On the Road - Jamaica Plain Open Studios - Jamaica Plain, MA

Two weekends ago, I headed up to the Boston-area for one incredible show. It was my second time participating in Jamaica Plains Open Studios and this year I set up tent at the Eliot School of Fine & Applied Arts. Many Eliot School teachers/artisans were set up inside the historic school and over a dozen other artists circled the front lawn. Though grey clouds threatened stormy weather at times, the weekend ended up providing us with sunshine and clear skies. It was fun being set up next to fellow Danbury artist Grace Napoleon of Folk Couture and we both enjoyed the steady flow of enthusiastic visitors.

Eliot School of Fine & Applied Arts

Twitch and Whiskers and Folk Couture at JPOS

In addition to amazing handmade goods, live music and a sea of bubbles drew people onto the lawn of the Eliot School throughout the day. I had a perfect view of Bubble Man Jim Dichter and loved watching both kids and adults flash soapy smiles.

Live music from the Old Time Rips on the lawn of the Eliot School

Bubble Man Jim Dichter

On the Eliot School lawn, I had the pleasure of meeting a gal who melts (quite literally) for nostalgia. Breezy days at the beach on Cape Cod, vintage treasures, and sweet childhood memories playfully blend together in the mixed media work of Bumble Belly Designs. Amy Keller's encaustic works layer a special heated beeswax and resin medium with vintage ephemera, whimsical drawings, skillfully cut paper silhouettes, and pigments. The wax gently veils some details in the background while bringing others to the forefront. The result is work that is both dreamy and slightly mysterious. My favorite piece of Amy's is called The Heart Outside Yourself. A mother's heart strings are delicately tethered to her children with a sea of snipping scissors below. It reminds us of how precious and fragile our connections to others can be. In addition to one of a kind artwork, Amy offers prints and waxed minis of her originals. Amy also makes pillows and tea towels with vintage images and clever word themes. To see her whole array of artwork and to find out where you can find Bumble Belly Designs during the holiday season, swing by Amy's website, blog, Facebook page, and Etsy shop. You will be absolutely enchanted!

Amy Keller of Bumble Belly Designs

a whole lotta childhood charm

The Heart Outside Yourself

Old MacDonald Pillows by Bumble Belly Designs

I brought to JPOS a new batch of Fun 'n' Games rings. I always enjoy watching people identify the familiar game pieces and read the funny sayings on the vintage pinback buttons.

Fun 'n' Games rings

Smiles with style!

Visitors really enjoyed my new game board display made by my clever, clever husband. It helped me to showcase some new pinback button and dexterity game necklaces. Some of my favorite quirky pieces went home with happy customers.

new game board display

Looking out of this world in an outer space themed dexterity game necklace

Bravery at the Dentist necklace - and according to this gal...she earned it!

It really was one busy weekend and I enjoyed sharing my vintage compact lockets, tin car necklaces, and brooch assemblages with the lovely ladies of JP.

She's the cat's meow!

Ready to stop traffic in a U-Turn necklace

Gorgeous and golden in a vintage brooch necklace.

Author Christine McDonnell is full of car-risma and creativity.

Over the past few years, I've been fortunate enough to get to know and become friends with some of my wonderful customers. Last year, I met Jack and his mom Erin at the Brewery during JPOS. It turns out that Jack is quite the jewelry designer and all around cool, creative kid! Jack, his brother Kieran, and Erin made my day with a special visit. Erin looked gorgeous in her new compact locket. 

I recently met Lisa through my Etsy shop. We worked together to design a variety of custom made thimblism necklaces. She came by looking adorable in her hot dog thimblism necklace and introduced me to her sweet kids Max and Anya. They not only taught me how to make Rainbow Loom bracelets, but also made me a special one to perfectly match my outfit. I'm one lucky duck and that's one fabulous family!

Jack, Erin, and Kieran brightened my day in JP.

Lisa and her colorful, creative kids Max and Anya!

rainbow wrists

Thank you to the organizers of Jamaica Plain Open Studios, the talented artists, and numerous visitors for making the weekend a fabulous one. I am counting down the days to JPOS next year!

