On the Road - Hot Cup o' Handmade 3

Beautiful weather, relaxation, and time to create. Just when I thought my vacation week couldn't get any better, along came Hot Cup o' Handmade 3. It was the perfect way to kick off my spring and summer show season. I joined Grace Napoleon of Folk Couture and Jen Matlack of Milly Gilly Home and Garden (aka Daisy Chestnut) for a three artist trunk show at my favorite coffee shop - Molten Java in Bethel, CT. Molten's new glorious location was the ideal backdrop for our event. 

Molten Java menagerie

Grace and Jen go green

It was great cozying up to a drink and catching up with Jen. She displayed a lovely variety of terrariums and her famous garden spoons. Jen has a great knack for finding unique vessels for her plants and adding whimsical finishing touches. Read more about Jen in her Etsy Featured Seller interview and definitely visit her online shop to see how her garden grows.

springtime is served

someone to watch over you

I always enjoy seeing Grace's new creations. Her display was in full bloom with bursts of color and pattern for the spring. Our friend Karin stopped by and found the perfect Folk Couture dress for her upcoming art opening at the Mercurial Gallery. She looked gorgeous! Grace has a full show season ahead (including many shows we'll be doing together). Follow her Facebook to see where you can find her next.

off to an art opening

fresh florals

What I loved best about this show was that every hour, different friends (old and new) would pop by. I felt like I was on a sitcom with many celebrity guest appearances. Sue and her adorable daughter Aurelia swung by to say hello. Sue picked a "DIY" game piece ring. It was a perfect match for her because she's a real DIY kind of gal. This month she will be opening a vintage and handmade shop on Bank Street in New Milford called Vudu Micia. I can't wait to see what she has to offer! I also met Luisa, who works upstairs at Byrd's Books. It turns out I had two of her cousins as students and knew her mom (small world). She looked smashing in my favorite protractor necklace called "Bluebird's Return." 

Sue and Aurelie - two starlets on the stairs

game piece and wooden nickel ring

The lovely Luisa sports a protractor.

Bluebird's Return

Lys and Elizabeth brightened our day.

I enjoyed every moment of hanging out at Molten Java and cannot wait for the next Hot Cup o' Handmade. You can find me in NY, MA, and RI in May and June. Here is my schedule. Please swing by or visit my Etsy shop. I currently have an Etsy Trashion Team sale going on. The coupon code EARTH15 = 15% off at checkout. Hope to see you out and about!

Designing with the Daisies - Upycled Jewelry Workshop

Earth Day is just around the corner. I've been a busy bee around my school getting ready for projects, celebrations, and a fashion show. Yesterday, I got to end my school day with 17 enthusiastic Daisies and piles of recyclables. To help these 5 and 6 year-olds earn their eco-themed badges, I visited their meeting to chat about the 3 R's and how to save the Earth in creative ways. I started by reading one of my favorite green-themed books, Round and Round Again by Nancy Van Laan. The girls shared what they do at home and school to help our planet and I let them explore some of my upcycled jewelry. After that, we got straight to work making REcap bracelets (out of Crayola marker caps) and pendants out of playing cards and paper scraps.

The best way to count to 5!

cap-tivating

collaging on top of playing cards

reusing greeting cards

By the end of our workshop, the Daisies looked dazzling in their necklaces and bracelets. They were more than happy to share their clever creations.

I was so proud of the girls and loved every moment of crafting with them! I look forward to spreading the passion for trashion at two more upcoming events in Fairfield. 

Please join my Burr Elementary School Roots & Shoots Members and the Fairfield Warde fashion students for our annual Trashy Fashion Show at Fairfield's Earth Day Celebration on April 28th. I will also be doing an upcycled jewelry workshop at Fairfield Wood's Arts in Action Day in May. I can't wait!

My next show is a local one. Join Folk Couture, Milly Gilly House & Garden, and Twitch and Whiskers at Molten Java in Bethel for Hot Cup o' Handmade 3. Psst....mention the code word "hometown" and get 20% off all your purchases! A full May schedule is coming soon!

