Latest Line of Chiyogami Products: Pocket Mirrors & Keychain Bottle Openers

by Jennifer Tang of MaJenta Designs

I just love creating with the gorgeous Japanese chiyogami papers! I love the intricate patterns and the way they reflect light and the beautiful array of colors they come in! My pendants and magnets have been hugely popular, but this time I wanted to expand my line of chiyogami products to accessories that make great practical gifts for daily use!

First off, I have these great keychain bottle openers! They are beautiful and fun and are great for those who need to organize their keys in style! It also serves a second purpose with its built in bottle opener back, which is great for those who want the practical aspect of a bottle opener keychain without appearing like a lush!

I also now offer great pocket mirrors as well! These are equally as stunning and vibrant! The mirror fits perfectly in your pocket, but also comes with a classy black velvet pouch, so you can keep the mirror in your purse as well without it getting dirty!

You can find either of these, as well as any of my other chiyogami products and Asian-inspired gifts in my MaJenta Designs online shop!

Grab your sketchbook!

by Nicole of Designs by Lulubelle


Reading through some of my usual craft blogs a while back, I found myself often reading about a new site, currently in beta, called Spoonflower. Spoonflower gives individuals and artists the opportunity to print their own designs on fabric that they can then use to make quilts, clothes, pillows, handbags, and other works of art.

I'm frequently sketching ideas I'd love to see on fabric and Spoonflower may be the way to make this happen. Although, I won't be seeing my name on the selvedge of a fabric bolt any time soon, it may be fun to see a swatch or a fat quarter with my own design.

An invitation is required during the beta phase, but I'm looking forward to seeing my ideas in print. Who knows, maybe there will be a few "limited edition" gifts under the tree this holiday season.

The current prices for fabric at Spoonflower are:
Swatch (8" x 8") $5.00
Fat quarter (21" x 18") $11.00
Per yard (42" x 36") $18.00
There is also a blog if you are interested in learning more.

Have fun designing!
-Nicole

Fashions From The Darkside 2008

by Jen of Blue Alvarez Designs

This is a quickie post about a show that I've done two years in a row now that happened on Sept. 19th - Fashions From The Dark Side!

This stuff is a little outside my regular purview, ranging into the goth and fetish scene (relax, this post is kid-appropriate). I didn't produce all the outfits I wanted to do, but most of the work I finished I was really happy with. Here are a few photos of the knits and pants I did, all courtesy of Mike Estes:










You can see more photos of other designers' fashions and the event itself on my blog and at Mike Estes' Myspace page.

This event is only once a year, but it's part of a weekly night at the Asylum in Portland, ME, called Plague. If you have even a passing familiarity with, say, NIN or Bauhaus, think black is pretty cool, and like to dance, you should check it out.

All in all the night was rockin', I danced my little black heart out, and even sold those kick ass gloves! On a scale of 1 to 11, I think this shot of Joie sums it up best:

REUSED REPURPOSED REINVENTED gallery talk TOMORROW @ Bunker Hill Community College Art Gallery

Bunker Hill Community College Art Gallery Presents

REUSED REPURPOSED REINVENTED:
An exhibit that explores the art of recycling
September 29 - November 8, 2008

Gallery Talk with Boston Handmade's Jessica Burko of Reclaimed To You and other exhibition artists: TOMORROW
Thursday, October 16,
1 - 2pm

Of the exhibition, Gallery Director Laura Mongomery says, “There is a nice mix of sculpture, collage, assemblage, installation, drawing, printmaking, painting, book art, and other media using cast-offs, appropriated materials, refuse, debris, and odd bits. The range of work is very exciting and the entire collection will hang well together to make our statement about the importance of this movement within the arts to reconsider, revalue, and reassign materials in art making.”

