Sure, we live in a hi-tech world, but thankfully we also live in a handmade one. The marriage of craftsmanship and technology is one of the most interesting and innovative partnerships around, as witnessed by this roundup of finds from Etsy.
When searching for anything handmade—be it bags or baby gear—Etsy is our first stop on the Web. It offers a seemingly limitless selection of handcrafted items by artisans from around the globe, and the products range from mainstream to outrageous and everywhere in between.
One tip for shopping on Etsy: always look at how long the shop has been in business and what the reviews are, so you know you’re getting quality goods.
Our recent browse through Etsy turned up a wealth of unique tech accessories. Take a look at 15 wonderful ways the computer age is being interpreted by a cool collection of artists and crafters.
Hi-Tech Meets Handmade
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Driftwood iPhone + iPad Mini Dock
If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind piece to house your beloved Apple devices, look no further. Smartwood, out of Athens, Greece, makes beautiful docks out of natural driftwood. Not only do these handmade pieces allow you to charge two devices at once, they also serve as decorative accents… in other words, no one will know it’s a tech dock unless you tell them (sssshhh!). The driftwood is farmed from the Greek Isles and handcrafted by shop owner, Nikolas, who works to maintain the natural shape and feel of the wood.
Why we love it: The organic driftwood is a wonderful contrast to the hard-edged electronics.
Where to get it: Smartwood Gallery
Cost: $175.44 -
Bocote Wood iPad Stand
What is bocote, you ask? An exotic Central American wood that is hard, dense, and gorgeous. This bocote iPad stand is handcrafted by Brandon Rotz out of O’Fallon, Illinois and finished with a mixture of beeswax and orange oil. It turns your iPad into the ultimate on-the-move device—use it in the kitchen, office, public library, and just about anywhere else.
Why we love it: The design is modern and minimalist, the wood is gorgeous.
Where to get it: BTR Woodworks
Cost: $20 -
Wood & Resin Docking Statio
This striking docking station is made from rich, reclaimed wood spiked with a stripe of green acrylic resin for some added wow factor. The effect is natural and ultra modern at the same time. Crafted out of Croatia, this dock is a standout—much like your what-would-I-do-without-it iPhone.
Why we love it: A simple wood design with a stripe of color to jazz things up.
Where to buy it: Valliswood
Cost: $35 -
4 Leather Heart Cable Organizer
“A cable organizer with heart” is how the maker describes this tech accessory. We couldn’t agree more. Crafted out of fine leather, it’s a stylish way to organize your endless array of cords (USB, earbuds, etc). Rinarts Atelier is a small studio run out of the Netherlands by Rina, a designer of leather bags and accessories.What can we say, we heart her.
Why we love it: Girly but not too girly. It makes us smile.
Where to buy it: Rinarts Atelier
Cost: $11.93 -
Lego USB Flash Drive
Maybe it’s because we’re moms and once you have kids, Legos become part of the landscape ... maybe it’s just because Legos are playful and fun. When we spotted this USB made from Lego bricks we were charmed. Use it to store and transfer files and digital photos—a handy little device that every mom should own.
Why we love it: We love Legos almost as much as our kids do.
Where to buy it: Fleww
Cost: $20 -
Decorated iPhone Charger
Preppy, pretty, sporty, sassy, animal print, monogrammed, and more—whatever your style of choice, Personal Power sells jazzed-up iPhone chargers to match. These custom accessories bring a bit of color and character to any tech setup. All the goods are made by two gals based along the California coast.
Why we love it: A plain, old cord-and-plug setup never looked so good.
Where to buy it: Personal Power
Cost: $20 -
Keyboard Decals
Tired of looking at the same old keyboard as you type away? Well, this just might be the answer. Slap some pretty decals on your computer keys and give your tech an instant makeover … for less than eight bucks!
Why we love it: We could live with our plain old computer keys, but why? This is so much more fun! Plus, the price is right.
