Handmadens of Lake Forest

09/15/2026

60 DAYS!!!!

08/05/2026

Meet the Makers, Handmadens would like to introduce our next maker, Leslie. She has been a member on and off for about 20 years.

I learned to craft a variety of items from my mother and sister growing up. I learned to sew at a young age making many of my school clothes. I love to sew and create things, build things, stuff things and I’m especially fond of making snowmen which aren’t that popular here in Texas where I live mostly now.

Handmadens has always been a favorite of mine since I moved to RSM in 1987, attending and then becoming a vendor at this wonderful handcrafted boutique. I hope to stay a part of it as long as I can make it happen. It’s a wonderful, talented, and fun group.

Items I make are home décor, table ware, rope fabric bowls, seen stuffed dolls/animals/snowmen. Wood crafts, nativities, ornaments, holiday décor, paper crafts, crochet items. I love to use most mediums and to learn new things to share.

07/29/2026

✨ Welcome to Meet the Makers — a new series celebrating the talented creators, artisans, and small businesses that make our community special.

Today’s featured maker is Candy, a local maker whose passion, creativity, and craftsmanship shine through every piece she creates.

I’m Candy (a retired RN) and have been a member of Handmadens for over 10 years.

What I love above crafting is that it’s therapy! I love being creative but didn’t realize I had a talent until my friends encouraged me. Crafting is also an addiction. I love the feedback from strangers, friends, & family. I feel it’s a gift. I also love the camaraderie with fellow crafters and gifting the things I make.

Some items I make are decorative plants, jewelry art, Christmas items like decorated trees and bowls with Christmas themes. And I also sell antiques.

07/01/2026

💗 Community supporting community! 💗

At The Handmadens of Lake Forest, giving back to our community is at the heart of what we do.

We are honored to support Breast Cancer Solutions, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping breast cancer patients in our community.

Be sure to stop by the holiday market in November and check out the Breast Cancer Solutions Raffle Table. Thanks to the amazing generosity of local businesses, The Handmadens have collected gift cards to some of our favorite local spots, giving you the chance to win while supporting a great cause.

For more information about Breast Cancer Solutions you can reach them at 866-960-9222 or mailto:[email protected]

06/29/2026

Welcome to the Handmadens of Lake Forest! ✨

First things first—it’s Handmadens, with the emphasis on handmade! While our name is often mistaken for Handmaidens, our focus has always been on celebrating the art of handmade craftsmanship.

For over 50 years, the Handmadens of Lake Forest has brought together talented artisans who share a passion for creating unique, handcrafted items. We meet every other month to connect, inspire one another, and prepare for our signature event.

Each November, we host our annual two-day Holiday Boutique, where every item is handmade by one of our members. From seasonal décor and gifts to jewelry, textiles, woodworking, ceramics, and more, you’ll find one-of-a-kind creations made with care and creativity.

Follow along to meet our artisans, get behind-the-scenes glimpses of the creative process, and stay up to date on this year’s Holiday Boutique. We look forward to sharing the beauty of handmade with you!

(Video from 2025 holiday boutique)

11/10/2025

Thank you for all that attended and supported our 51st Holiday Market. It was a great success and we hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did. See you in 370 days at our 52nd annual Handmadens Holiday Market

11/08/2025