On the Road - Opening Week of the South End Open Market at SoWa - Boston, MA

An absolutely beautiful day! That's exactly what the market gods served up last weekend at the opening of the South End Open Market at SoWa. All day, sun shone down on the aisles filled with the northeast's most unique variety of handmade goods. Boston came out in droves to check out the open market, farmer's market, food trucks, vintage market, and open studios. With so much to do, it's no surprise that thousands of visitors kept this Boston hot spot packed from beginning to end. 

South End Open Market at SoWa - Opening Weekend!

South End Open Market at SoWa was packed to the brim!

South End Farmers Market at SoWa - feel the freshness

I was lucky to have my husband Thom with me for the opening weekend. An extra set of hands and his cute smile made the day go quite smoothly. He recently built me a few new displays for the show, so I was doubly thankful for all his support.

Partners in craft

Twitch and Whiskers - representin' in Boston

As soon as we arrived, we were visited by a great friend/artist for a highly anticipated treat. Illustrator and market regular, Brian Gubicza came with a specially commissioned paper cut piece. I could barely contain my excitement when he unveiled my very own Jambi! The vibrant colors and skillfully cut portrait perfectly captured the essence of my favorite Pee Wee's Playhouse character. The details were unbelievable and I cannot wait to hang the one of a kind piece in my home. You don't have to say "Mecka lecka hi, mecka hiney ho" to get your hands on Brian's work. Simply visit him at the market to see a variety of his prints and originals inspired by science fiction, comic book characters, mythology, and pop culture. While you're there, also check Zooguu; his wife Jen's adorable plush creations. You too can commission a dream piece from Brian. Visit his website for more info. 

Wish...did someone say wish? Thank you Brian for making mine come true!

If I had my way, I would have vikings, foxes, and turtles on my shoes. That's what I think every time I visit the Edie & Fin booth. But alas, these soft soled shoes are not meant for my feet, but for little ones. Meghan Bergstrom is the clever maker and mom behind this whimsical line of baby items. She takes inspiration from Edie and Fin, her two sweet kiddos at home. In addition to shoes, Meghan offers bibs, burp cloths, onesies, blankets, and other accessories to keep your baby comfy and cute. What makes her line stand out from the rest and keeps customers returning are her finely crafted items and wide range of unique prints. Seashore critters, ninjas, dinosaurs, bright eyed owls, robots, and happy elephants are just some of the creatures she has on parade. Keep Edie and Finn in mind for your own kids at home or for that perfect, handcrafted baby gift. Visit Edie and Finn on Facebook and Etsy for more information. 

Meghan Bergstrom of Edie & Finn

Smile-worthy bibs and burp cloths

Your little one will have the happiest feet around!

Wrap your baby in a whole lotta cute!

I was busy all winter making new pieces for the market. Lately, my biggest inspiration has been vintage tin whistles from the 1940's and 1950's. Their vibrant lithographed images make a perfect pairing with candy-colored beads and vintage chain. They were my biggest sellers at the market and I can't wait to make more in the weeks to come.

Just whistle!

Fanciful fish whistles

A kitschy vintage sports whistle is music to her ears.

It's always fun to seek out vintage pinback buttons with sassy sayings and unique images. Most of the buttons I use in my necklaces and rings come from the 1930's to the 1960's. I get the biggest joy when visitors find the perfect piece that makes them smile. 

Hi Ho Silver! Away!

"I Told You So" pinback button necklace from the 1940's. She's giving the piece to her boss!

"Get More Fun Out of Life" necklace with aurora borealis rhinestones.

A unique pendent made out of a promotional measuring tool for bourbon.

Protractor necklaces of all sorts also left the market with stylish gals.

Hello!

A Little Birdy Told Me...

A whole fleet of tin car necklaces drove off with happy customers. These lighter-than-air pieces pack a lot of color and drama for their size.  

Ready to stop traffic in a bib necklace made from police cars and ambulances.

A brightly colored U-Turn car necklace.

I always have new rings in the works because they are so much fun to make. 

Fun 'n' Games rings

I'll drink to that!

Bold color and a bright smile!

If you frequent the market, you know it's THE place to spot every variety of dog under the sun. Towards the end of the show, I got the sweetest visitor. A couple came into the booth with their adorable dog Whiskers. Of course he had to pose next to our sign. I think he's officially our new mascot! 

Meet Whiskers - Twitch and Whiskers new mascot!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to the droves of customers who came out to the South End Open Market for opening week. Hugs to the organizers, artisans, farmers, vintage vendors, and food trucks who filled the weekend with excitement. I encourage you to check out this market each week because there's always something new and exciting going on in the South End of Boston. Visit New England Open Markets on Facebook, Instagram, and their website for more information and to see a wonderful photo album from the opening week. 

Twitch and Whiskers will be back at the South End Open Market at least three more times this season. Check out my summer schedule below.

The Vintage Bazaar - Salisbury, MA - June 20 & 21

South End Open Market at SoWa - June 28, July 12, July 26

Visit Twitch and Whiskers on Instagram, Facebook, and Etsy for promos, schedule updates, and new items. I hope to see you out and about this summer!

On the Road - First Friday and the New Britain Museum of American Art

Home turf. It was refreshing to be here in Connecticut for the kick off of my 2015 show season. A week ago, I was set up in the picturesque lobby to the New Britain Museum of American Art for their First Friday event. This monthly gathering offers an evening of art, music, food, and local makers to support a gem of a museum.

