It’s getting hot here in the STL. If you’re looking for summery dresses, fun & bright jewelry and other warm-weather-wear, why not buy handmade? Handmade items are unique, made with the blood, sweat and tears of a hard working artisans- and we have plenty of them locally here in St. Louis. So, if you can’t make it yourself, you can still support your neighborhood craftypantses while shopping for your summer wardrobe.

Why buy handmade? BuyHandmade.org, a site were folks around the world make their pledge to purchase handmade items has this to say:

The ascendancy of chain store culture and global manufacturing has left people all dressing, furnishing, and decorating alike. The connection between producer and consumer has been lost. Buying handmade helps them reconnect. We created the pledge as a call to action for consumers to be conscious of how they spend their money this holiday season. We want people, whenever possible, to support independent creators and shop outside the big boxes.

Here are a few of my favorite handmade summertime goodies from STL-based artists:

Rain Cloud Charm Necklace by Destroyed by Design (via Etsy)

Fabric Button Ring by iamwhatiam (via Etsy)

Daytripper Dress by Beqi Clothing (via BeqiClothing.com)

Viking Beard Hand Screened T Shirt (Golden Summer Beard Version) by the Bungaloo (via Etsy)

Carpe Diem tattooed wedge sandals by madebylaurenb (via Etsy)

:: Find more like these by using the Shop Local tool on Etsy ::