On the Road - Free Book Adrenaline Rush, The Final Greenway of the Season, and a Very Special Visitor

While driving up to Boston on Friday night, the long week got the best of me and I started to feel a bit tired behind the wheel. Just as I entertained the though of finding a place to pull over, a familiar sign came up in the distance. Oh you know the one:

THE sign

If you have driven up from the Connecticut area to Boston, I'm sure you have seen this sign before. And if you are anything like me, you probably thought, "I really should check out that place someday" or "I wonder what it's like in there." I decided to end the mystery and pulled off the Union exit on 84. 

Traveler Food and Books - Union, CT

Once you go through the foyer, you are greeted by long shelves of books and the cash register to the right. Walk a little further in and the room opens up into a main dining area and of course many more book shelves, nooks, and cubbies.

bookcases everywhere

The serving staff was friendly and the menu was filled with many traditional diner favorites. I decided to go with a baked haddock dinner, which came with a large salad and a heaping bowl of mashed potatoes and gravy. I was very happy with the meal and welcomed the comfort food on that chilly fall night, but the best was yet to come. 

But wait! There's more!

When I inquired about the pricing of the books, Jamie my waitress told me that I got 3 free books from upstairs free with my meal!
She also pointed me in the direction of the downstairs. It was filled with a large used bookstore. As soon as I was done with dinner, I dashed around the upstairs and picked out two freebies from the kid's shelf and one adult book. Then I headed downstairs and was pleasantly surprised by how large and organized the shop was. They had everything from children's books and fiction to a first edition Liberace coffee table book (feathers and sparkles galore) and a repro of an old Montgomery Ward catalog. I left with a full belly and a free book adrenaline rush. The second half of my drive to Cambridge flew by and I arrived in safe and sound.

Jamie and my free books

treasures down below

Bright and early the next day,I headed to the Greenway. The morning started with a c-c-cold bite but it did warm up a bit. It was an ideal day to enjoy the beauty of fall in New England.

The Greenway Open Market

Prime seating at the Greenway

Before the show started, I took a quick stroll down the Greenway met one incredible jewelry designer. Jenny Young of Fire Sand Designs offered delicate, yet durable glass link jewelry. The bright colors and link shapes reminded me of vintage celluloid  necklaces from the 30's. When I picked up her pieces, all thoughts of brittle, breakable glass disappeared. I was pleasantly surprised by the strength and light feel of the links. This can be attributed to Jenny's highly skilled process of manipulating borosilicate glass under a very hot flame. The result is pure elegance. You really must experience Jenny's pieces for yourself! Visit Fire Sand Designs' website to see a beautiful array of earrings, bracelets, and necklaces.

Jenny Young of Fire Sand Designs

simply gorgeous

bold geometric earrings

lovely links

Before the end of the day, a fun variety of Twitch and Whiskers pieces went home with happy customers, including a Shirley Temple necklace, lockets, and Thimblism necklaces.

An Original (left) - sold

Hot and Cold (left) - sold

Luxorious - rouge compact locket - sold

The absolute best part of the day came as a big surprise. Midway through the show, a familiar face popped by. It was a student from my second grade classroom in Connecticut. His family was also in Boston for the weekend so they came by for a quick hello. My friend's warm smile and hug cleared the fall chill out of the air and kept me energized for the rest of the day.

my favorite visitor

This show was the perfect ending to my outdoor season. I have a few weeks off until my next show. It's time to harness the power of my inner elf and get makin'! I look forward to sharing new one of a kind jewelry with you during the holidays. Feel free to contact me if you want something specially made. I hope to see you soon!

Twitch and Whiskers Holiday Schedule:

November 2 & 3 - Twist - Northampton, MA
November 10 - The Park School - Brookline Marketplace -  Brookline, MA
November 11 - Craftopia - Providence, RI
December 8 & 9 - SoWa Holiday Market - Boston, MA

*more shows may be added soon 

You can find Twitch and Whiskers baubles at the following stores:

Craftland (Nov. and Dec. holiday show) - Providence, RI
Peter Lawrence Gallery (Nov. to early Jan show) - Gaylordsville, CT
Vudu Micia - New Milford, CT
English Apothecary - Bethel, CT
Aquvii - Tokyo, Japan (if you're in the area!)

