Here are tips, tricks, and links to some great handmade items for your wee one.
Benefits to buying Handmade:
-Helping others: Its plain and simple; big businesses will always be there but Working at Home mothers need your help to get of the ground.
- Higher Quality: Most of the products are sourced locally used to Handcraft which is good for the health of your children, no Chinese cheap fabric- bathed in 'who knows what' feces. The Quality will generally be excellent
-Custom sizing and design: It gives that personalized touch to everything. Lets face it, who doesn't enjoy seeing their name hanging on the wall.
Where to Find What?
Here are our top 10 Handmade stores:
Sewn clothing can look beautiful --- Especially on Kids but Handmade clothing can be really expensive as it is a fairly competitive market. We scanned around the NZ Handmade stores to do a vague price comparison. Here are our top ten Handmade item stores in NZ rated on quality, customer service, feedback and price ranging from clothes, decorations and toys. Enjoy:
#10- "Little Fae Handmade"
What I like about this store is the One-man-band or One-woman-band in this case but still keeping professionalism within the store. The clothes are reasonably priced with the pretty little piece below costing $20 + Postage. This is about what it would cost in one of the baby stores but this seems to guarantee quality and it turns up right at your front door to.
#9- "Arlie Girl & AG Boys Clothing"
Because of my love of tutus this Clothing store would be Number 1 but unfortunately the prices are a bit expensive for the everyday mums. However the clothing is exceptional quality, it has a large variety of clothing, both girls, boys and adults. Fairy dresses complete sets for girls (like the picture shown below) are around $55 which isn't actually overpriced for all the effort of designing and creating them. I love the friendly and homely vibe of this shop!
#8- "Pepi's Boutique"
Just the word Boutique always catches my attention, and this wee shop deserves. Run again by another one-woman-band, it is a range of beautiful, unique custom designed clothing. A dress like the one below is about $36 which for the quality, design, colouring and finish is beyond reasonable.
#7- "Sew In Love NZ"
They are only $20 and a must have for any owl fashion lover (Owls are totally in right now)
Apart from the owls this shop has a lot to offer. I try to critique well so mothers have the chance to do a quick evaluation, but its hard to find anything at fault here. They have a range of headbands starting at $10 which I believe is well priced and they have a clearance section on their website (Click here to visit)
#6 - "Monki Business - Sock Monkeys and Softies"
They sell Sock Monkeys (amongst other things)! How is this not the cutest thing you have ever seen and so original to. They do charge out of the reasonable range, you're looking at around $45 for the one below but boy I can imagine it must be quite hard to make!! Without price entering the equation, it seems very professional, there is great feedback and they sell owls too!
#5- "Kate's Paper Dresses"
A precious new piece of wall art that can be custom designed. What a wonderful idea! So impressed with the quality and detail gone into these. I think the only thing that lets them down is the price but they would make a beautiful addition to any wee girls (Or big girls) room!The one's below are about $40 + Postage.
#4- "Sammi3's Handmade Embellishments"
I'm not usually a big fan of card makers. In fact I will generally pick the funniest one from the warehouse and be done with it but these cards are beautiful! Especially with Valentines just around the corner! Reasonably priced cards for what they are at about $5 each. Also they offer canvases although the prices aren't clearly displayed, the photography is fairly average but the product seems to speak really well for itself.
#3- "The Stitch Witch"
Whoever can spend hours doing thousands of stitches on 14 count Aida Cloth is full of patience (or a mother in that regard) I like the customization of this site. Reasonably priced and personalized handmade craft doesn't get much better than this. It does lack professionalism but makes it up with heart. I like that each piece is designed by them. It covers so many aspects of gift giving as well from weddings to babies. The piece below is priced at $15.
#2- "Choo Choo Couture"
It seems that this is New Zealand's best kept secret. Such talent and a beautiful range! Worth checking out just to revel in the 'How she does it'. Reasonably priced and such rare designs. Professional and usually sold out before the picture is available. The item below is priced at $35 + Postage.
#1- "Cadenza Bella - Tutu's, Clip holders and more"
Why is this number 1? Because this shop wins out in all categories, customer service, feedback and most importantly price. The clothing is amazing and the hard work that goes into it speaks for itself. Check out this wee beauty for only $25.
All of these shops are wonderful! I suggest you check out each of them. Help other mothers out, customize your gifts and have fun designing while you are at it.
Etsy- Beyond all other sites this is the one you must visit to scour for Handmade items. Etsy makes sure the shops are reputable. Definitely worth looking at.
Etsy Links:
Little Fae Handmade
The Stitch Witch
The Knitting Inn
Cadenza Bella
FOOTNOTE: All photos were taken from the pages of those businesses they are linked with. These are not the property of the blogger.
