One Very Crafty Weekend with Brownies, Trashionistas, and Craftland

After a long winter, I was eager to emerge from my crafty hibernation and get out into the world again. This past weekend provided several wonderful opportunities to celebrate upcycling with some local kids and get back into the swing of things.

upcycling with the Brownies

digging through treasures

On Friday after school, I got to present an upcycled jewelry workshop to one of our 3rd grade Girl Scout troops. The best part of it was working with students who were in my class last year.  Each third grader made a ring, pin, and necklace out of game pieces, paper scraps, and other doodads. It made me giddy to see the girls wearing their pieces in school after the workshop.

rook ring

Glue is a Girl Scout's best friend.

pawn and pom pom rings

Two GO pieces make the perfect Oreo for one hungry dino.

a burst of spring

bulls eye brooch

triomino ring

Saturday was filled with trashion and travel. It started with the annual Trashy Fashion Show at Fairfield's Earth Day Celebration. My Roots & Shoots students, ranging in age 7 to 12 were paired up with Warde High School Fashion students for our seventh show together. From the Queen of Hearts and a savvy business man to a fan tailed coffee filter dress and woven newspaper attire, there was an impressive array of eco-friendly costumes. I'm so proud of the kids! 

trashionista extraordinaire

trashbot

eco-chic

the earth-friendliest

Burr Roots & Shoots Member and Warde Fashion Students

a magical day at Farifield's Earth Day Celebration

Click here to see a fun slideshow of the event.

Right after the fashion show on Saturday, I hit the road for Providence. First stop was the always-exciting Craftland. I was in their holiday show this past winter and they continued to carry my Twitch and Whiskers pieces in their shop after the show. I went to drop off a fresh batch of Thimblism necklaces and several protractor necklaces. I was greeted by the very friendly Catherine and heard a pretty dang funny story about a poetry open mic. If you're lucky, maybe she'll share it with ya the next time you're at Craftland!

Craftland - Providence, RI

gifts galore

Twitch and Whiskers at Craftland

the lovely Catherine

I was excited to see the Joseph Aaron Segal exhibit. I fell in love with his hypnotizing cat shirts a few year ago when I visited the Bust Craftacular and I became an even bigger fan when I watched him on the recent season of Project Runway. His stacked pillows with dozens of dimensional kitty eyes really struck just the right chord with my inner Little Edie.

Joseph Aaron Segal at Craftland

purrrrr...

As always, I enjoyed perusing the handmade wares from many of my favorite local artists. Before I left, I treated myself to a stunning turquoise ring from Nervous System. Their 3D printed rings and bracelets were such eye-catchers and I cannot wait to don mine for the spring. 

Nervous System rings and bracelets at Craftland

Up next was a visit with a great artist/friend Carrie Wagner of SepiaLepus. Carrie, her husband Jim, and Corgie Frannie let me crash for the night at their comfy pad. Carrie and I were going to be participating in the spring Craftopia show the next day. After catching up and filling our bellies with comfort food, I got to see some of her new pieces including a mind-blowing North American Cryptid map and three hand painted wooden bears. Cute!

SepiaLepus

Jumping back into spring with both feet was just what the doctor ordered. Check back soon for a post about Craftopia!

Here are my upcoming shows for spring/summer 2013:

June 1 - Greenway Open Market - Boston, MA
June 15 - Arts Fest Beverly - Beverly, MA
June 23 - TBA
June 29 - Greenway Open Market - Boston, MA 
July 13 - Greenway Open Market - Boston, MA 
July 20 - TBA
July 27 - Greenway Open Market - Boston, MA 
August 3 - Greenway Open Market - Boston, MA 
Other dates in the works!


Visit Twitch and Whiskers on FB and Etsy!

Twist and Holiday Season Sneak Peek

This weekend I say hello and a very sad goodbye to one of my favorite shows, Twist. The curtain is closing on this long running, much loved show. This Northampton event is known for amazing artists, great food, a dj spinning tunes under a disco ball, and an overall fun vibe. All week I've been home from school because of Hurricane Sandy and camped out on my kitchen table making pieces for the show. This has resulted in a oodles of new necklaces (and a big sparkling mess in the kitchen). Here is a sneak peak.

You asked for them! Here are more blinking doll eye necklaces.

 Vintage pinback button necklaces.

 

 Rouge compact and tin lockets.

