On the Road - The Grand Finale Greenway Open Market - Boston, MA

Six trips up to Boston in one summer. It has been a great opportunity to share my jewelry, visit with wonderful friends, and meet new people. I definitely have the Greenway Open Market to thank for that. My last summer trip up to Boston started with an overnight stay at Jen Gubicza's home (of Zooguu). It was wonderful hearing about her recent experiences at Boston Comicon and seeing new works in progress. The Greenway Open Market on Saturday offered up lots o' sunshine and plenty of foot traffic. Though I was excited to start the day, it was also bittersweet because I knew it would be my last Greenway show of the season.

The Greenway Open Market - Boston, MA

A beautiful day at the Greenway!

You know it's going to be a great day when you start it off with a gift. "Captain Neon" came by and lit up my day with a squishy, flashing, starfish ring. It turns out, he volunteers a good amount of time in children's hospitals spreading joy with his visits and by handing out his trademark rings. Lisa DiMeo of Red Staggerwing was also thrilled to get one. We proudly sported our dazzling stars all day.

Captain Neon and my new flashing starfish ring

Lisa DeMio of Red Staggerwing and I were ring buddies at the Greenway.

My eyes kept getting drawn to a nearby booth where a gorgeous print with vibrant turquoise waves crashing against a slate grey and russet brown rocky shore caught my eye. I just had to walk over and meet the artist behind the seaside scene and I was so glad that I did! Hannah Phelps of Hannah Phelps Fine Art warmly greeted me and shared her artwork and fascinating work process. Hannah is inspired by working outside in the open air. Her landscape paintings, brushworks, and prints use a variety of techniques and reflect her deep appreciation of nature. I learned that the piece that caught my eye is called Private Wave and it was created out of carefully carved wooden pieces that jigsaw together. The carvings are meticulously inked and printed one piece at a time. How's that for skill, artistry, and a great understanding of composition? Learn more about her incredible techniques and see a great sampling of her work by visiting Hannah Phelps' website, blog, and Facebook page. 

Hannah Phelps of Hannah Phelps Fine Art

Private Wave - jigsaw reduction relief, oil on paper

The intricately carved pieces from Private Wave and Maine Wave

Over the past two weeks, I had been working non-stop to create new lockets, blinking doll eye necklaces, and new Fun 'n' Games rings for the Greenway. It was exciting filling my booth with an exciting selection of new jewelry.

lockets galore

blinking doll eye necklaces

Fun 'n' Games rings

I recently started incorporating vintage pinback buttons into my rings and they were a big hit at the show. It was fun seeing people carefully pick through and read each ring until they found their favorite.

Two rings are on their way to Copenhagen.

Fun 'n' Games and good friends

One customer was especially drawn to a necklace that featured a sweet 1940's novelty pin. I came to find out that she had a 1940's USO-style wedding. I got to hear all about all the special touches she included to make her guests feel like they stepped back in time, from vintage clothes and accessories to 1940's music and a reception in an old dance hall. I love it when the right piece finds the perfect person!

Pretty 1940's flair

In the Mood - pinback button necklace

It's a real treat to meet local creative people in Boston. Kathy Weller of WellerWishes visited my booth wearing the most adorable vintage necklace with baby blue plastic beads. Once we got to chatting, I learned that she is an illustrator who is starting one seriously cute revolution. When I got home and visited The WellerWishes World of Cute website, I was overcome with smiles. Kathy's whimsical world is filled with colorful dancing chicks in tutus, cats and dogs raining from the sky with umbrellas, and frosted cakes on pedestals in every color of the rainbow. Her adorable imagery adorns greeting cards, prints, phone cases, puzzles, and books. Since we loved each others work so much we decided to do a swap-a-roo. My favorite pieces (so far) are her Be the Change Ghandi art print and her Jive Cats Wall of Cats print. Before Kathy left, she snapped a few pics in my booth and featured me in her blog. How kind! Visit Wellerwishes' blog, website, and shop and be swept away in happiness!

Be the Change Ghandi art print

close up of Jive Cats Wall of Cats big art print

I would love to send a huge thanks to the organizers of the Greenway Open Market, the wonderful fellow artists at the show, and of course the incredible visitors for a summer filled with summer adventure and new connections. My very last show of the season is coming up this weekend:

Picnic Music and Arts Festival - August 24 - Portland, ME

Twitch and Whiskers has one INCREDIBLE line up for the fall and winter. Drum roll please...

Jamaica Plain Open Studios - September 21 & 22 - Jamaica Plain, MA

Crafty Bastards - September 28 & 29 - Washington DC

Craftopia - November 10 - Pawtucket, RI

Wellesley Marketplace - November 23  - Wellesley, MA

Craftland Holiday Show - November 27 through December 31 - Providence, RI

SoWa Holiday Market - December 14 & 15 - Boston, MA

Check back. More dates may be added! Visit Twitch and Whiskers on Facebook and Etsy for new items and updates. See you in Maine at Picnic this Saturday!