Twitch and Whiskers: SepiaLepus

Showing posts with label SepiaLepus. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

On the Road - South End Open Market at SoWa - Boston, MA

The South End Open Market at SoWa was sizzlin' last weekend. The hot summer sun shone down on the rows of tents in Boston as shoppers perused the northeast's finest handmade goods with cool summer drinks in hand. Twitch and Whiskers was set up against a tall brick building and enjoyed the few degrees of coolness that the shade provided. I was so happy to be back at the market again. I arrived just on the heels of a non-stop family road trip, so a change of pace was just what I needed.

South End Open Market at SoWa

Twitch and Whiskers in Boston

It's always great to be greeted by friends first thing in the morning, especially when they arrive donning your necklaces! Carrie of SepiaLepus and Jen of Zooguu were also set up at the market and were ready to start the day. It had been a month since I'd been to the South End Open Market at SoWa, and I brought a nice new batch of pieces to share.

Carrie of SepiaLepus and Jen of Zooguu lookin' swell in their Twitch and Whiskers necklaces

Vintage toy car, tin whistle, tin clicker, and pinback button necklaces

There's nothing like the warmth and companionship of a pet and artist Syd Hardin of Pop Zoo really knows how to capture that love. Syd and her husband Eric were set up at the market this past weekend and it was wonderful to see them both. Syd's vibrant and highly detailed paintings are full of character and color. She is well known for her commissioned pet portraits. I have been following her on Instagram for a while, and I have always been in awe of her process. Syd carefully paints layers upon layers of zero-VOC latex enamel paint (aka non toxic house paint) with teeny tiny brushes to make each portrait come to life. She pays attention to each pet's unique personality and is skilled at translating features like the curious look in a pup's eyes, the soft curve of a piece of fur, and playful perky ears onto canvas. In addition to paintings, Syd offers prints, coasters, pillows, and note cards. Visit Pop Zoo's website, Etsy shop, Facebook page, and Instagram account to see Syd's amazing work, commission a special piece, and to find out where you can see Pop Zoo in person.

Artist Syd Hardin of Pop Zoo and husband Eric Herot

Cuddle-worth pillows

Vibrant pet prints

Adorable coasters

My favorite materials to work with lately have been tin whistles and toys from the 40's and 50's. Their bold lithographed images and happy colors make them the perfect pendents. I was happy to see that visitors enjoyed these pieces as much as I did and a bunch went home with happy customers.

A 1940's tin bird whistle flew home with this lovely lady.

Tweets and clicks

These two vivacious sisters were on a 5 week trip together. It was great to hear about their adventures. They looked adorable in their wagon whistle and rainbow car necklaces. Happy trails ladies!

wagon whistle necklace

car whistle necklace

Lucky Egg whistle necklace

a one of a kind vintage water warbler necklace

rainbow tin car necklace

Protractor necklaces were also popular picks at the market.

Twitch and Whiskers protractor necklaces

bird protractor necklace

Pegasus protractor necklace

Rings and necklaces made out of electric guitar knobs,vintage pinback buttons, and other odds 'n' ends found their way home with many folks.

She wore her Hob Knob necklace to the market to get her new ring! How cool is that?

Ready to rock in a Hob Knob guitar knob necklace.

Hob Knob rings

It was a fine day at the market and I thank everyone who came out in Boston to say hello and shop. I look forward to returning to the South End Open Market at SoWa one more time this summer. You can catch Twitch and Whiskers on Sunday, July 26th.

Just one more South End Open Market at SoWa to go!

Did you hear the BIG NEWS? Twitch and Whiskers is moving! We will be opening our own online store by the end of summer. In celebration, we're having a big moving sale on Etsy. Enjoy 25% off your Twitch and Whiskers Etsy purchase between now and July 21st with the code below:

Visit us each day during the month of July on Facebook and Instagram for more sales, giveaways, and contests.

Stay tuned for information about our new shop and upcoming fall/winter shows!

Sunday, September 8, 2013

On the Road - Picnic - Portland, Maine

What better way to celebrate the end of summer, than with a picnic? Picnic Music and Arts Festival in Portland, Maine was my last hoorah before heading back to school. Thom and I decided to take off a few days before the event to enjoy the sites in Portland. Our mini-vacation started off with a relaxing drive up, some local thrifting, and a trip to Caravan Beads.

Picnic in Porland, ME

pump organ interlude at Goodwill

Caravan Beads

On our second day in Portland, we met up with Thom's friend Galen. He was kind enough to show us around town. We swung by Pinecone + Chickadee to check out their vintage and handmade wares. The owners of the shop are also the organizers of Picnic. I have always been a fan of their Crying Tiger t-shirt and all their silk screened goods. I really enjoyed seeing their creative space in person!

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall...

Pinecone + Chickadee - Portland, ME

In my humble opinion, the one thing that can take any vacation to a whole other level is pinball. When Galen walked us over to Coast City Comics on Congress Street, we were in absolute awe. Over a dozen machines + a pocket full of quarters = pure bliss. I spent some quality time with Elvira and left with a solid flipper fix. And just when I thought the day couldn't get any better, it did. Galen took us to BODA for apps and drinks. Galen tends bar there a few nights a week so he knew the ins and outs of all things delicious on the menu. We enjoyed little bites of savory quail eggs with scallions and soy, which reminded me of flavors from my childhood. The highlight of the meal was the Miang Kum Som-oh, a complex, flavorful fruit and shrimp salad served on individual spoons. You really must go to BODA if you're in Portland.

