On the Road - Hot Cup o' Handmade 3

Beautiful weather, relaxation, and time to create. Just when I thought my vacation week couldn't get any better, along came Hot Cup o' Handmade 3. It was the perfect way to kick off my spring and summer show season. I joined Grace Napoleon of Folk Couture and Jen Matlack of Milly Gilly Home and Garden (aka Daisy Chestnut) for a three artist trunk show at my favorite coffee shop - Molten Java in Bethel, CT. Molten's new glorious location was the ideal backdrop for our event. 

Molten Java menagerie

Grace and Jen go green

It was great cozying up to a drink and catching up with Jen. She displayed a lovely variety of terrariums and her famous garden spoons. Jen has a great knack for finding unique vessels for her plants and adding whimsical finishing touches. Read more about Jen in her Etsy Featured Seller interview and definitely visit her online shop to see how her garden grows.

springtime is served

someone to watch over you

I always enjoy seeing Grace's new creations. Her display was in full bloom with bursts of color and pattern for the spring. Our friend Karin stopped by and found the perfect Folk Couture dress for her upcoming art opening at the Mercurial Gallery. She looked gorgeous! Grace has a full show season ahead (including many shows we'll be doing together). Follow her Facebook to see where you can find her next.

off to an art opening

fresh florals

What I loved best about this show was that every hour, different friends (old and new) would pop by. I felt like I was on a sitcom with many celebrity guest appearances. Sue and her adorable daughter Aurelia swung by to say hello. Sue picked a "DIY" game piece ring. It was a perfect match for her because she's a real DIY kind of gal. This month she will be opening a vintage and handmade shop on Bank Street in New Milford called Vudu Micia. I can't wait to see what she has to offer! I also met Luisa, who works upstairs at Byrd's Books. It turns out I had two of her cousins as students and knew her mom (small world). She looked smashing in my favorite protractor necklace called "Bluebird's Return." 

Sue and Aurelie - two starlets on the stairs

game piece and wooden nickel ring

The lovely Luisa sports a protractor.

Bluebird's Return

Lys and Elizabeth brightened our day.

I enjoyed every moment of hanging out at Molten Java and cannot wait for the next Hot Cup o' Handmade. You can find me in NY, MA, and RI in May and June. Here is my schedule. Please swing by or visit my Etsy shop. I currently have an Etsy Trashion Team sale going on. The coupon code EARTH15 = 15% off at checkout. Hope to see you out and about!

Designing with the Daisies - Upycled Jewelry Workshop

Earth Day is just around the corner. I've been a busy bee around my school getting ready for projects, celebrations, and a fashion show. Yesterday, I got to end my school day with 17 enthusiastic Daisies and piles of recyclables. To help these 5 and 6 year-olds earn their eco-themed badges, I visited their meeting to chat about the 3 R's and how to save the Earth in creative ways. I started by reading one of my favorite green-themed books, Round and Round Again by Nancy Van Laan. The girls shared what they do at home and school to help our planet and I let them explore some of my upcycled jewelry. After that, we got straight to work making REcap bracelets (out of Crayola marker caps) and pendants out of playing cards and paper scraps.

The best way to count to 5!

cap-tivating

collaging on top of playing cards

reusing greeting cards

By the end of our workshop, the Daisies looked dazzling in their necklaces and bracelets. They were more than happy to share their clever creations.

I was so proud of the girls and loved every moment of crafting with them! I look forward to spreading the passion for trashion at two more upcoming events in Fairfield. 

Please join my Burr Elementary School Roots & Shoots Members and the Fairfield Warde fashion students for our annual Trashy Fashion Show at Fairfield's Earth Day Celebration on April 28th. I will also be doing an upcycled jewelry workshop at Fairfield Wood's Arts in Action Day in May. I can't wait!

My next show is a local one. Join Folk Couture, Milly Gilly House & Garden, and Twitch and Whiskers at Molten Java in Bethel for Hot Cup o' Handmade 3. Psst....mention the code word "hometown" and get 20% off all your purchases! A full May schedule is coming soon!

Beauty in Full Circle or An Elephant Never Forgets

Yesterday Thom and I went to New York City. With the holiday craft show season behind me and vacation upon me, I thought it would be a good opportunity to go and explore some museums. I needed some new inspiration for the New Year.

 stair-ing at Thom - New Museum

First stop was the New Museum (speaking of new). Highlights of our visit included jet propelling down Carsten Holler's Experience slide, watching Thom conduct psychological experiments on himself, and taking a technicolor primate nap. 

Carsten Holler's Experience

Pinocchio Nose Experiment

primary primates

Next, we headed to one of my favorite places - The Museum of Arts and Design. When we came upon its location at Columbus Circle, I nearly stopped in my tracks. Smack dab in the center of the circle were some old friends: two giant elephant statues. Let me explain. Back in mid-October, I had a strange day. It started with finding five shopping carts neatly parked in front of my house on my way to work.

art ala cart

At the end of that same day, I met up with some friends at Molten Java in Bethel. We parted ways on that rainy and dark night and I headed back toward Danbury. A few blocks from the coffee shop, a huge flatbed truck slowly pulled in front of me from a side street, carrying two life-sized elephant sculptures. I drove home behind these colossal creatures in awe. From start to finish that day was both sculptural and surreal.

larger than life drive home

Well lo and behold, these two behemoth buddies greeted me once again in a swirl of traffic right outside the Museum of Arts and Design. It was such a surprise because I never thought I'd ever see them again! It was fun getting up close and personal with the sculptures. On the placard, I found out the elephants were created by sculptor Peter Woytuk and that there were eighteen other whimsical sculptures of his scattered about the city. Things really came full circle at Columbus Circle. 

