Modish: the blog

Eco-Friendly Find: Hassenpfeffer Inc.

Kid's aren't the only ones who need something soft and cuddly to squeeze every now and then- here are some "grown up" toys for big kids who like a little softness around to brighten their day:

Not only are these cuddlies as cute as can be, they're also made from high quality vintage materials, recycling cast off clothing into treasures that will keep you company for years and years to come.  Find them (along with more friends!) at Hassenpfeffer Inc!  Schlemiel!

Site of the week: Hammer & Daisy

Great googlimoogli, I've hit the motherload of handmade, Australian goodness.  Yes, I've discovered, Hammer & Daisy!  With incredible goods that are handmade from start to finish by a talented few ladies, and range from journals to pencil cases to pouches to plushies, you can find one-of-a-kind items with style and personality.  Take a look for yourself!

Let's start with their incredible journals in many different styles and wonderful fabrics:

And move on to their pretty little pouches and handy dandy pencil holders:

And don't forget beauuuutiful blank cards, vibrantly printed just for you:

Or their wonderfully cute plushies and handmade felt and knit goodies!

There's even more to see on the Hammer & Daisy site, these items only scratch the surface of their fabulous offerings!  Check them out for yourself- a feast for the eyes and a treat for your shopping urges!

A little bird told me...

...that little birds just listed some new goodies in their shop!  Handmade by Stephanie Congdon Barnes, this wonderful squirrel is perfect to add a little charm to any shelf, desktop or windowsill.

Made in my favorite color combination right now (just look at modishoppe!) mustard and brown, this awesome creation has a rustic, heirloom feel, like he wants to whisper a little story into your ear.  I love the polkadotted belly and the curly, yarn tail!  He's really cute and he may have to be mine.  Please help save me from spending money I don't have and buy him first!  He's sure to bring a little delightfulness into your everyday.

They Bholu me away!

One of the worst things about buying mass-produced goods is imaging the conditions under which they were labored, so it's always refreshing and inspiring to find goods that are produced abroad fairly and ethically, that actually help to benefit their makers both financially and creatively.  Case in point: Bholu!

Bholu goods, like these gorgeous hand-embroidered felt journals and cute plushie Bubalahs are conceptualized in Australia and brought to life by the hands of traditional Gujarati women artists in Western Gujarat, India.  In addition to conducting art workshops with the children of the community, a part of Bholu's proceeds go back to the women artists and help to fund educational facilities for underprivileged children.  Fair trade, guilt free, and stylish at the same time- check out Bholu!

 

 

Site of the week: Maki Squarepatch

Oh Maki Squarepatch, how do I love you?  Let me count the ways: 1. You make cute stuff, darn tootin!  And so much of it! How do you have time to make such a wide array of greatness?  2. All the stuff you make is made from recycled materials.  That's awesome!  You can really make goods that are that cute just from scrap fabric and a little ingenuity?  I applaud you!  3. Your shop is named after your cat.  You had me at hello, Maki Squarepatch.  You had me at hello.  4. You're based in Singapore.  That seems to be the hotbed of some wonderful new up and coming designers that I've discovered recently- go Singapore, go!  5. Everything you make is unique and one-of-a-kind making it all the more special!

Take these little zip pouches for instance:

Or these incredibly adorable bags and purses:

And some friendly things that will help make your house a home:

There's also vintage clothing, original art, vintage jewelry and accessories and even eco-friendly tips on the front page!  Maki Squarepatch, you have won over my heart indeed!

Hoot hoot!

Rainbows and plushies and gooco, oh my!  If you're looking to add a little color to your life or brighten someone's day, say it with a cute little wise owl plushie by Mazzalicious!  Simple, sweet and smile inducing, they're available in a wide array of fun colors!  Find them at Mazzalicious along with more plush cuteness!

Site of the week: Chet and Dot

Self described as "handmade lovelies for you and yours", Portland based Chet and Dot is a cute little shop brimming with more handmade lovelies than you can imagine!  Armed with a needle and thread and some adorable fabric, inspired by Japanese zakka and all things cute, Chet and Dot creations are simple yet creative, darling yet useful and lucky for us, available right on etsy!  Take a peek of some of my favorite items!

Awesome little sewing kits include a handmade pincushion, fabric covered tape measure and little straight pins!

Versatile drawstring bags or a little mini pin-board featuring cute little owls!

Adorable plushie goodness for kids or just to brighten your day!

Handy checkbook covers and tissue pouches!

One-of-a-kind fabric collages and adorable linen pouches!

There's also handbags, dishtowels, jewelry, baby onesies and lots more to see!  Check it out for yourself at Chet and Dot but beware of cuteness overload!

"So Modish" myspace pick: My Paper Crane

Wow, I totally forgot about the myspace picks these last couple weeks, whoops!  Well, back on track now we have the cute as can be My Paper Crane as this week's pick!  With one of the cutest profile pictures ever and an affinity for colorful pompoms, My Paper Crane caught my attention with their wonderful plush goodness.  Cute never had is so sweet, or so soft!  Check out all their delectable creations at www.mypapercrane.com!  And peek at the blog while you're there to see how to make one of the cute pin-board houses below!

