Creating a Cozy Winter Vibe: Curtesy of Your Local Maker Community
Life is busy for all of us. As a blacksmith I juggle websites, social media, class development and client management. All of the office work is on top of hammering, welding and grinding away in a cold winter shop. I am fortunate though, that when I’m hammering it’s cozy and warm by the fire, just how I like it. With a physically demanding job I’ve been really drawn to creature comforts in my downtime. I would love the fantasy of a blacksmith shop to forever have the feeling of a hot fire, a ringing anvil and the comfort of a warm tavern on a cold day. Likewise I love my home to be warm and comfortable and filled with handcrafted treasures from the trades.
Here I have some suggestions for making your home warm and cozy and filled with the old world charm of hand crafted goods.
Embrace Handcrafted Textiles
There’s nothing better than a cup of warm tea under a cozy wool blanket along with a good book. Jennifer at Magnolia Wool Co crafts beautiful, quality chunky blankets out of pure wool. The texture of these made to order woold blankets is soft and warm and they are absolutely beautiful. They are pricey, as they are custom made from high quality natural materials.
Berkeley Knitted Goods has some polyester options for under $100. I know that for people like me, one hundred dollars is a lot of money. Considering that I’ve seen similar blankets at Target for $60, I think it’s something worth saving for.
Illuminate with Local Artisan Candles
My absolute favorite thing to buy at The Crucible’s holiday sale every year, has been the National Park inspired candles from Musky Trails. While they weren’t there this year, I was thrilled to learn that my friend and former Crucible PR master, Natasha von Kaenel had acquired the business. Which makes it even better for me to support. The soy based candles have a wooden wick that sounds like a little crackling fire and have the subtle but unmistakable scent of the outdoors. It allows you to combine the feeling of camping in nature with the comfort of your favorite chair.
Hot Tea and Warm Mugs
There’s nothing more soothing to me than a warm cup of loose leaf tea. Often when I’m at a vendor event in the Bay Area I run into Fabula Tea and absolutely must try another one of their creations. Kenny and Yshel create their blends in small batches meant to appeal to the tea connoisseur. I really enjoy their herbal blend with rose buds, field mint and lotus leaves.
Fabula Tea
Kenny and Yshel pouring their beautiful soothing small batch teas.
These teas are best sipped from some serene hand thrown mugs by a local ceramicist. I found Jered’s pottery when searching for local artists. I personally know many ceramicists, but the nature of production pottery is very demanding and precise. Jered has thrown nearly half a million vessels in thirty years. He worked for a decade at the prestigious local favorite, Heath Ceramics, where he created special dinnerware for Chez Panisse and Dwell magazine. You can bet every hand crafted item will be of the highest quality. Jered is located in Emeryville and also offers in depth workshops for those who want to craft the highest quality thrown vessels.
Nurture Nature
I love Flowerland Nursery in Albany as a place to discover and explore plants. They have a unique and extensive indoor plant section with expert guidance to help you bring the outdoors inside. There’s nothing like a bit of green to add some serenity to your favorite cozy spot.
Support Local Businesses in January
Nothing gives me a warm fuzzy feeling more than supporting my favorite small businesses. January is the slowest month for most makers and it is important for me to to show support to my local community. From creating entertainment to crafting unique experiences and one of a kind items, aritsts do a lot to lend a sense of place to an area. Just a little money spent has a huge positive impact it has on artisans and their craft.
I hope you have a Happy New Year, surrounded by friends, family and other things that add beauty and meaning to your life. I look forward to sharing more with you in the new year.