Well hello again!

a fruitful encounter

The rest of our night out in the city was a whirl of activity. We explored jewelry and mid century design at the MAD, karaoke sang our hearts out until we nearly lost our voices, visited the mecca of all synthesizer shops (it was a religious experience for Thom), and ended the night sharing the perfect little pizza in Little Italy.

burning out my chords

Throughout the evening, I kept having "whoa" moments whenever I thought about my reunion with the elephants. It was the perfect reminder that life is quite spectacular when you stop and take notice of the beauty around you. Sometimes it comes in unexpected forms: shopping carts, glances down staircases, bright blue orangutans. Thanks to two elephants, I will never forget this!

There's magic everywhere!

Happy New Year from Twitch and Whiskers! 

On the Road: Hot Cup o' Handmade 2

My last hoorah for the 2011 holiday craft show season was the Hot Cup o' Handmade 2 show at Molten Java in Bethel, CT. And what better way to end the year than being surrounded by my talented friends in one of my favorite places? We set up early for an afternoon show. The gals all charged up with toasty drinks and snacks from the counter. We were visited by many of our local friends, including Julie - who was knitting colorful goatees for an upcoming Pantera tribute party. My pal Alex also stopped by to say hello wearing one of my pieces. She looked fabulous!

caffeinated craftanistas

Panteriffic

Jen Matlack of Milly Gilly Home and Garden (aka Daisychestnut on Etsy) brought a lovely array of whimsical terrariums, vintage utensil garlands and garden markers, and creatively embellished ceramic goods. I adored her hand dyed cotton ribbon that was wound with care around wooden sticks. Her vintage ceramic plates are specially marked with poems and quotes, but my favorite had to be the "Crap" plate. Jen also had a new terrarium with a grazing deer that was oh-so-sweet. I love how she used the candle holder on the deer's back to hold a tiny spot of moss. Visit Jen's shop on Etsy for a charming holiday gift from the heart.

Alex and Jen

Milly Gilly's goods

the dearest deer

My favorite Little Cowgirl, Lys Guillorn was adorned with a new fringed outfit that shimmied and shook the day away. Lys displayed new snazzy Christmas stockings, fabulous purses, and jewelry with candy-colored vintage buttons. I couldn't resist getting one of her adorable collaged Christmas cards with sewn details and a little clear pocket o' sequins. I like it so much, it just may be a Christmas card to myself. Don't fret...you can get one for yourself in her Etsy shop (in addition to many other unique gifts). Word on the street is that her shop will have many new things in it soon!

Shake it cowgirl!

Bags for stuff and stockings for stuffing

stationery go round

Folk Couture's display is ever-changing and inspiring thanks to Grace Napoleon's busy hands and clever point of view. I got to thumb through racks and racks of dramatic dresses and swanky sweaters. I was so impressed when her friend Laura showed up in a Folk Couture original with a dramatic floral neckline. She looked like an absolute knockout! You can find Grace and her fabulous frocks this weekend at IDM Boston, SoWa Holiday Market, and Craftopia. Pepper your conversation with the phrase "grace and glory" when you see her and get a special discount. Pass it on!

Grace had Laura the acupuncturist on pins and needles.

sweater land

two beauties

It was a pleasure having Jean Maimone of Vintage Gems join us for Hot Cup o' Handmade 2. I had first met Jean at Dawn's Vintage Jewelry when her striking redesigned vintage creations were being showcased. I have always appreciated Jean's use of color n' glitz in her statement pieces. From beaded tassels to brightly hued chokers she offered an amazing array of showstoppers.  I fell in love with her orange and gray acorn necklace and was thrilled when Thom surprised me with it during the day. Visit the Vintage Gems website and Facebook page to find out where to find Jean next.

Jean of Vintage Gems

make a statement with these pieces

I squirreled away the gray and orange acorns!

Throughout the day I got hellos from local friends, pals from school, and family. A fun array of jewelry scooted out the door, including thimblism necklaces, REcap bracelets, and one of a kind pieces. A 1920's powder compact locket called "Encharma" and a vintage bicycle headbadge necklace called "Knight Night" went home with happy customers. The day rounded out nicely with a fun visit from Gwen (who looks splashingly sensational in her whale tail thimblism necklace) and hubby Keith. My in-laws, sister-in-law Marnie, and niece Darla also popped by to show love. It was a superb Sunday all around!

Twitch and Whiskers

Encharma

Knight Night

Gwen and Keith

we are family

If you're looking for a unique handmade gift or a personalized present - I'm your go to gal! Shop local and handmade this holiday season. Pop on by to my Etsy shop or email me if you would like me to make ya something special.

Happy Holidays from Twitch and Whiskers!