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!

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!

On the Road - SoWa Open Market

Sunday was a big day for me. It marked my last official craft show of the summer season. With a new classroom full of second graders coming just weeks away, I knew this was going to be my last hoorah before getting back into number two pencil mode. It was also a big day at the SoWa Open Market and Farmer's Market. They were throwing their 8th annual B.Good Family BBQ to benefit Art Street. Twenty bucks got you piles of outdoor food and drink. After a few light sprinkles in the wee hours of the morning, the rest of the day stayed dry and cool for people strolling about at the market. One of my early visitors set a fun tone for the day by showing me there is more than one use for a REcap bracelet.

that bracelet's got bite

delish

I got the warmest welcome ever from Pam Laurenzo of Black Sheep Designs. I met her about a year ago when I did my very first craft show in Newport. She reached out and was very encouraging to this nervous newbie. In addition to being in education like me, she also loves to reuse and repurpose vintage items in her jewelry. I adore her whimsical Junque Drawer necklaces with vintage toy license plates. She offers a great variety of one of a kind and limited edition earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. Her patinaed findings and brassy pendants are nicely paired with vintage beads and stones for a classy antiqued look with a fun twist. Pam's clever jewelry displays made from old books, bottles, wash boards, and other treasures make you feel like you're browsing around a curiosity shop. Make sure to visit her on Etsy and check her out at SoWa for a new take on old treasures.

Pam Laurenzo

for the lass who loves brass

What a clever display!

After hearing my friend Grace rave about Nathan Murrell's Highjacked Ceramics and unique decor, it was terrific to finally meet him and see his display. Nathan has a background in ceramics, sculpture, and bookbinding so it's no wonder his mixed media pieces and pottery blend a mishmshosh of materials and techniques. I was instantly drawn to his Post Office Box Reliquaries with combination doors that actually lock and have hidden space inside. Being a fan of found objects, I appreciated his use of metal decorative flowers, old glass bottles, and hand molds in his designs. When I picked up one of his Tea Tumblers, I was amazed at the patterned details and unique glazing. It turns out he rolls his clay over old wood block patterns and layers on glaze to achieve his antiqued look. Anyone who appreciates handmade creations with a nod to the past and a touch of the enigmatic should visit him at SoWa. Visit his online store and his blog to learn more about his work.

Nathan Murell

Post Office Box Reliquaries

glove mold magic

Every time I've done SoWa Open Market, I've been set up near the lovely Adrienne Midash of Magdalina Designs and her dazzling hair accessories. It was a treat to be across from her smiling face again! Feathers, sequins, and delicate beading embellish her handmade headbands, stretch bands, pins, and clips. As an experienced costume designer and a former dancer, she has a flare for the high design with high quality materials (with a very affordable price). Adrienne can also custom design the piece of your dreams for weddings, formal events, or any special occasion. She is currently donating a portion of her proceeds from her pink pieces to Susan G. Komen For the Cure. Come September her team will be doing the 3 Day for the Cure in San Francisco; a 60 mile walk to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research. Visit her at SoWa and online to add a bit of sparkle to your life or to help sponsor her walk.

Adrienne Colleen

the perfect accessory

a headband for any occasion

  I hadn't seen Carrie Wagner of Sepia Lepus since Brooklyn Craft Central's Shop the Archway show in May and it was a pleasure to see her again! Last time, we traded a pin for a necklace and I get tons of compliments every time I wear the adorably illustrated bear and squirrel pin of hers. As always, she offered a wide array of original illustrations, prints, cards, jewelry, magnets, and other pieces with her whimsical animals. Bunnies, bears, squirrels, and sea creatures fancifully romp across her work in imaginative scenes that evoke childhood storybook memories. Her creativity and skill won her the best costume award last year at SoWa's Market of the Living Dead last year. I can't wait to see the costume she comes up with for this year! Visit her Etsy store to get a peek into the world of Sepia Lepus.

Carrie Wagner

a great big wall o' adorableness

The Most Spooktacular Costume at SoWa - 2010

Since SoWa is known far and wide, you get a chance to chat with folks from all over. I was visited by a family from Toronto who were on vacation. One of the daughters tried most of the tin locket necklaces before deciding upon "Hazel's Garden"; a piece created out of a vintage witch hazel salve tin, a textured celluloid button, and flowers from an old forget-me-not bouquet. She liked the fact that the necklace was "two in one" because you can wear it with the lid on or off. She looked fabulous in the piece. Other necklaces went to happy homes including an "I'm a Little Deer" pendant created out of a child's tin pin, a brassy filigree embellishment, and old button. Kelsey, a dancer in the Boston Ballet and customer from The Greenway on Saturday, returned wearing a piece she got the day before called "My Dog Has Fleas." I'm so glad she swung by to say hi and I loved seeing the piece on her.

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"Hazel's Garden" with the lid off

vintage tin pin necklaces with button backs

"My Dog Has Fleas" with little red dog hidden inside

After SoWa, my friend Grace and I actually found time to do a little thrifting. I dug deep in the crates to find my husband Thom some vinyl to add to his already towering collection and Grace also scored some nice bargains. That night we settled in with leftovers from Pomodoro and enjoyed His Girl Friday on the tube. The next day, before heading back to Connecticut we had breakfast at Zaftigs, a fabulous Jewish deli in Brookline. As an ode to my half Jewish, half Chinese side, I had the Pacific Islander omelet with scallions, soy sauce, and mushrooms. It was very reminiscent of the breakfast eggs mom used to make.

well trained at diggin' in the crates

Pay no attention to the woman behind the napkin.

SoWa was a fine finale to my summer show schedule. Up next on the agenda: savor every last moment of the summer before school starts! Thanks to everyone who came out to show your support this summer. See you in the winter! In the meantime, visit my Etsy shop for more Twitch and Whiskers.


Here are a few places where you can find me this winter. More dates will be added soon!

November 11 & 12 -  Twist 7 - Holiday Fair - Northampton, MA


November 19 - The Wellesley Marketplace - Holiday Craft Festival - Wellesley, MA