Give Handmade for Father's Day

Choosing a handmade gift - even if you didn't make it yourself - is a great way to show Dad you appreciate him. If you're tired of giving the same boring Father's Day gifts year in and year out, think outside the box and get a handmade gift that's been created with thought and care by a small business or independent artist.

Below are 18 handmade gift ideas for Father's Day found at Etsy and 1000 Markets, but the gift-giving potential is endless when you choose to go handmade. To check out the products and the shops, click on the item name in purple!

Darth Vader Mother of Pearl Money Clip - $33

For the Star Wars fan, Cuftlynx has the mother of all money clips - a Darth Vader Mother of Pearl clip. This satin-finished nickel money clip features a brass setting with a 20mm white mother of pearl disc engraved with Vader's image. If Dad's a big fan, get him the matching cuff links, too!

And the World Goes Round... Necktie - $60

Ties don't have to be boring, and Delightworthyn's unique necktie is anything but. The grey silk charmeuse tie is hand painted and appliqued, with hot pink circles that are hand-stitched with a blanket stitch. The tie is 60" long and 3-1/2" at its widest. And the World Goes Round is certain to spice up Dad's wardrobe.

The Sandtrap - $35

For the Dad who loves golf, L.A. Glass Studio has a gorgeous and highly unique interactive paperweight. The Sandtrap is a 3-D triangular paperweight with sand, tees and a golf ball inside. Each Sandtrap is numbered, so it's a great collectible for golf fanatics.

Men's T-Shirt in Navy - What if Beer Made You Smarter? - $20

What If Gear specializes in cute and funny T-Shirt designs, and this navy blue men's shirt poses a question that plagues beer drinkers everywhere... "What if beer made you smarter?" The shirt is 100% ringspun cotton and comes in sizes medium through XXL.

Father's Day Card - Pull My Finger - $4

SpawnStudio's Father's Day cards serve up a little humor for the guys. This handmade card reads, "Instead of going on about what a wonderful dad you are, I just want to say 3 special words (cover) - pull my finger (inside)." The 5x7 card comes with a matching dark gray envelope.

Black Drakkar Beer Soap - $5

The Beer Soap Co. creates unique soap blends from different varieties of beer. The Black Drakkar Beer Soap is made with Newcastle Brown Ale and smells like lavender, citrus, woods and spices. The beer soap works as a body bar and a soap for shaving.

Father's Day Mug - Hand Thrown - $30

Skip the "World's Best Dad" mug from the store and get him a beautifully hand thrown mug from Maid of Clay. The gorgeous dark brown mug is accented by a ceramic wood plaque that simply reads "dad." The mug is dishwasher and microwave safe.

Man's Heirloom Fisherman Sweater - $225

Crochetgal can create a beautifully crocheted fisherman sweater for your favorite guy. Each sweater is individually designed and contains an intricate pattern of cables, baubles, popcorns, diamonds and ribbing. Warm and snuggly, this sweater is perfect for outdoor activities in the cold, plus it can be custom ordered to fit.

Panga Panga Slim Pen - $15

Dad may have plenty of pens, but does he have one that's been handcrafted with care? A true collector's piece, Designer Pens' Panga Panga Slim Pen is made from a beautiful dark wood that has been carefully shaped and smoothed and then assembled with a gold cap, clip and engraved center band.

MacBook and Laptop Sleeve 13-Inch - $28

For the dad who never leaves home without his laptop, this chunky knitted sleeve from Martice Colorful and Fashionable Knits is a great choice. Designed to fit a 13" laptop, the sleeve is knit from acrylic yarn and snugly wraps around the computer. It has a black elastic, as well, for extra security.

The Bro-Black with White Stitching - $7

Dad can stash a cell phone, small camera, iPod or Blackberry in this up-cycled felted wool pouch from TickleWorm. This pouch is made from an old sweater and is embellished with contrasting white stitching. It measures 3" by 4-3/4" and has a belt loop in the back.

Anchor Father's Day Card - $2.50

Perideau Designs' Father's Day card is for men who enjoy time out on the water. The card folds to 4-1/4" by 5-1/2" and is paired with a khaki envelope. The Anchor card is blank inside so you may include your own personal message.

Men's Shave Set - $26.50

Dkpottery's handmade shave set includes a mug that measures about 4-1/2" from rim to rim and about 3-1/2" high, as well as a brush and soap. The brush fits neatly into the handle of the mug. This set would make a wonderful gift for the dad who appreciates a close shave.

Tooled Leather Wristband - Black - $12

Art of Spirit LeatherWorks' leather cuffs are a great choice for the stylish guy in your life. This jet-black full-grain cowhide wristband has a tooled design and secures with two heavy-duty snaps. The band measure 1-1/4" wide and fits up to a 7-1/2" wrist.

Men's Chillin' and Grillin' Apron - $20

This Custom Threads embroidered apron is for the man who loves to grill. Available in your choice of red, royal blue, navy blue or black, the apron is embroidered with a grilled burger, a cold drink and the phrase "I'm just chillin' and grillin'." The apron measures 20" wide by 30" tall and has 33" long ties.

Orange Stripes Fused Glass Cuff Links - $15

Penny Glass Girl's fused glass cuff links are perfect for the guy who doesn't want a stuffy old pair of cuff links. Made with a shimmering iridescent white glass offset by colorful orange stripes, the cabs measure 1" by 3/4" and are securely attached to the plated cuff links.

Brown Leather Natural Glycerin Soap - $5

This 5-ounce bar soap from Heathen's Hearth has a manly, musky fragrance that is reminiscent of real leather. The natural glycerin soap is handmade and features a celtic design in the center.

Blue Grid - Circuit Pendant - $16.50

Geek can be chic - just check out Beadwork by Amanda if you don't believe me. These nifty circuit pendants are created by embedding a computer circuit board piece into resin. This piece in particular (1-1/4" tall) is a blue grid circuit coated with layers of clear resin to create a nice glossy surface. Best yet, this pendant can be turned into a keychain, if you desire - just mention it in the notes to the seller.