And for good measure...a big, dazzling Ice Capades necklace!

Come out and show your love for Twist. Let's make this last one the best one yet! I hope to see you in Northampton on Friday and Saturday.

Here are my upcoming fall/winter shows. Visit my Etsy shop for a small sampling of my pieces. Feel free to contact me if you would like a custom piece.

November 10 - The Park School - Brookline Marketplace -  Brookline, MA
November 11 - Craftopia - Providence, RI
December 8 & 9 - SoWa Holiday Market - Boston, MA

You can find Twitch and Whiskers baubles at the following stores:

Craftland (Nov. and Dec. holiday show) - Providence, RI
Peter Lawrence Gallery (Nov. to early Jan show) - Gaylordsville, CT
Vudu Micia - New Milford, CT
English Apothecary - Bethel, CT
Aquvii - Tokyo, Japan (if you're in the area!)

Follow Twitch and Whiskers on Facebook for updates.

On the Road - The Greenway Open Market

After school on Friday, I loaded up the car, and headed off to Boston with my partner in crime. It's been a long time since Thom has gone to a show with me, and it was great to have my favorite person in tow. On Saturday morning, we were greeted at the Greenway Open Market by a dog playing in the sprays of the Rings Fountain and brisk fall weather.

my gent in the tent

goings on at the Greenway

I had recently acquired a batch of gorgeous rouge compacts from the 1920's and 1930's and turned them into new colorful lockets. I couldn't wait to display my new pieces with figural and floral accents.

Painted Lady, Night Owl, and Filly Folly

insides

About a year ago, I went to the World Maker Faire in NYC to watch my husband's band perform. When I got to the grand event, I made a beeline for the BUST Craftacular tent village to check out the handmade wares. My favorite jewelry designer by far at the show had to be Hannah Wood of Black Black Moon. Since then, I have bumped into Hannah over and over again at shows in the Northeast. I adore her vintage-inspired jewelry with touches of steam punk design. Antiqued and filigree finishes, brassy creatures, and mysterious ephemera adorn her unique pieces.  Hannah is the proud two time recipient of an Editor's Choice Award at the World Maker Faire and she won first prize last year for best vendor costume at SoWa's Market of the Living Dead. The next time you're at the Greenway or SoWa, enter Hannah's curiosity shop of fabulous accessories.

Hannah Wood of Black Black Moon

vintage crane scissor necklaces = gorgeous

butterfly beauties

While dashing through the Greenway, something amazing made me slam on the brakes. It was a vibrant skirt with a hand cut, kaleidoscopic design in pink, green, blue, and purple. I just had to meet the genius behind the skirt and was pleasantly surprised to find a designer as radiant as her clothes. Rachel Sherman's Malagueta clothing line is named after a tiny red pepper that grows in Brazil and pays homage to her Brazilian born mother. Rachel uses a mix of applique and sewing techniques to create her nature and industrial inspired pieces. You can see a clever hand behind each stitch and snip. Visit her website to see a wide variety of her dresses, tops, and skirts and treat yourself to a piece of wearable art.

Rachel Sherman of Malagueta

WANT!

stunning one of a kind touches

Lockets were the big seller this week for me at the Greenway. I always love watching customers open each one to discover hidden treasures inside. For the upcoming holiday season, I will have a whole bevy of new lockets, pinback button necklaces, brooch necklaces, and other OOAK creations.

Violets Are Blue, Port of Call (sold), and Garden Jewel

insides

Evening Glances (3rd from left) and Plucking My Heartstrings (far right) both sold

Twitch and Whiskers Holiday Schedule:

November 2 & 3 - Twist - Northampton, MA
November 10 - The Park School - Brookline Marketplace -  Brookline, MA
November 11 - Craftopia - Providence, RI

December 8 & 9 - SoWa Holiday Market - Boston, MA

*more shows may be added soon

You can find Twitch and Whiskers baubles at the following stores:

Craftland (Nov. and Dec. holiday show) - Providence, RI
Peter Lawrence Gallery (Nov. to early Jan show) - Gaylordsville, CT
Vudu Micia - New Milford, CT
English Apothecary - Bethel, CT
Aquvii - Tokyo, Japan (if you're in the area!)

Follow Twitch and Whiskers on Facebook for updates.
Visit my Etsy shop or let me custom make a piece for you!