Doll up your dashboard

Poor neglected dashboard, you just get no love.  You're covered in dust and strange grime, often forgotten during the cleaning regime.  You're pretty much useless, unable to support any objects due to your slight slant.  You're simply there to extend the steering wheel out so I don't bump my head on the oh so aerodynamically inclined windshield.  Well, dashboard, thank you for your selfless service to, well, I'm not sure what.  I have a present for you.
Meet Dolly.  She's soft, she's colorful, shaped like delicious fruit and smells good (not that you smell bad or anything, no no... ahem.)  Plus, she's made just for you!  See dashboard?  You won't be neglected anymore...not with jek in the box's lovely Dollies around!

Let the sunshine in!

Is it dreary out?  Work day got ya down?  Love life got ya questioning things?  If you're searching for a little pick me up for any woe, cheer up with a sunny little felt flower pot!
These handmade flowers are intricately made of felt, beads and buttons and are sure to break even the stiffest of sour faces.  Place one in a sunny corner of your office or on your nightstand so you can be greeted with a warm hello each morning- they'd be perfect for a little day brightening, anytime.  Find them at b.delicious, a site filled with handmade goods for children and women with child-like wonder!

Site of the week: tummy ache

I've never thought of a tummy ache as something that may cure your ails, until now!  Have blank walls, get some tummy ache art!  Need a place to house your wallet and change?  A tummy ache purse would do mighty fine!  From the whimsical art and illustration of Julie Knoblock comes tummy ache, her shop selling art prints and other handmade goodies, like these!

Cute coin purses with hand-embroidered details:

And this hand-stitched birdie and sweet fawn, made from a vintage pattern:

And of course, the art!

Check out the wonderful, colorful world of tummy ache and cure what ails ya!  And, keep up on Julie's art revelations and inspirations on her blog!

Site of the Week: Gifts Define

For a one stop shop for cute gifts and stocking stuffers, look no further than Gifts Define!  The site features oh so adorable mini dolls called InDOLLgences which are handmade by Irma Niekum- there's a whole range of holiday treats to choose from and the best part?  They're all under $40! 

These "holiday birds" and "o holi trees" would make excellent ornaments or Christmas party favors:

Or, check out these adorable reindeer and decorative little "santa girls":

Or, for a gift someone can use all year round, choose a sweet little doll from the Fun Animals collection!

Each doll is handmade with lots of love and attention and can be used in so many different ways!  Check out the full line of amazing little creatures and put a smile on someone's face this year with a gift from Gifts Define!

Mummy dear, can I get a hug?

I'm in love!  I'm in love with plush skeletons and zombies, devils and wolfmen!  And this mummy!  How cute is this mummy?
Made by a new discovery of mine, Cuddly Rigor Mortis, this adorable big headed, one-eyed pile of gauze is whittling its freaky little way into my heart (I always did have a soft spot for freaks. And geeks. Oh, and chocolate.)  Um, anyway, this cute creation is made from muslin with a brown stitched mouth and missing eye, and he seems friendly- according to his maker he hosts movie night for the other unwanted dead in his crypt, with popcorn!  What a nice mummy.  Give him an equally nice home, would ya?  And, in case you have room for more, pumpkin head and Frankenstein are also looking- can you spare a shelf?

SITE OF THE WEEK: Wren Handmade

Thanks d*s for introducing me to yet another amazing indie business, Wren Handmade!  Stylish, classic and sooo pretty, Wren Handmade is the side business for Laura Normadin, a craft editor at Martha Stewart Living and Brooklyn resident.  Her attention to design is impeccable and her artistic talents show through everything she makes.  In fact, she illustrated the art for one of my favorite albums, Sufjan Stevens' Greetings From Michigan!  How about that?  I think Laura is one amazing lady with an amazing gift for crafting beautiful things.  See for yourself!

Gorgeous collage cards and gift tags:

Classic silk-screened linen pillows:

 

Delicate and pretty crocheted hair clips:

 

Linen elephants and custom made dolls with cuter clothes than I have!

Everything you'll find at Wren Handmade is simple and beautiful  so, take a look around, I'm sure you won't be disappointed! 

OMG! It's a 2-headed monster!!!

Wait, wait!  Before you start running for your life, take a look at how adorable this thing is!  Yes, Murdock and Little Cecil just want to be like us.  Accept them.  Love them.  Hug them!  Handmade by Jennifer out of recycled pj's and sheets, this monster is one-of-a-kind, and obviously has got loads of personality!  You can even hide secret treasures in his big mouth (if you're not scared of the teeth.)  I have some, uh, "treasures" that may need hiding, although I think my cat would freak if I brought Murdock home.  Oh, won't someone give this monster a loving abode?  Check him and other gangly friends out at Cotton Monster, and you may just find a new little buddy you can't live without!