On the Road - The Opening of the Greenway Market

Memorial Day weekend was meant for adventure. On Friday night, Grace Napoleon of Folk Couture and I hit the road in her new-used Volvo. Miraculously our two craft show set ups fit into her new vehicle better than her older, bigger car. You gotta love Volvos! We took off for Boston the night before the opening of the Greenway Open Market and had a smooth ride in. On Saturday, we were happy to be back at one of our favorite weekly Boston shows. It was a hot day but it didn't stop both locals and tourists from coming out in full force. The spray of the Rings Fountain and the shade of our tents kept visitors happy as they walked the green promenade.

The Greenway Open Market

Twitch and Whiskers at the Greenway

Often the best ideas come from utilizing materials in unconventional ways and Hoist Away Bags is the perfect example of this. The very clever Laura Cleminson gives a "second wind" to old and abandoned sails by turning them into one-of-a-kind, tote bags, handbags, and wristlets. These incredibly sturdy and unique bags use the original sail  grommets, lettering/numbering, and trim to add to the nautical flair of each piece. The bags feature draw string tops, bottle openers, pockets, and key chains to add further function to the beautiful form. My favorite part of each bag has to be the tag on the inside that gives a snippet of the sail's history. Laura's business is steeped in kindness and generosity. All the sails she uses are donated by others and she in turn contributes to the non-profit "Rocking the Boat." Visit Hoist Away Bags online and sail away with the perfect gift.

Laura Cleminson of Hoist Away Bags

stow away with a tote bag

get drawn in

the story behind the sail

Lately, when I've been complimenting fellow vendors on their lovely floral earrings and brooches, they've all responded the same thing: "Wendy Baker made these. You will love her jewelry and her!" Well, when you're right, you're right. When I came upon her Bendywho booth, I was in color wonderland. Wendy hand paints vintage metal flower components to make the most whimsical and joyful pieces you will ever see. Her layered petals, brightly hued beads, and mish mosh of baubles spoke to me on so many levels. After chatting with Wendy for a few minutes, I also loved the artist behind the pieces. Within a few short moments we were cracking up and chatting like old friends. I cannot wait to see her again at the Festival Fete Garden City show. You better go check her out too before I hoard all her pieces to myself.

Wendy Baker of Bendywho

not your garden variety necklace

earrings

I treated myself to a ring. How could I resist?

Midway through the steamy day, I took a quick gander to find some eats. Through the heat, I thought I saw a mirage. Was that really a food truck called "Mei Mei" (a childhood family nickname of mine) and did they really offer Chinese-American cuisine? Was this food truck plopped down at the Greenway just for me? I think it was because when I saw the menu, I found the perfect fusion of foods from both of my cultures. It was a hard choice but I finally ordered the savory bread pudding with scallions and cheddar. I could have sat down with a whole tray of the bread pudding - it was THAT good! Visit Mei Mei Street Kitchen's website to take a look at their other delish offerings and to learn more about the cool family behind the name.

Irene of Mei Mei Street Kitchen

Mei Mei Street Kitchen

well hello!

savory bread pudding with scallions and cheddar - bliss!

Now that outdoor show season is in full swing, I get to see so many of my favorite friends/artists. Carrie Wager of SepiaLepus was at the Greenway with her adorably illustrated, creature-featured art, prints, cards, pins, magnets, and new local maps. I have always admired her stuffed bunnies that dangle from tent and when I mentioned that my students would appreciate it, she donated one to the class. I cannot wait to share my new balloony bunny with my 2nd graders. Grace and I always enjoy each others' company on the road and we had fun chatting the day away. I loved her new red, black, and white Folk Couture dress with pugs and tear drop patterned skirt. Lots of lovely frocks went home to happy ladies, including a dress with a mama and baby polar bear. It made one mama very happy!

Carrie Wagner of Sepia Lepus

new Sepia Lepus Boston map

new Folk Couture pug dress

bear essentials

The big hit of the Greenway for me had to be the REcap bracelets, upcycled out of Crayola marker caps. A bunch went home to the young and young at heart. A nice variety of compact necklaces, a French bicycle head badge necklace, and some Thimblism necklaces also left with vistors from all over. I will be making more metal thimble necklaces this week with nautical charms (whale tails, steering wheels, and anchors)for my upcoming shows. I love this busy time of year!

