handcrafted jewelry & accessories
our jewelry and accessory assortment is created by committed artists who produce from their hearts. we know them...we know their stories. in many cases they are good friends.... their commitment to quality, beauty, creativity and earth sustainability mirrors our vision and our values...click here to begin shopping...but...before you do...i suggest your read their stories...all posted in this section...get to know these very talented artists....you will be glad you did....
featured artist...erin randolph
erin creates really cool vinyl cuff bracelets and novelty bowls made from old albums...we love their look...and...since we grew up in the seventies...love knowing old albums are being saved from the landfill and used to create something beautiful…here is erin’s story in her own words… “i've never thought of myself as a crafty person, and i certainly didn't know how to make anything worth selling. but I became inspired to create when a friend of mine started selling scrapbooking tags and screen printed children's clothing on etsy. before long i found my will and my way. I had bought a bracelet cut from a vinyl record and didn't particularly like the fit. it was perfectly round, which my wrist was not, and i decided to make my own. not long after, i found a bin of old vinyl records underneath stairs in my parents' house. i was upset they were unplayable, but i saw that as an opportunity to give them a second life. i enjoy finding fun and unexpected uses for abused records, and take pride in the fact that I'm saving something from the landfill. i work full-time at an environmental company, so environmental issues have become increasingly important to me. i also enjoy making hip and modern items out of a form of media that's become antiquated and associated with an older group of people.”check out erin’s designs in the handcrafted jewelry/accessories section of our on-line store…you really need a cuff in each color!! click here to begin shopping
featured artist...susan alene
susan alene has spent her entire career as a creative director. she has launched countless artists, planned numerous charity events, organized fashions shows... was the stylist for many photo shoots,...the pr/promotions person for restaurant and nightclub openings...she even carried the dual role of fashion editor/advertising coordinator for a small newspaper in century city, california...and each time she delivered her signature style...showcasing the essence of the artist matched with the unexpected vision susan has for life…throughout it all, she has been looking for the opportunity to create her own art…
susan is passionate about vintage jewelry...has a big collection...but it was stored in an old box...always ended up a tangled mess... she knew there had to be a creative way to make jewelry collections works of art. one day, after reorganizing her closets, she ended up with a massive pile of wire hangers and a bunch of old picture frames…. lots of phone calls to recycling centers later, she realized hangers are really hard to recycle… she stared at the pile of hangers..stared at the frames..stared at her jewelry... and created a really cool jewelry hanger made from the reused hangers, the old frames , recycled plastic water bottles and repurposed ribbon….problem solved!
we were having a conversation about napa farmhouse 1885™..and she was telling me about the jewelry hanger she made for herself…i immediately knew this item was a perfect addition to our assortment…we debuted the item at the green world music festival here in napa…it was one of our best sellers..(i knew it)..and added the hangers to our site the next day…oh yeah, susan is my sister…and i am incredibly proud of her...always have been! here is susan in her own words..
“I have been a bit slow to jump on the “green” bandwagon. I like to thoroughly research concepts before I adopt. I have begun to use cloth tote bags at the market because that just make sense, and recycling/reusing has always been important in our family. I have followed the launch of my sister’s company and feel that I am taking baby steps in this eco-friendly world. I like to say I am just beginning to be green, I am the palest shade of green, but hey, it’s a start. That is the story behind the name “Palest Shade of Green “ jewelry hanger. I hope you like them.”
check out the “palest shade of green” jewelry hangers by clicking here
susan is passionate about vintage jewelry...has a big collection...but it was stored in an old box...always ended up a tangled mess... she knew there had to be a creative way to make jewelry collections works of art. one day, after reorganizing her closets, she ended up with a massive pile of wire hangers and a bunch of old picture frames…. lots of phone calls to recycling centers later, she realized hangers are really hard to recycle… she stared at the pile of hangers..stared at the frames..stared at her jewelry... and created a really cool jewelry hanger made from the reused hangers, the old frames , recycled plastic water bottles and repurposed ribbon….problem solved!
we were having a conversation about napa farmhouse 1885™..and she was telling me about the jewelry hanger she made for herself…i immediately knew this item was a perfect addition to our assortment…we debuted the item at the green world music festival here in napa…it was one of our best sellers..(i knew it)..and added the hangers to our site the next day…oh yeah, susan is my sister…and i am incredibly proud of her...always have been! here is susan in her own words..
