Hand Crafted Cheese Boards

Handcrafted Cheese Boards, $32

I'm so excited to be featuring these! Made from skilled carpenter craftsman Mr. Richard McManus of RAM Construction located in Topsfield, MA, these gorgeous handmade cheese boards are carefully crafted out of local Massachusetts wood. The boards have been treated with natural mineral oil to preserve the board, and each one is food safe, guaranteed not to split for life.

I found your next housewarming gift for hostess!

The detail in the contrasting maple and oak wood panels is stunning, and perfect for serving cheese and crackers at parties.

Makes an excellent, unique and thoughtful gift for your next hostess, housewarming, or wedding shower - and the quality is outstanding.

These are so fun to pick up and feel how smooth they are, (if you're weird like that - like I am...) so if you're local I recommend stopping by 6 In the Shipyard to check them out.

And if you're looking to round this unique gift out with a little something extra, I recommend checking out these cheese knives available from Williams Sonoma. The beautiful wooden handles of each cheese knife are a perfect match with these local woods featured in these handmade cheese boards. You can purchase the whole set for $49.95, either online at the Williams Sonoma website, or at a W-S retail store location.

Williams Sonoma Cheese Knives, Set of 5 $49.95

 Help Support Local Artisans: Purchase Your Handmade Cheese Board Online Now!

Golden Ivory Handmade Blank Journal

Golden Ivory Handmade Journal, $12

Purchase a handmade journal for yourself or as a gift: this medium sized notebook is made with metallic golden paper squares contrasted against a soft floral ivory spine.

Actual book size measures 4 1/2" wide by 5 3/4" tall. Inside, it has 65 unlined pages, which are made from 100% recycled cream lightweight paper - perfect size for notes or sketching on the go. I made this book after seeing the gold square paper while on an art-supply adventure. I know. Art supply self-control issues.

Seriously though, I'm really happy with the end result. I decided not to play it safe on the inside, and instead line it with a beautiful textured hunter green handmade paper. Creating handmade books has been a passion of mine since taking Book Arts in my last semester at the Museum School of Fine Arts in Boston. I fell in love with the meditative process, the process of hand sewing the signatures. My favorite part is covering the binder's board with my selection of handmade paper to make the book's cover. 

There's something about making hardcover books that is so satisfying. I guess it's the substantial quality and durability that I'm attracted to. I don't know. Maybe I'm crazy - maybe, but I'm damn good at making books.

Browse my Handmade Books available at The Ash Tree, if you don't believe me. And if you have a personalized project that you'd like to work with for a gift, holiday, or any other special occasion, contact me for a free quote and to get started!

Recycled Sail Women's Wallet

Women's recycled sail wallet, $39

Women's recycled sail wallet, now available for purchase online! I bought this wallet a few years ago, and was fascinated by its structure. I studied it, broke it down into a pattern, and created this expansion of the recycled sail product line: the Women's Sail Wallet.

Though my Tri-Fold Recycled Sail Wallet isn't necessarily exclusive to men (it's actually in fact more unisex), I was envisioning this one as being a bit more glamorous, and ideally a great complement with one of my recycled sail Bowline Bags.The Tri-Fold Wallet is also very popular, and I'd love to see something a little bit different with a touch more fashion, like this style, take off!

As always, I embroidered a few numbers on the front: for the next wallet, I'll probably do only 2 numbers and have them be a bit larger. I chose navy because I feel like it looks the best on the stark white of the sail, but have also embroidered the numbers in both Hunter Green and Red.

Like this item? Buy the sail wallet at my Etsy shop! Don't forget to browse through the other Recycled Sail Products I have available for sale.

The holidays will also be here before you know it, and my orders are starting to come in! Contact me to create a custom wallet - makes a great gift for the sailor or nautical person in your life :)

Before I Forget Series: Handmade Books

Medium Handmade Journal, $12

New handmade journal and notebook series now available online at Ash Tree. The concept started while I was studying abroad in Italy: I am really into writing into Journals to keep memories, and I remember how important it was for me to write everything down while abroad.

Once I got home, I found that there was a lot that I missed, and didn't want to forget. Most notably was speaking Italian, which I was speaking every day and now don't anymore - so I made a smaller book with content in my Book Arts class titled, "Before I Forget", and used a typewriter to type up the phrases that I used most often before I forgot.

Handmade Daily Agenda from "Before I Forget" Series, $15

Then I saw this paper while shopping for art supplies, and was inspired to create a journal line out of it, and title it the "Before I Forget" series. The decorative paper is meant to capture the feeling of being away from home, writing everything down to remember it, and writing letters to those who aren't with you. I've made three books so far: one of my Daily Agendas, a medium-sized blank journal, and a small journal.

