Monday Mosaic: Land, Sea and Air

curated by Sharon Fischer/Stray Notions

1. Little Bunny, 4"x4" photoprint. great for a child's room, by KHawkins Photography

2. Koi - goldfish - embroidered pendant necklace, by Stray Notions

3. Original collage with encaustic and upcycled materials, by Jessica Burko

4. Dog Collar in Aww Nuts an Exclusive Design, by Cody's Creations

5. Bronze Viking Turtle brooch - Single, by Prunella's Workshop

6. Sterling Silver Dragonfly Silhouette Pendant with CZs by Cristina Hurley

What a day it was! Boston Handmade at Jamaica Plain Open Studios 2013

by Lucie of Lucie Wicker Photography

And what a weekend it was! This year marked the 20th anniversary of Jamaica Plain Open Studios and Boston Handmade was representing all over town including at a group site on Eliot Street in my parents' yard! The weather was gorgeous and the crowds were steady all day both days. We had a fantastic time hanging out in the sunshine, chatting with visitors and selling our work. A good time was had by all and I'm looking forward to next year already!

Why Handmade: Old Friends, New Friends

by Lynn Mohney of Prunella’sWorkshop

Saying goodbye is always bittersweet, especially when we know our friends and compatriots are on their way to new exciting adventures. So it is with heavy heart, Boston Handmade says goodbye to one of our own, as Karen Mahoney of City By the Sea Ceramics moves on. She has a wonderful opportunity to move to Oregon, where she will continue on making beautiful ceramic pottery.

Hokusai Tea Bowl by City By the Sea Ceramics

Please join with me, as I wish Karen all the luck and happiness in her future endeavors. She is an amazing artist, and I am positive she will find success where ever she goes. I actually first encountered Karen before I joined Boston Handmade. Her husband was selling her work at StART at the Station, in Worcester, MA. My intention had not been to purchase anything, but rather to scope out the venue to determine if I wanted to be a vendor there in the future. However, City By the Sea Ceramics was selling yarn bowls, and after a brief demonstration, I was positive this was an item my mother needed as a holiday gift. Imagine my delight, when I finally got to meet the artist behind the piece!

Yarn Bowl by City By the Sea Ceramics

Though Karen’s sense of humor could never be replaced, I am pleased to also welcome our new friend, Laurie Lynn of Beryllina. While we have not had the opportunity to meet in person, I know we will have plenty to talk about, as Laurie Lynn is a metal smith who hand crafts high quality jewelry utilizing certified recycled silver, gold, and platinum and stones mined in the United States. She has even mined some of her stones herself.

recycled sterling silver dogwood ring by Beryllina

We are glad to have Laurie Lynn as our newest member, and hope that you will check out her beautiful art. Perhaps she will even play a little blue grass for us!

Colorado amethyst agate and Montana sapphire recycled sterling silver pendant by Beryllina

Monday Mosaic: Red White and Blue

curated by Jessica Burko

Hey Boston! Show your red, white, and blue by voting tomorrow: Tuesday, September 24.
Find your polling location here: http://www.cityofboston.gov/elections/voter/

Handmade items above were created by:
Lush Beads, Moon man beaded necklace
City by the Sea Ceramics, White Mug
The Patterned Peacock, Bird Cage Art Print
Abagail Leigh Handbags, iPad 2 & 3 case sleeve cover
Lush Beads, Bridal cuff
K. Hawkins Photography, Schwinn Bike seat photo print

Why Handmade: Cristina Hurley Gallery

by Lynn Mohney of Prunella’s Workshop

In the heart of Canton, Massachusetts there is an unassuming storefront called the Cristina Hurley Gallery. If you are not careful, you might drive or walk right by, but if you dare to enter you will find absolute magic.

photo by Cristina Hurley

That was what I experienced this last past weekend, when I had the joy of having a trunk show in Cristina’s shop. Potential customers would enter, and begin perusing the various handmade merchandise, created by artists and craftspeople in Massachusetts. They were always quiet at first, but by the time they made their purchase they were part of the family. It seemed near impossible to not get roped in to the infectious laughter permeating through the room. Whether the important topic of conversation was the Muppets or Pandora’s music selection, it seemed customers had something to add and felt comfortable joining in on the fun.

