Margaret Hargis

Lake Highlands resident Margaret Hargis was born into an acutely creative family, she says, so it’s only natural that she found her niche in the world of handmade products.

Food- and nature-inspired necklaces, hair clips and pins are her thing.

“I thought about studying culinary arts ... I love to cook — that’s another thing my family loves to do.”

Hargis’ bright designs — sushi rolls, shrimp, fish and fruits to name a few are evocative of a sampler platter at a posh Japanese restaurant, only they last longer, and at $9-$12 each, are probably less expensive.

Hargis works closely with her crafting cousin, Emily Adams, who alongside husband Matt sells funky handcrafted buttons and button jewelry under the

Dan Neal

214-660-3733 stykidan@sbcglobal.net moniker “Manhandled”.

“I picked the name ‘Manhandled’ because I figured that was the best way to keep my husband involved,” Adams jokes. “But really, this has become something we enjoy doing together for fun.”

Most of the buttons and jewelry are inspired by sci-fi subcultures or classic movies such as “The Wizard of Oz”. Whether you want the world to know you’re a Barbie fanatic, or that you’re into recycling and eating organic, Manhandled likely offers a button that proclaims it.

And if they don’t have it, you can ask them to make you a custom button beginning at $1 a pop. They also offer dangling button earrings, hairclips and rings.

And because the rings are magnetic, you can switch out the buttons to change up your look.

WEBSITE: etsy.com/shop/stitchslap CONTACT: hargis.margaret@gmail.com

This might be your last opportunity to buy handsewn garments for the baby on your gift list — because next year, the little guy will no doubt demand a toy.