This week’s Freebie Friday is designer approved. Bob Richter, whose New York kitchen was featured as part of our Weekly Tours series, tipped us off to one of his favorite frame makers, Chris LeBeau. Chris’s frames are constructed of 100% recyclable materials and an organic non-chemical solution is used in the aging process.
We’re giving away two of Chris’s beautiful copper frames. For a chance to win one, answer this week’s question before 12/11c, Monday, July 19.
This week’s question: What’s the best handmade item you’ve purchased?
I purchased a hand-made pottery dish in Chania on the island of Crete, Greece that I am particularly fond of. It is rectangular-shaped with a rounded bottom and is painted interestingly.
The best handmade item I have ever purchased was a Ugandan necklace. It has a beaded look but is completely made of paper. Gorgeous and colorful! The proceeds went towards The Ugandan Thunder Childrens' Choir so they could continue to travel and sing for Jesus!
My local made favorite coffee mug!
Handmade fingerless gloves. I use them at work in the winter, stylish yet functional so I can still type on the keyboard.
The most special home made item in my house is a necklace hoder/hanger made by my son when he was about 10. We had a neighbor who worked with wood and Dan picked out the choice of wood that matched my bedroom set and made a backbord with pegs of different heights so that I could hang short and long necklaces on it. It attached to the wall so that it was at an easy access to my vanity. It was made of high end wood and everything was sanded and stained to perfection. I love it and I loved the fact that he thought so much of me to take the time to make it for me.
a handmade pendant carved out of wood to resemble a fishing hook
I didn't purchase it; I inherited it from my Mother-in-law; it's a white crocheted table cloth that her Mother made for her when she married my Father-in-law in 1943. I can place it over any color tablecloth for a very nice look; but only use it for special occasions like Thanksgiving & Christmas. I want it to stay in good shape so I can pass it on to one of my Grandgirls.
My favorite handmade object I have purchased is a large (4ft.) metal 3-dimensional star that is welded in a metal rope circle. It's all rusty and has welding imperfections which makes me love it more. Hangs on the wall in my dining room.
My fav handmade item is an antique quilt from the 50's !
My favorite was an old chrocheted doily.
My uncle makes beautiful handmade furniture! I bought a beautiful wood kitchen table from him! I love it! It's even more special because he made it!
A big wooden carving from a market in Ecuador. It's hanging in my living room and I love it.
My favorite handmade purchase would be a gold ring I bought from a booth at a carnival about 5 years ago. The rings were hand melted and each was slightly unique. It was a spur-of-the-moment purchase but I still remember the excitement of seeing beautiful rings and picking the most interesting one.
The best handmade item I have purchased was a fundraiser for my son's school. A painting he created in art class was transferred to an apron, which I purchased and use all the time when I cook.
I would have to say it is the blown glass wind chime that I have hanging in my kitchen window. When the weather is warm and there is a nice breeze, I love to hear the melodious sounds throughout the house and in the winter when everything is closed up tight , I like to run my fingers through it to hear the sounds of summer.
The best hand-made item I purchased were some hand-carved figurines made in tagua (vegetable ivory), made in Ecudaor. Beautiful!
A pair of beautiful glass knitting needles. My husband and I gave them to his aunt as a thank you for all the work she'd done helping us plan our wedding.
The best handmade items I've purchased are gorgeous pieces of Acoma Laguna pottery.
the best handmade item i have purchased was a hand thrown mug, was the perfect size, shape and heft.
It took a tumble and passed away! ;(
Our passion has always been travel and we have picked up a number of beautiful handmade items along the way. We have a wall of paintings purchased from various local artists. Our den features more "native" types of items including an African shield, small Navajo rugs and boomerangs… interestingly, these items are very cohesive in their colors and basic designs.
My sister makes the greatest handmade soap. They are made to look like petri dishes with bacteria swipes on them, and pretty awesome. She sells them on Etsy. Fantastic stuff.
In 2005 while visiting an art fair in Berea KY, I bought a green and cream colored woven clay "basket." It was made by River Hill Pottery. I have never been fond of pottery or glass items. When we approached their booth, I was grabbed by this basket and pulled in. I have never seen anyone weave with strips of clay. The grace of the weaving satisfies something inside me.
My favorite handmade item was purchased at a little local music festival from the artist herself. It is a stained glass dragonfly, whose body and wings are artfully wrought, with glass that is clear but shimmers with dancing rainbows. It hangs from the ceiling near a window, unobtrusive, yet quite beautifully bringing nature indoors to us.
A perfectly fitted dress for my mom all the way from New Zealand!
The best handmade item that I have purchased was a piece of artwork from a college student that was bought at the end of the school year sale whose proceeds went back toward the art program of the school. The piece was a hand-crafted sculpture of a portion of the face of a resident of the local nursing home. The piece has so much character and sole; it reminds me of what we all will become and the long journey of life.
Hand-made quilts from Living History Farms in DesMoines, IA
Best handmade thing I ever bought was my grandaughter's framed artwork at a silent auction at her elementary school fund raiser it was a great way to raise money and I have a lovely Masterpiece and I can say "I knew the artist personally even before she was famous"
A while back I went to a grage sale and I purchaed for $12 original watercolor paintings. When I got them home I realized that ther person who painted them write exactly the location of the Watercolors and her name. Both original Watercolors from the Carolinas. I had them both frames. They are beautiful.
The best handmade item I have ever purchased is stained glass windows. Love them, love them, love them…
The best handmande item I bought was a beautiful rustic handmade rocker that I use to rock my grandchildren
The best homemade item that I have purchased is a small side or end table. It sits beside a chair and is used everyday to hold my morning cup of coffee and laptop computer. Its not the nicest but the best because it is used everyday.
jewelry from etsy
The best handmade item i ever purchased was a picture that was painted ona piece of wood that is about 14 by 10 it is picture of a sail boat from the Americas Cup Race in the water i purchased it at a flea market.It is hanging in my bathroom every one that goes in there comment on it's beauty.It cost me if i can remember correctly about five dollars.
The loveliest homemade item I've bought is a piece of artwork created by Gavin Sky.
Jewelry I got in Pensscola Beach!!!!Love it
Macrame hanging plant holders. I love them!
the best is the shaving soap and mug set I bought for my husband last year. It makes me smile to see him use it every day!
What an interesting frame. I really like it for it is so different from any other frames that I have seen. It would look nice with my copper umbrella stand and my large copper tub. The best piece of a handcrafted item that I have purchased is a jewelery set of bracelet, necklace, ring and earrings. Made of silver and set with mytique topaz.. I also do handcrafting myself and truly appreciate the thought and the work that goes into a piece from all artisans.
I have several wonderful handmade pieces from artisans in many countries, but my FAVORITE favorite is a gorgeous 23" long hand-carved bowl, made by monks in a monastery in Bulgaria. The monastery is actually carved into hillside rock, and the bowls they made had a texture to them that reminded me of the hillside. My bowl is shaped like a football and very thick, so it even holds large grapefruits, squash, etc.. It has a rustic look to it that makes quite a statement on the kitchen counter! I love buying handmade items from different countries and regions, and if they're functional, I love them even more!