On the Road - SoWa Open Market - Opening Day 2014 - Boston, MA

Since April, I had been excitedly counting down the days to one of my favorite markets in New England - SoWa Open Market. May 4th was the big opening day and my first outdoor show of the spring 2014 season. I dusted off my tent, loaded up my car, and headed up to Boston.

SoWa Open Market - Boston, MA

Twitch and Whiskers at SoWa Opening Day 2014

I readied myself for the big day by creating some spring-inspired necklaces out of vintage pinback buttons, protractors, Vari Vue lenticular cards, vintage figural brooches, and brass drawer pulls.

spring inspired pinback button and protractor necklaces

Vari Vue - lenticular necklaces

Birds of a feather - protractor and brass drawer pull necklaces

I have a soft spot for jewelry designers who incorporate vintage  elements into their work. I think that's why I adore Emrys Handcrafted Fynery. Jillian and Nick Perry create unique jewelry with antiqued filigree stampings, old imagery from vintage books, and classy cameos. Their gorgeous resin cast necklaces and brooches encase woodland creatures, storybook characters, and Victorian ephemera. Comic book heroes and classic video game characters can be found in their schnazzy cufflinks. Emrys Handcrafted Fynery is well known for their finely crafted leather goods. Their leather wrapped flasks and ornate cuffs are real show stoppers. Jillian and Nick's jewelry appeals to lots of folks from Comicon regulars and steampunks to video game enthusiasts and Doctor Who fans. You can find them all summer at SoWa Open Market and Greenway Open Market. To see their entire show schedule and all of their wonderful work, follow them on Facebook and Etsy!

Jillian and Nick Perry of Emrys Handcrafted Fynery

cuff links with character

luscious leather cuffs

It's always nice to get friendly visits at the market. Whimsical  art doll artist Mimi Kirchner and husband Ben swung by with smiles and a hello. We chatted about her most recent creation - a fox with the most adorable handmade field bag and binoculars. I also got a BIG surprise visit from one of my first customers EVER - Allie and her husband Ted. I met Allie at the Connecticut Indie Craft Extravaganza many moons ago and it lead to creating a custom piece for her out of family heirlooms. It was so nice to see her again after all these years!

A visit from Ben and the very crafty Mimi Kirchner

Surprise hellos from Ted and Allie

I enjoyed meeting so many customers at SoWa who shared my affinity for vintage and kitschy items. A fun mix of pieces went home with happy customers, including Hob Knob rings (made out of vintage guitar knobs), Fun 'n' Games rings (made out of pinback buttons), one of a kind upcycled necklaces, and tin compacts.

Turn up the volume in a Hob Knob ring

Cute in a kitschy pinback button ring

How can you not smile in a hot dog necklace?

Lucky Heart - 1930's pomade tin locket

SoWa was the perfect start to my outdoor show season.  Thanks to all the artists, organizers, customers, and visitors who made the first day such a memorable one. I look forward to returning to SoWa again this summer. Here's a listing of my upcoming shows:

June 14 - Arts Fest Beverly - Beverly, MA
June 29 - SoWa Open Market - Boston, MA
July 13 - SoWa Open Market - Boston, MA
July 27 - SoWa Open Market - Boston, MA
More dates are in the works!
 
Follow Twitch and Whiskers on Facebook and Etsy for new creations and updates.

See you in June!