On the Road - Opening Day of the Greenway Open Market - Boston

Last Saturday was opening day for the Greenway Open Market at the Rose Kennedy Greenway in Boston. Organized by the same folks who run SoWa Open Market, this open air market offered a nicely juried selection of art and craft vendors. Located near the trolley tour pick up spot and the Boston Aquarium, the area was hustling and bustling with both locals and tourists. The Rings Fountain sprayed swarms of children with choreographed patterns of water in the center of the Greenway and a carousel spun at the north end, keeping families cool and entertained all day.

opening day of the Greenway Open Market

 The Rose Kennedy Greenway

Thom and I were packed for a two-show weekend. The following day we were doing SoWa. We were lucky enough to stay with our friend Stacey who lives in Hull. The night before the Greenway, we enjoyed lobster rolls, ice cream, a carousel, and a vintage ball-rolling game call "Fascination" by the shore. Feeling fully entertained and well-fed, we were charged and ready for the great weekend ahead. 

Twitch and Whiskers

He's so crafty!

One of our neighbors was Wendy of Lathergy Soaps. It's always great being next to handmade soaps, especially on a breezy day. Fresh herbal and floral scents filled the air and set a such relaxing tone. I had a chance to sniff all the special blends and I really enjoyed the Blend Number One with lavender, tea tree oil, and rosemary. I thought their picnic basket displays were especially charming. To see Lathergy's full range of soaps and scents, visit their website.

Wendy of Lathergy Soaps

fresh scents

Melissa of Coral Belles had the perfect combination of bright colors and patterns in her fanciful, handmade children's clothes. Melissa's seaside inspired dresses, ruffle shorts, and accessories were a big hit with people looking for gifts for fashionable girls and their moms. Her blue and green whale dress was such a fresh and fancy free design. It reminded me of summer jaunts to Newport. She was such a friendly neighbor and I really enjoyed chatting the day away with her. Check out Melissa's Etsy shop for a great sampling of her work!

Melissa of Coral Belles

whale done

You couldn't help but smile when you saw the capes and super hero gear from Little Hero Capes. Allison has created a whole fantasy world of capes, masks, and cuffs to dress any pint sized villain fighter. Stars, lightning bolts, hearts, rockets, and even skulls emblazoned the sleek fabric capes. I had the pleasure of seeing one of her capes in action on a little guy soaring near the fountains at the Greenway and it absolutely made my day. I visited her website and thought it was great that she offered "create a cape" where you can make your own custom designs to fit your super needs. Click here and take off!

Allison of Little Hero Capes

super cool super hero outfitter

Whenever I bump into John of John Warren Designs, I'm always eager to see the new clever designs he has to offer. Being a frequent picker and hunter at old factories, markets, and other places of intrigue you just never know what new furniture design he has up his sleeve. John combines old pieces of wood, fascinating metal detail, interesting paint finishes and unexpected decorative touches (like children's building blocks and textured tin ceiling tiles) to create re-envisioned vintage masterpieces. I was drawn to his end tables with carved horse heads. Visit his blog for a peek into his world and to find out where you can spot him next.

John Warren Designs

two horses are better than one

Thom and I enjoyed some crunchy and gooey grilled cheese sandwiches from the Grilled Cheese Nation truck. Their sour dough bread and creative ingredient combinations made their truck a popular stop at the market. Throughout the day I longingly watched the kids splashing around in the fountains and wished I could dash through the water myself. The park provided many games and toys on the Greenway for kids of all ages to use. It really is the perfect family destination.

Grilled Cheese Nation

fountains with youth at the Greenway

I love meeting new people at markets. My first customer was a local Bostonian out for a jog. We had a great conversation about collecting small vintage items. She ended up jogging back home with a rainbow REcap bracelet and one of my favorite new pieces called "Drama Queen." I was visited by a wonderful pediatrician from Toronto. He thought a barber pole and hot dog thimbilism necklace would be a big hit with his small patients. I ended up making him necklaces with longer chains so he could wear them with his hospital badge. An assemblage necklace called "Camping Neath the Stars" made from a vintage Swedish bicycle head badge went home with a found object artist. We also talked in depth about collecting and the joys of treasure hunting for inspiration. There was never a dull moment at the Greenway thanks to all the fascinating people around.

A Rainbow REcap bracelet adds instant color to any outfit!

