Jacqui Fink is a modern crafter of the highest order, and as Little Dandelion wields the largest knitting needles you'll ever see to make the most amazing textiles from wool, linen and hemp. We asked her to fossick through the nooks and crannies of the web to find her favourite hand-made products from like-minded makers. In the first of our new Made by Hand series, she shares her passion for the hand-crafted and introduces us to three clever creatives. Look out for another one each week.  


Jacqui at home with one of her over scaled knitted wonders (and her cat).

Life is busy. Who am I kidding? Life is CRAZY busy. So, there is no denying that I appreciate, and benefit from, the modern conveniences that standardised and mass produced items provide on a daily basis. But do they make me happy? No, not really.

Since starting my journey with Little Dandelion, and with the help of platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Etsy, I have come across many talented makers who, from their own homes, devote countless hours and love into creating beautiful handmade products for the homes of others driven purely by passion for their craft. There is nothing more wonderful than an object which has been made by the hand and with the heart of another, without a production line in sight. By buying handmade, you are honouring the efforts of everyday people who, through their creative efforts, are revealing the most vulnerable part of themselves while, at the same time, making your home just that little bit more beautiful and unique.

These makers of handmade loveliness all live incredibly full lives, some with "day" jobs, others with children to work around and many with both. Every single one of them has walked out on that entrepreneurial tight rope with nothing but faith in their creative talents and hope in their hearts that others will love their creations as much as they do. I take inspiration from all of them. In this series, I will introduce you to some of my favourites.

LARA HUTTON
Lara Hutton is one of Australia's most sought-after stylists. She works for all of our leading interior, food and lifestyle magazines and is increasingly being drawn overseas by international clients seeking her expertise. Lara has a very delicate aesthetic and is a doyenne of exquisite taste. Lara turned to ceramics as a hobby after her first child was born. They are her passion and her range of "Objects" is an extension of her unique creativity. Every piece is bespoke and, depending on the object, is either hand built or hand thrown. Lara's objects are the epitome of sophisticated simplicity.




Visit Lara Hutton's LH Objects to find out more.

MY VERY OWN EYE GOGGLES
My Very Own Eye Goggles is the creative business of Margie Rahmann. Margie also works as a freelance designer and maker of interiors and site specific, handmade craft installations. There is nothing that Margie cannot create with a crochet hook and yarn, twine or even recycled inner rubber bicycle tubes. Margie has been very adept at modernising a very traditional craft by mixing neutral tones with eye popping colours. Her creations are both highly functional and completely on trend. Very funky.






BENEATH THE SUN
Now - I do have to confess an unapologetic bias when it comes to this maker. Although we have never met, Leah Bartholomew and I grew up in the same town on the border of New South Wales and Queensland and her Dad actually taught my sister at High School. Leah is a formally trained designer and illustrator and her label, Beneath the Sun, is a collection of the sunniest homewares I have seen in a long time. Leah makes beautifully crafted and environmentally conscious pillow cases, cushions, tea towels, vessels, decorative wooden objects and wonderfully bold prints that perfectly capture the vivid colours of our childhood. I'm a big fan.