“I have been a bit slow to jump on the “green” bandwagon. I like to thoroughly research concepts before I adopt. I have begun to use cloth tote bags at the market because that just make sense, and recycling/reusing has always been important in our family. I have followed the launch of my sister’s company and feel that I am taking baby steps in this eco-friendly world. I like to say I am just beginning to be green, I am the palest shade of green, but hey, it’s a start. That is the story behind the name “Palest Shade of Green “ jewelry hanger. I hope you like them.”
check out the “palest shade of green” jewelry hangers by clicking here
featured artist…jess pillmore
can you say you “know” someone you have only met via emails and a website? if so, jess pillmore is one of the coolest women i know...she creates knitwear...scarves, dish cloths, face cloths, headbands, etc…from reclaimed/recycled sweaters…the pieces are beautiful...functional …and give you the satisfaction of knowing you are helping keep discarded items out of the landfill. jess is also a very talented musician...we carry two of her cds in our webstore....learn more about jess in her own words...
“About Me-I’m a nationally touring teaching artist. What? One who travels 250+ days out of the year to perform (theatre, dance, music), teach those skills to others (pre K - professional), and produce/write music (3 cds to date,)I’m co-founder of an educational physical theatre company, Creatively Independent, as well as co-founder of an Americana Indie music label,RoadWorm Music. A Second Chance is an extension of all that inspires me. I find expressive, abandoned/discarded sweaters and imagine their lives. I imagine what they can now become and who might be drawn to it. My different arts have common threads: improvise, enjoy the moment, listen, see the big picture and soak in the details. Recycling, recrafting and supporting charity stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army is how I try and make a difference. I spend most of my time teaching others how to find and express their personal voice. Now, I’m helping these sweaters do the same for you. A desire to make a difference and one joyful knitter make up A Second Chance. Unique, hand knitted pieces are created from 100’s of discarded/donated/recycled sweaters. All materials are 100%RECYCLED/RECLAIMED. I create each piece on my great-grandmothers’ needles and sewing machine using what I learned from my grandmother and mom. Everyone comes with a story, everything comes with a past. These pieces, holding many peoples’ stories, are now recrafted to make a future moment for you. A serendipitous combination of sweaters, techniques and designs making no two pieces exactly the same.”
i told you so….now check out her products in our webstore by clicking here ...
“About Me-I’m a nationally touring teaching artist. What? One who travels 250+ days out of the year to perform (theatre, dance, music), teach those skills to others (pre K - professional), and produce/write music (3 cds to date,)I’m co-founder of an educational physical theatre company, Creatively Independent, as well as co-founder of an Americana Indie music label,RoadWorm Music. A Second Chance is an extension of all that inspires me. I find expressive, abandoned/discarded sweaters and imagine their lives. I imagine what they can now become and who might be drawn to it. My different arts have common threads: improvise, enjoy the moment, listen, see the big picture and soak in the details. Recycling, recrafting and supporting charity stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army is how I try and make a difference. I spend most of my time teaching others how to find and express their personal voice. Now, I’m helping these sweaters do the same for you. A desire to make a difference and one joyful knitter make up A Second Chance. Unique, hand knitted pieces are created from 100’s of discarded/donated/recycled sweaters. All materials are 100%RECYCLED/RECLAIMED. I create each piece on my great-grandmothers’ needles and sewing machine using what I learned from my grandmother and mom. Everyone comes with a story, everything comes with a past. These pieces, holding many peoples’ stories, are now recrafted to make a future moment for you. A serendipitous combination of sweaters, techniques and designs making no two pieces exactly the same.”
i told you so….now check out her products in our webstore by clicking here ...
featured artist…ginny weir
our feedsack handbag and tote collection is a favorite category at napa farmhouse 1885™. i discovered the craftsperson through the mary jane’s farm farmgirl forum...bought a bag...use it all the time...and am constantly stopped on the street by strangers asking where they can purchase one for themselves. these bags totally deliver the napa farmhouse 1885™ look…hip, cool, eclectic, clean, simple, beautiful...and kinda groovy.ginny weir creates amazingly cool carpetbagger style handbags and tote bags crafted from vintage feedsack bags. most bags are circa the 1920’s-1930’s, although we have one from 1912. these bags are meticulously handmade with terrific attention to detail. each bag is a one-of-a kind item based on the type of feedsack found. we will feature a few at a time on our site...but remember...there is only one of each so if you see one you like….snap it up!! they sell very fast….
excepts from an interview with ginny weir in small town living magazine.....
