Hemp Jewelry: Sparking Earthly and Worldly Emotions

Hemp jewelry has been a craft art I have been infatuated with ever since I was a young girl. The rough and in some areas smooth, texture of the cords intrigued me. The smell of mass produced hemp tempted me every time I visited a craft store. Being also that I love beads of all kinds, this was, and still is, a never ending story for me. Some may say that hemp jewelry is a thing of the past, for druggies, or just so overdone that it is not special any more. I would have to disagree, because with the newest color variations of cording and how bold designers are becoming with their creations, the possibilities are endless.

I have found a few shops on Facebook that I enjoy browsing in my spare time. The first one is Hemp~Knotic! jewelry. Michelle Najarro creates one of a kind pieces that are colorful and eye catching. She pays attention to nice design detail and has something for everyone. Her range of work goes from very simple, to very intricate, and her prices are great.

Examples of Ms. Najarro's work

Interestingly, I just stumbled across this page: High on Hemp, on Facebook. My favorite design elements by this company are the encased crystals and semi-precious gemstones in hemp work nets, for pendants, and the nice use of cord colors and beads that contrast well.

Examples of pieces by High on Hemp

If you enjoy hemp jewelry as much as I do, then go ahead and check out these pages. I hope you enjoy what you discover.

Note to readers: This is not a paid review or sponsored article. This article is my own personal opinion.

Fresh Femme Knitwear

Isn't this colorway yummy?
Lila Hudson cable knit cape scarf - $101

I like the sweet pink yarn that makes up this sweater.
Spring and Clifton Suspender pink knit with garter clips in front and back - $106

This is a versatile piece, and will impress the grandmas in your life,
due to its handmade construction.
Finders Keep openwork crochet cardigan - $115

Handcrafted Chairs by Melanie Porter

Have you ever wanted to work directly with a high fashion designer to create your very own one of a kind piece of furniture?

After 10 years working as a knitwear designer for a number of international fashion brands, including Burberry and Pure Collection, Melanie Porter has turned her expertise to furniture, creating one-off contemporary designs from chairs sourced from auctions and markets across the UK. Melanie undertakes the entire process herself and everything, from the restoration and upholstering to the felted woollen panels and individual, crocheted buttons, is done by hand. The result of this incredibly labour-intensive process is a stunning and unique, but hard wearing, work of art, destined to be a future family heirloom.

“Although I loved my job in fashion, I really missed the hands-on creativity of actually making something,” explains Melanie. “I also wanted to learn upholstery – it’s something that has intrigued me since I was a child and would watch my grandfather repairing chairs. I am actually still using the tools that I inherited from him.”

Each project starts with the chair itself – anything from an antique Victorian nursing chair, to a 1970s Egg chair – which is painstakingly stripped back to the frame, before being restored and reupholstered using traditional techniques. This blank canvas is then covered with a series of hand-knitted, felted panels, especially created for each chair.

“To a certain extent, I let the chair lead the design and knit structure,” says Melanie. “I’ll sketch a rough idea but it’s quite an organic process and so I allow myself the freedom to change things as I go along.”Melanie also takes on bespoke commissions and, in this instance, the process is a bit different. “Sometimes a customer has a chair they want me to reupholster, sometimes they’ll ask me to source a frame. Then I’ll talk to them about what they’re looking for in terms of colours and designs, and show them sketches and swatches before I start work.”

For more information visit the website, or call +44 7770 941 305.

Hemp Market Bags at olivebrown

olivebrown has created a beautiful hand knit hemp market bag so you can take it along with you while you shop. This bag was featured in Bon Appetit Magazine.

Betty's Loft Sale

Betty's Loft has a sale on this featured item! Is it a scarf? Is it a shawl? Who cares- this is a fun accessory for dressing up or going casual! Hand-crocheted from hand spun, hand-dyed cotton, Betty’s shawlettes are one-of-a kind, authentically crafted with a personal touch.

Izzy Lane Ethical Fashion Handmade Shoe Sale

Izzy Lane is having a shoe sale! From heels to flats, buy a pair from Izzy Lane, and feel good about purchasing a product that is completely animal friendly with no animal derived products used in their manufacture. Each pair is hand made by a traditional cobbler in the East End of London and the entire collection is approved by the Vegetarian Society.

Featured products are on sale for £75.00

Offer available from 20th June 2009 to 27th June 2009

Shape Up your Wardrobe with ModeInHolland

This is actually a custom made knitted dress that can be created to your body.

