On the Road - Hot Cup o' Handmade 3

Beautiful weather, relaxation, and time to create. Just when I thought my vacation week couldn't get any better, along came Hot Cup o' Handmade 3. It was the perfect way to kick off my spring and summer show season. I joined Grace Napoleon of Folk Couture and Jen Matlack of Milly Gilly Home and Garden (aka Daisy Chestnut) for a three artist trunk show at my favorite coffee shop - Molten Java in Bethel, CT. Molten's new glorious location was the ideal backdrop for our event. 

Molten Java menagerie

Grace and Jen go green

It was great cozying up to a drink and catching up with Jen. She displayed a lovely variety of terrariums and her famous garden spoons. Jen has a great knack for finding unique vessels for her plants and adding whimsical finishing touches. Read more about Jen in her Etsy Featured Seller interview and definitely visit her online shop to see how her garden grows.

springtime is served

someone to watch over you

I always enjoy seeing Grace's new creations. Her display was in full bloom with bursts of color and pattern for the spring. Our friend Karin stopped by and found the perfect Folk Couture dress for her upcoming art opening at the Mercurial Gallery. She looked gorgeous! Grace has a full show season ahead (including many shows we'll be doing together). Follow her Facebook to see where you can find her next.

off to an art opening

fresh florals

What I loved best about this show was that every hour, different friends (old and new) would pop by. I felt like I was on a sitcom with many celebrity guest appearances. Sue and her adorable daughter Aurelia swung by to say hello. Sue picked a "DIY" game piece ring. It was a perfect match for her because she's a real DIY kind of gal. This month she will be opening a vintage and handmade shop on Bank Street in New Milford called Vudu Micia. I can't wait to see what she has to offer! I also met Luisa, who works upstairs at Byrd's Books. It turns out I had two of her cousins as students and knew her mom (small world). She looked smashing in my favorite protractor necklace called "Bluebird's Return." 

Sue and Aurelie - two starlets on the stairs

game piece and wooden nickel ring

The lovely Luisa sports a protractor.

Bluebird's Return

Lys and Elizabeth brightened our day.

I enjoyed every moment of hanging out at Molten Java and cannot wait for the next Hot Cup o' Handmade. You can find me in NY, MA, and RI in May and June. Here is my schedule. Please swing by or visit my Etsy shop. I currently have an Etsy Trashion Team sale going on. The coupon code EARTH15 = 15% off at checkout. Hope to see you out and about!

Spring & Summer Show Schedule - 2012

It's my favorite time of year when I get to hit the road and set up shop at some of my favorite shows, festivals, and fairs. Below is a listing of dates. More dates will be added soon!

Tuesday, April 17th - Hot Cup o' Handmade - Molten Java - Bethel, CT 

Friday/Saturday, May 11th & 12th - Twist - Northampton, MA

Saturday, May 19th - Crafts in Chelsea - NY

Saturday, May 26th - Greenway Open Market - Opening Day! - Boston, MA

Sunday, June 3rd - StART on the Street - Worcester, MA

Saturday/Sunday June 9th & 10th - Festival Fete - Garden City Art Festival - Cranston, RI

Saturday, June 16th - Arts Fest Beverly - Beverly, MA

Sunday, June 24th - Smith Street Sunday Funday - Brooklyn, NY


Saturday, July 7th - Greenway Open Market - Boston, MA


Saturday, August 4th - Greenway Open Market - Boston, MA


Visit Twitch and Whiskers on Facebook and Etsy for a sneak peek of new items, promos, and giveaways.

Designing with the Daisies - Upycled Jewelry Workshop

Earth Day is just around the corner. I've been a busy bee around my school getting ready for projects, celebrations, and a fashion show. Yesterday, I got to end my school day with 17 enthusiastic Daisies and piles of recyclables. To help these 5 and 6 year-olds earn their eco-themed badges, I visited their meeting to chat about the 3 R's and how to save the Earth in creative ways. I started by reading one of my favorite green-themed books, Round and Round Again by Nancy Van Laan. The girls shared what they do at home and school to help our planet and I let them explore some of my upcycled jewelry. After that, we got straight to work making REcap bracelets (out of Crayola marker caps) and pendants out of playing cards and paper scraps.

The best way to count to 5!

cap-tivating

collaging on top of playing cards

reusing greeting cards

By the end of our workshop, the Daisies looked dazzling in their necklaces and bracelets. They were more than happy to share their clever creations.

I was so proud of the girls and loved every moment of crafting with them! I look forward to spreading the passion for trashion at two more upcoming events in Fairfield. 

Please join my Burr Elementary School Roots & Shoots Members and the Fairfield Warde fashion students for our annual Trashy Fashion Show at Fairfield's Earth Day Celebration on April 28th. I will also be doing an upcycled jewelry workshop at Fairfield Wood's Arts in Action Day in May. I can't wait!

My next show is a local one. Join Folk Couture, Milly Gilly House & Garden, and Twitch and Whiskers at Molten Java in Bethel for Hot Cup o' Handmade 3. Psst....mention the code word "hometown" and get 20% off all your purchases! A full May schedule is coming soon!

Fun and Games - Upcycled Jewelry Workshop at The Toy Room

Yesterday was the annual Bethel Blooms Festival and Art Walk. Though the weather wasn't the most cooperative for an outdoor festival, it was perfect for a rainy day activity with five enthusiastic girls at The Toy Room. I brought bags and boxes full of game pieces, marker caps, scraps of paper, and other discarded treasures for an upcycled jewelry workshop. The girls got to work right away making rings, bracelets, earrings, pins, and necklaces out of items like Trivial Pursuit pieces, BINGO chips, magnetic fridge letters, and old toys. By the end of the hour and a half workshop, these trashionistas left with many one-of-a-kind accessories. Going green has never been more colorful and creative!

Why yes,those are Trivial Pursuit earrings!

Looking marvelous in marker caps.

Cousins with dozens of clever ideas.

Ahoy ladies! Uncover treasures at The Toy Room.

The Toy Room is always brimming full of new, fabulous toys. Swing by to pick up the perfect gift or like them on Facebook to find out about other great events coming up. 

I'll be back in Bethel on Tuesday, April 17th. Hot Cup o' Handmade 3 will be happenin' at Molten Java from 2-9 pm. Spread the word!

What should I make with these amoeba-like shapes? Enter April's Facebook contest to win a $20 gift certificate!

Follow Twitch and Whiskers on Facebook for updates (new contest JUST posted for April) and visit my Etsy shop for new finds.