"when did you find your first vintage feedsack? i bought my first feedsack 8 or 9 years ago in an antique shop. it had a turkey on it and i have a pet turkey, so i was drawn to it. i brought it home and stuffed it with an old down comforter. the kids used it for lying on the floor to watch tv.
when was the idea to create lovely purses and pillows launched? when the quantity of feed sacks that i had accumulated out numbered the display space i had for them. you can only have so many pillows... i made a pillow first, and sold it to a lady in alaska. then i made a purse that is different from the styles i sell now. that was probably four years ago. i have since fooled around with the patterns until i arrived at the carpetbag design, which was first made from kraft paper. i used it until it fell apart. now i have three different sizes that i cut from plastic stencil blanks, so they’re a little more sturdy. i just recently sold a carpetbagger to maryjane butters, of maryjane’s farm fame. she called me on the phone and was so kind and really encouraged me and gave me some great tips. that was a huge boost.
where do you find your inspiration for the feed sack purses?
i sort of let them tell me where to go. i have a lot of different kinds of feed sacks - some are better suited as totes than bags. the really pristine ones i like to make into pillows. like most people who like to sew, i have a large fabric stash and i really play around with different fabrics before i decide on which one to use as a lining for a purse, tote or pillow backing.
who inspired you to begin creating sewn items? my sweet little grandmother, who taught me at an early age to appreciate old things and to never be afraid to try something my own way. i was blessed to be able to spend a lot of time with her and she taught me a great deal and always encouraged my creativity. apparently i “didn’t get it from a gypsy,” as my great grandmother was a phenomenal seamstress."
visit our feedsack bag collection by clicking here
excepts from an interview with ginny weir in small town living magazine.....
"when did you find your first vintage feedsack? i bought my first feedsack 8 or 9 years ago in an antique shop. it had a turkey on it and i have a pet turkey, so i was drawn to it. i brought it home and stuffed it with an old down comforter. the kids used it for lying on the floor to watch tv.
when was the idea to create lovely purses and pillows launched? when the quantity of feed sacks that i had accumulated out numbered the display space i had for them. you can only have so many pillows... i made a pillow first, and sold it to a lady in alaska. then i made a purse that is different from the styles i sell now. that was probably four years ago. i have since fooled around with the patterns until i arrived at the carpetbag design, which was first made from kraft paper. i used it until it fell apart. now i have three different sizes that i cut from plastic stencil blanks, so they’re a little more sturdy. i just recently sold a carpetbagger to maryjane butters, of maryjane’s farm fame. she called me on the phone and was so kind and really encouraged me and gave me some great tips. that was a huge boost.
where do you find your inspiration for the feed sack purses?
i sort of let them tell me where to go. i have a lot of different kinds of feed sacks - some are better suited as totes than bags. the really pristine ones i like to make into pillows. like most people who like to sew, i have a large fabric stash and i really play around with different fabrics before i decide on which one to use as a lining for a purse, tote or pillow backing.
who inspired you to begin creating sewn items? my sweet little grandmother, who taught me at an early age to appreciate old things and to never be afraid to try something my own way. i was blessed to be able to spend a lot of time with her and she taught me a great deal and always encouraged my creativity. apparently i “didn’t get it from a gypsy,” as my great grandmother was a phenomenal seamstress."
visit our feedsack bag collection by clicking here
featured artist...naomi wilson
i don’t really know how it began, but a few years ago i found myself collecting vintage aprons…when i started my company, i knew that really cool, beautiful and eco-friendly aprons would be appropriate for my brand. i wanted something unique and, of course, handmade…i discovered naomi through the mary jane’s farm farmgirl forum...her mom emailed me and told me her daughter was a talented seamstress and specialized in aprons...i checked her out and...you know what?...mom was right!
naomi handcrafts each apron from repurposed fabrics...the designs were created using a vintage sundress pattern from the 1940’s. learn all about our aprons at mim’s apron collection…read more about naomi here..in her own words…
“Hi my name is Naomi Wilson and for as long as I can remember I've enjoyed making things and crafting. My earliest memories of crafting are from age 4 when I made my first necklace, from plastic beads and string. From that point until now I've made jewelry, carved soapstone, crafted gourds, and sewn countless items. Each media offers its own challenges and rewards, sewing is certainly at the top of my list of favorite past times. I have a fondness for nostalgic clothing and vintage fabrics and I always have my eyes peeled for some hidden vintage treasure.Antique stores and estate sales have turned up more then one item to add to my collection. Often times I use parts and pieces in my projects. My ideas come from vintage photos, antique patterns, and sometimes just pure inspiration. I'm constantly creating new pieces and encourage you to check back often to see my latest work.”
