On the Road - The Greenway Open Market

Deja vu. That's exactly what I felt as Grace and I loaded up her car for another double-show weekend in Boston. The week prior, we participated in The Greenway Open Market and SoWa and we were headed back to Boston to do it all again. A kind friend let us stay at his apartment in nearby Brookline. Upon our arrival, we settled into the comfy abode and then headed out to Pomodoro for a delicious meal. We enjoyed every bite of our linguini bolognese & seared scallops with chorizo, veggies, and risotto. After a full belly and a full night's rest, we got up bright and early for The Greenway Open Market.

Pomodoro - Brookline

Over-sized blue foamy blocks, bright plastic fish, and many other games were set up in the middle of The Rose Kennedy Greenway to attract kids of all ages. You could hear familiar squeals of excitement racing through the sprays of the Rings Fountain. The beautiful summer day and light wind welcomed in pedestrians from all parts of the city. Grace Napoleon of Folk Couture and I were set up next to each other. Grace moved her usual shop set up around for a new look and I excitedly displayed my new blinking eyeball necklaces front and center on my table.

all fun and games on the Greenway

wink wink

Folk Couture

When I saw Shara Porter setting up next to me, I instantly recognized her eye-catching silk screened leather goods from the BUST Craftacular. I have always admired her work and was thrilled to be neighbors with her at the show. Small suitcases lined her table alongside perfectly displayed colorful wallets and change purses. Shara is known for silk screening on just about anything made from leather and originally started screen printing on vintage items. She now offers both vintage and new creations to suit everyone's needs and tastes. I loved her cleverly-chosen images, from woodland and oceanic creatures to everyday objects and nautical symbols. With a broad pallet of leather colors and a wide variety of clever images, it's easy to find the perfect handmade gift at her table. Visit her website to see her unique work and find out where you can catch her next.

Shara Porter

colors abound

you can rock a raccoon

Driven by fine fabrics and classic design, Natalie Therese's handbags were a standout at The Greenway. She offered her hand sewn bags in a variety of styles and colors that could suit any occasion and function. I first noticed the smooth shape and styling of her Round Up bags. They would look great tucked under the arm of any gal walking about the city. Many of her bags were embellished with a stylish matching cloth flower and her clutch bags with bold patterns were definite crowd-pleasers. My favorite pattern was the "red pepper" with its striking red lines. For everyday or that special event, grab one of Natalie's bags for that perfect finishing touch.

Natalie Therese

lots of lovelies

red pepper- hot stuff!

Grace's hands have been on high speed this past week with over ten new pieces for her Folk Couture line. My favorite was her suspender print dress cleverly cut and sewn so it looked like the suspenders were in use. Many ladies happily emerged from her dressing room looking like a million bucks. Grace custom tailored several pieces for customers on the spot to make for a perfect fit. What a pro! Judging from the smiles below, you could say it was a very Grace day at the Greenway.

suspenders and a skirt work!

pretty in plaid

dazzling in dots

The Greenway is the perfect place to meet people from all over. Folks stopped by from all parts of the States, Europe, Australia, and Asia. RECap bracelets, Thimbilism Necklaces, and a variety of my other goodies will be spanning the globe with happy customers. My favorite Swedish headbadge necklace called "Near Perfekt" went off with a lovely lady from New York City.

New Yorker in Near Perfekt

Originally from California and transplanted to Boston via the Boston Ballet, dancer Kelsey Ivana Hellebuyck started her day searching for one of her favorite jewelry designers in the neighborhood. She just happened to come across the Greenway Open Market during her travels and I'm so glad she did. It's no surprise she looked smashing in everything she tried on, considering the Boston Globe named her one of the 25 Most Stylish Bostonians of 2010. She left with several statement pieces, including "Ideal Split Shot"; an assemblage necklace using a vintage fishing sinker tin and a mix of vintage chains. The next time I'm in Boston, I hope to catch one of her performances with the Boston Ballet and you should too!

Kelsey looking ideal in "Ideal Split Shot"

The afternoon was topped off with a melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork sandwich with carrot slaw, soft onions, and bbq sauce from The BBQ Smith food truck and I savored every bite. At the end of the day, Grace and I reloaded the car and we noticed there was more space in the trunk thanks to the busy day (always a great sign). To celebrate our day at The Greenway, we met her daughter Siena at Cognac Bistro in Brookline for a French dinner. Steak, seafood, and wine rounded out our night nicely but we had to top it off with ice cream from J.P. Licks to end things on the perfect note.

The BBQ Smith = yum!

cheers!

sweets for the sweets

After a nonstop day, it was a breeze to fall asleep. I had to rest up because the next day I'd be at the Sowa Open Market for day two of my Boston adventures.

Ten Tempting New Necklaces

I'm heading back to Boston this weekend with a nice variety of new necklaces. With Halloween (my favorite holiday) just around the corner, I was inspired to make a blinking batch of eyeball necklaces. Yes...the eyes really flutter open and shut!

Ready For My Closeup & I Only Have Eyes for You

Starlet Starlight & Melodrama

Tiny tins and compacts have treasures tucked inside. You can wear them opened or closed for two distinct looks.

Polished and Primped, Flight of Fancy, Kiss on the Chic, and Bee Ware

insides

Birds and feathers found their way onto two new pieces; a vintage bicycle headbadge necklace and multi-strand assemblage.

Erlandia

Light as a Feather

Come visit me at The Greenway Open Market and SoWa Open Market to see these and other upcycled creations.

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

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

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

Fifteen Fun New Necklaces

Inspired by my new finds, I have been on a jewelry making spree. Small vintage tins, little button pins, large plastic buttons, and brassy findings have found their way into a fresh batch of necklaces.

Tonsils Out Club and The Moon Up Above

A Little Angel, A Little Deer, and Contributor

Wink Wink - with blinking doll eye

Presto! All Better!, Wig Out, and Outdoor Girl

inside

Hazel's Garden, Cameo Appearances, and Lady Esther's Shade

inside

A Man...A Mustache...A Frog, She's So Fly, and You've Got Some Gall

inside

These will be on display this weekend at the Greenway Open Market and SOWA in Boston. Here are four more chances to catch me in person this summer (fall/winter dates coming soon):

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