On the Road - Opening Week of the SoWa Winter Market and SoWa Wearables Market- Boston, MA

Winter. It's usually a time for me to hunker down in a pile of blankets, stay indoors with projects, and count down the days until outdoor craft show season. This year, something quite wonderful pulled me out of crafty hibernation - the SoWa Winter Market. This much-loved Boston show is keeping the market momentum going from February through April. It's giving everyone a good reason to get outta the house and shop handmade.

SoWa Winter Market - Boston, MA

The smiles 'n' smarts behind Zooguu, Stonehouse Studio, and 9000things

Over 50 New England designers and artists filled a spacious gym with handmade and vintage goodness. Just in time for Valentine's Day, I featured necklaces made out of 1940's novelty pins with smooches and sass.

Twitch and Whiskers - SoWa Winter Market Opening Week

Will you be mine?

Ali Horeanopolis' mind is swimming with ideas - ideas that involve wallpaper samples, repurposed leather, recycled colorful wire, and upcycled jewelry. It's no wonder this designer has named her business 9000things. Ali offered a great array of unique designs at SoWa Winter Market, including her laser cut Boston Skylines with contrasting wallpaper patterns. These one of a kind wall hangings are a perfect gift for locals and come in endless, colorful combinations. As a fellow upcycler, I really enjoyed Ali's use of vibrant vintage beads in her whimsical earrings and baubly necklaces with mixed metal chains. My favorite pieces from 9000things came from Ali's Fringe line. Ali collected leather donated from other crafters, cut them into fine strips, and fashioned them into chevron-shaped pendants. One can only guess what Ali will come up with next. Visit 9000things' shop, blog, and Facebook page to see what's cookin' and to get your hands on on Ali's creations.

Ali Horeanopolis of 9000things

colorful vintage bead earrings

on the fringe

bright upcycled baubles

I always enjoy meeting folks in my booth who love vintage treasures as much as I do. Necklaces and rings made from kitschy pinback buttons, tin cars, and blinking doll eyes went home with happy customers. The first week of SoWa Winter Market brightened up Boston with a good dose of handmade and I couldn't wait to see what week two would bring.

Looking adorable in a Tonsils Out Club duck necklace

An eye-catchin' beauty

U-Turn necklaces - beep beep!

Fun 'n' Games rings

SoWa's second week featured a fashion-friendly themed Wearables Market. The space was packed with fabulous clothing, jewelry, accessories, and vintage wares including dazzling dresses from Folk Couture. I brought a quirky cast of characters on statement necklaces made out of bold brass drawer pulls, rhinestones, and vintage brooches.

SoWa Wearables Market - Boston, MA

Grace Napoleon of Folk Couture

Gumby, Ice Capades, and Bears...oh my!

Brooklyn based Rocks and Salt is a well-known favorite in the northeast for hats, skirts, and bags. Sarah Hull and Phil Miner are the creative power duo behind the name. Since 2005, they have been designing their wearables using high quality wool, cashmere, cotton, linen, and bamboo. I love their clever twists on classic shapes and unique fabric selections. It's the thoughtful details, like the faux leather tab adorned with metal snap on their knit slouchy hat, that make their accessories memorable. A real stand out at the market was the Rocks and Salt belt bag. Forget everything you know about the traditional, bulky fanny pack. This bag gracefully hangs off the hip, contours to the body, and has the perfect amount of space to hold your phone and other necessities. Visit Rocks and Salt's website, Etsy shop, and Facebook page to see their amazing selection of goods for all seasons. I'm sure you'll find the perfect piece for your wardrobe!

Phil Miner and Sara Hull of Rocks and Salt

caps for sale!

little details = big impact

belt bags packed with style and functionality

Nothing makes me happier than sending lovely ladies on their way donning Twitch and Whiskers pieces and smiles. These gorgeous gals looked amazing in their upcycled jewelry, including Fun 'n Games rings, a rouge compact locket, and a protractor necklace.

hot stuff!

picture perfect in a protractor

so pretty in a rouge compact locket

bewitching in a boogie man ring

My two Saturdays in Boston officially shook off the winter cold and filled my weekends with handmade goodness. SoWa Winter Market is well worth visiting if you're in the Boston area. Each Saturday brings a new lineup of fabulous designers and vintage vendors. I'm counting down the days 'til my next market. 

I will see you at SoWa Winter Market on March 1st and April 12th. My spring and summer craft show schedule is starting to shape up. Stay tuned for dates. Until then, visit Twitch and Whiskers on Facebook and Etsy for new creations and updates.