Kimblism Thimblism at the Toy Room

I got a visit from my pal Kim Ramsey at Hot Cup o' Handmade 1 back in November. She brought with her a pretty silver thimble inscribed with "Kate" (her grandma's name) and asked if I could custom make a thimblism necklace for her. Of course I was more than happy to! I swung by her shop, The Toy Room after school one day. I love any opportunity to visit her shop because it's chock full of wonderment and the coolest toys around. I brought with me containers full of kitschy charms, bead caps, and beads. Kim chose a bright plastic apple charm to dangle below her thimble. It came off a vintage Carmen Miranda/ fruit salad type necklace.

The Toy Room on Greenwood Ave in Bethel, CT

After making the necklace, Thom and I returned to her shop last Saturday to drop off the piece and to do a little holiday shopping. Kim looked absolutely radiant in her new necklace! To honor Kim, I named it the "Kimblism Thimblism" necklace. I just couldn't resist! I love it when I get the chance to work with items that hold meaning and sentiment and I especially enjoy making things for friends.

an apple a day

Kim in her "Kimblism" Thimblism necklace

There was so much to look at in the store. Last year, I purchased a bunch of realistic looking chocolate chip cookie purses from Kim and they were a big hit during the holidays. Imagine my excitement when I saw a whole new line of products from the same company, including big ol' pizza and cupcake pillows! The Toy Room was filled to the brim with all sorts of cute stocking stuffers like goofy rubber faced hand puppets (I remember having these when I was a kid), colorful marbles and glass critter figurines, and mysterious socks that expand to full size in water. I asked Kim what was one of the hottest items in her shop right now and she said it was the "Loopdedoo" friendship bracelet maker. This jewelry maker gives this crafty kit a big thumbs up!

good enough to eat

faces only a mother could love

hypnotizing colors

a friendship bracelet maker's friend

And then of course, there is the toy that I want (hint, hint). I almost forgot to mention that one of my favorite parts of visiting Kim, is the fact that we both have an extremely immature sense of humor. Knowing this, she pointed out the GAME OF ALL GAMES a few weeks ago while I was visiting: Doggie Doo. Let's just say that it features a dog, goopy green dog treats, a leash that you squeeze, and gaseous noises. I hope the man in the big red suit is taking note.

I really doo want this.

Every time I visit Kim, my day is filled with toys and laughter. What else could you possibly want? The Toy Room has perfect gifts for kids of all ages. Support a great local business this holiday season and if you swing by, please bring a hat or pair of gloves. Kim will be collecting these items for the Dorothy Day House in Danbury until December 15th. Happy Holidays!

Princess Charming - Upcycled Rouge Locket Necklace

Looking for a memorable holiday gift? Swing by my Etsy shop for unique upcycled rings, bracelets, and necklaces.

On the Road - Hot Cup o' Handmade at Molten Java in Bethel, CT

There's nothing like being on your home turf when doing a show. Not only is traveling a breeze but you also get to see many familiar faces. This was definitely the case at Hot Cup o' Handmade last Tuesday. It was great to see many friendly visitors from around town, and my school. Plus, I was surrounded by some of the most talented local craftinistas in my favorite coffee shop - Molten Java in Bethel, CT.

Molten Java - hot stuff!

Michele and Jeanny stopped by to say hi.

Sue and Mark perked me up!

Lys Guillorn of Little Cowgirl was saddled up next to me at the show. This creative gal really does it all, and her table was a great reflection of her many super powers. Besides being a very talented photographer, Lys sews bags with whimsical prints, creates a cornucopia of kitchy tiny pins with vintage ephemera, and fashions colorful jewelry out of buttons. I am now the proud owner of one of her button necklaces in red with a white heart detail. My husband Thom couldn't resist getting a few pins as well. In addition to exploring the wide world of crafts, Lys is a gifted songstress and performer. You can find her next at the Hot, Rock, & Holiday Party in Windsor, CT. Behold the power of Lys' crafts and music!

