KarenHeenan
Top shop for gifts.
Buyers bought gifts from this shop and gave them 5-star reviews!
Announcement
To me, handmade is like organic; if more people could afford it, more people would buy it. By using recycled fabrics for my creations, I can provide quality handmade goods at an affordable price.
At Useful & Beautiful, you'll find soft toys, toddler dresses, accessories and home goods all made with fabric upcycled from clothing, vintage linens and more. I love the challenge of working with discarded items and can give a second life to almost anything. Repurposing old garments is the thread (bad pun, sorry) that runs through all my work.
My shop's name comes from a quote from William Morris: "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." I think that says it all.
Please follow me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/UsefulBeautifulHandmade and on Instagram: www.instagram.com/karen.heenan
Announcement
To me, handmade is like organic; if more people could afford it, more people would buy it. By using recycled fabrics for my creations, I can provide quality handmade goods at an affordable price.
At Useful & Beautiful, you'll find soft toys, toddler dresses, accessories and home goods all made with fabric upcycled from clothing, vintage linens and more. I love the challenge of working with discarded items and can give a second life to almost anything. Repurposing old garments is the thread (bad pun, sorry) that runs through all my work.
My shop's name comes from a quote from William Morris: "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." I think that says it all.
Please follow me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/UsefulBeautifulHandmade and on Instagram: www.instagram.com/karen.heenan
Items
Reviews
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Clarice on Jan 18, 2021
5 out of 5 starsI bought a tweed "professor" bear for my partner, a grad student. It arrived neatly-packaged and very much exceeded my expectations. It's adorable to look at, and has a very sturdy, bespoke quality that distinguishes it from your average toy store bear. More importantly, my partner absolutely loves him and has even christened him Walter!
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tjlpr on Dec 30, 2020
5 out of 5 starsGreat quality! I also appreciate the communication to make sure that what was sent was what I was expecting!
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Janice on Dec 28, 2020
5 out of 5 starsThe doll is beautiful!! My granddaughter loves it!!
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dfry266 on Dec 19, 2020
4 out of 5 starsGreat doll, can't wait for my granddaughters to see it. Olaf is bringing it to them as their Nonnie (me) can't be with them this year and we're all sad. May have to order 2 more so they all can have me.
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Alison on Dec 19, 2020
5 out of 5 starsExactly what I was hoping for! Beautiful one of a kind stocking my son will use for years and years to come.
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emboles on Dec 15, 2020
5 out of 5 starsBeautiful vintage stocking! Received it quickly as well. Would purchase from this seller again.
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Kathy on Dec 14, 2020
5 out of 5 starsIt was great working with Karen. Details about the doll I forgot to add, she got right back to me. The doll is adorable. I pretty sure my granddaughter will love it! If she doesn't, I'll take it back! :) Would definitely buy from Karen again.
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Salina on Dec 8, 2020
5 out of 5 starsBeautiful personalized stockings! I'm very happy with my purchase.
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KAY on Feb 28, 2020
5 out of 5 starsVery pretty patchwork bag. Like the color and design combo. Will enjoy. Recommend seller.
About KarenHeenan
Hand made. Well made. Responsibly made.
My shop's name comes from a favorite quote by William Morris: "Have nothing in your home that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." I think it's important to keep that in mind, especially when we're surrounded by so much useless and -- let's face it -- not really beautiful stuff.
I'm a lifelong maker. I sew, embroider, draw, paint, cook, garden, write . . . everything but knit or crochet, because I'm afraid I will stash yarn the way I do fabric. I've also had flings with costume-making, papercraft, painting, you name it. It's a good thing my relationship history isn't as varied.
Fabric has always been my first love -- for years I made all my own clothes, but I came to the realization that I only need so many, no matter how much I enjoyed making them. That led me to start repurposing pieces from my closet, making things for others, and finally, sharing my love of upcycling with a wider audience. I've always hated to throw things away, and once I got my head around the idea that everything old can become something new, there was no looking back for me.
One of my most recent projects is turning loved (and saved) receiving blankets into heirloom bears and bunnies. You can read more about the project here: https://www.babble.com/parenting/new-moms-are-flipping-out-over-these-adorable-receiving-blanket-lovies/
Living a thriftier life and acquiring less stuff ties in with my making. But what if you already have the stuff? Why not donate it or find a way to recycle it? There's more to recycling than putting it in a bin on trash day. My form of recycling is finding a use for materials that are worth saving and allowing people to consume more intentionally, knowing that their purchase comes with a light carbon footprint. Retail therapy that can help save the planet? Bring it on!
Shop members
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Karen Heenan
Owner, Maker, Designer
I'm a lifelong crafter -- you name it, I've tried it. And if it made me stash materials and supplies, so much the better. This shop is my attempt to clear out years of excess, and better live up to my ideals of a simpler life.
Shop policies
Shipping
Payment options
Returns & exchanges
I gladly accept returns
I don't accept exchanges or cancellations
The following items can't be returned or exchanged
- Custom or personalized orders
- Intimate items (for health/hygiene reasons)
I accept returns I do not accept returns
I accept exchanges I do not accept exchanges
I accept cancellations I do not accept cancellations
Because of the nature of these items, unless they arrive damaged or defective, I can't accept returns for:
Privacy policy
More information
Frequently asked questions
Custom and personalized orders
I happily accept custom and personalized orders. Please feel free to message me prior to ordering one of my custom listings to clear up any questions you may have. Once an order is placed, I will provide my shipping address (if you are providing materials) and will contact you again upon receipt of your package. I will provide an in-progress photo and will notify you (with tracking) when your custom order ships out. Please note that due to the nature of custom / personalized items, I cannot accept returns and that is why I am happy to answer questions prior to proceeding with a project.
Care instructions
All my items are made with recycled / repurposed fabrics that have already been washed/dried, etc. Clothing items (children's wear, scarves, etc.) are machine wash and dry.
Stuffed animals can be spot-cleaned and, in some cases, put through the washer and line dried. Care will be noted in the specific listings and on the item tags.
Sizing details
Clothing sizes: while clothing is handmade, sizing follows commercial standards. Flat measurements are provided for both children's and adult clothing.
Toys: full dimensions are provided for all stuffed animals. There may be minor variations in size due to the "stretch" of one fabric over another, but any variation will be minimal.
Wholesale availability
Please feel free to contact me with any wholesale inquiries.
Addendum to Refund Policy
My work is made from recycled fabrics, and as such, there may occasionally be imperfections or fading to fabrics, which in my view only adds to the charm of the piece. I aim to describe my items accurately (and note any imperfections) and hope there would be no need for refunds. But . . . if you're unhappy with your purchase, PLEASE reach out to me so we can work together to find a solution.