REcap bracelets

Magic Garden - right

Dennebouy - bicycle head badge necklace

After a sunny day on the Greenway, Grace and I squeezed everything back into her car, cleaned up, and headed off to dinner with Jen of Zooguu plush handmade toys. There's nothing better than unwinding with friends, dinner, and ice cream after a full day. The following Sunday, Grace and I went off on a thriftavaganza before heading back to Danbury. It was her special treat to me for my birthday. It started with a scrumptious breakfast at Sofra Bakery and Cafe and continued on to a string of local thrift shops. My big find of the day was a vintage polka dotted Victor Costa dress with ruffles for miles. Grace also surprised me with a popcorn box full of birthday treats, including a ceramic "stinky stuff" jar with skunk. Oh the things I can put in there!

Volvo = volume

Sofra - so good

Olive Oyl chic

warning: jarring scents

It was a fun-filled weekend in Boston. In just a few days (6/3), you can catch me at stART on the Street in Worcester, MA.

The following Saturday and Sunday (6/9 & 6/10) I will be at Festival Fete's Garden City Art Festival in Cranston, RI.

Click here for my full spring/summer schedule. Hope to see you out and about!

On the Road - The Greenway Open Market & SoWa Open Market - Boston

With my summer teaching gig over, and lots of vacation still ahead of me, I was excited to get back into the swing of shows again. This was my second "double Boston weekend" of the summer and I was looking forward to returning to the Greenway Open Market and SoWa with my friend Grace Napoleon of Folk Couture. We packed her vehicle tighter than a clown car with two displays worth of gear and drove off to stay with her daughter Siena in Cambridge. We had a smooth drive up and a relaxing night before the Greenway.

and not an inch to spare

The Greenway Open Market

The humid New England day didn't keep locals and tourists from walking about the Greenway. We were welcomed by a mist surrounding the Rings Fountain and hoards of children dodging in and out of the sprays of water. As always, it was fun chatting the day away with Grace and watching her sew new creations on the spot. It was a busy day for Grace and folks from all over discovered her handmade OOAK apparel. I love the wow-moments when ladies walked out of her dressing room looking like the outfit was made just for them. An adorable party dress with crinoline and lovely shades of blue and green went home with a happy customer from Wyoming. Many stylish gals left the Greenway with a treasure from Grace's tent.

sew busy

The colors of Folk Couture

 wonderful and Wyoming bound

Grace introduced me to her friend Betsy Baker of Stonehouse Studio. Her polymer clay work is like none I have ever seen before. Her pendants were the first thing to catch my eye. Smooth detailed patterns contour round organic shapes and cradle delicate textured inlays. I was very fond of her bracelets and Grace was too. She treated herself to a colorful polka dotted bangle from Betsy at the end of the day. You can tell that Betsy has a master hand and has been doing this for years because she achieves intricate patterns and textures on such small spaces. Definitely check her out in the Boston area or on her website if you want to find someone a beautifully crafted, unique gift.

Betsy Baker of Stonehouse Studio

beautiful bangles

polymer pendants

While waiting for my Boston Common grilled cheese from the Grilled Cheese Nation truck, vibrant images of lemons, pizzas, and watermelons beckoned to me from a nearby booth. I stopped to take a closer look and to talk with Dan of Dan Johnson Designs about his trivets. I found out that all of the housewares he offers are created from his original artwork and photographs. His eye-catching images and bold colors make his pieces the ideal accessory to brighten up your home. In addition to the trivets he offered clocks, mugs, coasters, trays, and a variety of other useful wares. Visit his website to see his mouth-watering designs.

Dan Johnson Designs

deliciously decorative 

Lured in by the perfectly peaked cupcakes and a brightly colored stand I visited the Cupcake Cart on the Greenway for an afternoon pick me up. I chatted with the lovely gal working the cart and found out the stand was created by the same family who owns the local Bullfinch's Restaurant in Sudbury, MA. The cupcakes are only available on the Greenway and the stand is in a great location near the family-friendly fountain. I picked out a vanilla cupcake with vanilla frosting to share with Grace and it was just the treat to get us through the afternoon.

