Last weekend, I headed east to participate in my first holiday show of the 2014 season: Craftopia in Pawtucket,RI. The halls of the Hope Artiste Village were decked with fantastic makers, designers, and artists from all over the northeast. There was such a festive mood in the air! One moment I was busily setting up the booth and before I knew it, the doors of the show swung open. Once they did, the space was hustling and bustling with holiday shoppers, enthusiastic families, and lovers of handmade.
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| Twitch and Whiskers at Craftopia November 2014 |
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| Craftopia - Hope Artist Village - Pawtucket, RI |
I always adore getting visitors at a show. I was lucky to be graced by several friendly faces. My friend and old college roomie Rebecca was visiting from Connecticut and she brought her sweet fiance Michael to the show. It was my first time meeting Michael and I have to say that they make a fabulous pair! My friend and talented artist Wendy Brusick came bearing a unique gift. She gave me a large vintage plastic gorilla bank from the now defunct Building 19 store. She brought it because she knew my other gorilla bank at home needed a friend. I get the best treats! Ashley Vick of Filomena Demarco Jewelry (you have to check out her stunning work) visited with her mom in search of the perfect gift for a vintage-loving family member. They left with a great choice, but I promised to keep it a secret. Shh...
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| Rebecca and Michael - the glowing couple! |
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| Artist Wendy Brusick and my new plastic pal |
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| Ashley Vick of Filomena Demarco Jewelry and her lovely mom |
I was lucky to be right across from the multi-talented Massachusetts artist Liza Abelson of Dasken Designs at the show. All day, I got to gaze at her lovely stained glass creations. Liza has a diverse artistic background in painting, jewelry design, and glass work. My first introduction to Liza's work was when I saw a customer wearing her stunning "Selena" necklace at a show in Boston. The gorgeous swirling lines and vibrant glass center stopped me in my tracks. Liza's nature-inspired pieces are both elegant in their form and spirited in their design. Her cheeky, shapely mermaids with curly hair put a smile on many customers faces at Craftopia. Many of Liza's pieces are ornamental in nature, which makes them the perfect holiday gift. They can go on the Christmas tree, by the mantle to catch the light of the flames, or on the window all year round to welcome in the sun. Make sure to visit Dasken Designs' website, blog, Square Shop, and Facebook page to see Liza's glass work, unique jewelry designs, and paintings. There are still many opportunities to see her during the holiday season, so don't delay! Liza's hands can craft you the perfect gift.
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| Liza Abelson of Dasken Designs |
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| The unforgettable "Selena" necklace |
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| The dazzling Dasken Designs mermaid |
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| Whimsy meets nature |
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| Capture the light of the holiday season with stained glass. |
Rings of all sorts went home with happy Craftopia customers. Visitors loved picking through my Fun 'n' Games rings made from vintage pinback buttons. The sassy slogans with lines such as "You Nasty Man You", "Don't Monkey with Me", and "I'm the Guy that Puts the Stickers on Gooseberries" filled my booth with laughter throughout the day.
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| Fun 'n' Games and Hob Knob rings by Twitch and Whiskers |
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| This birthday girl gives it her all! |
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| Bling it on! |
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| Ringing in vintage, kitschy style! |
The fun continued as ladies tried on holiday-themed, pinback button, protractor, and blinking doll eye necklaces. A wide variety of pieces left the show both as gifts for others and around the necks of happy customers.
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| A creative mom and son duo enjoyed looking through all the pinback button necklaces. |
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| Red Hot Mama and Let's Make Whoopie went home with some sassy ladies! |
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| Holiday hugs and smiles |
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| Saint Nick lookin' slick. |
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| Blinking doll eye necklaces were popular purchases. Perhaps you will find one staring at you from inside your stocking. |
Thank you to all of the wonderful customers and friends who came out and filled my booth with fun and laughter all day. Warm hugs go out to the stellar Rhody Craft organizers who created a door-busting, successful show. A great time was had by all! You can see more photos from Craftopia on Rhody Craft's Facebook page. Support the local, handmade scene and run over to Rhody Craft's wonderful store at its new location at 780 Hope Street in Providence.
Here is where you can find Twitch and Whiskers this holiday season:
November 28th through December 31st - The 13th Annual Craftland Show - Providence, RI
December 13th and 14th - The 11th Annual SoWa Holiday Market - Boston, MA
Visit PURE.original in Rutland, Vermont to all sorts of upcycled and vintage goodies for the holidays, including Twitch and Whiskers designs. Give the lovable Heather a high five for me if you go!
Psst...
I will be doing a BIG EXCITING GIVEAWAY soon!
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