On the Road - SoWa Winter Market - Boston, MA

During the last weekend in February, I headed to Boston for my third SoWa Winter Market. The space was filled with talented New England designers and vintage vendors. The morning started off with hellos from friends and a unicorn.

SoWa Winter Market - Boston, MA

The lovely ladies of Folk Couture, Nancy Reid Carr Art Photography, and Stonehouse Studio

Zooguu unicorn = pure magic

Being home bound by the snow this winter has given me more time to create. I brought many new pieces to the market, including vintage magnet necklaces, tin lockets with dioramas, lenticular necklaces, and Cracker Jack pinball necklaces.  

Twitch and Whiskers at SoWa Winter Market

new vintage magnet necklaces

There were two very talented sets of hands at SoWa and they belong to Stacey Caplinger and her mom Suellen. This mother/daughter duo have been creating accessories and home decor for Creative Hands Boston since 2012. Suellen uses luxurious yarns in a wide variety of neutral and bold colors to crochet hats, scarves, fingerless gloves, and ear warmers. Her sweet finishing touches like handmade branch buttons and plush pom poms add a special charm to her pieces. Stacey creates one-of-a-kind, decorative wreaths for all seasons using an amazing array of textiles, yarns, dimensional objects, and succulent plants. Each wreath is carefully wrapped in many textured layers and adorned with special items like handmade wool felt flowers, mini pennant banners with sweet messages, and birds' nests hiding vibrant eggs. Stacey is currently working on a new line of baskets made out of t-shirt yarn. Creative Hands Boston's offerings are packed with coziness and handmade love. Visit their Etsy shop and Facebook page to see their entire line and find the perfect treat for yourself or someone else.   

Suellen and Stacey Caplinger of Creative Hands Boston

chunky slouch hat - crocheted with love

yarn wreaths wrapped with whimsy

succulents and bright yellow welcome in the spring

I enjoyed sending some fun pieces home with customers and friends this weekend. Dexterity game necklaces, rouge compact lockets, and a bunch of Fun 'n' Games rings left the market with happy gals. 

Carrie of SepiaLepus looking adorable in a panda dexterity game necklace

rouge compact lockets

Only Stacey can look that cute saying "NO!"

Fun 'n' Games rings

I have one more SoWa Winter Market to go and then I jump into my spring schedule. I hope to see you out and about soon!

SoWa Winter Market

April 12 - SoWa Winter Market - Boston, MA
April 27 - Craftopia - Pawtucket, RI
May 4 - Opening Day of SoWa Open Market - Boston, MA
June 14 - Arts Fest Beverly - Beverly, MA
June 29 - SoWa Open Market - Boston, MA
July 13 - SoWa Open Market - Boston, MA
July 27 - SoWa Open Market - Boston, MA
More dates in the works!

Visit Twitch and Whiskers on Facebook and Etsy for new pieces and updates.

On the Road - Opening Week of the SoWa Winter Market and SoWa Wearables Market- Boston, MA

Winter. It's usually a time for me to hunker down in a pile of blankets, stay indoors with projects, and count down the days until outdoor craft show season. This year, something quite wonderful pulled me out of crafty hibernation - the SoWa Winter Market. This much-loved Boston show is keeping the market momentum going from February through April. It's giving everyone a good reason to get outta the house and shop handmade.

SoWa Winter Market - Boston, MA

The smiles 'n' smarts behind Zooguu, Stonehouse Studio, and 9000things

Over 50 New England designers and artists filled a spacious gym with handmade and vintage goodness. Just in time for Valentine's Day, I featured necklaces made out of 1940's novelty pins with smooches and sass.

Twitch and Whiskers - SoWa Winter Market Opening Week

Will you be mine?

Ali Horeanopolis' mind is swimming with ideas - ideas that involve wallpaper samples, repurposed leather, recycled colorful wire, and upcycled jewelry. It's no wonder this designer has named her business 9000things. Ali offered a great array of unique designs at SoWa Winter Market, including her laser cut Boston Skylines with contrasting wallpaper patterns. These one of a kind wall hangings are a perfect gift for locals and come in endless, colorful combinations. As a fellow upcycler, I really enjoyed Ali's use of vibrant vintage beads in her whimsical earrings and baubly necklaces with mixed metal chains. My favorite pieces from 9000things came from Ali's Fringe line. Ali collected leather donated from other crafters, cut them into fine strips, and fashioned them into chevron-shaped pendants. One can only guess what Ali will come up with next. Visit 9000things' shop, blog, and Facebook page to see what's cookin' and to get your hands on on Ali's creations.

Ali Horeanopolis of 9000things

colorful vintage bead earrings

on the fringe

bright upcycled baubles

I always enjoy meeting folks in my booth who love vintage treasures as much as I do. Necklaces and rings made from kitschy pinback buttons, tin cars, and blinking doll eyes went home with happy customers. The first week of SoWa Winter Market brightened up Boston with a good dose of handmade and I couldn't wait to see what week two would bring.

Looking adorable in a Tonsils Out Club duck necklace

An eye-catchin' beauty

U-Turn necklaces - beep beep!

Fun 'n' Games rings

SoWa's second week featured a fashion-friendly themed Wearables Market. The space was packed with fabulous clothing, jewelry, accessories, and vintage wares including dazzling dresses from Folk Couture. I brought a quirky cast of characters on statement necklaces made out of bold brass drawer pulls, rhinestones, and vintage brooches.

SoWa Wearables Market - Boston, MA

Grace Napoleon of Folk Couture

Gumby, Ice Capades, and Bears...oh my!

Brooklyn based Rocks and Salt is a well-known favorite in the northeast for hats, skirts, and bags. Sarah Hull and Phil Miner are the creative power duo behind the name. Since 2005, they have been designing their wearables using high quality wool, cashmere, cotton, linen, and bamboo. I love their clever twists on classic shapes and unique fabric selections. It's the thoughtful details, like the faux leather tab adorned with metal snap on their knit slouchy hat, that make their accessories memorable. A real stand out at the market was the Rocks and Salt belt bag. Forget everything you know about the traditional, bulky fanny pack. This bag gracefully hangs off the hip, contours to the body, and has the perfect amount of space to hold your phone and other necessities. Visit Rocks and Salt's website, Etsy shop, and Facebook page to see their amazing selection of goods for all seasons. I'm sure you'll find the perfect piece for your wardrobe!

Phil Miner and Sara Hull of Rocks and Salt

caps for sale!

little details = big impact

belt bags packed with style and functionality

Nothing makes me happier than sending lovely ladies on their way donning Twitch and Whiskers pieces and smiles. These gorgeous gals looked amazing in their upcycled jewelry, including Fun 'n Games rings, a rouge compact locket, and a protractor necklace.

hot stuff!

picture perfect in a protractor

so pretty in a rouge compact locket

bewitching in a boogie man ring

My two Saturdays in Boston officially shook off the winter cold and filled my weekends with handmade goodness. SoWa Winter Market is well worth visiting if you're in the Boston area. Each Saturday brings a new lineup of fabulous designers and vintage vendors. I'm counting down the days 'til my next market. 

I will see you at SoWa Winter Market on March 1st and April 12th. My spring and summer craft show schedule is starting to shape up. Stay tuned for dates. Until then, visit Twitch and Whiskers on Facebook and Etsy for new creations and updates.