Monday Mosaic: Happy New Year!

curated by Susanne of enchantedhue

May 2015 be filled with happiness, love, success, joy, creativity, health, and new beginnings.

A Very Happy New Year from all of us at Boston Handmade!

Yin Yang Sterling Silver Pendant by CristinaHurley

Tiny Original Collage Art on Wood by JessicaBurko

Desert Sunset by jbarrows

SuginTextiles

West Roxbury by ChrisLangPhotography

Chocolate: Assemblage of Computer Parts and Collage by Melsplace

Olive Tray - Pickle Tray - Cracker Tray - Snack Tray by jilljburns

Willow Green & Gray Open Weave Infinity Scarf by Loomination

Blue and Grey Leather Clutch by LidaBrookeDesigns

You Can Have It All - Mixed Media Collage by McDonaldMixedMedia

Silver Flower Ring Daffodil Ecofriendly Recycled Sterling Silver by Beryllina

Snow Dyed Silk Scarf by enchantedhue

Pretty Peacock Print by thepatternedpeacock

Jasper Copper Ring by PrunellasWorkshop

Drop Pearl Earrings With White Freshwater Pearls by Linkouture

Orange White Mini Chevron Zig Zag iPad Ereader Pillow Stand by abigailleigh

Simplicity Bracelet - Silver - Lush Beads Industrial by LushBeads

Embroidered Tea Cozy - with Steaming Kettle in Red and Aqua by straynotions

Gaga Fingering Weight Yarn by ladydyeyarns

Boston Skyline Print- 5x7- Boston Photography by LucieWicker

A Creative Way to Do Boxing Day

by Jessica Burko

Bus Box made by the Gee-Burko Family

At our house we celebrate Hanukkah, at my In-Laws house we enjoy a little Christmas, and after all of that we have our own version of Boxing Day where we craft art, toys, and musical instruments out of all the brand new boxes we have received during the month.

Actual Boxing Day is celebrated in the UK and has a debatable set of roots according to a variety of sources... Boxing Day started because a ‘Christmas Box’ in Britain is a name for a Christmas present... Boxing Day was a day off for servants and when they received a ‘Christmas Box’ from the master... A box to collect money for the poor was placed in Churches on Christmas day then opened the next day, Boxing Day... Great sailing ships when setting sail would have a sealed box containing money on board for good luck and if the voyage were a success the box was given to a priest, opened at Christmas.

Regardless of how you celebrate Boxing Day consider flexing your creative crafting muscles and think about empty cardboard boxes as blank canvases on which you can paint, draw, or make a bus (see above photo). You can cut boxes up to make flowers, to make collage shapes, a spinning mobile, or the letters of your name. With a little imagination you can use your empty gift boxes, ripped wrapping paper, and any other recyclable items around your house to make something fun. Wishing you a great Boxing day!

Merry Merry to you

Christmas Robins by The Patterned Peacock

Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas today and joy throughout the holiday season!

Stay crafty,
Your Friends at Boston Handmade

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Monday Mosaic: Snow, Snow, Snow

curated by Susanne from EnchantedHue

Lady of the White - Collage Art by McDonaldMixedMedia

White Leather Card Case by LidaBrookeDesigns

White Pearl Bracelet by Linkouture

Snow Birds Photo Print by LucieWicker

Can't believe I am saying this, but I miss snow!

Thankfully, Boston Handmade members have created some wonderful pieces featuring creamy whites.

Hope soon we will have a lovely snow covering like the one Lucie captured!

Handmade Weekend Plans

by Liz Stewart of Lush Beads

Looking to do some handmade holiday shopping this weekend? I have 2 suggestions for you.

Western Avenue Studios has 245 working artist studios, of which you can expect to find 100-125 open during this weekend's Holiday Open Studios from 12-5PM. There will be snacks for sale in the loading dock area so you can fuel up to visit 5 floors in 2 buildings full of art and fine craft. I'll be in my studio A-205 with my Industrial jewelry from 12-4 on Saturday only, but feel free to stop by on either day! Other great places to visit in the building: Made in Lowell, The Loft Space, and Mill City Glass Works.

On Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon, I will be exhibiting for the first time at Gift Local Lincoln. The event will be held at Bemis Hall, 15 Bedford Road, Lincoln, MA.  Stop by and visit me along with 20+ other handmade artists on Saturday evening from 6-9PM, or Sunday afternoon from 1-6PM.  My fellow Western Ave artists Arlette Laan and Joelle Felyce will be there as well!

Monday Mosaic: Chilly Scenes of Winter

curated by Sharon Fischer, Stray Notions

I hope you all are having a lovely beginning to the holiday season.  I spent Thanksgiving with lots of folks and no power on the actually day --- cooking was an adventure but the views and textures were gorgeous.  Today's mosaic was inspired by the colors in this photo.

 

1. Photographic encaustic art, Jessica Burko

2. Yin Yang Sterling silver pendant with 18 or 20 inch leather cord, Cristina Hurley Designs

3. Small Brown and Blue Cross Body Bag, LidaBrookeDesigns

4. Kiva, Jon Barrows

5. Snow Birds, North Square- 8x10- Photo Print, Lucie Wicker Photography

6. Violet and Gray Double Infinity Scarf - Handwoven Cotton - Openweave, Loomination

Boston Handmade at JP Crafts Fair THIS Saturday!

by Lucie of Lucie Wicker Photography

Kickstart your holiday shopping THIS weekend! The annual holiday JP Crafts Fair is happening this Saturday, December 6, and some of your favorite Boston Handmade members will be there:

Up on the stage in our usual spot will be:

Enchanted Hue

Jon Barrows Art & Photography

Lush Beads

The Patterned Peacock

Stray Notions

In the hall:

Linkouture

Loomination

We will also be have some fantastic Boston Handmade items to give away so will not want to miss out! Bring your shopping lists and see you there!

First Church in Jamaica Plain

6 Eliot Street

Jamaica Plain, MA

02130

(click here for to see this location on Google Maps)

11am to 5pm