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Buying handmade and shopping one of a kind

I took the pledge to make handmade

I've already taken the pledge to support local artisans and buy handmade... you should, too!


Introduction

In the “About” section of my blog, I had declared myself to be a die hard shopaholic. But I had rationalized my love of shopping by the sheer fact that I’m a huge supporter of one of a kind goods.

Every year around Spring and right before Christmas, the One of a Kind Show rolls into town (that being Toronto), where local artisans across the country showcase and sell their handmade goods. I love this concept…. whoever invented the idea was brilliant!

One of a Kind Show Toronto 2010 - sample handmade items

Sample handmade items made by local artisans, available for sale at the Toronto 2010 Christmas One of a Kind Show

And I can proudly say that I’ve been to the OOAK Show twice a year, every single time that it has been around since as long as I can remember (let’s just say… many, many years). And each year I always spend hundreds of dollars (sometimes just at one booth!) on handmade jewelry, handbags, food, home decor, and lots more.

Posing with Shi Studio Owner Cory Judge at the Toronto One of a Kind Show

Posing with my favorite One of a Kind Show artisan, Shi Studio owner Cory Judge

One of my favorite “one of a kind” jewelry designer of all time is Cory Judge, owner of Shi Studio… a Victoria, BC based custom jewelry company specializing in “glass and fusion textile accessories.”

I make it my mission to visit Cory’s booth at the OOAK Show each and every time I go, and I always spend hundreds of dollars each time on her vast selection of Chinese silk & glass fashion accessories… including necklace pendants (I have at least one for every color option offered… and I’m not even exaggerating! Red, green, purple, teal, royal blue, beige, black, you name it.), leather cuff bracelets, leather choker necklaces, suede & leather belts, dangly earrings, and hairpins.

In fact, I love her stuff so much I had her design custom jewelry pieces for myself and my maid of honour to wear at my Italian wedding!

Etsy - buy handmade

Etsy is your #1 source for buying anything handmade

Yup, that’s right. I’m such a huge supporter of all things “one of a kind” that I made sure the jewelry that I’d be wearing for The. Big. Day. would be custom created just for the occasion. In fact, my engagement ring was also a custom created piece, made especially for me by my husband’s cousin, who works for a local Toronto wedding jewelry designer.

And my love of “the unique” isn’t just restricted to what’s offered at the One of a Kind Show. I’ve supported artists far and wide, selling handcrafted items on Etsy. I also have a closet full of custom created handbags of all shapes, sizes, colors, and patterns… courtesy of 1154 Lill Studio. I have a much-cherished photo necklace made out of a professional wedding photo of my husband and myself by Blend Creations. I’ve made scrapbooks of our wedding photos out of gorgeous handcrafted albums by the Rag and Bone bindery shop. And that’s only scratching the surface of all the one of a kind items I’ve ever purchased!

1154 Lill Studio custom designed handbags

At 1154 Lill Studio, you can design your own handbag by choosing your own style and fabric!

Rag and Bone Bindery handmade photo albums

Shop handmade, give handmade by purchasing custom handmade photo albums from Rag & Bone Bindery

Are you a fellow appreciator of all things handmade or one of a kind? If yes, then I invite you to follow my blog as I review my favorite handmade and handcrafted one of a kind goods. I’ll also be writing featured blog posts on my favorite one of a kind artisans and retailers.

Are you a one of a kind artist, yourself? Feel free to contact me (Karina!) to let me know about your craft. I’d love to feature you on my blog!

Image sources: Images courtesy of BuyHandmade.org, OneofaKindShow.com, 1154Lill.com, RagandBoneBindery.com. Photo of Cory and myself by the Shi Studio booth at the OOAK Show ©2010 Karina of KnittingandPurling.com.

Legend

All one of a kind blog posts are unified by a turquoise/teal color. They can be broken down into the following categories…

Hand drawn illustrations One of a kind clothing One of a kind fashion accessories One of a kind furniture
One of a kind handbags One of a kind home decor Artisan showcases One of a kind stores
Top one of a kind resources One of a kind events One of a kind gone social!

Any blog post that falls under one of the above categories will display that category’s image.

Note: Categorization system currently being implemented… tune back soon to see it in place!

