Susan Beal aka susanstars is a writer and crafter in Portland, OR. She wrote her first book, Super Crafty, with the ladies of the PDX Super Crafty collective, and her new jewelry-making book, Bead Simple, came out in March. She's also the new mama to an adorable two-month-old baby girl, Pearl. In the occasional moments that she's not baby-wrangling or crafting on deadline, Susan likes to drink coffee, browse cute handmade things on Etsy, and do her best to keep her West Coast Crafty blog updated.

I have always loved making crafty presents for friends and for my family, but I never realized just how busy I would get once my baby Pearl came along — and suddenly it's a lot easier to find lovely things for her, and my friends' babies, that other people have made! If you have a new mother and baby in your life to shop for, here are a few of my favorite handmade gift ideas to browse, and a few patterns with which to do your own crafting.


Since I'm in beautiful, crafty Portland, of course I had to spotlight a few fellow Oregonians. Ryan and Lucy aka berkleyillustration are at the top of my list. Ryan's whole well-dressed animal series is lovely, but I have a big soft spot for his Lady Squirrel print, which is one of my favorite things in Pearl's room.


I picked up PearlyGrey's Baby to Go set and it's been so handy! Pearl is wearing her pear onesie right now, actually...


Speaking of onesies, we have a couple of AntelopeBaby's bright-colored screen-printed ones and they are instant favorites.


I met another Portland crafter, DogGoneKnitting, at this month's Crafty Wonderland and I'm eyeing this super cute dress for Pearl a couple of years down the road.


Our friend bossanovababy gave us one of MyRedGumball's vintage-imagery bibs at our crafty shower. Awesome.


Way over in the other Portland (Maine), I love all the baby onesies and Ts by ferdinandhome, especially this cutie.


I am a huge fan of jekbot's colorful work — it's all gorgeous. This pop memory game would be a super fun gift for a big brother or sister when you're shopping for the new baby.


I also fell for this bright, glittery star mobile hand-folded by Stjarnkraft. She makes them in all different color combinations, but I especially love this assortment.


While you're choosing things for a baby's room, I think that a custom prayer flags banner by flederhaus (maybe spelling out his or her name in American Sign Language?) would be fantastic.


Probably the single most useful baby thing we have is a good swaddling blanket, and I just love the ones that ElephantEars makes.


...and the gorgeous, soft littlesnugglebunny blanket that our friend belleepoque chose for Pearl is perfect to layer right over it.


For taking the baby out and about, I love using a sling, and I just ordered this one from RaspberryBaby in grey — but she makes them in dozens of colors if you have a favorite in mind.


Finally, if you have plenty of time for crafting your own gifts (lucky!), how about picking up some patterns for a whole world of baby necessities from seweasypatterns? She offers lots of individual ones to choose from, plus this fantastic set of 25.


Further Resources:
West Coast Crafty
Craft Zine: Babies
Craft Zine: Kids
Soule Mama
Angry Chicken
All Buttoned Up
Shim and Sons

For more of Susan's wit and wisom, check out her blog and past Storque posts about her!

Handmade Kids Series | Special Kids Showcase | Baby Gift Guide | Children Gift Guide