Follow Twitch and Whiskers on Facebook for updates.
 

On the Road - The Greenway Open Market

After school on Friday, I loaded up the car, and headed off to Boston with my partner in crime. It's been a long time since Thom has gone to a show with me, and it was great to have my favorite person in tow. On Saturday morning, we were greeted at the Greenway Open Market by a dog playing in the sprays of the Rings Fountain and brisk fall weather.

my gent in the tent

goings on at the Greenway

I had recently acquired a batch of gorgeous rouge compacts from the 1920's and 1930's and turned them into new colorful lockets. I couldn't wait to display my new pieces with figural and floral accents.

Painted Lady, Night Owl, and Filly Folly

insides

About a year ago, I went to the World Maker Faire in NYC to watch my husband's band perform. When I got to the grand event, I made a beeline for the BUST Craftacular tent village to check out the handmade wares. My favorite jewelry designer by far at the show had to be Hannah Wood of Black Black Moon. Since then, I have bumped into Hannah over and over again at shows in the Northeast. I adore her vintage-inspired jewelry with touches of steam punk design. Antiqued and filigree finishes, brassy creatures, and mysterious ephemera adorn her unique pieces.  Hannah is the proud two time recipient of an Editor's Choice Award at the World Maker Faire and she won first prize last year for best vendor costume at SoWa's Market of the Living Dead. The next time you're at the Greenway or SoWa, enter Hannah's curiosity shop of fabulous accessories.

Hannah Wood of Black Black Moon

vintage crane scissor necklaces = gorgeous

butterfly beauties

While dashing through the Greenway, something amazing made me slam on the brakes. It was a vibrant skirt with a hand cut, kaleidoscopic design in pink, green, blue, and purple. I just had to meet the genius behind the skirt and was pleasantly surprised to find a designer as radiant as her clothes. Rachel Sherman's Malagueta clothing line is named after a tiny red pepper that grows in Brazil and pays homage to her Brazilian born mother. Rachel uses a mix of applique and sewing techniques to create her nature and industrial inspired pieces. You can see a clever hand behind each stitch and snip. Visit her website to see a wide variety of her dresses, tops, and skirts and treat yourself to a piece of wearable art.

Rachel Sherman of Malagueta

WANT!

stunning one of a kind touches

Lockets were the big seller this week for me at the Greenway. I always love watching customers open each one to discover hidden treasures inside. For the upcoming holiday season, I will have a whole bevy of new lockets, pinback button necklaces, brooch necklaces, and other OOAK creations.

Violets Are Blue, Port of Call (sold), and Garden Jewel

insides

Evening Glances (3rd from left) and Plucking My Heartstrings (far right) both sold

Twitch and Whiskers Holiday Schedule:

November 2 & 3 - Twist - Northampton, MA
November 10 - The Park School - Brookline Marketplace -  Brookline, MA
November 11 - Craftopia - Providence, RI

December 8 & 9 - SoWa Holiday Market - Boston, MA

*more shows may be added soon

You can find Twitch and Whiskers baubles at the following stores:

Craftland (Nov. and Dec. holiday show) - Providence, RI
Peter Lawrence Gallery (Nov. to early Jan show) - Gaylordsville, CT
Vudu Micia - New Milford, CT
English Apothecary - Bethel, CT
Aquvii - Tokyo, Japan (if you're in the area!)

Follow Twitch and Whiskers on Facebook for updates.
Visit my Etsy shop or let me custom make a piece for you!