Oh, and any one of a kind-related “spotlight” review blog post can be identified by this light turquoise/teal colored background.

You’ll find below a list of Knitting & Purling blog posts on all things handmade or one of a kind. Enjoy!

Blog Posts on All Things Handmade or One of a Kind

My handmade Bracket Computer Keyboard Key Lampwork Glass Bead Earrings were featured on the “I Heart Tech, Old and New!” Etsy treasury list (thanks, Elyse!)

2012
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Yesterday, I blogged about how pleasantly surprised I was to discover my Turquoise #7 Computer Keyboard Key Layered Button Rose Ring was chosen to be featured on the iSpring Etsy treasury list.

Well to continue with that line of thought, just wanted to write a second blog post thanking yet another awesome Etsy-er (“Etsy-er?” Is that even a word?) for choosing an item from my KnittingNPurling Etsy store to be a part of another Etsy treasury list!

So here’s a great, big thank you to the fabulous Elyse Hutchinson of The Re-Giftables for featuring my Bracket Computer Keyboard Key Lampwork Glass Bead Earrings in her “I Heart Tech, Old and New!” Etsy treasury list.

Etsy treasury list - I Heart Tech Old and New (01-16-12)

'I Heart Tech, Old and New!' Etsy treasury list featuring my Bracket Computer Key Lampwork Bead Earrings!

Also wanted to send a big thank you to Silver Dawn Jewels for creating the gorgeous lampwork glass beads that I used in creating these earrings.

And here’s more info on the earrings in question…

Bracket Computer Keyboard Key Lampwork Glass Bead Earrings

(Available for sale at the KnittingNPurling Etsy store)

Bracket Computer Keyboard Key Lampwork Glass Bead Earrings available for sale at the KnititngNPurling Etsy store

Different views of my handmade Bracket Computer Keyboard Key Lampwork Glass Bead Earrings, available for sale at the KnittingNPurling Etsy store!

Left Brace { or Left Square Bracket [ Key (Definition)

  • A punctuation alphanumeric keyboard key used to enter one of the following symbols in a word processing program (or text editor, data spreadsheet, etc.), depending on whether the Shift key is depressed:
    • The left square bracket [ sign, if the key is used on its own
    • The left brace { sign , if the key is used with the Shift button

Right Brace } OR Right Square Bracket ] Key (Definition)

  • A punctuation alphanumeric keyboard key used to enter one of the following symbols in a word processing program (or text editor, data spreadsheet, etc.), depending on whether the Shift key is depressed:
    • The right square bracket ] sign, if the key is used on its own
    • The right brace } sign , if the key is used with the Shift button

Highlights:

  • What is it? Handmade geeky earrings made out of punctuation alphanumeric keys from a computer keyboard, and lampwork glass beads in different colors, shapes & textures
  • Which shop section? Part of the Computer Key Earrings Jewelry collection
  • Featured materials?
    • 4x new flat white computer keyboard keys: 2x left bracket & 2x right bracket keys, with each pair glued together (front & back)
    • 2x blue rondelle lampwork glass beads in a solid gloss finish (approx. 0.6″ flat diameter x 0.3″ height)
    • 2x pale green rondelle lampwork glass beads in a matte finish (approx. 0.7″ flat diameter x 0.4″ height)
    • 2x orange transparent bumpy lampwork glass beads in a matte finish (approx. 0.7″ flat diameter x 0.4″ height)
    • Nickel free 925 sterling silver jewelry findings (including sterling silver fish hook ear wires & silver eye pins)
    • 2x rubber earring backs
Image source: With the exception of the images in the Etsy treasury screenshot image, all photographs included in post ©2010-2012 Karina of KnittingandPurling.com.
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My handmade chunky Turquoise #7 Computer Keyboard Key Button Rose Ring was featured on the “iSpring” Etsy treasury list (thanks, Anna!)

2012
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I’ve been pretty bad recently in terms of keeping up with my KnittingNPurling Etsy store. In fact, I haven’t really logged on in a couple weeks.

So you can just imagine how pleasantly surprised I was to discover an item from my Computer Keyboard Rings collection was featured on an Etsy treasury list!

