Andover Crafts in the Park

CHANGE OF DATE AND VENUE FOR THIS SHOW!!!!
Due to inclement weather.

NEW DATE, Sunday, May 11th is the 33rd annual Crafts In The Park in Andover. It is a fundraising event for AFS (American Field Service) which is a student foreign exchange program. AFS is a group close to my heart as both my brother and sister traveled on AFS semesters abroad in high school (to Uruguay and Uganda). My family was also host to a student from the Netherlands who we are in close contact with almost 40 years later! My nephew also recently spent an AFS semester in Ghana and loved it.

The Andover Crafts In The Park is held from 10AM-4PM at the corner of Bartlet and Chestnut Street in Andover. Should it rain it will be in the Andover High School field house on Sunday the 11th. THE HOLE THING's felted sweaters and accessories ( made from recycled wool) will have corner booth #221. The show is just in time for Mother's Day gift purchases !

It’s Show Time!

by Stonehouse Studio


Spring means sunny days, warm breezes, and the Open Markets!! I love outdoor shows, the stress of dealing with the elements notwithstanding. Our area is very lucky to have three weekly markets where local artists and craftspersons can sell their work: The Boston SOWA Open Market, the Providence Open Market and the Mashpee Open Market
Boston's market is in the SOWA district of the South End. Located in an urban art district, the market has an edgy, contemporary and sophisticated feel. The South End Open Market runs every Sunday from May to October.
Providence is a compact and dynamic city. This year, a block of Westminster Street in the heart of downtown Providence will close for the Market. And after the Market, stick around for Providence's famous WaterFire. The Providence Open Market runs every Saturday in June, September and October.
Mashpee is the new kid on the block. In it's second year, it sets up in the upscale Mashpee Commons shopping area. It attracts tourists and locals who are looking for quality crafts and art. Mashpee happens on Friday and opens at the end of June and runs until September.

If you're a craftsperson looking for a consistent venue to sell your work, be sure to sign up. And if you like one stop shopping for a wide variety of crafts and art from talented locals, be sure to stop by!

Workspace Wednesday...

with Marla of Sea Glass Things

I like to call my workspace "Organized Chaos" - however, I know exactly where everything is. It becomes a bit disorganised because my workspace is separate from my storage - and on two different levels. I store in my computer room and then work at the end of the dinning room table. The family doesn't like it much because a project could take weeks and the table is consumed with my stuff.
I create sea glass and sea pottery shard jewelry, art and home decor. The first picture is that of some insulator cover I believe. It looks black... but when you hold it up to the light it is a deep and vibrant purple! I scour the beaches all year to collect and have bins full of my bounty. I separate the glass by color and place them in their own bins. Generally common colors like emerald green, white and dark brown are tossed in together.

I have all my display items for shows in another bin - mail and marketing items in yet another bin... and lastly, my sterling components are in separate containers from other beads. Everything has a place... even though it may not look pretty at times. I work on a board my husband covered for me with this foam material. This board is really simple, yet is extremely useful... and yes, handmade! I have a dremel and diamond drill bits I use when drilling my glass and pottery - always keeping my surface wet... and wearing a mask and protective goggles.

It took me along time to perfect my methods when starting out. I didn't know how to drill through glass or what to use. There weren't a lot of people doing what I was doing then. However, through trial, error and a lot of research - I have found my grove and what works best for me!

Tis the Season...

...for blushing brides and beautiful weddings!

by Amy of Amy Olson Jewelry

As spring arrives, I have been busy creating my Spring Bridal Collection for 2008 and working on custom bridal jewelry, which is just love to do! It thrills me to be apart of a bride's big day by adorning them with unique one-of-a-kind jewelry. Here are a few pieces from the current collection.....
Pink Garden Necklace

Spring Vine Lariat

Pearl Sway Necklace

And, of course, other talented members of Boston Handmade are also offering beautiful bridal and wedding items...

Katy of MuchachaK offers gorgeous custom reversible clutches for the bride and her party as well as jewelry rolls, which make a perfect gift!
The Original Muchacha K Custom Reversible Clutch