Small Handmade Sketchbook, from "Before I Forget" Series, $10

The paper is 100% recycled cream paper, which is ideally best with pen or pencil if you are thinking of using it as a sketchbook. The inside of the agenda is lined with recycled navy paper and speckled with 2 cent stamps. Inside the medium journal is bright red paper, and the smaller notebook has bright blue paper. Second editions of my handmade books are soon to follow!

Goldfish Handmade Books

Another personal edition favorite, the Small Handmade Goldfish Book, $8 I remember when I first bought this paper after walking by it every day in the school store my last semester. I've made now 3 books with it, none too grand in size because of the intricate, tiny details of the bright orange fish in the pale blue water. This inside is lined with a lighter orange paper, which looks amazing against the pale blue water.

I've started an edition line with these small books: the first edition sold immediately at the Sidewalk Sale in May 2010, and I was so fond of the style that I made another. This actually was a product of recycling: after folding enough signatures, I realized I didn't want the book to be quite as long, so I cut the excess off and decided to make a book out of that.

As a result, the book can be used vertically, for to-do or grocery lists, or horizontal, which is great for quick, short writing - notes or for poets on the go. And it's size makes it great to throw in a purse, or even pocket.

I love not only the design of this particular edition, but also its size: I plan on making quite a few more color variation and themes. Trying to find a precious, handmade gift for a reasonable price? These mini notebooks are perfect! Get started on your personal book project today..

Handmade Book With Japanese Screenprinted Paper

The latest online sale was a custom made handmade book that was modeled after a listing my my etsy shop, Handmade Journal, $16. The book was requested in an A5 size, which is pretty close to the original listing. I just shipped it to the customer in Taiwan.

This is one of my favorite handmade books, and I was actually inspired by the papers I used for the cover. While shipping for unrelated supplies, I picked out these two toned Japanese papers that go so perfect together and made this blank journal out of them.

The book is covered completely in a soft blue-green paper embellished with metallic gold dragons. The front cover is also embossed with a strip of pale blue paper with metallic gold leaf decorations.

The inside pages are made with 100% recycled paper - I chose a cream color to match the tones of the cover and I felt it was less harsh on the eyes. This particular, medium sized journal measures 5 3/4" by 7 1/4" with a little less than 200 pages. Available in smaller and larger sizes.

These journals with the cream paper are my signature handmade book, and come in many different color themes. Also be sure to check out my Daily Agenda editions to help keep you organized.

Contact me to get a custom made book today. Don't forget that the holidays are coming up... :)

Seaglass Pendants

Since I just finished an order for a Custom Seaglass Ring today, I figured I'd do a quick feature on my Seaglass Necklaces that I have available. As some of you know already, I do some work with sea glass that I used to find with my family when I was younger: we literally had bags and bags of what we found on the beaches. I recently decided to try and make these memories into some beautiful jewelry pieces, by wrapping them with silver plated wire (pictured here is a "cage" wire-wrapping technique) and stringing them onto a cord.

I usually try and create a pop with a brightly colored cord, although I have done pieces that are more subtle with a black satin or woven cord. The blue that is pictured is actually suede - saw it at Michael's and couldn't resist :) These necklaces are super popular when I have jewelry shows - they add a touch of summer to any outfit.

Want to see if I have a certain color? Need a custom piece for an upcoming birthday? Pissed that I apparently didn't wear enough sunscreen earlier in the day when I modeled this piece? Let me know!

Featured Etsy Seller: Silviasheart

Today's featured Etsy seller is Silviasheart: a gorgeous shop that features beautiful jewelry in creative photography displays. Above is the only piece from her shop she may duplicate for herself, the Green and Chrome Diopside. The shop itself is named after the owner's German Shephard, Silvia, that passed in May 2009.
"I made jewelry much earlier, but after loosing her I just fell apart. My husband Gabriele suggested I pick it back up again to get my mind off of our loss. That is when I really started to learn about genuine gemstones. I just dove into the deep end."

So some expensive tools, a guage, carat scale, refractometer, microscope DVD's and several reference books later, her love became a passion: always thinking of Sylvia. She loves gardening, and finds herself inspired by flowers - which clearly comes across in her pieces and then appropriately photographed against *green* props.

As far as strengths and weaknesses go - her greatest strength in her etsy shop is her passion for further learning and making something that is truly unique. She also enjoys the everyday challenge of learning something new and then applying that knowledge. Conversely - and similar to any other artist, I imagine :) - she considers her biggest weakness to be her impatience with herself. Silviasheart's dream goal would be to have a designer store ask for a one-of-a-kind piece for an outfit or to go with an item of clothing.

She promotes her shop in the Etsy forums, hand out business cards and on she's also on Facebook and Twitter.


She also credits her husband, Gabriele, who she considers to be an incredible inspiration.