Works in various media that address the theme of REUSED REPURPOSED REINVENTED are on view by:

Jessica Burko, Bobby Busnack, Ian Churchill, Rebecca Davidson, Catherine Evans, Virginia Fitzgerald, Melissa Hanes, Mark Hartshorn, Anne Kirchheimer, Peter Madden, Charles Mathis, Veronica Morgan, Marianne Ramos, Ken Reker, A.E. Ryan, David Sholl, Tova Speter, Ed Tekeian, Ann Torke, Martin Ulman, Michael Ulman, Molly Van Niceexhibition photos from the opening reception by Jessica Burko

New Work...

by Marla of Sea Glass Things

Sea Glass Witch Earrings for Halloween...
I have created a bunch of these cute sea glass earrings with lead free pewter witch charms for the upcoming favorite holiday of Salem, MA - Halloween!
All a little bit different they have been a big hit so far and look adorable! I have three pair available in my store now with more on the way - so keep checking. Oh, and custom orders are always welcome!

Fall Fabrics

By Beth of Elizabeth Brennick Designs

The weather outside is getting colder the kids are back in school and I'm preparing for the upcoming holiday show season.

I just purchased some of Erin McMorris new line "Park Slope" she is part of the FreeSpirit family. I love her deigns and color choices and thought it would be a good fit for my own creations.

Here are some photos of these new items. A snuggle linen quilted scarf, a pretty peasant dress, and hip boots.

the 13th with thirteenthstory

by Jaye of thirteenth story.

This year I was proud to be hired to design the holiday card for the M + R Strategic Services local office.

There were a few different drafts, they were looking for something wintry and/or something New Englandy. So, if I remember correctly there was a snow design, a lighthouse design, and a design that incorporated some of the text from Robert Frosts' Blueberries poem.
This is the one they ultimately chose:

The biggest challenge in this one was to find something that complimented their logo, which has a very clean look and uses all cool colors. To me, the logo has an icy feel to it, and it was natural to use snowflakes for the holidays.

Thanks for looking,
Jaye

Boston Handmade was @ SoWa

by Colleen of Tactile Baby

The sun shone brightly and people came in droves to shop and browse at yesterday's SoWa Open Market.

The venue bustled with locals and tourists alike; picture perfect weather making this well established weekly event the perfect destination for an afternoon stroll.

Boston Handmade was out in force with a dozen tents and over 20 tables, showing off wares ranging from photography, toys, jewelry, fiber arts, ceramics, home accessories and apparel. Many members are regulars at this happening summer market, but for others it was their first opportunity to show market goers their work.

By all accounts the days was a resounding success! Thanks to Chris at the SoWa Open Market for your support of Boston Handmade and an extra special thanks to Kelley Morris & the Fallen Free and Joe Rich for providing shoppers with lively entertainment to accompany them while they perused the wide variety of goods on display!

What a fabulous way to send off summer! The SoWa Open Market runs 10am-4pm on Sundays through October 26th.

Boston Handmade Members exhibited at yesterday's market:

Arian of Arian.etsy.com
Ashli of PenguinLovePress.etsy.com
Beth of ElizabethBrennickDesigns.etsy.com
Betsy of StonehouseStudio.etsy.com
Christine of Chrisenc.etsy.com
Colleen of TactileBaby.etsy.com
Crystal of VintageByCrystal.etsy.com
Jaye of thirteenthstory.etsy.com
Jen of BlueAlvarez.etsy.com
Jennifer of MaJentaDesigns.etsy.com
Jessica of ReclaimedToYou.etsy.com
Kerry of Khawkinsphoto.etsy.com
Kirsten of KirstenBassion.etsy.com
Linda of LBranchD.etsy.com
Lisa of Glamourpuss.etsy.com
Liz of lushbeads.etsy.com
Louise of TheHoleThing.etsy.com
Lucie of Knight27.etsy.com
Marla of SeaGlassThings.etsy.com
Mimi of mck254.etsy.com
Nancy of Nancyrosetta.etsy.com
Sedie of sedruola.etsy.com

And check out posts about the day on blogs from our members:
Nancyrosetta
Christine Marie Art
K Hawkins Photography and Design