Guest Blog by Rachel Johnson - Handmade Trends from Swap-bot.com
On Swap-bot.com, users swap their handmade items with each other through the postal mail, but many of our members also sell their handmade creations in marketplaces like Etsy.com. The world of handmade seems to be ever-expanding and there are always new things to add to our wish lists! I try to keep up on the trends by checking out what Swap-bot users are creating and selling. This season, I have noticed a few major trends: Dessert-inspired items, Statement jewelry and accessories, Steampunk, and zines related to the DIY and handmade movement.
If you want to add a little sweetness to your life (while avoiding excess calories), you must check out all of the adorable dessert-inspired handmade items out there. One of my favorite felt artists is lisajhoney on Etsy. She creates amazingly realistic food-themed art objects using only felt, like this Slice of Coffee Cake. So cute!
If you want to show off your love of sweets to the world, you can add adorable dessert accessories to your look. Etsy seller, ChancesCharms, makes cute rings using kawaii dessert charms, and craftdict02 sculpts adorable mini cupcake charms out of polymer clay. What a sweet necklace they would make!
Statement necklaces have been a huge trend for a while, but lately any type of statement accessory seems exceptionally chic. For example, a beautiful and soft brooch, like this pink and grey crocheted corsage by Willowdale on Etsy would add romance and femininity to any outfit. Or, you could wear some dramatic drop earrings, like these “Black Ice” earrings made by smokeyquartz on Etsy, to add a little sparkle to your look. (And, if you want to make a different type of statement with your accessories this Mario Ring by zigg13pra on Etsy would show off your geeky side!)
Steampunk is a major emerging trend. It is a handmade style that incorporates 19th century imagery with science fiction fantasy. A good example of Steampunk jewelry can be seen in the Etsy store of katarinanavane, like this bracelet and these earrings. The use of mechanical objects, like gears, gives these items an industrial feel, but the charms and delicate construction reflect Steampunk’s Victorian aesthetic.
Zines are a popular medium and artistic outlet for Swap-bot members. One of the more popular zine themes is the DIY (do-it-yourself) or handmade movement. For example, TangleCrafts sells a lovely zine all about “The Borrowers” which merges into discussing the contemporary trend of upcycling, or re-purposing everyday objects. The zine also includes a DIY project which allows the reader to create their own miniature version of the zine. Other DIY-themed zines (and many others) can be purchased at Click Clack Distro, like “DIY or Don’t We” and “Resists” (both shown here).
All of these items, and more, can also be found on the Swap-bot Wishpot list.
Related posts:
- Indie Morning Must-Haves Wake up your morning routine with these indie must...
- Turtle Love Committee Guest Blog: New Handmade Artisan Chaya Caron Turtle Love Committee's brand new artisan is named Chaya Caron...
- Guest Blog post Meet MaruMaru MaruMaru.etsy.com is an online boutique that features retro and vintage...
- Wishpot Daily Handmade Pick: Master Key Cuff The Master Key Cuff was found in the Indie...
- Guest Blog Post It’s a Jaime Thing- New Accessories ...Instead Of A New Outfit, Invest In New Accessories! Suffering...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
Leave a comment