This L.A.-based craft shop and workshop offers dozens of classes where you can learn skills in embroidering, needlefelting, papier-mache – you name it, they’ll teach you how to do it. They also sell a lovingly-curated selection of beautiful yarns and fabrics which make even beginner projects look advanced.

If you can’t make it to the store, no worries. The Home Ec website features great patterns and kits you can easily follow at home. We really want to make the Amy Butler High Street Messenger Bag, and love that there’s a complete kit to sew up our own much-needed Lavender Eye Pillows and DIY Log Pillows which would be perfect thrown around the house this winter.

If only home ec had always been presented this way…

The website itself is so much fun and so true to its theme, you could get lost in it (in a good way!) for hours. Owners Billie and Tootie have compiled a unique collection of handmade items from top indie artists/crafters, and have even commissioned some of them to create limited-edition designs exclusive to ReForm School, like laser-etched ceramic milk bottles from Julia Rothman and vintage French linen tea towels embroidered by Alyson Fox.

Our own wish list contains a sterling silver Forget-Me-Knot ring (which is much more sophisticated than the piece of string we tied on our finger for some reason we can’t remember), the adorable English Summer Pendant and Nikki McClure’s amazing journal of her signature paper-cuts.

We give ReForm School an A+.

Figs & Ginger’s gorgeous “Elliott” earrings are light as air yet surprisingly sturdy and sophisticated. Made of recycled sterling silver and freshened with a black patina, these uncaged birds swing, carefree, from a delicate chain.

Each piece is crafted by hand by eco-friendly husband and wife metalsmith team, Elijah and Rhonda Wyman. What we especially love about their work is its authentic, inspired-by-nature attitude and the fact that they represent every stage of life from birds flying solo to love birds and mamas with nestlings.

We’re especially savoring these babies now as our own begin to leave us with empty nests.