Just wanted to give a big thank you to the fabulous Anna Reitz of Memory Metamorphosis for featuring my chunky Turquoise #7 Computer Keyboard Key Layered Button Rose Ring in her “iSpring” Etsy treasury list.

Etsy treasury list - iSpring (01-30-12)

'iSpring' Etsy treasury list featuring my Turquoise Number 7 Computer Key Button Rose Ring!

And here’s more info on the ring in question…

Turquoise #7 Computer Keyboard Key Layered Button Rose Ring (Chunky Size)

(Available for sale at the KnittingNPurling Etsy store)

Chunky Turquoise Number 7 Computer Keyboard Key Button Rose Ring available for sale at the KnittingNPurling Etsy store

Different views of my handmade chunky Turquoise #7 Computer Keyboard Key Layered Button Rose Ring, available for sale at the KnittingNPurling Etsy store!

Number 7/ Home Key (Definition)

  • A computer number pad key that toggles between 2 modes depending on the position of the keyboard number lock key:
    • When the Num Lock is on, the key produces the #7 digit
    • When the Num Lock is off, the key functions like navigation buttons on a keyboard (i.e. acts like a regular Home button, and pressing down on the Home computer key will return the cursor to the beginning of the line)

Highlights:

  • What is it? Handmade geeky ring made out of recycled found objects like layered buttons, vintage plastic rose beads & alphanumeric keys from a computer keyboard
  • Which shop section? Part of the Computer Keyboard Ring Jewelry collection
  • Featured materials?
    • 1x chunky turquoise button
    • 1x decorative rosette flower in grass green
    • 1x chunky nickel-free sterling silver adjustable ring base
Image sources: With the exception of the images in the Etsy treasury screenshot image, all photographs included in post ©2010-2012 Karina of KnittingandPurling.com.
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My handmade chunky Red #1 Computer Keyboard Key Button Rose Ring was featured in an Etsy treasury list (thanks, Julie!)

2011
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Remember a couple posts ago, I had blogged about my long overdue return to Etsy… and I had announced the official launch of my brand new KnittingNPurling Etsy store?

Well my shop hasn’t been live for even a month yet (not to mention it’s still relatively bare and in need of more items), but already the fabulous Julie Yu of 2nd Draft Design LLC has created an Etsy treasury list titled “My Twelve Days of Christmas” featuring my chunky Red #1 Computer Keyboard Key Layered Button Rose Ring!

Etsy treasury list - My Twelve Days of Christmas (12-12-11)

'My Twelve Days of Christmas' Etsy treasury list featuring my Red Number 1 Computer Key Button Rose Ring!

And here’s more info on the ring in question…

Red #1 Computer Keyboard Key Layered Button Rose Ring (Chunky Size)

(Available for sale at the KnittingNPurling Etsy store)

Chunky Red Number 1 Computer Keyboard Key Button Rose Ring available for sale at the KnittingNPurling Etsy store

Different views of my handmade chunky Red #1 Computer Keyboard Key Layered Button Rose Ring, available for sale at the KnittingNPurling Etsy store!

Number 1/ End Key (Definition)

  • A numeric keypad key that toggles between 2 modes depending on the position of the Num Lock key:
    • When the number lock is on, the key produces the #1 digit
    • When the number lock is off, the key acts like the End key & moves the cursor to the end of the line that it was on

Highlights:

  • What is it? Handmade geeky ring made out of recycled found objects like layered buttons, vintage plastic rose beads & alphanumeric keys from a computer keyboard
  • Which shop section? Part of the Computer Keyboard Ring Jewelry collection
  • Featured materials?
    • 1x chunky crimson red button
    • 1x small accent red button
    • 1x decorative rosette flower in black
    • 1x chunky nickel-free sterling silver adjustable ring base
Image sources: With the exception of the images in the Etsy treasury screenshot image, all photographs included in post ©2010-2012 Karina of KnittingandPurling.com.
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Grand opening of my KnittingNPurling Etsy store. First up, my Geek Speak Wire Jewelry collection!

2011
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KnittingNPurling Etsy store

Shop handmade geeky gifts for computer nerds at my KnittinNPurling Etsy store!

As mentioned in my last blog post, I’ve decided to start up a brand new Etsy store. So without further ado, let me officially welcome you to my new KnittingNPurling Etsy store!