There is an interesting shopping website called ModeInHolland, in which you enter in your measurements when ordering your custom made garment. Each item is created especially for you, and you even have assistance such as telephone support or web cam, if you need help with figuring out your correct and precise size. Yes, this company ships internationally, for a reasonable cost.

More interesting services:

Fashion Parties (The Netherlands): "At the Fashion Parties we will bring the collections and show them to your audience. There will be time to get some insight in the world of designing and the inspiration of the particular designers. Of course there will be a lot of time to try all clothes on and see what fits you best."

Amazing Handmade Knitwear at Etsy

It never fails...do a little searching on Etsy, and you will always find something GORGEOUS!The High North's "Feather and fan knitted skirt", made with norwegien wool. Intricatly stitched, long sleeved hand knit jacket by Peg Plunkett can be purchased for an utterly amazing $55
Beautifully formed crocheted black cropped cardigan by Fashion Knitwear. This cardigan is crocheted using two yarns simutanously, for added thickness and wamrth. I strongly suggest for you to look at the other designs by Fashion Knitwear, on Etsy because they are exquisite. The designs are perfect for very picky women.

Cute Little Knitted Accessories

Knitted Necklace at Urban Outfitters (also available in a fuschia)

Pink Pouch found at Etsy
This cute pink zipper pouch is lined with a pretty printed fabric.

Blue coin purse at Etsy
This cute little pouch is knitted in mohair and is lined with black fabric.

"Sweater Chubby Change Purse" at FreePeople.com

Amazing Avante Garde Designs by Louise Black

Glamazon Ruffled and Striped Silk Carnival Scarf
Avant Garde Marionette Inspired Black Silk Party Dress with Double Ruffle Collar

Victorian Steampunk Anatomical Medical Skeleton Cameo Corset

Find these designs and more on the Louise Black Etsy shop.

Cute Knitted and Crocheted Toys

The absolute cutest bat you will ever create, can be found at CRAFT, here.
Bee "Buzz" knitted doll at http://www.blablakids.com/


McCain and Obama doll patterns from http://www.lionbrand.com/ Fun gifts for the patriot in your family :)

Rodarte Hand Knits

Source for image above: Just Jared

On the cover of the upcoming month of Vogue Magazine, Rachel Weisz is wearing a gorgeous hand knitted dress by high fashion label Rodarte. It is a openwork piece with a sort of deconstructed feel, in gorgeous rich colors.

This is the dress featured on the cover of Vogue Magazine, October 2008 issue.

I love how fresh this design is, from the Fall 2008 Ready to Wear Rodarte collection.

This one is gorgeous because it looks "painted" on.

This design is mod-gothic in my opinion ;) The tights leave just enough to the imagination, and give the designs the perfect artistic touch, leading the eye length wise down the form. Stunning.

Handmade Cotton and Wool Bangles

stuff(s): mariegrace designs are unique and all hand made. This bangle is made of cotton and wool thread, wound around a plastic bangle. Mariegrace is a budding designer, specializing in one of a kind items, at reasonable prices.

Stylish Mode Headbands and Accessories

Stylish Mode's handmade headbands are durable, with heavy and thick fabric and sturdy stitching. This product will last. They keep my hair back as well. They really hug my head and I don't have to worry about my hair falling back in my face. One of the very unique things about Stylish Mode is that the company offers custom sizing, which is perfect because no two heads are the same. This is a sure way to make sure your money is well spent.

Stylish Mode also offers a variety of purses and accessories, all created with expert attention to detail.

Catherine Lerer Designs

Catherine Lerer has studied and been in this industry for years. Her experience has led her to create fabulously stylish pieces, and art installations, featuring her designs.

"My work ranges from my interests in dissecting consumer habits and culture, to reinterpreting statistical weather analysis, to investigating personal family views on art and craft. I am strongly drawn to creating garments and wearable art, as I feel clothing and apparel are the perfect hybrid of Art and Design and Craft while still being inextricably linked to the wearer's self as a conveyor to the world; making the wearing a performance, the wearer an actor and the bridge between the art and the world in which it exists." - Catherine Lerer

Expensive Knitted Toys

Number three on Vogue's Most Wanted list: I Golfini Della Nonna stuffed animals. Who would have thought these would be worth so much? I know what you are thinking..."I can so make that!" :)