On the Road - SoWa Holiday Market - Boston, MA

Here we go...the final holiday show recap from 2013! What better way to end the holiday season than in Boston? I was thrilled to be a part of the 10th Annual SoWa Holiday Market. It was my second time returning to the Benjamin Franklin Institute for this two day extravaganza. The gym and hallways were lined with talented artists and designers from all over New England. I came to the show with many new pieces, including Hob Knob rings, constructed out of vintage guitar knobs, rhinestones, and Bakelite poker chips. Once the doors opened on the first day, there was a buzz of holiday excitement in the air.

love the holiday buzz

Twitch and Whiskers at SoWa Holiday Market 2013

Hob Knob rings - turn up the volume

For many of the artists at the show, it was their last hurrah of the 2013 holiday season. Behind those beautifully handcrafted goods and tired grins were heaps of heart and hours of dedication. It made me proud to be part of a group of folks who make the holidays merry and bright for others. Hellos from friends (old and new) made the two day show a breeze. You know what else kept me going? Decadent Union Square Donuts. YUM!

John McCarthy (epic beard) and Crystal Popko of Popko Shop

Abby Berkson of Abby Berkson Ceramics and Carrie Wagner of SepiaLepus Illustrations

Jen Gubicza of Zooguu and Lisa DeMio of Red Staggerwing Designs

Stacey Caplinger of Creative Hands Boston and Heather Parker DeSimone of LeetieLovendale wear a "Shmoo-o" (duo of Shmoo) rings

Union Square Donuts? Yes, PLEASE!

Lianne and Paul Stoddard, the dynamic duo behind Swirly Designs work absolute magic with polymer clay. This clever husband and wife team combine their creative super powers to make a whimsical world of ornaments. I was lucky to be next to them at the market because I got an up close look at their finely detailed, limited edition pieces. Think Christmas and beyond, because they offer new ornaments for each season. Their winter collection has a flurry of snowmen with brightly wrapped gifts. Spring will bring you glittery bunnies atop of cream colored eggs. Summer sparks with a patriotic Fourth of July owl. Fall, my favorite time of year, creeps and crawls with Halloween witches, devils, and pumpkin heads. From their delicate dusting of glitter and crimped cupcake papers to their characters' curious expressions and carefully painted features, you will love every detail of Swirly Designs. Visit Lianne and Paul's website, blog, and Facebook page for more information. Start your collection today!

Lianne and Paul Stoddard of Swirly Designs

Owl be home for Christmas...

Christmas cheer for your tree

Hiya pumpkin!

The weekend at SoWa Winter Market provided a steady stream of holiday shoppers. It was wonderful seeing so many return customers from the Boston area and meeting new people at the show. I was excited to send home lots o' handmade goodies including protractor necklaces, Vari Vue necklaces, blinking doll eye necklaces, and kitschy pinback button necklaces. Fun 'n Games rings continued to be the holiday stocking stuffer favorite of the season. 

fabulous friends in Twitch and Whiskers

baseball Vari Vue necklace - home run!

Fun 'n' Games rings

eye catching blinking doll eye necklace

vintage pinback button necklaces

Many thanks to SoWa Holiday Market for ending my holiday season on such a high note. What an unforgettable show! There are great shows ahead for 2014. You can catch me at the SoWa Winter Market on February 8th, March 1, and April 12th. February 8th features a specially themed SoWa Wearables Market. Don't miss out!

My spring and summer show schedule is starting to shape up. Until then, swing by Twitch and Whiskers on Etsy and Facebook for updates. 

WHOOPIE a discount!

Pst...use code "whoopie15" between now and Friday, February 7th for a 15% discount off your Twitch and Whiskers Etsy order. Get your Valentine (or yourself) sumthin' special!

On the Road - Wellesley Marketplace - Wellesley MA

Let's take another look back at the 2013 holiday craft show season. The weekend before Thanksgiving, over 170 artists and vendors filled the hallways, gym, cafeteria, and classrooms of the Wellesley Middle School with gifts galore at the 37th Annual Wellesley Marketplace in Massachusetts. This annual event is sponsored by the Wellesley Hills Junior Women's Club and raises funds for a variety of charities and helps to fund college scholarships. This was my second time participating in the highly-anticipated show. I was set up and ready to go in the cafeteria with many new pieces including holiday-themed pinback button necklaces.

unique upcycled necklaces

Twitch and Whiskers at Wellesley Marketplace 2013

holiday-themed pinback button necklaces

I was so excited to see Kendra Haskell of Whimsy at the Wellesley Marketplace. We originally met in my booth during Picnic in Portland, ME and since then I couldn't wait to see her creations in person. The world of Whimsy is brimming with bright color, bold mixed patterns, and fun. Kendra artfully sews skirts, scarves, shawls, shirts, and accessories for women and girls with playful touches. Kitschy ball fringe, rick rack, and hand embroidered details fill Kendra's wearables with joy and of course, whimsy. Her wool shawls with hand cut, dimensional flowers were real show stoppers at Wellesley, and customers loved looking through her twirly skirts with endless pattern combinations. Visit Whimsy's website and Facebook page to see all of Kendra's offerings and to find out how you can add a piece of Whimsy to your wardrobe.

