Design Happens

If Pinterest has taught me anything, it’s that crafts aren’t just for kids.

I don’t even own a glue gun so perusing the lovely photos of handmade items gives me an inadequacy complex. Even so, I love buying these treasures. As a mom, I gravitate toward mom-made items since their inspiration is in large part because they couldn’t find exactly what they wanted in stores. My first experience was at a church bazaar where I ended a two-year quest for the perfect diaper bag.

Recently at Duck Duck Goose, a nation-wide children’s consignment event, I was surprised to find a few noteworthy handmade items. Typically consignment sales are a place for moms to buy and sell gently-used children’s clothing, toys, furniture and the like. Along with recycled items, Duck Duck Goose offered a vendor section for crafty moms to sell and promote their goods.

Graphic artist and at-home mom, Tonya Green, uses her talents to create customized tote bags, screen printed to look like the child.

Mom entrepreneur Melissa Yates designs not only hair accessories, but also display-worthy organizers that make finding a hairbow to match an outfit easier than digging through a box.

Her Melissa’s Bows-N-Things store can be found on Etsy.

One of my favorite booths at the event was In Flight Celebrations, founded by party-mama Mayra Rivera. I wish I had known her a few years ago when I was in my throwing-everyone-a-baby-shower phase.

Mayra’s blog is a great source for event décor inspiration.

Mom bloggers, like Gabrielle Blair’s popular Design Mom website, are great resources for craft ideas. Also, check out the HGTV Pinterest board for Handmade projects.

If you’re a craft-proficient glue gun owner, give us a shout. I’ll have my credit card ready.

Photos by: Danielle Evans Photography