REpackaging and REtagging

I aim to reuse as much material as I can when creating my jewelry. I do this because items with a past are more interesting to me than things that are new and it's more ecologically responsible to reuse materials. This idea carries over into my packaging as well. Here is a sampling of my favorite ways to package and tag my jewelry.

"Isn't It Romantic" necklace with a BINGO card tag.

Donna, the kind cafeteria manager at my elementary school, gave me a massive amount of popcorn chicken bags. They were sent with the frozen food but never used since the popcorn chicken gets scooped directly into the cafeteria trays. Instead of discarding them, she passed them to me and now I use them for bagging my jewelry at shows.

bawk bawk

Here are some other food-grade bags I use for packaging. 

happiness is....a happy bag

Donna also used to own a video rental store. As part of a promotion, she ordered a case full of cardboard popcorn boxes. While cleaning out her home she found the leftover boxes and asked if I would like them. I happily took them, punched holes on the top, added string (given to me by another friend who was cleaning out a space), and TADA...shopping bags!

just add popcorn

poppin' fresh

When I get an order on Etsy or donate an item for an event, I package my jewelry up in creative ways. My favorite things to use when mounting my thimbilism necklaces are BINGO cards and vintage game cards (flashcards, playing cards, etc.). I've been saving up vintage ephemera for many years and it's all finally being to put it to good use.

vintage Old Maid and BINGO cards

it's a wrap

My price tags are also made from BINGO cards and game pieces.

Fun 'n' Game rings with BINGO card tags



REcap bracelets with cardboard game piece tags


What is your favorite way to package things?



Come and visit me at these upcoming shows:

Saturday, May 21st – Shop the Archway – DUMBO – Brooklyn, NY

Sunday, May 29th - The Brooklyn Flea - Williamsburg - Brooklyn, NY

Sunday, June 26th - Smith Street Sunday Fun Day - Brooklyn, NY


Saturday, July 9, August 6, August 13 - Greenway Open Markets - Boston, MA

On the Road - Twist

I was kid-in-a-candy-shop excited to be in the Twist show on May 6th and 7th this year. The show is known far and wide for finely curated wares and a friendly community. Thom and I had a calm drive up to Northampton, stopped for lunch in town, checked into our hotel, and headed off to the Northampton Center for the Arts. The building was spacious and had lots of sunlight streaming in through the big windows. The picturesque ceiling had a stained glass design, decorative molding, and a rotating disco ball. The whole space had a great vibe.

Twist at the Northampton Center for the Arts

lookin' up

When met a ton of nice people while setting up. When we arrived at our table, I noticed an amazing lavender and mint scent. It was a refreshing welcome from Steve and Karen of Little Birch Farm. They hand craft a nice array of soaps, lip balms, bath salts, and other lovely body care products. Their letter pressed birch bark packaging had an incredible feel and it was great to hear about how Steve and Karen collaborate together on their products. I was lucky enough to go home with a bar of their Marian's Mint soap and it gave me a nice pick me up after a long weekend.

Little Birch Farm

Ahhhh....

To our right, was local ceramic artist Abby Berkson. I instantly fell in love with her hand painted details, inspired by children's book illustrations. I especially enjoyed her crowned elephants and cats with scarves. The cat reminded me a little of my favorite children's chapter book, "Jenny and the Cat Club." She offered lovely plates, mugs, sugar/creamer sets, and small bowls that were the perfect compact size for salsas and sauces. I was most impressed by the craftsmanship of her lidded pouring pots with straining spouts. She was a friendly neighbor and I enjoyed hearing all about her work in the studio.

Abby Berkson Ceramics

elephants and birds and cats...oh my!

I also got a warm welcome from realistic painter Julie Beck. The first thing that caught my eye at her table was a painting of a quarter on a vibrant orange background. Made me wanna go to the nearest arcade and play some pinball. I also loved her buttons, which she offered as paintings and on magnets. It was great chatting with someone who has been a participant of Twist for several years. She introduced me to some of her friends from Rhode Island including Kristin Crane who made clever journals, cards, and bookmarks out of old maps and other interesting ephemera. Her journals would make a perfect gift for anyone about to embark on a special journey.

Julie Beck

quarter envy

Kristin Cane

Chrissy Ann Ceramics was my neighbor right behind me. Her custom blended glazes gave each piece of pottery a warm and unique finish. Chrissy made a whole variety of plates, bowls, and decorative pieces that could be personalized for weddings and other special occasions. She also sold stacks of four small scalloped edged dipping bowls, glazed in a way that made me think of delicious cookies. I enjoyed hearing about her studio space and hanging out with her for two days.

