This week I did a little web window shopping (man, curtains can be expensive!) and naturally found myself oohing and ahhing over all the pretty garden related selections. Sifting through them, I realized that a lot of the mass produced items are very similar to products on the indie-designer handmade market right now. Take a gander and see whatcha think. The big box varieties are to the left, the indie business, crafty versions are on the right.
(a) The Eggling made internet rounds last year: $9.50 or the handmade version (b) by Revisions Design Studio (includes a half dozen eggs!): $24.95, is a much better buy. (c) VivaTerra Moon Chimes, $49 are pretty enough to go indoors or out, but the handmade version (d) by Michael McDowell (aka Mudpuppy), $65, are made to order, and I can vouch for the incredible quality and customer service he offers.
(e) Anthropologie's Placid Lakeside Planter is on clearance for $19.95, but the cheery, sunshiny yellow version by (f) Fruit Fly, $34, is still a great buy from the little guy. (g) Crate and Barrel's recycled glassware, $3.95 each on clearance, looks perfect for lemonade on a hot summer's day, but you'll sweat a whole lot less knowing the maker is receiving fair pay for a day's work by supporting (h) Rewined Recycled, where aset of 4 recycled wine bottle tumblers is $38.
(i) These ceramic bird wind chimes from Pier 1, $15, are pretty adorable, but for half the price and a whole lotta DIY pride (j), you can string up a nearly identical version from Laurel Arts, $7.50. (k) The Aqua/Green Maritime Rope Doormat from World Market, $16.99, has a nautical bent, but you can knock the mud off your Wellies in a more authentic manner, thanks to (l) Knotically Inclined: $60.
Renee Garner has a passion to make things grow, although her
brownish thumb wants her to believe otherwise. When mud pies aren't on
the menu, you can find her doodling the days away at Wolfie and the Sneak.
