Miss Estelle

Custom Made: A Catalogue of Personalized and Handcrafted Items

A revolution in high-quality, custom-made goods is changing the way we shop. Once the exclusive province of a privileged few, custom-made goods are increasingly sought after by knowledgeable consumers. This comprehensive guide is to the growing number of custom goods & services. Each chapter is devoted to a different area of expertise, full of ideas for personal use & for unique gifts: apparel & accessories; architectural home; home furnishings; craftspeople; athletic equip.; vehicles; edibles &

List Price: $ 17.00

Price: $ 17.00

uktv.co.uk Danielle Proud provides step by step video instructions to create these fabulous home made Christmas decorations. With this fashionable, crafty style selling for high prices on the high street, impress your family and friends with your artistic skill and get ready for the festive season.

by Ant Ware

Classic Hand Made Pottery form Turkey with Tradition of Excellence

Few items in the world of potteries have tradition of excellence and perfection like the classic handmade pottery from Turkey. Ceramic potteries from Turkey adorning Grand Mosques or Imperial Palaces constitute representation of living and vibrant art for the consumers.
Famous for Handmade PotteriesIn fact, Turkey is famous for its handmade classic potteries. Especially the areas around Cappadocia, they are manufactured in plenty and have created a tradition that is existent for centuries. Originating in China, Central Asia, and Iran, pottery making art migrated to Turkey and over the years turned out to be one of its distinctive industries reflecting the rich heritage and tradition of the country and its people. Even in these modern times one can find pottery originated as well as the family owned workshops in the country. 
Rich Heritage and TraditionTurkey and especially Cappadocia has a rich heritage and tradition that goes back to the time of the Hittites. It is believed by historians that the tradition is as old as the 18th century B.C. Others hold the opinion that the tradition of handmade pottery commenced in the country some times during the 15th and 16th century when the Ottoman Empire was in the ruler’s seat.
Popular DesignsWhether it is ceramic bowl or jars or any other kitchen accessories, there are a few very popular styles that are followed in manufacturing the handmade pottery in Turkey. Rumi, Hatai, and Ottoman Iznik are some such styles and most of these patterns are based on animal and floral designs. Some of the designs like the whirling dervishes are unique to Turkish native technologies in pottery making. While locally the Iznik pattern is more popular, other patterns are equally popular abroad among the antique dealers.
Family BusinessPattern of family owned business and workshops for handmade pottery is still prevalent in most part of Turkey. There are some such workshops that are over two hundred years older. Master potters from different parts of the country are engaged to work in these workshops and they come up with unique, attractive and distinct articles.
Sometimes the traditional and ancient technologies like using the kick wheel and hand painting, glazing and baking are also used by the potters instead of any modern technology. Resultant items like the decorative plates are some of the best creation of art works.

by Tobyotter

How to Buy Authentic Hand Made Pottery?

Handmade pottery is one of the oldest crafts known to man and that is still practiced. Handmade pottery makes excellent show pieces, thoughtful gifts or priceless collectibles. The perfect contours and exceptional designs are the hallmarks of handmade pottery, unlike machine made pottery pieces. However, while buying handmade pottery, you have to make sure that you are getting authentic stuff as the risk of replicas cannot be overlooked. Make sure that you are not being taken for a ride by the seller who passes off a look alike as an authentic handmade pottery worth a fortune.

While buying for handmade pottery pieces, make sure that you bargain for a lower price as the dealers are likely to give an exaggerated rate at the first instance. Make sure that you behave as if you know the ongoing market rates of the pottery and are a seasoned buyer. Novices and first time buyers are more likely to bite the high price bait.

Most dealers can spot a clueless shopper; so make sure that you make a thorough research of the products to get a fair idea of the price of the product before going for shopping. Once the dealer knows that they have a well informed customer at hand, they will not dare to pull a fast one on you. It is better to shop at respectable shops instead of antique stores or flea markets as it is easier to get what you are looking for in shops .

In case you are buying antique pieces of handmade pottery, make sure that you get to the history of the piece to know the period and the artist who made it. Antique pottery masks are more challenging because of their odd shapes and the absence of any markings in most cases.

Hand painted pottery, decorative plates and dinnerware is the easiest of the lot as it offers an impressive selection in all possible prices. Rare features like the crackling effect in the glaze makes it more valuable and different from the run of the mill stuff.

Buying handmade pottery could be an exhaustive task but with all the information and some nifty buying tips, you will become an expert in finding the best bargain deals.

Craft project from Jude at Crafts by Jude.

To see more handmade Christmas Ornaments go to my new website: www.MyCraftsR4U.com
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5th Grade school teacher making christmas personalized tree ornaments for her class

WatchMojo.com presents… A way to make your wedding even more memorable.

www.perryolsen.com New fancy wedding band ring for men in 14K yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold. Hand carved and weaved design for men with fashion taste. Available in 18Karat and platinum. Visit our website at www.PerryOlsen.com and browse through our large wedding ring jewelry collection. All our gold wedding bands are available in all sizes even quarter sizes and half sizes. Why PerryOlsen.com? The rings come with free UPS shipping. Free engraving, and 60-Day Warranty. Shop online at: www.perryolsen.com

Question by layhoma2004: why are handmade leather bags are expensive whereas shouldn’t machine made are more consistent ?
What is the hype in handmade goods such as designer handbags that is ridiculously priced. Shouldn’t machine made products are more better in quality because of consistency ? Is it just a show to put up to jack up the price or is there a real practical reason to justify the means and cost ??

Best answer:

Answer by ‘lil peanut
didn’t quite understand the entire quetion but the jist of it. The reason handmade bags are more expesnive than machine made ones is because machines can turn out 100s of bags in the time it takes to make one by hand you have to pay the person making the bag by the hour.

What do you think? Answer below!

by aflusche

Question by CatherineNickName: Antique Victorian Chest of Drawers with no Keys. Can I get some made somehow?
I have an antique Victorian Chest of Drawers with no Keys.
The beautiful ornate locks are there, and I want to keep them, they use an old fashioned key.

Is there a solution out there to get some an old skelton type key made that I can use the locks on the drawer?

Best answer:

Answer by Lisa
Couple suggetions…

Contact various antique dealers in your area to see if they have a “ring of keys” that many of them have laying around the shop. Possibly they are familiar with your type of chest and have one available.

Locksmith services may be required…also with their magic “ring of keys” to try.

Good luck.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Custom Made: A Catalogue of Personalized and Handcrafted Items

List Price: $ 29.95

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