How can you resist?

yes please!

The biggest highlight of my day was meeting a customer who said she read my write up in the Weekly Dig. She left with several of my favorite pieces including "A Dazzling Display of Sportsmanship." I also met a very friendly mom and daughter visiting from New Jersey. The mom and I shared a love of vintage and we chatted about a great rummage sale in her area. She left with one of my newest tin locket creations called "Outdoor Girl." A sweet couple that was getting married the following week found the perfect gift for one of the girls in their wedding: a rainbow-colored REcap Bracelet. And guess where the bracelet was going to...Fairfield, CT where I teach and where the marker caps originally came from. You can't make these things up!

Can you Dig it?

"A Dazzling Display of Sportsmanship" on a dazzling customer

"Outdoor Girl" on a great outdoor mom and her daughter

After heading back to Siena's and freshening up we all headed out to celebrate Siena's birthday at Evoo in Boston. It was great to hang out with her parents and boyfriend Ian, who had been kind enough to help us set up and break down at the shows all weekend. We all tucked into some delicious locally grown and organic food. From appetizers to our main entrees, we enjoyed every bite and were most impressed by the presentation of the food and eclectic decor of the restaurant. The night was topped off with a lavender infused pana cotta accompanied by a candle and song for the birthday girl.

the birthday beauty

Ian 'n' Siena

The next day we were up early to set up at SoWa Open Market. The grey skies warned of a wet day ahead and that it was! Despite the showers, folks still showed up with raincoats and umbrellas to see what the market had to offer. I have to admit that I was a little too rain-shy to visit with other vendors and write about their goods, but you'll have to believe me when I tell you that there was a nice variety of both handmade goods and food there (as there always is!). Grace sported a new polka dotted cuff that she got from Betsy Baker at the Greenway. Grace busily sewed two new dresses by the end of the day and sent some pretty hand made outfits home with happy customers.

Twitch and Whiskers - the wet look

braving the rain

Grace doing some rainy day sewing.

A gal swung by with an amazing Basquiat t-shirt. We ended up talking a little about the London exhibit where she got the shirt. She went home with a magnet necklace called "Laws of Attraction." I jokingly told her I would trade the necklace for her cool t-shirt... and I would have if she was up for it! Oh well... Towards the end of the day a guy came by who was really drawn to the Thimblism Necklaces. He carefully read each thimble on the display and found a plastic one that advertised a shop in Seattle, Washington. The street address was just blocks away from where he used to live. He instantly knew that was the necklace for him.

Laws of Attraction

Fruity Thimblism Necklace

After SoWa, we headed toward Siena's and once the weather cleared up, we all walked to Jose's Mexican Restaurant. To celebrate the weekend, we enjoyed drinks and some delicious authentic Mexican fare. Sangria, salsa and chips, a margarita, and generous portions made us feel stuffed and satisfied. We definitely walked home a happy group!

Grace's kissing booth outside of Joe's

quite the pitcher

Grace in a sangriable mood

On Monday, Grace and I packed up, said our goodbyes and headed to a very special pastry spot: Sofra. Their delectable display of sweets and Middle Eastern specialties made it difficult to pick just one item, so Grace and I noshed on a nice variety of treats while unwinding with a tea and latte. Once fed, we hit the road. The car, being a bit lighter after selling at our shows, had some precious extra room. We made several stops at some of our favorite crafty and thrifty places on the way back to Connecticut. These detours proved to be quite rewarding so we were thankful for the extra trunk space. Thanks to some metal poles between us in the car I had a "censored" view of Grace on the ride home. This provided us with many laughs and a few close calls during sharp turns.

breakfast of champions

 passenger side view of Grace on the ride home

This Boston weekend had a little of everything to make for the perfect adventure: family, friends, food, and finds. I can't wait to do all again this coming weekend! 

Come visit me at my last two shows of the summer. Fall and winter dates to follow soon!

Saturday, August 13 - The Greenway Open Market - Boston, MA

Sunday, August 14 - SOWA Open Market - Boston, MA