Drama Queen - complete with fluttering doll eye

barber pole Thimblism Necklace

Camping 'Neath the Stars

The lively Greenway provided a great flow of people and activity throughout the day.  I can't wait to do the market again come August!

Visit me when I return to Boston:

Saturday, August 6 - The Greenway Open Market - Boston, MA

Sunday, August 7 - SOWA Open Market - Boston, MA

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

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

On the Road - Twist

I was kid-in-a-candy-shop excited to be in the Twist show on May 6th and 7th this year. The show is known far and wide for finely curated wares and a friendly community. Thom and I had a calm drive up to Northampton, stopped for lunch in town, checked into our hotel, and headed off to the Northampton Center for the Arts. The building was spacious and had lots of sunlight streaming in through the big windows. The picturesque ceiling had a stained glass design, decorative molding, and a rotating disco ball. The whole space had a great vibe.

Twist at the Northampton Center for the Arts

lookin' up

When met a ton of nice people while setting up. When we arrived at our table, I noticed an amazing lavender and mint scent. It was a refreshing welcome from Steve and Karen of Little Birch Farm. They hand craft a nice array of soaps, lip balms, bath salts, and other lovely body care products. Their letter pressed birch bark packaging had an incredible feel and it was great to hear about how Steve and Karen collaborate together on their products. I was lucky enough to go home with a bar of their Marian's Mint soap and it gave me a nice pick me up after a long weekend.

Little Birch Farm

Ahhhh....

To our right, was local ceramic artist Abby Berkson. I instantly fell in love with her hand painted details, inspired by children's book illustrations. I especially enjoyed her crowned elephants and cats with scarves. The cat reminded me a little of my favorite children's chapter book, "Jenny and the Cat Club." She offered lovely plates, mugs, sugar/creamer sets, and small bowls that were the perfect compact size for salsas and sauces. I was most impressed by the craftsmanship of her lidded pouring pots with straining spouts. She was a friendly neighbor and I enjoyed hearing all about her work in the studio.

Abby Berkson Ceramics

elephants and birds and cats...oh my!

I also got a warm welcome from realistic painter Julie Beck. The first thing that caught my eye at her table was a painting of a quarter on a vibrant orange background. Made me wanna go to the nearest arcade and play some pinball. I also loved her buttons, which she offered as paintings and on magnets. It was great chatting with someone who has been a participant of Twist for several years. She introduced me to some of her friends from Rhode Island including Kristin Crane who made clever journals, cards, and bookmarks out of old maps and other interesting ephemera. Her journals would make a perfect gift for anyone about to embark on a special journey.

Julie Beck

quarter envy

Kristin Cane

Chrissy Ann Ceramics was my neighbor right behind me. Her custom blended glazes gave each piece of pottery a warm and unique finish. Chrissy made a whole variety of plates, bowls, and decorative pieces that could be personalized for weddings and other special occasions. She also sold stacks of four small scalloped edged dipping bowls, glazed in a way that made me think of delicious cookies. I enjoyed hearing about her studio space and hanging out with her for two days.

Chrissy Ann Ceramics

See that floral shaped bundle of tiny plates with a bow? Delish!

Heather Jean Toupin is a busy bee. Not only does she make a cool array of stationery and wearables for heatherjeany, but she also runs White Electric coffee shop in Providence, RI. We both spied something we loved from each others tables and treated ourselves. I have always been a fan of the old fashioned button candy. She created note cards that looked just like the candy, down to the bleeding of colors between rows of dots. I am considering framing one...that's how much I love it! Heather took home one of my thimbilism necklaces that had two elements that suited her to a T. It had a lightning bolt (for her coffee shop) and "SINGER" printed on thimble (she loves to sew). I hope to swing by her coffee shop next time I'm in the Providence area. 

heatherjeanny

Just dotty for this note card set!

thimbilism necklace - ZAP!

At Twist, I got to premiere some new OOAK necklaces, including ones made out of bicycle head badges and an Esther Williams inspired piece. Some of my REcap bracelets, Fun 'n' Games rings, and thimbilism necklaces went to happy homes by the end of the show. Besides the soap and stationery, I also grabbed an upcycled skateboard bracelet from COOB Originals.I have gotten tons of compliments while wearing it already and folks are always surprised to find out it was made from a re-loved skateboard.

some new OOAK pieces

Fun 'n' Games rings

COOB Originals - bangle bracelet - LOVE!