On the Road - Jamaica Plain Open Studios

What's the best way to welcome in the first glorious fall weekend? In my opinion, it's walking through streets filled with art, artisans, and open studios. Jamaica Plains Open Studios offered all of that and more and I was proud to be a part of it.

the perfect fall day a JPOS

This two day event took place in one of the most art-friendly communities I've ever visited. Free maps were available all over JP, pinpointing over 50 locations where you could meet and mingle with tons of artists and have the chance to purchase incredible handmade wares. I was located at the Brewery - the Samuel Adams Brewery to be exact. In the courtyard you could find ceramics, photography, prints, paintings, mixed media pieces, fiber arts, sculptures, and of course jewelry. People were drawn to this happenin' location not only for the arts, but also for the beer tours, studios located adjacent to the brewery, live music, and  local hot spot Ula Cafe.

The Samuel Adams Brewery

live music at the brewery

What's round, and elegant, and has wings? Why, it's Caroline Golden's gorgeous bird earrings. I was conveniently situated across from the C.E. Golden booth and was totally mesmerized by Caroline's earrings all weekend. Upon closer look at her jewelry, I found even more to love including delicately hand pierced silver pendants with birds on a wire and trees, and earrings that integrate vintage Bakelite elements. Caroline offers the perfect blend of a modern and vintage aesthetic. I was thrilled to find out that I would see her again at Twist in November. Discover the lovely world of C.E. Golden by visiting their website and Etsy shop. You too will be mesmerized!

Caroline of C.E. Golden

earrings - Bakelite YES!

hand punched silver pendants

vintage inspired lovelies

Nothing beats having a great neighbor at a show and I really lucked out at JPOS. Karen Mahoney of City by the Sea Ceramics was a delight to hang out with for the weekend. Karen's ceramics are influenced by Asian design and you can see it in her elegant shapes. Simple, yet well-crafted elements such as mug handles that curve around your fingers, and cozy rope textures on surfaces make her pieces artful yet accessible. You can easily picture her ceramics gracing the table of any home and becoming old favorites. I loved Karen's whimsical yarn bowls with swirling cut outs. They would make the perfect gift for the knitter or crocheter in your life. Check out City By the Sea's website and Etsy page for a wonderful array handcrafted pieces.

Karen of City by the Sea Ceramics

How cool is the yarn bowl?

mugs galore

tea pot and mug

I loved the vibe at JPOS and met so many interesting people at my booth. I got the feeling that the community highly anticipates and supports the event each year. I had a chance to display a large collection of new necklaces upcycled out of vintage pinback buttons and plastic buckles. I have been deconstructing old plastic, lucite, celluloid, and Bakelite necklaces for their beads and making chunky, colorful bead chains with the vibrant pieces. Customers left with a variety of pieces including lockets, Thimblism necklaces, Fun 'n' Games rings, REcap bracelets, and the new pinback button necklaces. I especially enjoyed seeing so many families strolling about and meeting many artists from the area.

Twitch and Whiskers at Jamaica Plains Open Studios

seein' stars

new vintage button pin and buckle necklaces

a customer lookin' pretty in a Thimblism necklace (and matching my sign!)

looking lovely in a vintage Shredded Wheat button pin necklace

an adorable family with a new Thimblism necklace

a 3 year old beauty sporting a Fun 'n' Games ring

My ONLY regret about JPOS was that I didn't get to walk around town and take in the sights myself. Looks like I will have to bring a helper next year so I can peruse all that is wonderful in Jamaica Plain. What a fabulous show!


Here is where you can find me in the months to come. 


October 6 - Greenway Open Market - Boston, MA
October 13 - Greenway Open Market - Boston, MA

November 2 & 3 - Twist - Northampton, MA
November 10 - The Park School - Brookline Marketplace -  Brookline, MA
November 11 - Craftopia - Providence, RI

December 8 & 9 - SoWa Holiday Market - Boston, MA

*more shows may be added soon

You can find Twitch and Whiskers baubles at the following stores:

Craftland (Nov. and Dec. holiday show) - Providence, RI
Vudu Micia - New Milford, CT
English Apothecary - Bethel, CT
Aquvii - Tokyo, Japan (if you're in the area!)

You can find a small sampling of what I have available in my Etsy shop. Feel free to email me if you would like something special. I do custom orders!