Custom Single Pocket Jewelry Roll

Crystal of Vintage by Crystal makes all kinds of beautiful wedding items. Here is what she has to say about creating for weddings, "Ahhh weddings… You’d be hard pressed to find a woman of any age who doesn’t dream about the glorious events of her wedding day. But preparing for those events can prove to be a real challenge! So many details…flowers, food, dresses, bridesmaids, party favors, etc. etc. What’s my favorite thing when it comes to weddings? The cake of course! What girl doesn’t love cake? But long after the rich devils food, creamy frosting and sugary embellishments have been gobbled up…the thing that remains to be cherish forever is the sweet cake topper featuring tiny representations of the loving couple themselves. That’s where I come in! I make a simple variety of vintage inspired wedding cake toppers that have the charm of individuality (no two are the same) and even use vintage lace, flowers, old photo portraits, beads and whatever else I can dig up at flea markets, garage sales and yes…ebay. "
"I usually concentrate on holiday decorations but started making cake toppers when one of my best customers asked if I ever thought about making wedding items. Then the lightbulb when on and I started putting together cake toppers right away. My brilliant customer bought them all (she owns a store in Long Island, NY) and got a great response from her customers. Now I make them regularly and even do custom orders for clients using their own photos, wedding colors, wedding dress style etc. I’ve even done two birds in a tree, goldfish, and dogs on wedding cake toppers! And when a client wants a gift to give a special couple on their special day, I make boxes and wreaths in a cake topper style featuring the bride and groom. The bride and groom are made from spun cotton (my specialty), and dressed in crepe paper, vintage lace, tissue paper, tulle and embellished with vintage millinery flowers, my grandmother’s antique Czech beads, and more! Their faces are usually borrowed from antique photo portraits of people from the past, but occasionally I’ll customize the topper by digitally antiquing photos of customers. The bases are made out of anything ranging from an old cheese box, an overturned vintage mini cake pan, sheet music on cardboard, etc. It all depends on what I’ve dug up at the flea market that week!"
"I’ve never had a wedding myself (a few years down the road, and who knows…), but still I can’t help but giddy with excitement when helping a lucky lady prepare for her special day. It’s just too much fun!"

And here are some beautiful pieces from Vintage by Crystal and if you are interested, in a custom order, just check out her shop!

Mosaic Monday - Wedding Bliss

May is here and marks the beginning of the wedding season! Here are some nuptial inspired delights from members of Boston Handmade:
Vintage by Crystal
Twigs and Heather
muchacha K
The Hole Thing
Lush Beads
Elizabeth Brennick Designs
Lucie Wicker Photography
Nancyrosetta
Cozy Cottage Creations
Mimi K
Sea Glass Things
and thanks as always to Mimi K for putting together this mosaic! To see more work by all members of Boston Handmade check out our Flickr group.

Boston Handmade at the Mass Market THIS Sunday

With the sad loss of MassArt's beloved Punk Rock Flea Market, a few crafty alums of the school have put together a new incarnation that should prove to be just as successful!

The Mass Market, a DIY flea market featuring local artisans, bands, book makers and the like will take place this Sunday, May 4th, 10am-5pm at Mass College of Art's Pozen Center. Come say hi, hear some music and check out the craftiest folks in Boston!

Among other local crafty favorites Distro.y, Ben Sisto and Pine Cone + Chickadee, Boston Handmade member Glamourpuss Creations will be featuring lots of bright spring colors like magenta and cobalt blue.

Botanical Inspirations

by Linda of All Dunn

If you're in Boston, and want to take a pleasant drive west, you might set your compass for the Groton Public Library to see their exhibit, Botanical Inspirations. The multi-media show will be up through June 14, with the reception on Saturday, May 10, 12:30-2:30 PM. I have three pieces in the show, including "Tree", shown here.

"Integration" by Merril Commeau, a colleague of mine at Lowell Fiber Studio,will be there too.

Boston Handmade Artisan Fair TONIGHT!

Come one come all to the first Artisan Fair of the JP First Thursdays season!!!!

TONIGHT from 6-8pm visit the Boston Handmade Artisan Fair located at Curtis Hall in Jamaica Plain, 20 South Street, featuring jewelry, clothing, art, paper goods, accessories, housewares by:

thirteenthstory
Amy Olson Jewelry
Stonehouse Studio
The Hole Thing
Elizabeth Brennick Designs
muchacha K
Twigs and Heather

And at Rhythm and Muse (470 Centre Street) Boston Handmade member Lucie Wicker Photography will be showing her art.

Each First Thursday of the month from May through August businesses along Centre and South Streets in Jamaica Plain are transformed into galleries featuring works from local artists. Open receptions, at each location, from 6-8pm, offer a chance to meet the artists, enjoy refreshments, and experience JP's fabulous businesses in an entirely new light.

Tonight in addition to the Artisan Fair and art shows there will be music by John Frazee Trio on the JP Licks patio and jazz from Groove Thang on the lawn of the Loring-Greenough House. Spontaneous Celebrations will have a Junk Percussion Band & Stiltwalkers as a taste of Wake-Up-the-Earth Day (May 3), marching from JP Licks to the South Street Mall.

Also, from 6:30-8pm "WORD ON THE STREET", Poetry Readings will be held at the FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH trailer (633 Centre Street) featuring Boston Poet Laureate, Sam Cornish, and poet Lisa Beatman, along with Boston City Councillor John Tobin, and Sandee Storey, M.C., Co-sponsored by Jamaica Pond Poets. Open Microphone sign-up begins 6pm.

See you tonight in Jamaica Plain!