Lys Guillorn of Little Cowgirl

pin up!

Lys' photography is indeed the BESTEVER!

The clothing designer extraordinaire (and my often time craft show travel companion), Grace Napoleon of Folk Couture, represented with racks and racks of new and amazing designs. Her hands have been on overdrive getting ready for the upcoming holiday season and it was great seeing all of her new sweaters and dresses in person.  Everyone at Molten Java was treated to a little fashion show every time someone tried on her unique "clothes out of clothes." The only thing that was missing was a red carpet! She's all over the place in the weeks to come, including Wellesley Marketplace in MA, Festival Fete in RI, and SoWa Holiday Market in MA. Visit her on Facebook to see where else you can find her in the weeks to come.

Grace Napoleon of Folk Couture

roses n' ruffles

Folk Couture's recent display at Handmade Arcade in Pittsburgh. Love the bear!

When you walk up to Jen Matlack's table you feel like you're strolling through an enchanted garden. Milly Gilly House and Garden (aka Daisy Chestnut on Etsy) offers mysterious terrariums with hidden treasures, hand-stamped vintage platters, and a whole variety of hand illustrated note cards/paper items. What Jen is best known for is her garden marker spoons and silverware garland. She embellishes vintage silverware with lovely hand drawn illustrations of herbs, vegetables, and plants.  Her items are so treasured that she got on Etsy's front page as a featured seller! Dontcha just love it when a local gal goes big? I fell in love with one of her terrariums in a mason jar, and just had to bring it home. You can really see and feel the amount of care and detail that go into each and every piece. If you're looking for the perfect holiday gift for the garden/nature lover in your life, take a romp through Jen's world.

Jen Matlack of Milly Gilly House and Garden

the right utensils for the job

pleasant under glass

At Hot Cup o' Handmade, I displayed a lot of new pieces and many went to great homes. My friend Karin swung by and treated herself to an early birthday gift. She looked fantastic in the vintage rouge locket necklace called "Feather in the Heather." Two of my favorite pieces also went to familiar faces:  "Eye-Lash-Ine" with a 1920's tin, monocle, and diorama & "Oh Deer, Oh Deer" which held a nature scene with two gold tone deer in a watch parts tin. Many thimblism necklaces went a-jinglin' out the door and several folks requested custom necklaces made with their own thimbles. I just love making pieces out of other people's treasures!

the birthday beauty

"Oh Deer Oh Deer"

Eye-Lash-Ine

on the flip side

Wendy, the owner of Molten Java was there to partake in the crafty festivities. Most recently, she shared the exciting announcement that Molten Java will soon be relocating down the street into an amazing Victorian house. She's been hard at work painting, uncovering the beautiful wood floors, and getting the space ready for its opening. Read all about it here in the Bethel Buzz News. I'm so proud of Wendy, that I just want to stick a giant gold star in the middle of her forehead. 'Like' Molten Java on Facebook to get the most up-to-date info on the big move.

I love Wendy for many reasons. Giving me a zombie finger puppet just added to the list.

Molten Java's soon-to-be new location! Oooh! Ahhh! Ohhhh!

a sneak peek of the new space - colors abound

And finally...drum roll please...I am excited to announce that Hot Cup o' Handmade will be returning for a holiday show on Sunday, December 4th! We are still hammering out some of the details but will post more info soon. In the meantime, save the date and spread the word. Thank you to all who came out to the show and supported the local craft scene. Hope to see you again come December!

You can find me at these upcoming holiday shows:

Wellesley Marketplace - Saturday, November 19 at the Wellesley Middle School in Wellesley, MA.

Hot Cup o' Handmade - Sunday, December 4 from 12-4 at Molten Java in Bethel, CT. Facebook invite to follow soon. Follow Twitch and Whiskers on Twitter or Facebook to get the official announcement.