Everyone at Twist, from the artisans to the customers, were so friendly and supportive. I ended the day on Saturday with new friends, lots of new connections, and a heavenly free chair massage from Mary Hunt O'Conner. What's not to love? I can't wait for the next Twist and highly suggest swinging by next time if you're in the area!

Come visit me on my birthday next week:
Saturday, May 21st – Shop the Archway – DUMBO – Brooklyn, NY

Sneak Peek - New Jewelry for Twist Show

Join me on Friday, May 6th and Saturday, May 7th in Northampton, Mass for Twist. It's going to be an uh-may-zing show! Here's a sneak peek at the new necklaces I'll be premiering there.

Esther-onomy

Victory Lap & A Dazzling Display of Sportsmanship

vintage bicycle head badge necklaces

Spring Carnival

 If you're in the Northampton area, swing by!

Love, Love, Love: Bicycle Head Badges

If you asked my grandfather or dad what they loved to do most on the weekends when I was growing up, they would have unanimously replied: bike riding. Both of them belonged to local touring groups. My grandfather ran a bike club when he taught high school ages ago, and many of his students grew up to be bicycle enthusiasts and professional riders. If my grandfather and dad weren't riding, they were fixing bikes.

My grandfather's basement was a meeting place for his local rider friends to custom make wheels or oil up a chain. Rows of wheels and frames hung from the ceiling and deflated bike tubes were found in every corner of the room. Everything seemed to be dingy and sticky. Spare parts littered the floor, spilled on top of an old ping pong table, and the mix of cigarette smoke and grease gave it an old factory smell.

I have fond memories of zipping through Connecticut country roads with my grandfather and dad. I can recall taking an especially long ride with them atop the banana seat on my one-speed Huffy Pinwheel decorated with E.T. stickers. The best part was stopping for a celebratory Yoo Hoo and chicken fried potato before heading home.


My grandfather and dad had great dreams of me becoming a professional bike rider. For my 16th birthday, they proudly presented me with a custom-made touring bike. After the initial disappointment of it NOT being a car, I learned to appreciate the workmanship and love put into my gift and ended up using it for years to come. Though I didn't grow up to love bikes as much as the patriarchs in my family, I was certainly around the gears and grease enough to feel that cycling was really part of my life. It's no wonder that a bicycle part found its way into my work.

Last summer, I was thrifting with my friend Grace at Goodwill and we were both peering through the jewelry case for treasures. While scanning the shelves, I totally overlooked a great find. Grace called me over to point out an interesting looking metal badge. I was about 3 inches long, was stamped out of brass, and had the name "Dunelt" on it. Once removed from the case, Grace pointed out the possibility in the piece. It's funny because I didn't even realize what it was used for until I went home and did a search online. It was an old head badge, used to display the brand of the bike on the front of its frame.

Tour de Chance Necklace

I carefully flattened out the curve of the badge. The three screw holes provided perfect spots to add the necklace chain and a dangling tassel. I found complimentary vintage chains and a tassel from deconstructed necklaces and a few accent beads from a broken bracelet. The piece came together quite intuitively and I ended up naming it, "Tour de Chance." After a few weeks up on Etsy, the necklace road off to a loving home. 

Since then, I have been on the lookout for more head badges. I am in the process of upcycling a unique collection of them into one-of-a-kind necklaces. They range in age (1930's-current) and country of origin (Japan, Sweden, France, Germany, US). My favorite is a Marathon head badge from Sweden with an embossed running man, gorgeous green paint, and elaborate cut outs. There's another one coming in the mail soon that has "Perfekt deLuxe" written on it. Love! The badges are as light as air and create a great focal point for a necklace. 

near perfekt

When I'm done, I'll certainly sit back and enjoy a Yoo-Hoo in honor of grandpa and dad. To see the completed pieces, pedal on over to these upcoming shows:

Friday and Saturday, May 6th & 7th – Twist – Northampton, MA

Saturday, May 21st – Shop the Archway – DUMBO – Brooklyn, NY

Sunday, June 26th - Smith Street Sunday Fun Day - Brooklyn, NY

Saturday, July 9, August 6, August 13 - Greenway Open Markets - Boston, MA