25 Handmade Art Supplies and Tools You Can Buy on etsy
Handmade art supplies excite me. ALL art supplies excite me, who am I kidding? But when real live human folk put in the time and effort to create art supplies with their real, live hands for other artists to make beautiful art from? That right there is art magic.
Now I am truly in heaven when I walk into a Blick store and can bask in the presence of all the commercial art supplies, but handmade art supplies offer up an energy that can’t be replicated by machines. I like to think there is a little extra energy that goes into art-making when you are using supplies made with love by other creative people.
And where does one fine homemade art supplies? Why Etsy, of course! Let’s take a look at all the goodies I found!
Handmade Paint Palettes
A few sellers are creating handmade paint palettes on Etsy. I first discovered Krissy Stephen’s (Lady Made Pottery) palettes and fell in love. Since then I’ve discovered more artists selling handmade paint palettes, each one unique and especially worthy of holding and mixing watercolors, inks, acrylics, and more.
Clockwise from top left: wood travel watercolor palette by Peg and Awl, ceramic paint palette by Lady Made Pottery, bubbles watercolor palette by Beautiful Swirls, ceramic paint palette by Sea Era Ceramic
Brush Holders
Sure, you could prop your paint brushes on a random scrap of wood or balled-up piece of foil (guilty). But the simple little act of placing a wet paintbrush onto a one-of-a-kind paintbrush holder will elevate (literally) your painting experience.
Choose from ceramic or wood handmade brush holders – you’ll find simple brush props all the way up to intricate contraptions to keep your paintbrushes wet but not squished, and hovering close to your easel.
Clockwise from top left: ceramic paintbrush rest by Good Press Ceramics, blue wavy brush holder by Lori Shaul Ceramics, leaf paintbrush rest by She’s Kilning It, resin and flower paintbrush rest by Thrift Trinkets Love
Handmade Watercolor Paints
This is where things get doubly exciting. I am fascinated by the number of people researching and creating their own watercolor paints for us to use. It’s so fun to see special color waves and handmade watercolors in mini adorable kits.
Etsy is bursting with them, so read my post on homemade watercolor paints, where I covered them in much more detail.
Artists Easels
Companies that specialize in making artists easels are a rare find. They seem to be a passionate bunch, dedicated to their craft. Whether you are looking for plein air easels or mongo studio easels, you can find spectacular handmade options on Etsy.
I wrote all about finding your perfect painting easel, but here are a couple of gorgeous easels you can buy on Etsy:
Floor-standing artist easel by Easelmark, Ultralight Bamboo Magnetic Sketch Easel by Taylor Seamount Shop
Art Supply Holders and Carriers
If you do any art-making out in the world, you will need to safely transport your art supplies in something. Instead of dumping them into a bag (think leaking paint and broken pencil tips), go for a handmade art supply holder from one of these Etsy artisans.
Clockwise from top left: Leather pencil roll by Bagsnesti, Kids’ art supply organizer by Mureli Workshop, canvas and leather brush and pencil holder by Colton Scott Creations, Scout Pochade Box for Oil + Acrylic Artists by Peg and Awl
More Handmade Art Supplies!
Okay, I just couldn’t stop finding cool handmade art supplies on Etsy, so here’s more!
Clockwise from top left: Earth pigment Palette and Matchbox Paint Set by Lilian May Watercolour, leather watercolor travel set by Lottes Paperie, watercolor quill brush by Maria Watercolors, Artist Paint Brush Soap by Busy Hands Studio Goods
Clockwise from top left: Ceramic Paint Brush Holder Set by Marvy Handmade Arts, Mushroom ceramic palette by Yesiltepe Studio, Thick Handmade Watercolor Paper with Deckle Edge by Wanderers Way, Handmade 300 Pcs Mini Pan Set Art Supplies in Authentic Wooden Gift Box by Zehr Art Studio
Infinite Stars; Seljuks, Pen Holder by Sepia Accessories, Custom Tiny Watercolor Sketchbook by True Midnight
Browsing all these handmade supplies for artists made me first of all want to buy them all, but also I came up with so many cool ideas that I just don’t have the time to make. (As per usual – too many ideas!) I would love to see more handmade paintbrushes, handmade sketchbooks from different materials besides leather, more handmade paints, handmade thin papers, and so many more ideas…