"He has spent much time in researching tools and equipment and making special surprise purchases. He has encouraged me in every way to let my creative side out. He will be honest if I ask for a critique and always has great ideas. I wish I had half as much creativity as he has. He should have his own Etsy shop!"

Sounds like a catch!! :)

My favorite piece of Silviasheart is her Citrine Pendant Necklace, $55, pictured above. I'm such a fan of funky, swirled silver pieces like this!

Handmade Recycled Sail Wallets

I thought it would be a great idea to do talk a bit about my famous sail wallets, as I have just sold my 8th wallet from my online Etsy Store! (Yeah, okay, 8 is no 10, but I think it's a big deal. So yay for me.)

These wallets are handmade recycled sail wallets, and are available with custom embroidery numbers of your choice. This assures you that not only are no two wallets the same, but you can really make it "yours" by choosing your color and number! The colors available are red, navy (my favorite, and I think looks the best...) and hunter green, and you can have up to 4 numbers embroidered - you can see the machine in action embroidering a piece of sailcloth, above!

I currently have 3 types of sail wallets available in my shop, to suit three different price points and styles. There is the simple clutch recycled sail wallet, below which can hold a check book or cash, and has 5 pockets to hold credit cards.


Then there is the simple (and most popular!) tri-fold handmade recycled sail wallet (pictured below). I think people like this one because it is the most unisex. It has a see-through (made from racing sail!) pocket for a license, and 2 sets of 3 pockets each on the other two sections, which both pull pack to hold additional stuff. Then, of course, all of it is sewn outside of the larger pocket for cash!

My last eco-friendly wallet was actually modeled after a wallet I bought my brother in Italy. It has some slight modifications, of course, but it is essentially the same. It's a handmade recycled sail bi-fold wallet!. The special sauce? I actually sewed a CHANGE POCKET which is secured by velcro! Amazing!

These handmade wallet styles are all available in my Ash Tree Etsy Shop, with more ideas being cooked up every day. Click through the wallet links to check out some more pictures, or browse through the other great options for handmade nautical gifts.

Have a wallet you'd like to see? I'd love to get some recommendations or even feedback!!

To Do Daily Agenda

New Item listed on Etsy! Handmade To-Do Daily Agenda book

I feel as though lately my life is nothing but lists and lists of things to do and things I didn't do that I should have. So, I thought that this may be a great way to better break down tasks: and I know that we are in a digital age, but turning a page is so much more satisfying and screams "accomplished!" than deleting something off of your calendar, or not doing anything to it at all.
This is a first edition book, so I did it in the classic black color scheme. I covered it with black handmade paper with silver "windows", that I thought looked very orderly and systematic looking - perfect for a daily agenda! Then I used a small strip of shiny, crocodile-textured paper to designate the front of the book. I recommend this book for artists, and at the discount price of $10, what have you got to lose?


Inside, there are 2 pages for each day:

-The left page shows the date, with lines for you to mark all of your tasks that you have to do for the day.-You come to the next page at the end of the day, where you carry over unfinished tasks.-There is also a helpful area with names and addresses that have to be followed up on, like clients.
-Additional notes to self!
There are approx. 200+ pages, and the pages are made out of recycled cream paper. Dimensions 6" w x 8 1/2" h. The pages are bound with hand sewn signatures, and the book is also lined with handmade paper. More editions, colors, and styles to come!

Handmade Journals

I enrolled in a class called Book Arts this year, and completely fell in love with it. There was just something about the process that was so meditative, and the results were just so satisfying. I really enjoyed making hardcover journals, and have put up two models on my etsy site. These are difficult to sell online, because I believe - like much of my work - they are so tactile and fun to flip through, that it's difficult to make a purchasing decision.

The little handmade journals are the best - they are the perfect size to carry around, keep as an agenda or reminder books. Journals, apparently, are "in". Why? Probably the same quality of tactility is so rare and valued in a society that is increasing its dependence on internet/online. Feeling something substantial is very attractive!


I've made journals spanning the color wheel - I typically get inspired by papers that I buy, and love to emboss one contrasting paper on top of another. I was surprised to see how many books that I sold at the Sidewalk Sale - I take a real pride in their craftsmanship, and its good to see that it's appreciated!!

"Positivity: One Word"

From the new line of Dock This Way and Ash Tree;
"Positivity: One Word"

We wanted to create an item that promoted positive thinking and concepts.
Using the Papyrus font, which is this rustic font that is totally awesome-looking, we place "one word" on the front of a 100% organic t-shirt. The shirts are super comfy and lightweight, and are super casual - perfect for that yoga-lover or gym-goer. I used chocolate brown thread on pale blue t-shirt. Blue not your color? We also have ice blue thread on chocolate brown!


Buy yours today - available in all sizes.

Other words available:
PEACE
HOPE
INSPIRE
DREAM
LOVE
GRACE

Simple, positive message; and it's green, too! (Well, not literally.) Yay!