Coast City Comics - Portland's pinball oasis

BODA -unforgettable eats

On Saturday, the weather was absolutely perfect for Picnic. The tree-lined pathways of Lincoln Park were filled with over 100 talented indie vendors. A stage for live music showcased ten local bands and kept shoppers rockin' all day.

Picnic Arts and Music Festival - Portland, ME

wheels and deals

I started the day with a visit from Carrie Wagner of SepiaLepus and her adorable dog Frannie. She had many fabulous illustrations to offer at the show including her Maine Map. Thom's friend Galen came by with the gift of vinyl. He gave us a copy of his newest Computer at Sea album called Palace of Lightbulbs. We couldn't wait to get home to immerse ourselves in his circuit bent, 8 bit, electro pop sounds.

Carrie Wagner of SepiaLepus and Frannie

Galen Richmond of Computer at Sea and Thom

Friends and fellow makers, Karen Grant and Zandra Zurow hopped over to share the news of the official launching of Little Yellow Couch. Their newest endeavor brings the world of handmade to your mailbox each month. They offer artful boxes filled with specially curated, hand crafted goods from talented makers. Abby Berkson of Abby Berskon Ceramics was also showcasing her critter covered ceramics at Picnic. She came by to spread some joy and ended up leaving with a Twitch and Whiskers U-Turn car necklace in orange and black, which perfectly matched her shades.

Karen Grant and Zandra Zuraw of Little Yellow Couch

Abby of Abby Berkson Ceramics

When simple, clean jewelry design meets beautiful craftsmanship, you find yourself with some pretty special pieces. New Hampshire artist Erica Walker of Walker Silverworks offered lovely nature-inspired necklaces, earrings, and rings at Picnic. I have long been been an admirer of her Organic O Necklaces, which are strung on a vibrant silk cord with the color of your choosing. Erica's silver and resin earrings come in a multitude of candy hues and look delicious on any wearer. The real show-stoppers were Erica's semi-precious stone and silver rings. I have officially added the big orange red carnelian ring with decorative edging to my wish list. If you would like to treat yourself (or me!) to Erica's work, visit her website and Etsy shop. Make sure to click on her event schedule to see where you can find her gorgeous work in person this holiday season.

Erika Walker of Walker Silver Works

Organic O Necklace on a variety of colorful silk cords

silver and resin earrings

beautifully crafted silver and stone rings

It's a double treat when you meet two talented artists under one tent. Vermont friends Beth Robinson and Kristin Richland shared a space at Picnic and they sure packed a lot of punch onto their patch of grass at Lincoln Park.

Beth Robinson of Strange Dolls and Kristin Richland of Sweet Enemy Art

Absolutely hypnotic. You cannot help but gaze the first time you meet Beth Robinson's Strange Dolls. Beth artfully sculpts a macabre cast of characters out of polymer clay and paint them to life with sullen eyes, carefully placed trickles of blood, and eerie expressions. Vintage fabrics adorn each doll and you can feel peculiar personality in every stitch. As a person whose had a Halloween Wedding, you can imagine how excited I was to see her at Picnic. I know Beth's Day of the Dead Dolls and Hanging Cat Dolls would fit perfectly into my curious collection at home. I was so impressed by her vast portfolio of commissioned and OOAK work online. It's no wonder that people collect her work worldwide. View Beth's remarkable assemblage of dolls and creatures on her website, blog, and Facebook page.

Handmade Strange Dolls

Hanging Kitty Dolls

Pin Cushions

When whimsical feathers and fur are on parade, you can count me along for the ride. Kristin Richland of Sweet Enemy Art showcased a menagerie of painted bunnies, bears, birds, and other critters (not beginning with "b") at Picnic. Kristin's work is a touch of storybook sweet with a pinch of darkness. She creates a dreamlike world on her canvases, cards, prints, and shirts. I enjoyed floating along with her "Ghost Bunnies Drift" series and wished I had been invited along to "Cupcakes for Friends." Where is MY cupcake? Kristin's imaginative world is always growing and expanding. Take a joyful romp with Kristin at Sweet Enemy's website, blog, Facebook page, Society 6 shop and Etsy shop.

Gently Falling and Spiral Drift from the "Ghost Bunny Drift" series

Cupcakes for Friends

Bears Like Berry Snacks and Bears Like Honey II

My first show in Maine certainly didn't disappoint. I was impressed by how well the local community and tourists support the art scene in Portland. I brought many new Twitch and Whiskers creations to the Picnic. My Fun 'n' Games rings made out of vintage pinback buttons, game pieces, kitschy novelties, and wooden nickels left the show with happy customers.

Looking heavenly in an "I'm a Little Angel" matching ring and necklace.

Fun 'n' Games skull ring compliments this gals amazing statement necklace

All kinds of upcycled necklaces left 'round the necks of lovely ladies, including ones made out of protractors, decorative brooches, vintage tins, and souvenir coins.

A fabulous mother-daughter duo sporting Twitch and Whiskers necklaces

"It's Complex" tin locket

Parade-worthy and pretty in "I Love a Parade" necklace.

Kendra Haskell of Whimsy popped by my tent at the show. This talented maker attended Picnic as a shopper. Kendra looked adorable in a vintage bicycle headbadge necklace and Smokey the Bear piece. Blue is certainly her color!

A beauty in a blue bicycle headbadge necklace

Prevent Forest Fires - upcycled pinback button necklace

From start to finish, Picnic was a fantastic show to be a part of. Thanks to all the wonderful people who came out in droves. High fives to the organizers, artists, and musicians who made Picnic a great success and a special thanks to Mother Nature for a picture perfect day. The grand finale of my summer was grand indeed!