Come November, I have a busy holiday show season and I hope to see you out and about! 

Brookline Marketplace - November 9 - Brookline, MA

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

For updates, sales, and pics of new pieces, follow Twitch and Whiskers on Facebook and Etsy.

On the Road - Craftopia - Pawtucket, RI

The first craft show of the season feels very much like the first day of school. There's a lot of excitement, build up, and butterflies about jumping back into the crafty life after a long winter of being cooped up inside. You frantically create new pieces to sell, make a million to do lists, and pack (and repack) your car with a little voice in the back of your mind saying, "I just know I forgot something." As soon as I pulled up to Craftopia in Pawtucket and got a bunch of hugs from my creative friends, all that tension just melted away and I felt ready to play again.

A royal welcome from Craftopia's Kim in a Heart of Assemblage crown.

Craftopia 2013

This was my second time participating in Craftopia at Hope Artiste Village. The long hallways and greenhouse room were packed to the brim with talented artists, crafters, and makers from all over the northeast. I got a fun surprise visit from my pal Stacey. She looked incredible in her Folk Couture dress and received compliment after compliment from visitors at the show.

Zooguu and SepiaLepus at Craftopia

Stacey working it in Folk Couture

Whenever I see Red Staggerwing Designs at shows I am mesmerized by the array of gorgeous fabrics. Lisa DeMio puts clever twists on classic bag shapes and accessories with careful attention to detail. Since 2009, this New Hampshire artist has been sewing up a storm for her line. Vibrant patterns, clever textile combinations, and high quality hardware sets her designs apart from the everyday. At Craftopia, my eyes instantly gravitated toward her bright red and orange poppy clutch with digitally printed fabric unique to her collection. Her Urban Tote Bags were real show stoppers. Their spacious size, durable design, and patterned linings make them the ultimate go-to bag for work and play. It's always a joy to see Lisa at shows because she's such an upbeat and friendly gal. When I met her son Matt at the show, it came as no surprise that he too was a real gem (Thanks for the taco run Matt!). Shop Red Staggerwing on Etsy and visit their Facebook page to see where you can find these fab bags during the spring and summer craft show season.

Lisa DeMio of Red Staggerwing Design

Poppy clutches pop with vibrant color.

Beautiful form meets function - Urban Tote Bags

A basket of soft, smiling, striped kitties. It's enough to make anyone melt on the spot. Visit Arlette Laan Fiber Creation's booth and you too will be caught up in some serious cute. This Massachusetts artist, originally from the Netherlands is a real globe trekker who has a passion for sewing and photography. I got to hear about her recent adventures in Patagonia and Antarctica (Too cool, right?). Arlette loves to tinker with fabric and takes inspiration from the colors and patterns around her. Each of her sock dolls' personalities are revealed in the hand stitched details. Bold button eyes, expressive lips, clever embroidered features, and whimsical hair make each one unique. I picked up a striped Kitty and Smiley doll with long ears for an upcoming baby shower but the longer I have these dolls, the more I want to keep them for myself! It really goes to show you that Arlette's soft toys are perfect for kids of all ages. Swing by her website, Facebook page, and Flickr gallery to explore Arlette's whimsical world.

Arlette Laan of Arlette Laan Fiber Creations

kitten smitten

a lineup of quirky characters

I was so excited to display new Twitch and Whiskers pieces at Craftopia. A steady stream of friendly shoppers kept the day exciting. Thimblism necklaces, rouge compact lockets, protractor necklaces, and Fun 'n' Games rings went home with many happy customers at the show. One special gal loved the Sealtest Big Top TV Circus necklaces made out of vintage tin tab pins and Bakelite buckles. She wanted to wear them as pins on her coat, so I took them home, removed the bails, and turned them back into pins. How's that for re-upcycling?

Twitch and Whiskers at Craftopia

Megan of Apiary Designs in a rouge compact necklace with hidden bee.

Welcoming in the spring with a protractor necklace and winning smile.

Fun 'n' Games rings

From pins to necklaces to pins!

Thanks to everyone at Craftopia for starting my spring craft show season off with a smile. Visit Twitch and Whiskers on Etsy and Facebook for new creations and updates.  I have a great show season ahead and look forward to seeing all of you out and about.

