SomerFun

by Melissa of Pressbound



Come visit Pressbound and Albertine Press at the first annual SomerFun street festival in Union Square, Somerville on Saturday June 12 from 3-7pm. In addition to a market stocked with goodies from local stores and artists the event will also include demonstrations, games, a large scale art installation, on stage performances, active local restaurants and bars and live entertainment.


Hope to see you there!

Craft Pilsner and Snifter Glass

by Karen Mahoney of City by the Sea Ceramics

The third week of May was Craft Beer Week, a national event raising awareness and appreciation of craft made beer. I took this as my cue to bisque fire a set of beer glasses I had made a few weeks previous.
I had been wanting to make a set for a while and a few months ago I came across a call for entries out of Florida. The theme of the show is ceramic pieces for alcohol service. Yahoo! While I make sake sets fairly regularly, that was not the first thought into my mind. The beer glasses I had been putting on hold had gotten bumped up to the top of my very long to-do list.

While there are numerous styles of glassware in a complete collection for beer, there are three basic shapes you can easily get by on while maintaining proper glassware (and yes, glass style does make a big difference in your drinking experience). They are the classic pint glass, a pilsner style glass, and a snifter. I made the pilsners and snifters first and I'm really happy with them.

The surface was stamped with individual letters spelling out "craft" so that it is very much a "craft beer set". I still need to make the pint glasses and glaze all of them, but I will be entering a set of the three glass styles as a single entry.

Boston-based blogs--first entry in a (short) series

By Laura Collins of Pansy Maiden

I imagine that all of you who stop by Boston Handmade's online home are interested in supporting local, Do-It-Yourself entrepreneurs, right? And if you are reading our blog, then you are most likely someone who reads multiple blogs and is always up for learning about new ones, yes? Well how about discovering some local, Boston-based blogging entrepreneurs?

When I thought about the number of great Boston-based blogs I knew of, I thought it'd be great to share them with you in a short series on the Boston Handmade blog. Honestly, I'm rather new to the blogging universe so you have probably heard of some of the blogs I'll be writing about but I hope to throw some new ones in for you all. I really enjoy supporting anything made locally--even blogs!

First up, Design Boston and New Brahmin. Both blogs report on Boston-specific fashion and design. The information below was taken from each site's About page.

Boston is a city with a unique mixture of historic tradition and modern development. Within this environment lays a vibrant community of architechts, designers, and artisans continually creating new and exciting works.

DesignBoston is here to help anyone interested in design find all that Boston has to offer. Since 2006, DesignBoston has been the source for news about the people and projects, events and spaces that are shaping Boston's design scene.

New Brahmin creates a much-needed home for fashion, style and shopping news in the Boston area. With multiple daily updates, New Brahmin promises to offer quick, intelligent stories that are informative, witty and occasionally bitchy (hey, it comes with the territory). Its contributors are active in various parts of Boston’s fashion community and look to unite and inspire like-minded readers.

Monday Mosaic - Pearl

This week's mosaic is a tribute to June's birthstone, the pearl. Happy birthday to all you June babies!

1. Bridal Cuff Bracelet by lushbeads
2. Vintage Inspired Spun Cotton Cake Topper by VintageByCtystal
3. Lavender Sea Glass and Freshwater Pearl Bracelet by seaglassthings
4. Felted Daisies by cozycottagecreations
5. Headband by pinksequin
6. White Stoneware Vase by Citybytheseaceramics

Artisans of Tomorrow

by Lynne of cozycottagecreations

This year for the Art Fair at my daughters' school, we were invited to display examples of knitting projects created by the students in my after-school knitting class.

I was so proud of their progress and accomplishments. All of these works were created by first, second or third graders. I am most impressed by their persistence. Some of these projects have been in a state of creation for over a year. I love that they can hold the results of their hard work in their hands!

It is a real privilege and a joy for me to have the opportunity to pass along the skill of knitting and see it blossom in the imaginations of these kids. All they talked about on our last day was what they couldn't wait to knit next! I'm already looking forward to it.

Boston Handmade in my workspace

by Nancy of nancyrosetta

As I sit at my workbench cranking out Aloha flowers for bridesmaid jewelry, I am surrounded by Boston Handmade.

This little monkey was a grab gift from Vintage by Crystal at the annual Boston Handmade meeting in January. He has been hanging right in front of me ever since.

This tiny oil painting is by former Boston Handmade member Kim Weineck. I love it so much, it reminds me of Prince Edward Island.

And possibly the most used item on my workbench (it doesn't always have a beer on it) is this coaster from Lucie Wicker. Another Boston Handmade swap gift from a previous year. I have the twin at my desk at the day job. Love, love, love.
And, if you haven't seen enough mess....here is my happy hole where I can sit and saw, saw, saw...

Hidden Gem of a Gallery

by Cristina Hurley of Cristina Hurley Jewelry

Tucked away behind a quaint bed and breakfast on Hope Street in Bristol, RI, Uncommon Art Gallery stands with handmade treasures inside awaiting discovery. This cute little gallery is the dream-made-reality of Tony and Angie Margiotta, owners of both the B&B and the gallery, which was build from the ground up to Tony and Angie's specifications.

Open for business for about 2 years now, the couple is dedicated to discovering, displaying and tirelessly promoting fine, hand crafted art and furniture made by many different artists. They are also dedicated to their community and its enrichment through art and culture.

Also happening this weekend, there will be a wonderful 2-day craft show, Uncommon Art in the Park, hosted by Tony Margiotta. This is a fun filled show right on the water at Independence Park in gorgeous Bristol, RI. Come for the day and enjoy the view, the art, music, great food and terrific shopping. You can also visit the gallery, around the corner from the show, on Hope street:

Uncommon Art Gallery

736 Hope Street

Bristol, Rhode Island

401-253-1404

The gallery entrance.

Beautiful display of assorted crafts

More assorted crafts, beautiful glass

Stop and enjoy a break in the garden!

So much beauty awaits you inside... :)

Hope to see you at the show this weekend!

Uncommon Art in the Park

Independence Park
Bristol, Rhode Island
June 5-6, 10AM-5PM

Some Current MFA Exhibits

by Jaye of Thirteenth Story

Earlier this month, I went to the Museum of Fine Arts during the Bank of America free weekend.*

The two exhibits I was focused on for this trip were the Albrecht Durer prints, and the Cafe and Cabaret posters from Toulouse-Lautrec's Paris. I was thrilled to be able to see both of these, and I hope that you get the chance to see them as well.

The Durer room had a great variety of his work. It was interesting to note that Durer did not carve all of his etchings himself, but instead would illustrate them on paper, then have someone else carve out the negative spaces on a plate.





The Toulouse-Lautrec exhibit is installed along a hallway, and includes posters, sketches and paintings from Lautrec and his contemporaries.
Albrecht Durer prints are there until July 5th.
Toulouse-Lautrec's Paris exhibit is there until August 8th.

*If you have a BoA card, you get into some museums free on specific weekends. The next ones are June 5th and 6th, and July 3rd and 4th. More details here.