Handmade Presents - exclusive handmade products for you

Our products would serve a best present for those valuing the beauty and affection of working hands. We specialize in making presents using tatting and hand painted glass.

For many people, living in today’s economy is getting increasingly difficult. Job losses and depletion of savings mean that the impending holiday season may be looming larger than ever before. Typically, holidays like Christmas represent a huge expense either in the form of a cash outlay or the acquisition of further credit card debt. Many will be looking for ways to cut corners this year.

When faced with such difficulty, there is much to be said for looking backward. Not to the time where money allowed for a decision between a new computer or a big screen television as the family gift – but, rather, to a time where the majority of holiday gift-giving was in the form of handmade presents. People who have been lulled into a culture of materialism often think of handmade presents as “cheap” or “tacky” and this is really far from the truth. Exploring one’s talents and abilities can be deeply satisfying.

People who already participate in a variety of crafting activities and hobbies can generate a steady stream of handmade gift items. Those who knit and crochet are quite adept at creating scarves, mittens, slippers, sweaters and other clothing items that are of excellent quality and durability, in addition to being very attractive. Baby gifts such as bonnets, booties, sweaters and even christening dresses are handmade presents that can become family treasures and heirlooms. Along with clothing, knitting or crocheting can result in beautiful items for the home such as afghans and throws, pillow covers, tissue box and toilet paper roll covers and more.

Those adept with needle and thread or floss also produce wonderful handmade presents. Cross-stitch and needlepoint pictures can be highly personalized items. Embroidery can be done on clothing or home decoration items (such as the borders of fingertip towels, table linens, pillow cases, etc.). Quilters generate gorgeous, memory-invoking quilts of all sizes and designs. A talented seamstress can produce handmade presents from custom-fitted clothing, curtains and draperies all the way to personalized laptop covers, purses and handbags.

Wood crafts and tole painting have been responsible for many handmade presents over the years. From handcrafted furniture to shadow boxes, calendar frames and pictures frames, much appreciated gifts can emerge from the woodshop. Tole painters have taken many simple items like wooden spoons, wooden boxes, plaques and tin pieces and turned them into heart-warming works of art for the home. They can paint you anything from an enticing blackjack game scene being played out to children playing in a sandbox. These gifts are particularly appreciated by those whose homes embrace the country style of decorating.

So, what of the person who doesn’t possess any of these particular skills? Does that mean that the benefits of making and giving handmade presents are lost? Absolutely not. There are many easy (and often inexpensive) ideas that can be accomplished by anyone with just a little time and patience. Here are just a few examples:

Gel Scents – These pretty little bottles of home-made air freshener are a simple gift idea that makes use of the large bottles of liquid potpourri that can be purchased cheaply in dollar and department stores. They also help eliminate odors from carpet! Gather some heat-safe glass jars of smaller sizes (the type with clamped lids are great for this craft) and a saucepan that isn’t going to be used for food. The rest of the ingredients are simple – liquid potpourri, unflavored gelatin (like Knox) and salt. To prepare the gel, bring 1.5 cups of the potpourri liquid and 2 tbsp. of salt to a simmer. Sprinkle four envelopes of gelatin on top of the hot liquid and stir to dissolve completely. Remove from the heat and add a further half-cup of liquid potpourri. Stir to combine thoroughly. Distribute the mixture evenly among the jars and allow to cool to a firm gel, then seal. Decorate the jars, as desired.

Handmade Soaps – Purchase unscented glycerin soap (check the pharmacy) and chop it up into chunks. You will need approximately 2 cups. Melt the chunks in the microwave (takes about a minute on high) or in a double boiler. Skim off any frothiness that forms on the surface. Add a few drops of food coloring and, if desired, a favorite essential oil to create a scented soap. The fun of making soap is in the shapes. The glycerin mixture can be poured into milk carton bottoms (easy to peel off), candy, chocolate molds or even novelty ice cube trays (brush them with vegetable oil or the same essential oil used in the glycerin preparation) or small tin cans (open the can bottom once hardened to push out the soap). The soap will harden in about two hours when left standing at room temperature.

There are many books and online resources that can guide just about anyone in the fun of making handmade presents. Feel good about giving gifts to those you love without a huge strain on your budget.