Top Spots For Handmade Accessories In Connecticut
Nutmeg Naturals LLC
Cromwell, CT 06416
(860) 788-6835
www.nutmegnaturals.com/retail-locations
Here's a Connecticut company that has the perfect name. Nutmeg Naturals features vegan soaps made by true naturalists. According to the owner, Jennifer Knapp, her allergic responses to readymade soaps led her to investigate handmade soaps from health food stores. By the time she finished researching, she began making her own soaps. Not only are they vegan and natural with "no colorants and no synthetic fragrances," but they are absolutely gorgeous. Add one of these handmade soaps in your bathroom and the soaps will not only lend a decorative flair, but guests will be treated to a special natural cleansing. Be sure to check out the handmade felt garlands made here. They will dress up any room in the house.
Ladybug Boutique
122 College St.
Middletown, CT 06457
(860) 704-6266
www.ladybugboutique.net
Leave it to Amy Becker, owner of the Ladybug Boutique, to have the perfect home accessories made by women in Connecticut. "I'm a mom and I believe in featuring items made in Connecticut as well as in America. I wish some of the big name stores would do the same," she said. With 95 percent of the items in her shop handmade by Connecticut women, Amy believes that women should help women. The eight-year-old shop features handmade home accessories including such items as handmade scrapbooks, hand-sewn angels, soy candles and essential oil and body lotions. To really perk up a room or an entrance to a home, select one of the pussy willow wreaths or dried flower wreaths. These will accessorize as well as welcome guests to your home.
Brookfield Craft Center
286 Whisconier Road
Brookfield, CT 06804
(203) 775-4526
www.brookfieldcraft.org
Anyone hoping to accessorize their home needs to visit the Brookfield Craft Center. This is where artists and craft people hone their skills and proudly display and sell their work. Whether it's a unique piece of pottery for the sun room, a gorgeous handmade wooden bowl or hand-painted glass, what is offered here is nothing but the best work Connecticut artists have created. The Craft Center has a gift shop, but it also has buildings where the artists work at their crafts. This is a very special place where unique items are practically guaranteed to make a statement in anyone's home.
The Shade Tree, LLC
161 E . Haddam-Colchester Turnpike
Moodus, CT 06469
(860) 873-2384
www.ctcuttingboard.com
It's impossible to write about handmade accessories for the home without including The Shade Tree, LLC, a fine woodworking workshop that is not only creating signature cutting boards, fabulous serving trays and other fine works, but it is doing so by keeping the environment safe. The workshop itself is run on solar energy and this earthy company contributes to organizations that replant trees and appreciates nature like the Arbor Day Foundation. As for its products, any serious cook would want to accent his/her counter with a gorgeous "kiln-dried figured hardwood" that features a natural finish and is food safe. Best of all, none of these products are "mass-produced," so these fine pieces are uniquely made by experienced wood artists.
Carol & Company
107 Main St.
Collinsville, CT 06019
(860) 693-1088
www.carolandcompany.us/index.php
Carol Ackerman has the perfect name for her shop because she is definitely in good company. While Carol can create a handmade jewelry accessory to brighten up anyone's disposition, she also has plenty of items in her shop created by Connecticut artists that can brighten up a home's décor. For instance, you'll find Nunwell Glass' sleeping cats that will wake up any boring room, and there are plenty of other great gem-studded surprises in Carol's shop. Leave it to Carol to create custom designs in jewelry and gem works. You dream it and she'll create it. Visitors can actually watch the artist at work in studio.
Joanne Greco Rochman is the arts editor of The Fairfield County Review, a columnist, critic, feature story writer and English professor. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Republican-American and Hersam-Acorn Publications. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