naomi handcrafts each apron from repurposed fabrics...the designs were created using a vintage sundress pattern from the 1940’s. learn all about our aprons at mim’s apron collection…read more about naomi here..in her own words…
“Hi my name is Naomi Wilson and for as long as I can remember I've enjoyed making things and crafting. My earliest memories of crafting are from age 4 when I made my first necklace, from plastic beads and string. From that point until now I've made jewelry, carved soapstone, crafted gourds, and sewn countless items. Each media offers its own challenges and rewards, sewing is certainly at the top of my list of favorite past times. I have a fondness for nostalgic clothing and vintage fabrics and I always have my eyes peeled for some hidden vintage treasure.Antique stores and estate sales have turned up more then one item to add to my collection. Often times I use parts and pieces in my projects. My ideas come from vintage photos, antique patterns, and sometimes just pure inspiration. I'm constantly creating new pieces and encourage you to check back often to see my latest work.”
featured artist…lindy powell
lindy is my friend caitlin’s mom…i met her when she came from canada to visit her daughter last christmas…she showed me some samples of her art and i instantly fell in love…how often do you find the perfect product for your company while chatting at a cocktail party? lindy’s handcrafted evening bags, scarves and ornaments are incredibly beautiful….very eco-friendly…and help you “live a green life of style”™.
read lindy’s story…and you absolutely must check out our new quilted evening bags collection….you will fall in love too…click here to view the line
"I come from a long line of women who re-used and re-cycled long before it was popular, and who believed that idle hands are not good. When my mother Vera Powell first taught me how to crazy-quilt, I did it as a way of keeping busy while I was sitting still. Now it has become a passion which brings together some of the values and activities that are important to me.
Finding the fabrics is a good excuse to visit thrift stores and go to yard sales, my favourite kind of shopping. I derive a certain satisfaction from re-using fabrics others have previously enjoyed. And I love the transformation that can happen. Often the ugliest blouse can be the inspiration and raw material for a funky purse. I’ve discovered that “Goodwill by the Pound” is an excellent source of pre-loved saris, but my most exciting find so far has been a box filled with over 100 silk ties some vintage, some more recent, and all of them for $5 at a yard sale.
Crazy quilting also allows me to indulge my liking of ornamentation. My 20 -something daughter Caitlin has convinced me finally that more than 7 accessories worn simultaneously is tacky, but I can embellish a scarf to my heart’s content. and use up old buttons, single earrings that no longer have a mate and bits of antique lace. Sometimes, I think, “more is more”.
check out our evening bag collection…handmade by lindy…by clicking here…thief of hearts
read lindy’s story…and you absolutely must check out our new quilted evening bags collection….you will fall in love too…click here to view the line
"I come from a long line of women who re-used and re-cycled long before it was popular, and who believed that idle hands are not good. When my mother Vera Powell first taught me how to crazy-quilt, I did it as a way of keeping busy while I was sitting still. Now it has become a passion which brings together some of the values and activities that are important to me.
Finding the fabrics is a good excuse to visit thrift stores and go to yard sales, my favourite kind of shopping. I derive a certain satisfaction from re-using fabrics others have previously enjoyed. And I love the transformation that can happen. Often the ugliest blouse can be the inspiration and raw material for a funky purse. I’ve discovered that “Goodwill by the Pound” is an excellent source of pre-loved saris, but my most exciting find so far has been a box filled with over 100 silk ties some vintage, some more recent, and all of them for $5 at a yard sale.
Crazy quilting also allows me to indulge my liking of ornamentation. My 20 -something daughter Caitlin has convinced me finally that more than 7 accessories worn simultaneously is tacky, but I can embellish a scarf to my heart’s content. and use up old buttons, single earrings that no longer have a mate and bits of antique lace. Sometimes, I think, “more is more”.
check out our evening bag collection…handmade by lindy…by clicking here…thief of hearts
Title.
thief of hearts ...i have me