Kendra Haskell of Whimsy

a shawl with floral pop

skirts that flirt

Holiday shoppers had a great selection of goods to shop for at Wellesley. Many customers came looking for the perfect gift for the season ahead. I was happy to send them home with a wide variety of pieces, including: Fun 'n' Games rings, tin car necklaces, vintage whistle necklaces, an Vari Vue necklaces with clever moving images.

Fun 'n Games rings bring smiles

Rings - the perfect stocking stuffers

Ready to stop traffic in this colorful car bib necklace!

just whistle

Vari Vue - very cute

The ladies of the Wellesley Hills Junior Women's League put on a fabulous show and it was a pleasure being a part of it! There's just one more flashback 2013 holiday show blog post to go. Check back soon for the grand finale: SoWa Holiday Market.

I am back in craft show mode for 2014. Catch Twitch and Whiskers at the SoWa Winter Market in Boston on February 8th, March 1, and April 12th. February 8th features a specially themed SoWa Wearables Market. Don't miss out!

My spring and summer show schedule is starting to shape up. Until then, swing by Twitch and Whiskers on Etsy and Facebook for updates. 

WHOOPIE a discount!

Pst...use code "whoopie15" between now and Friday, February 7th for a 15% discount off your Twitch and Whiskers Etsy order. Get your Valentine (or yourself) sumthin' special!

On the Road - Craftopia - Pawtucket, RI

It's time to rewind again and look back at the Twitch and Whiskers 2013 holiday craft show season. The weekend of November 9th and 10th was a super exciting one because I had two shows in two different states. After Brookline Marketplace on Saturday, I headed over to Pawtucket, RI for the Rhody Craft's Craftopia on Sunday. It was my third time participating in this fabulous show and as always, the halls of the Hope Artiste Village were hustling and bustling with talented artists and enthusiastic shoppers.

Craftopia - Pawtucket, RI

Darlene, Kim, and Kim of Rhody Craft's Craftopia

Holiday season was officially on its way. For weeks, I had been busy preparing lots of new pieces for the show, including bold protractor necklaces and vintage tin clicker necklaces.

protractor necklaces

whimsical tin clicker necklaces

At Craftopia was one special small business with a very big heart: Cody's Creations. Owner Kerrie Beck and husband Jonathan Beck offer high quality, fashionable leashes, collars, harnesses, and treat bags for dogs and cats. Each month they generously donate a percentage of their sales and a sampling of items to local animal shelters and charities such as Last Hope K9 Rescue and the French Bulldog Rescue Network. Their wide array of colors and patterns is impressive. With over 200 ribbon designs(many unique to Cody's Creations) you're bound to find the perfect product to match the personality of your pet. My favorite collar ribbons featured playful monsters, Pac Man, Day of the Dead skulls, and adorable deer. Swing by and see Kerrie in person at her studio or visit Cody's Creations' website, Etsy shop, and Facebook page for their show schedule, new products, and ordering information.  Your furry friend will thank you!

Jonathan Beck of Cody's Creations

Over 200 designs and patterns to choose from!

Adorable collars for cats and dogs

I always love doing Craftopia because they pull in amazing customers who have a great appreciation for local and handmade goods. Though it was holiday season, most customers walked off with treats for themselves, including pinback button necklaces, protractor necklaces,and Thimblism necklaces. The Fun 'n Games rings continued to be a favorite stocking stuffer gift. 

I heart this winter wizard necklace on Darlene!

A brother and sister share a love for Thimblism necklaces.

Blooming with beauty in a floral brooch and protractor necklace.

Fun Galore!

Fun 'n' Games rings

Thanks to everyone at Craftopia for making the show a great success! Stay tuned for two more rewind blog posts about the 2013 Twitch and Whiskers holiday craft show season. Up next: Wellesley Marketplace.

I am back in craft show mode for 2014. Catch Twitch and Whiskers at the SoWa Winter Market in Boston on February 8th, March 1, and April 12th. February 8th features a specially themed SoWa Wearables Market. Don't miss out!

My spring and summer show schedule is starting to shape up. Until then, swing by Twitch and Whiskers on Etsy and Facebook for updates. 

WHOOPIE a discount!

Pst...use code "whoopie15" between now and Friday, February 7th for a 15% discount off your Twitch and Whiskers Etsy order. Get your Valentine sumthin' special!