Yes, it’s true. This isn’t my first Etsy shop. Some of you may recall I had started the ConigliVerdi Etsy store back in January 2010 to help pay for my wedding in Florence, Italy.

That store was semi-successful. I may not have gotten the chance to sell much online, but it did lead to having my jewelry temporarily sold in-store at a Toronto consignment store… one that was located in the trendy Beaches area of Queen Street East, home to the Beaches International Jazz Festival (voted Toronto’s #1 outdoor summer music event!).

Collage image of a Toronto consignment store that used to sell my handmade jewelry

Collage image of a Toronto consignment store (located in the trendy Beaches area of Queen Street East!) that used to sell my handmade jewelry

Image featuring handmade jewelry from my ConigliVerdi Etsy store for sale at a Toronto consignment store

Photo of handmade jewelry from my previous ConigliVerdi Etsy store, available for sale at a Toronto consignment store

Items from my previous ConigliVerdi Etsy store for sale at a Toronto consignment store

Close-up view of my rainbow colored lucky star charm bracelets, previously available for sale at a Toronto cosignment store

You may have already guessed this (hello, blog hiatus #3?), but I’m horrible at keeping projects going. So unfortunately, maintaining that store sorta fell by the wayside. Although that shouldn’t come as that much of a surprise. I mean not only is there so much to do when it comes to prepping for a wedding… it didn’t help matters when that wedding was located in a foreign land!

Screenshot image of my KnittingNPurling Etsy store

Screenshot image of my KnittingNPurling Etsy store

Anyway, that’s neither here nor there. Back to my new KnittingNPurling Etsy shop!

I’ve decided to start fresh this time on Etsy because I wanted the shop to be officially tied to this Knitting & Purling blog website that you’re currently on (which, yes, I did indeed recently reboot from my 7-month long hiatus because I wanted to start selling on Etsy again).

This time, I’ve decided to focus specifically on one theme and one theme only: handmade geeky gifts, jewelry & fashion accessories for computer nerds.

If this piques your interest, then please come back regularly to check out my blog! I’ll be showcasing more items from my KnittingNPurling Etsy store in the future as I continue to make new items and add them to the shop. I’ve already got a never ending list of ideas planned in my head of things I want to make, more than I’ll ever have time to accomplish! But don’t worry, I’ll find a way to make the time… (Sleep? What’s that?)

For now, here’s a brief peek into my Geek Speak Wire Jewelry collection. I’ll also be showcasing the very first three items added to my new Etsy store (that are also part of this series). Enjoy!

HTML Gold Wire Wrapped Cursive Letters Name Necklace

(Available for sale at the KnittingNPurling Etsy store)

HTML Gold Wire Wrapped Cursive Letters Name Necklace available for sale at the KnittingNPurling Etsy Store

Different views of my HTML Gold Wire Name Necklace, available for sale at the KnittingNPurling Etsy store

HTML (Definition)

  • Hypertext Markup Language, a standardized system for tagging text files to achieve font, color, graphic & hyperlink effects on World Wide Web pages

Highlights:

  • What is it? Handmade gold wire wrapped name necklace with the word “HTML” written in cursive letters
  • Which shop section? Part of the Geek Speak Wire Jewelry collection
  • Featured materials?
    • 20 gauge gold plated non tarnish copper wire
    • Gold lobster clasp
    • 18k gold plated chain + row of 8 jump rings (to form adjustable necklace length, approx. 16″ long)
    • Gold filigree tree charm attached to end of necklace chain (signature charm included with all gold wire necklaces from my Geek Speak Wire Jewelry collection)


Geekery Gold Wire Wrapped Cursive Letters Name Necklace

(Available for sale at the KnittingNPurling Etsy store)

Geekery Gold Wire Wrapepd Cursive Letters Name Necklace available for sale at the KnittingNPurling Etsy store

Different views of my Geekery Gold Wire Name Necklace, available for sale at the KnittingNPurling Etsy store

Geekery (Definition)

  • The collective goings on of geeks/the qualities that make a geek
  • The individual actions that define people as geeks

Highlights:

