KarenHeenan
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
All Items
Reviews
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Caroline on Oct 22, 2022
5 out of 5 starsThank you so much! This was perfect. I live in Uganda but wasn’t able to bring back a local doll for a niece when I visited the states. This doll was so similar to ones made there and a perfect substitute. Just what I ordered.
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Amelia on Sep 18, 2022
5 out of 5 starsBeautiful and unique! An heirloom! Wonderful communication :)
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moopiecurran on Aug 20, 2022
5 out of 5 starsPERFECT, this doll is wonderful, looks exactly like who it was modeled after.
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Alex on Jun 10, 2022
5 out of 5 starsI had a bear made for my sister from my niece’s swaddle- it was perfect. It meant so much to my sister as well.
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Brenhillgamm on Jan 11, 2022
5 out of 5 starsThe stocking was absolutely adorable and the quality was fantastic!
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ameliabnorris on Nov 2, 2021
5 out of 5 starsThese stockings are gorgeous! I personally love the fact that they are not traditional Christmas colors (red/green), but a mix that goes well with lots of different decor types, our house being largely "boho." They are high quality and the small imperfections in the vintage quilts just add to their character. I can't wait to hang them, but I'm going to wait till after Thanksgiving ;) Thank you, Karen!
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jgarvey on Nov 1, 2021
5 out of 5 starsDoes a wonderful job at communicating about her products and very efficient! These are so nicely made and are so precious.
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KendallRN on Oct 28, 2021
5 out of 5 starsI LOVE LOVE LOVE the Christmas stocking I had made from my daughter’s baby clothes! Excellent quality and price and completed quicker than I anticipated! Highly recommend!
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
Customs and import taxes
Payment options
Returns & exchanges
Cancellations
Cancellations: not accepted
Please contact the seller if you have any problems with your order.
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.