Where to buy it: CreativeDecalSkin
Cost: $7.99 -
Canvas Laptop Bag
The Wich Bag from Thailand-based artisan, Koong, is both functional and fabulous looking. Made of durable 14 oz. canvas, it’s just the right size to tote around a laptop without feeling weighed down. It is also smartly designed to hold just about everything else you might need including an iPad (in the outside back pocket), a mobile phone (in the side zipper pockets), pens (in the interior pen slip), and even a water bottle.
Why we love it: It does everything and looks good doing it.
Where to buy it: Kormargeaux
Cost: $62 -
Floral Laptop Backpack
If you’ve got one foot in the past and one in the future, the vintage-meets-modern vibe of THREADBEAT is just the thing. Savannah-based artist, Rebecca Tanner-Russell designs laptop backpacks made from sturdy upholstery fabrics that have a decidedly retro vibe. So pretty and feminine, no one will ever suspect you’re toting around electronics inside!
Why we love it: Rebecca’s fabric choices are stellar.
Where to buy it: THREADBEAT
Cost: $225 -
Reclaimed Wood iPad Easel
Peg and Awl is a popular Etsy shop run by a husband and wife team. In their own words, they “love to find olde things and turn them into new things.” This wooden iPad easel is crafted from reclaimed oak from the 1800’s which practically makes it a mini work of art. We love the wall-mounted design but it easily transforms into a desktop base as well. You can even pivot the iPad to face you depending upon your location in the room.
Why we love it: Gorgeous, sublimely functional, recycled.
Where to buy it: Peg and Awl
Cost: $60 -
T-L-C iPhone Wallet
T-L-C Pouches makes handcrafted tech wallets for iPhone, iPad, tablets, iPod, HTC, Samsung, Blackberry and more. These little wonders allow you to tote a mobile phone, tablet, credit cards, cash and headphones in one carry-all wallet…brilliant! The design is simple and modern, fashioned out of pretty fabrics and felt linings to keep phones and iPods safe and secure. The wallet also includes a handy tab for you to attach keys so they aren’t getting perpetually misplaced.
Why we love it: The all-in-one design is the ultimate in convenience for modern, mobile moms.
Where to buy it: T-L-C Pouches
Cost: $25 -
Leather Cord Wrap
We would probably love anything with the label “handmade in Rome” but there are other reasons to like these leather cable wraps from TMP Shop. A practical and stylish way to wind up cords and cables from your USB, power adapters, and more. There are cheaper cord solutions around, but we like the wrap-and-snap design and colorful leathers—bellissimo!
Why we love it: Quality, color, and style in one neat little package.
Where to buy it: TMP Shop
Cost: $39.30 -
Marble iPhone Case
There are literally hundreds of iPhone cases on Etsy but the designs of Coco Lake stand out. Our favorite pick: this cool marble design. Made to fit the iPhone 4/4s or 5, it’s a modern, minimal case that feels feminine without being too cutesy. Made in the USA out of Salt Lake City, Utah.
Why we love it: Understated, elegant, and hip.
Where to buy it: Coco Lake
Cost: $18 -
Wooden Animal USB Drive
Mink Is Love sells only a few items out of their Etsy shop, but what is there is topnotch. Choose a handmade wooden USB drive in one of three cute animal motifs—alpaca, polar bear, or golden retriever. Just be careful— your kids may try to steal it!
Why we love it: Natural Pine + Cute Animals = Love.
Where to buy it: Mink Is Love
Cost: $27 -
Felt Mouse Pad
Non-plastic and non-toxic—you had us at “hello!” This cool little mouse pad is made from 100% virgin merino wool felt - naturally water-resistant, fireproof, eco-friendly, and renewable. Plus, so much nicer to rest your hand on cozy felt than on cold, hard plastic. Made by Deborah Brackenbury out of Norman, Oklahoma.
Why we love it: Felt is an all-around wonder fabric—artsy, affordable, durable, fashionable and functional.
Where to buy it: Fuzzy Logic
Cost: $21