  • What is it? Handmade gold wire wrapped name necklace with the word “Geekery” written in cursive letters
  • Which shop section? Part of the Geek Speak Wire Jewelry collection
  • Featured materials?
    • 20 gauge gold plated non tarnish copper wire
    • Gold lobster clasp
    • 18k gold plated chain + row of 8 jump rings (to form adjustable necklace length, approx. 16″ long)
    • Gold filigree tree charm attached to end of necklace chain (signature charm included with all gold wire necklaces from my Geek Speak Wire Jewelry collection)


Meta Tag Gold Wire Wrapped Cursive Letters Name Necklace

(Available for sale at the KnittingNPurling Etsy store)

Meta Tag Gold Wire Wrapped Cursive Letters Name Necklace available for sale at the KnittingNPurling Etsy store

Different views of my Meta Tag Gold Wire Name Necklace, available for sale at the KnittingNPurling Etsy store

Meta Tags (Definition)

  • Elements of HTML website source code that describe the contents of a webpage
  • Used by search engines to index pages
  • Most common meta tags are the description, title & keywords

Highlights:

  • What is it? Handmade gold wire wrapped name necklace with the words “Meta Tag” written in cursive letters
  • Which shop section? Part of the Geek Speak Wire Jewelry collection
  • Featured materials?
    • 20 gauge gold plated non tarnish copper wire
    • Gold lobster clasp
    • 18k gold plated chain + row of 8 jump rings (to form adjustable necklace length, approx. 16″ long)
    • Gold filigree tree charm attached to end of necklace chain (signature charm included with all gold wire necklaces from my Geek Speak Wire Jewelry collection)
Image sources: KnittingNPurling Etsy store logo & screenshot image, plus all photographs included in post ©2010-2012 Karina of KnittingandPurling.com.
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Rag & Bone Bindery accordion books made Oprah’s The “O” List!

2011
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Website screenshot image of Rag and Bone Bindery

Official website screenshot image for the Rag & Bone Bindery online store

Just found out my favorite “paper page” photo album company was recently featured on Oprah’s The “O” List!

And we all know that once something is featured on Oprah’s coveted The “O” List, sales for that product will shoot through the roof. And I’m glad others will soon find out all about Rag and Bone Bindery, including just how beautiful and uniquely “one of a kind” their products truly are.

I first discovered Rag and Bone Bindery products when I was at my favorite Toronto stationery store, The Paper Place.

Rag and Bone Bindery Accordion Books on the pages of Oprahs O Magazine

Rag & Bone's "Accordion Books" made it on the pages of Oprah's "O" magazine!

They had these gorgeous 12″ x 12″ “paper page” photo albums (as in photo albums that consist of handmade acid-free paper, with each one custom bound by trained bookbinders using traditional bookbinding tools and techniques) that I instantly fell in love with.

There were other products also available, from smaller “paper page” photo albums to baby books, address books and more… but I only had eyes for the 12″ x 12″ albums. And when I saw one that was custom bound with this deep red fabric cover (with a matching sheer red ribbon crisscrossing up the spine)… I knew I had to get it for displaying my wedding photos.

Note: Looking at these pictures online doesn’t do the product justice… you’ll have to take my word for it, the quality and workmanship that goes into each album is unbelievable, with each product clearly one of a kind. And you know how I love things OOAK!

My 12x12 paper page album from Rag and Bone Bindery

Multiple views of my red 12x12 paper page album from Rag & Bone Bindery"

Anyway, in case you weren’t aware, my wedding last year took place in the beautiful city of Florence, Italy. I had our wedding planner book the “Sala Rossa” (translated to mean “Red Room”), located within the famous Palazzo Vecchio… the palace located in Florence’s bustling city square, Piazza della Signoria. This “Red Room” has been home to civil weddings in Florence for hundreds of years. The second you see what the room is like (picture below), you’ll understand why I had to buy that red Rag and Bone Bindery “paper page” photo album to display my wedding photos!

Our Florence Italy wedding in Salon Rossa at Palazzo Vecchio in Piazza Signoria

Our Florence Italy Wedding in Salon Rossa at Palazzo Vecchio in Piazza Signoria



Image Source: Rag & Bone Bindery images courtesy of RagandBoneBindery.com & RagandBone.com/blog.

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