Chrissy Ann Ceramics

See that floral shaped bundle of tiny plates with a bow? Delish!

Heather Jean Toupin is a busy bee. Not only does she make a cool array of stationery and wearables for heatherjeany, but she also runs White Electric coffee shop in Providence, RI. We both spied something we loved from each others tables and treated ourselves. I have always been a fan of the old fashioned button candy. She created note cards that looked just like the candy, down to the bleeding of colors between rows of dots. I am considering framing one...that's how much I love it! Heather took home one of my thimbilism necklaces that had two elements that suited her to a T. It had a lightning bolt (for her coffee shop) and "SINGER" printed on thimble (she loves to sew). I hope to swing by her coffee shop next time I'm in the Providence area. 

heatherjeanny

Just dotty for this note card set!

thimbilism necklace - ZAP!

At Twist, I got to premiere some new OOAK necklaces, including ones made out of bicycle head badges and an Esther Williams inspired piece. Some of my REcap bracelets, Fun 'n' Games rings, and thimbilism necklaces went to happy homes by the end of the show. Besides the soap and stationery, I also grabbed an upcycled skateboard bracelet from COOB Originals.I have gotten tons of compliments while wearing it already and folks are always surprised to find out it was made from a re-loved skateboard.

some new OOAK pieces

Fun 'n' Games rings

COOB Originals - bangle bracelet - LOVE!

Everyone at Twist, from the artisans to the customers, were so friendly and supportive. I ended the day on Saturday with new friends, lots of new connections, and a heavenly free chair massage from Mary Hunt O'Conner. What's not to love? I can't wait for the next Twist and highly suggest swinging by next time if you're in the area!

Come visit me on my birthday next week:
Saturday, May 21st – Shop the Archway – DUMBO – Brooklyn, NY

On the Road - Propect Heights Craft Fair

Last Saturday and Sunday I was out and about at two fun shows. The weekend extravaganza started with the Prospect Heights Craft Fair.  I headed off early to Brooklyn with my new set up and a few new items:

 

Fun 'n' Games Rings - The tops are created out of old wooden nickels and vintage game pieces.

I left bright and early, and made good time to the school. I was welcomed by a warm, friendly parents, fresh baked goods, and coffee. Who could beat that? This was the third year of the event, which was organized to raise funds for an amazing variety of arts programs at PS 9. In addition to vendors, there were student-created crafts, kid events, a raffle with items donated from vendors, and great local food.

I was excited to try out my new display created out of a vintage pink plastic suitcase and some cork boards.

Pink suitcase display

Final Display - Tada!

There was an upbeat crowd of parents, kids from the school, and lots of locals. I was pleasantly surprised to see one of my favorite vendors, Katie of Lily Rain. You know how everyone has a certain something that they wear, that always gets compliments? Well, that always happens when I wear my handmade, free trade bracelets from Katie!

Speaking of bracelets, I got a lot of love for my REcap bracelets (made from Crayola Marker caps). Here is one of my biggest fans. He discovered that my bracelets also make great building materials.

Both fashionable and stackable!

One of my favorite parts of doing a show is meeting new people. To each side of me were fabulously creative and kind gals who made the day fly by. My inner Edie Beale squealed when I saw Deborah Julian's cat photographs. Taking inspiration from the felines in her own life, she incorporates photos of her kitties into classic art compositions. Julie Peng of Bugsella creates a onesie-wonderland with whimsical clothes and accessories for little ones. She hand sews and screen prints her book and nursery rhyme themed wares for many worthy charities. Dana, of DanaMade was one of the first vendors I met in the morning. One look at her rings and I knew she was my kinda crafter! She too makes jewelry out of cool vintage finds. I added her to my Etsy "favorites" list as soon as I got home. 

Ring by DanaMade

Being a teacher, I always get excited when I meet an author. At the show they had a variety of events planned throughout the day for kids, including a visit from local author Ellen Bari. She wrote a book called "Jumping Jenny" about a girl with tons of energy and no place to direct it, until she thinks of having a jumpathon to raise funds for a sister school in Africa. This year the second graders at my school raised over $2,000 for Guiding Eyes for the Blind through a hoopathon. I was so excited to see that there is finally a great picture book out there about kids making a difference through outreach (and believe me...I've been looking!). I was so thankful to meet Ellen, get a signed copy of her book, and hear all about her publishing process. Hopefully my kiddos will be able to Skype with her soon!

Jumping into Action!

The Prospect Heights Craft Fair was the perfect show to start off my spring/summer season. I felt right at home at the school and met many wonderful folks there. Can't wait for the show next year!