June 1 - Greenway Open Market - Boston, MA
June 15 - Arts Fest Beverly - Beverly, MA
June 23 - TBA
June 29 - Greenway Open Market - Boston, MA 
July 13 - Greenway Open Market - Boston, MA 
July 20 - TBA
July 27 - Greenway Open Market - Boston, MA 
August 3 - Greenway Open Market - Boston, MA 
Other dates in the works!

On the Road - The Greenway Open Market - Last Show of the Summer Season

The last few weeks had been a flurry of activity with a trip to LA and shorter excursions around the northeast. It was time to plant my feet solidly on the ground and have my final summer show of the season. I got to set up at one of my favorite outdoor locations - The Greenway Open Market in Boston. 

The Greenway Open Market

My day started off with hellos from some of my favorite regular vendors at the Greenway. Laura of Hoist Away Bags swung by with a smile and gifts! She set aside some bright vintage charms for me and walked away looking fabulous in a whale tail thimblism necklace. Soon after, Irene and Max of Mei Mei Street Kitchen, paid a friendly visit. They had the day off and were strolling about and enjoying the day. I couldn't wait to congratulate them in person for recently winning the Best of Boston Award for Best Meal on Wheels. High fives guys!

Laura of Hoist Away Bags

charmed

Max and Irene of Mei Mei Street Kitchen

I love meeting other teachers on the Greenway. I know, I know, I'm biased but this talented artist drew me in with her vibrant block prints before I even knew she was a high school art teacher. Jamie Palmer Keating creates gorgeous linoleum and wood block prints of sea and ocean creatures. My favorite piece had to be The Underwater Alphabet with colorful critters from anemone to zebra shark. Market goers were treated to Jamie in action, as she artfully scraped away at a fish wood block throughout the day. The Greenway is conveniently located close to a lot of attractions, including the New England Aquarium. Jamie's aquatic prints were the perfect handmade souvenir for visitors to this popular family spot. Visit Jamie's Etsy shop, FB page, and online portfolio to fish for a great sampling of her work and to find out where you can see her next.

Jamie Palmer Keating

fabulous from A to Z

o is for octopus

a sea of color

The Greenway always offers the best eats in the area. Once the hunger pangs hit, I dashed over to Mei Mei Street Kitchen for some sweet blow torched corn and delish pan fried miso-tofu dumplings atop rice. It really hit the spot! For dessert, I flagged down Ocean Ave Pops. Grace Napoleon of Folk Couture and I got tent-side service and cooled down with the most refreshing strawberry and coconut pineapple (with a subtle hint of nutmeg) pops.

Mei Mei Street Kitchen

Ocean Ave Pops

Despite being a steamy day, it was filled with neighborly fun. Grace Napoleon of Folk Couture sent many fabulous frocks home with ladies at the Greenway and provided lots of laughs (as usual) throughout the day. Ali Rose Arts displayed lovely handmade quilts, bags, and baby items whose details warmed the heart but it was Ali who ultimately helped me to cool down. We took a quick dash through the Rings Fountain before packing up at the end of the busy day.

dress by Folk Couture

best way to cool down at the Greenway

Ali - my sprinkler buddy

It was a superb day at the Greenway for Twitch and Whiskers. My favorite bicycle headbadge necklace traveled off with a tourist from Australia who was busy visiting all parts of the US. Many other one of a kind pieces went home with happy customers. There's nothing more rewarding than seeing people wearing a smile and piece of jewelry when they leave my tent. What a perfect finale to the summer show season!

Bicycle Headbadge necklace

REcap bracelet

Garland Variety necklace

Garland Variety necklace

Juckpulver - tin locket necklace

circus themed necklaces - Big Top Hippo - sold

Before you know it, I will be digging out the number 2 pencils, shifting desks around, and getting ready for 22 fresh faces at my classroom door. Before then, I hope to enjoy every last drop of the summer and use my time to create as much as I can in preparation for the fall/winter show season. Here's to a summer filled with travel, adventure, friendship, and art. Thanks to everyone who came out and showed their support. See you in the fall!

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