on track after that one purchase. I mentioned in that post that I was particularly troubled that I rushed to purchase a mass-produced item from a big box store rather than prioritizing purchasing from small independent artisans as I normally do.

One such artisan is Susan Gordon, of Susan Gordon Pottery, who has an online shop as well as a storefront in Homewood, Alabama. She creates elegant scalloped (and wavy) bowls, ring dishes, candles, serveware, and vases in a stunning array of colors such as blush, light blue, French blue, light gray, and white. And that gold detail around the edge is perfection. I love that Susan names each of her handmade wavy bowl styles, sometimes after cherished family members, to add depth and additional meaning to each piece. I do the same with my heirloom felt ornaments. The love and care she puts into each piece is evident in her storytelling on her website and blog, and it is such a joy to read. I love that she remarks that “once she is able to get clay into her hands a conversation begins as the clay responds to her movements.” Priceless. I would love to have one of each of her pieces; I would happily display them all over my home. As much as I love the blush color, this white scalloped bowl is on my wish list. Since her pieces are so stunning, they sell out very quickly. If you are lucky enough to purchase one, they would look lovely displayed on a table in your living room with a real (or faux) orchid, on your kitchen counter with some fresh vibrant fruit, or even as a catch-all in a home office or bedroom.

Table Linens

Although sometimes I’m lazy and use paper napkins or towels, I prefer to use my signature-sized linen napkins that I purchased several years ago from The Everyday Co. I don’t like being wasteful with paper products and try to remember to reach for linen napkins at meal time and snack time, and I often toss one in my purse to clean up drips and spills when I’m out and about. They are the perfect size for almost all of my needs, and I simply toss them in the washer and even the dryer (at low heat for a few minutes) whenever they are soiled. I used to avoid linen, thinking it was so difficult to care for, but I have been pleasantly surprised by these napkins, and I love that they are so versatile. Sadly, I don’t believe Kathryn is selling them anymore, but I still secretly hope she will one day again soon.

Because the signature napkins are on the smaller size, measuring just 7 x 7″, I have been looking for a few additional pieces that are slightly larger. Hibiscus Linens, based here in Houston, Texas, has a gorgeous array of table cloths, table runners, cocktail napkins, dinner napkins, and placements all produced in small batches with the finest attention to detail. Needlework Designer Mariana Barran Goodall and her team employ traditional embroidery, crochet lace, and delicate hemstitching in each of their collections. I love that Mariana’s business grew out of her passion for entertaining that she inherited from her parents and her belief “in the warmth and universal language that comes from a piece of art made completely by hand”. I have been eyeing their flower hemstitch dinner napkins for a while now and think they would look lovely with my crisp white dishes.

Mariana is also a Guest Artist for Bauble Stockings and has produced several beautiful designs for them. You may remember my love for Bauble Stockings, and the great work they are doing for women in Haiti from this post. Hibiscus Linens will look lovely on any tabletop this spring or summer, and they will truly elevate even the simplest meal.

10K Hearts Ornaments

My brother, sister-in-law, and their sweet rescue pup live in a small town outside of Portland, Maine. One of my favorite things to do when visiting them (in addition to soaking up every minute of our time together) is to venture into downtown Portland and spend the afternoon perusing the local shops. You’ll find numerous specialty souvenir shops tucked along the cobblestone side streets, and one you don’t want to miss is Maine Potters Market. In addition to gorgeous ceramics made by talented Maine artisans, they have the most beautiful glassworks hanging in their front windows. Each time I go inside their shop, I admire the colorful glass buoys handmade by Ben and Molly Coombs of Casco Bay Glassworks, located in nearby Woolwich, ME.

I recently learned they also sell these gorgeous handmade glass heart ornaments that they named 10K Hearts Ornaments. They declared the year 2020 the “Year of 10,000 Hearts”, and their wish was to send 10,000 hearts to recipients across the US, purchased either as gifts for friends or loved ones you haven’t seen in a while or as a special keepsake gift to add a “little indulgence to sparkle in your window”. Be sure to head over to their website and admire the colorful assortment of hearts available, then “send your heart” to a special someone. These hearts would make excellent gifts for loved ones (or yourself!) and would look lovely hanging in a front window to welcome your guests with love, or in a kitchen window as a reminder that love is the secret ingredient in all of your food.

I hope you have enjoyed this post, and please do check out each of the small businesses I mention here. I’m sure they would all love your support.

xo, Tiffany