Beach Wedding Ideas

Lately I've noticed that I'm getting more and more Beach Jewelry requests from my customers. As the summer gets closer brides are preparing for their big day and looking for beach themed items. For me here in the SF Bay Area I really don't feel the summer being close since it's still cold and rainy, but I know that other places are already filled with sun and warm weather.

So I made a quick search and found tons of info for beach weddings. I personally love weddings outdoors and especially on the beach. The only part that I don't love is that sometimes it can be really hot, so make sure you have big umbrellas or tents so that the guests are not all the time exposed to the sun. A good way to refresh your guests is offering them frozen Margarita drinks or similar. I normally love strawberry daiquiris or tamarind margaritas...yummy!

Here are a few ideas for your Handmade Beach Wedding. I've included the link to the vendors so you can go check out their shops as well.

Edible Sugar Fan Coral here

 Handmade Chiffon Bridal Dress here

 Handmade Personalized Heart Tags here

Handmade White Flip Flops here

Ring Bearer Shell here

Handmade Beach Bridal Bouquet here

Beach soap Favors here

Handmade Purple Bridesmaids Chiffon dress here

And for the brides that like some DIY items I found this great lanterns. You can buy the wire hooks online on Etsy and then re-use or buy the glass jars. Just place tea candles into the jar and the attach the wire holders. That's it! Very easy to make and it looks great!

DIY Lantern Jar holders here

I will be looking for more ideas and then show them to you in my next post. Meanwhile just a quick note, I've already finished my Beach Jewelry collection and started posting a few of them in my shop. I will be adding some pictures on my Facebook so you can see them there as well and remember that there is always a secret coupon for my Estylo Jewelry Facebook Fans!!!

Spring Green

We've been into Spring for one month now, but it definitely isn't as warm as I was hoping. However it's nice to see green everywhere and flowers starting to bloom. Our garden is getting nicer every day, except for my vegetables. After growing my vegetables inside for a couple weeks, I decided it was time to plant them outside. Big mistake! In just one morning the birds ate all my plants! So now I'll have to start all over again, but this time I have to prepare beforehand so that the birds don't eat them again.

Anyways, going now onto a few Easter and Spring Handmade Findings. Look the beauties I've found.

 Handmade Clutch available here

Handmade Easter Baby Chicks available here

 Handmade Silk Shawl available here

 Handmade Green Chocolate Ganache Cookies available here

 Handmade Ceramic Holder available here

Handmade Collage Bracelet available here

 Garden Photo available here

Hope you like them. For next week I'm thinking in sharing a tutorial, so don't forget to stop by and learn how to do some great jewelry for Spring and Summer!

Why handmade?

As you know, my blog is mainly focused on writing about handmade fashion. But why handmade? What extra value does it have? For me that's completely clear. I buy handmade when I'm looking for something special, unique and different. I also love that most of the artist will allow customization, so if you like something and want a few modifications they will do it for you.

I asked on the Etsy forum about why other buy handmade and here are some of the replies:

Available at MamasHouse

Response from MamasHouse: "Handmade has that personal loving touch of the artisan attached to it. I love that! :)"

 available at Colorscapedesigns

Response from Colorscapedesigns: "Handmade is more personal and truely a one of a kind piece to give as a gift or for yourself. "

Available at SzetoBaby

Response from SzetoBaby : "I like connecting with the artist, supporting them directly and in many cases hearing their stories and seeing their personalities shine though their listings and profiles. I think it's great to support the 'little guy'. It is so sad to see the mom and pop shops and restaurants get taken over by the big box chains. Quality is everything! :o) "

Available at LucidOpticLab

Response from LucidOpticLab: "I would like to get away from the highly industrialized, mass produced life style of this day and age because so much wickedness seems to go hand and hand with it all.
i like to know the item i am buying was hand made by an artist, not a machine. i also like to know i am not supporting sweatshop manufacturing and other such atrocities.
plus, even as a lil girl i always seemed to cherish presents and gifts that were made for me by loved ones instead of those bought in the store- it just feels that much more special and genuine!"

Available at Sugarshoxcrafts

Response from Sugarshoxcrafts: "I buy handmade as a way to support independent artists and to get that one special item I'm looking for. It seems to me like my money is going way further when I give it to an independent person versus give it to a big faceless company where it's divided up all freaky and the original creator may not see any of it. I also buy handmade because it's made with care and is of exceptional quality."

 Available at KerreraSkye

Response from KerreraSkye: "I love the uniqueness of handmade arts and crafts. I also love to support my fellow artists rather than giving money to big companies. "

All of those are great reasons to buy handmade. Overall we can resume it to: Uniqueness, Customization, Support to artists, Bond and Quality. So, next time you want to buy something, think Handmade :)