On the Road - SoWa Open Market

Sunday was a big day for me. It marked my last official craft show of the summer season. With a new classroom full of second graders coming just weeks away, I knew this was going to be my last hoorah before getting back into number two pencil mode. It was also a big day at the SoWa Open Market and Farmer's Market. They were throwing their 8th annual B.Good Family BBQ to benefit Art Street. Twenty bucks got you piles of outdoor food and drink. After a few light sprinkles in the wee hours of the morning, the rest of the day stayed dry and cool for people strolling about at the market. One of my early visitors set a fun tone for the day by showing me there is more than one use for a REcap bracelet.

that bracelet's got bite

delish

I got the warmest welcome ever from Pam Laurenzo of Black Sheep Designs. I met her about a year ago when I did my very first craft show in Newport. She reached out and was very encouraging to this nervous newbie. In addition to being in education like me, she also loves to reuse and repurpose vintage items in her jewelry. I adore her whimsical Junque Drawer necklaces with vintage toy license plates. She offers a great variety of one of a kind and limited edition earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. Her patinaed findings and brassy pendants are nicely paired with vintage beads and stones for a classy antiqued look with a fun twist. Pam's clever jewelry displays made from old books, bottles, wash boards, and other treasures make you feel like you're browsing around a curiosity shop. Make sure to visit her on Etsy and check her out at SoWa for a new take on old treasures.

Pam Laurenzo

for the lass who loves brass

What a clever display!

After hearing my friend Grace rave about Nathan Murrell's Highjacked Ceramics and unique decor, it was terrific to finally meet him and see his display. Nathan has a background in ceramics, sculpture, and bookbinding so it's no wonder his mixed media pieces and pottery blend a mishmshosh of materials and techniques. I was instantly drawn to his Post Office Box Reliquaries with combination doors that actually lock and have hidden space inside. Being a fan of found objects, I appreciated his use of metal decorative flowers, old glass bottles, and hand molds in his designs. When I picked up one of his Tea Tumblers, I was amazed at the patterned details and unique glazing. It turns out he rolls his clay over old wood block patterns and layers on glaze to achieve his antiqued look. Anyone who appreciates handmade creations with a nod to the past and a touch of the enigmatic should visit him at SoWa. Visit his online store and his blog to learn more about his work.

Nathan Murell

Post Office Box Reliquaries

glove mold magic

Every time I've done SoWa Open Market, I've been set up near the lovely Adrienne Midash of Magdalina Designs and her dazzling hair accessories. It was a treat to be across from her smiling face again! Feathers, sequins, and delicate beading embellish her handmade headbands, stretch bands, pins, and clips. As an experienced costume designer and a former dancer, she has a flare for the high design with high quality materials (with a very affordable price). Adrienne can also custom design the piece of your dreams for weddings, formal events, or any special occasion. She is currently donating a portion of her proceeds from her pink pieces to Susan G. Komen For the Cure. Come September her team will be doing the 3 Day for the Cure in San Francisco; a 60 mile walk to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research. Visit her at SoWa and online to add a bit of sparkle to your life or to help sponsor her walk.

Adrienne Colleen

the perfect accessory

a headband for any occasion

  I hadn't seen Carrie Wagner of Sepia Lepus since Brooklyn Craft Central's Shop the Archway show in May and it was a pleasure to see her again! Last time, we traded a pin for a necklace and I get tons of compliments every time I wear the adorably illustrated bear and squirrel pin of hers. As always, she offered a wide array of original illustrations, prints, cards, jewelry, magnets, and other pieces with her whimsical animals. Bunnies, bears, squirrels, and sea creatures fancifully romp across her work in imaginative scenes that evoke childhood storybook memories. Her creativity and skill won her the best costume award last year at SoWa's Market of the Living Dead last year. I can't wait to see the costume she comes up with for this year! Visit her Etsy store to get a peek into the world of Sepia Lepus.

Carrie Wagner

a great big wall o' adorableness

The Most Spooktacular Costume at SoWa - 2010

Since SoWa is known far and wide, you get a chance to chat with folks from all over. I was visited by a family from Toronto who were on vacation. One of the daughters tried most of the tin locket necklaces before deciding upon "Hazel's Garden"; a piece created out of a vintage witch hazel salve tin, a textured celluloid button, and flowers from an old forget-me-not bouquet. She liked the fact that the necklace was "two in one" because you can wear it with the lid on or off. She looked fabulous in the piece. Other necklaces went to happy homes including an "I'm a Little Deer" pendant created out of a child's tin pin, a brassy filigree embellishment, and old button. Kelsey, a dancer in the Boston Ballet and customer from The Greenway on Saturday, returned wearing a piece she got the day before called "My Dog Has Fleas." I'm so glad she swung by to say hi and I loved seeing the piece on her.

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"Hazel's Garden" with the lid off

vintage tin pin necklaces with button backs

"My Dog Has Fleas" with little red dog hidden inside

After SoWa, my friend Grace and I actually found time to do a little thrifting. I dug deep in the crates to find my husband Thom some vinyl to add to his already towering collection and Grace also scored some nice bargains. That night we settled in with leftovers from Pomodoro and enjoyed His Girl Friday on the tube. The next day, before heading back to Connecticut we had breakfast at Zaftigs, a fabulous Jewish deli in Brookline. As an ode to my half Jewish, half Chinese side, I had the Pacific Islander omelet with scallions, soy sauce, and mushrooms. It was very reminiscent of the breakfast eggs mom used to make.

well trained at diggin' in the crates

Pay no attention to the woman behind the napkin.

SoWa was a fine finale to my summer show schedule. Up next on the agenda: savor every last moment of the summer before school starts! Thanks to everyone who came out to show your support this summer. See you in the winter! In the meantime, visit my Etsy shop for more Twitch and Whiskers.


Here are a few places where you can find me this winter. More dates will be added soon!

November 11 & 12 -  Twist 7 - Holiday Fair - Northampton, MA


November 19 - The Wellesley Marketplace - Holiday Craft Festival - Wellesley, MA