Lynn Mohney getting a little silly at the Cristina Hurley Gallery; photo by Cristina Hurley

Cristina Hurley Gallery may be the dream of one woman, the feeling of family and community was. Cristina’s mother and sister stopped in frequently, and with them a feeling of warmth and happiness. Cristina’s employee is the mother of a mutual friend and member of Boston Handmade. Members of Boston Handmade created the majority of the work showcased in Cristina’s shop.

photo by Cristina Hurley

Cristina’s jeweler’s bench is located right in the store, in the back corner, where anyone could walk in off the street and actually watch her own work come to life. This, of course, was a natural place for me to gravitate, being a metal smith myself. Cristina immediately apologizes that her work area is messy, but it was anything but chaos. Everything had its reason for being right where it was, and what was more fascinating, their reasons for being where they were was similar to my own organization!

Cristina Hurley's bench - photo by Cristina Hurley

If you are in Canton, you need to stop by. You will be greeted by people with laughter and fun in their hearts. Come see the exceptional art and craftsmanship in Cristina’s jewelry, or view the other creations her shop has to offer, from dog collars to photography to handbags. Cristina is waiting for you!

Cristina Hurley Gallery is located at 554 Washington Street, Canton, MA 02021

Boston Handmade at the Jamaica Plain Open Studios

by Abby at Abigail Leigh Handbags

Jamaica Plain Open Studios is celebrating 20 years this Saturday, September 21st and Sunday, September 22nd from 11am to 6pm!!! There will be a wide range of artists throughout the town and a bike tour. A map can be found here along with more information. Among the artists that will be at Jamaica Plain Open Studios we have 7 Boston Handmade members selling their fabulous art, jewelry, pottery and yarn.

Jessica Burko will be at Red Sun Press, 94 Green Street

City By The Sea Ceramics will be at 19 Eliot Street

Kerry Hawkins Photography will be at 19 Eliot Street

Lady Dye Fiber Arts will be at the Eliot School of Fine and Applied Arts, 24 Eliot Street

Linkouture will be at 19 Eliot Street

Lucie Wicker Photography will be at 19 Eliot Street

Stray Notions at The Brewery, 284 Amory Street

It seems like Jamaica Plain is the place to be this weekend, don't miss it!! 

Monday Mosaic: Shimmering Cooper

Curated by Kerry Hawkins

1. Bohemian Paisley by The Patterned Peacock.
2. Freshwater Pearl Earrings - Silver Chainmaille Earrings with Orangy-Peach Freshwater Pearls by Linkouture
3. Blue Brown Gold Medallion Print Pleated Leigh Wallet Gaget Case by abigailleigh
4. Original collage with encaustic and upcycled materials by JessicaBurko

Triumphant return of the Boston Handmade Holiday Gallery

We've been giddy with excitement here at Boston Handmade HQ about the unveiling of plans for our 2013 Boston Handmade Holiday Gallery, this year in Brookline Village!

3/8 Wide Collar for Cat or Tiny Puppy by Gallery Exhibitor Cody's Creations

A wide variety of unique items created in a range of media will be available during four action-packed weeks from Black Friday through Christmas Eve (November 29 - December 24), Tuesdays through Saturdays, 11am to 7pm. We've partner with PopUp Republic, a social media marketing company just for pop-up ventures, to create this holiday home for all things unique, high quality, locally made and handcrafted.

Fiber art weather map by Gallery Exhibitor Stray Notions

The 2013 Boston Handmade Holiday Gallery will be located in Brookline Village at 2 Brookline Place, directly across from the Brookline Village Green Line T stop. The Gallery will be brimming with limited edition and one-of-a-kind items including hand crafted jewelry, clothing, accessories, home goods, art, photography, holiday décor, and toys - - perfect for holiday gift giving!

Pleated handbag by Gallery Exhibitor Abigail Leigh Handbags

Gallery exhibitors will be available on a rotating basis to speak with shoppers about their handcrafted items on display and fine art and craft techniques. Our Holiday Gallery, as with all of our programming, promotes local independent businesses and individuals creating handmade works in small studios, and in addition to providing a retail venue for local artists and craftspeople we will also be scheduling hands-on craft activities throughout the month of December. 

Champagne Pearl Pendant on Handwoven Sterling Silver Chain by Gallery Exhibitor Linkouture

 

Let this exciting announcement be your call to make The 2013 Boston Handmade Holiday Gallery the first and last stop for your holiday shopping, and make 2013 the season of handmade!