The New Britain Museum of American Art

The hyper-real security guard sculpture - say hi to Syl

I was accompanied by my husband Thom and a whole table filled with new pieces. The snowy winter provided me with a lot of indoor time to create and I was happy to display some new favorites at the show. The night started off with a fun visit from friends.

Twitch and Whiskers at The New Britain Museum of American Art

Thom, Laery (of PLAY Toy Store), and Max

One of the biggest treats was listening to the throwback sounds of West End Blend. This talented Hartford-based band provided the perfect upbeat mix of soul, funk, and hip hop for the evening. The band was really tight and I was especially impressed by Erica Bryan's soulful vocals. You should really give them a listen in person if you have the chance. Visit their webpage for more info.

West End Blend

Connecticut offers up some of the best gourmet foods around and two of these local brands were proudly represented at the show. Savor Fine Foods bakes bite-sized cookies with unique flavor combinations such as coconut, lime, hot pepper. Visit their website to see their wide variety of sweet and savory flavors. The Hardcore Sweet Cupcakes truck was parked in front of the museum and served up some decadent desserts, including their Girl Scout inspired Samoa cupcake (yum). These season 9 winners of the Food Network's Cupcake Wars are always coming up with new and exciting treats. Swing by their webpage for more info. 

Delish cookies from Savor Fine Foods

Samoa cupcake? Yes, please! 

It was an absolute pleasure getting to know Jessica Eveleigh of Treefort Naturals at the museum's Maker's Market. This Colchester resident lovingly handcrafts cold pressed soaps and other bath products. Her interest in making natural products started as an effort to make healthier and more environmentally friendly choices for her family. Jessica's passion grew over time into a business. Treefort Natural products are natural, organic, vegetarian, and many of the fine ingredients are sourced locally (some even from Jessica's backyard). I really enjoyed perusing through and smelling many of her refreshing soap blends including rosemary mint, orange hops, and peppermint shea butter. Thom and I left with a bar of charcoal tea tree soap and love how cleansing and fragrant the bar is. Learn more about Jessica's process, products, and show schedule by following her on Facebook and Instagram. Locals can catch Treefort Naturals on Sundays at the Colchester Farmer's Market between June and October. And make sure to treat yourself to some natural goodness by visiting Treefort Naturals on Etsy. 

Jessica Eveleigh of Treefort Naturals

Natural and fragrant lotions, balms, and salves

natural and nourishing

I met a wonderful group of attendees at the First Friday event, including two besties who had fun picking through our Fun 'n' Games rings made out of vintage pinback buttons, toys, and game pieces.

smiles all around

two pugs 'n' a poodle

Fun 'n' Games rings

One of the things I adore about about making upcycled jewelry is the freedom to use whatever materials that tickle my fancy. Over the past year, I've been inspired by vintage tin toys and I was happy to see some whistle and car necklaces go home with happy customers.

bright colors and sweet sounds

beep beep

one fish...two fish...

Thank you to the folks at the New Britain Museum of American Art for having us at your First Friday event! It was such a fun evening and I highly recommend it to any local who wants a fun, arts-filled night out. Learn more about upcoming events at the New Britain Museum of American Art by visiting their website, and following them on Facebook. 

Twitch and Whiskers hopes to see you out and about during the spring and summer season. Here is where you can find us next.

South End Open Market - Boston, MA 
May 3 (opening day) 
June 28 
July 12 
July 26

The Vintage Bazaar - Pettengill Farm - Salisbury, MA
June 20 & 21

Visit us on Instagram, Facebook, and Etsy for updates, promos, and news.

On the Road - SoWa Holiday Market - Boston, MA

Happy New Year! I hope 2015 is off to a great start for you and your loved ones. I am beginning my year with a look back at a one of the highlights from my 2014 show season: SoWa Holiday Market. This must-see Boston show was hustling and bustling from the moment the doors of the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology swung open. Word has it that the line to get in wrapped around the block for a good portion of the weekend. It's no surprise since this event has been growing in popularity and attendance since its beginnings in 2003. This year, SoWa Holiday Market was on everyone's holiday show list, including The Boston Globe, Boston Magazine, and Country Living Magazine.

SoWa Holiday Market at the Benjamin Franklin Institute

Twitch and Whiskers at SoWa Holiday Market 2014

A steady stream of holiday shoppers filled the space all weekend. Festive music filled the air as folks combed through some of the best handmade goods and finely crafted edibles from all over New England. As part of my SoWa Holiday tradition, I grabbed a circle of sweet perfection from Union Square Donuts to power through the show. Delish!

SoWa Holiday shoppers

Union Square Donuts - mmm...

A lost art can be reborn through the hands of a special person with perseverance and a vision. At SoWa Holiday Market, I met the talented Crystal Sloane of Vintage by Crystal. Crystal has created her own unique world of whimsical figural ornaments and decorations using the old German art of spun cotton. Through much trial and error and experimentation, she has developed her own special "spin" on the art of spun cotton. Crystal incorporates all kinds of treasures into her one of a kind pieces. Vintage ephemera, antique embellishments, tag sale finds, items from nature, and even repurposed broken ornaments find their way into Crystal's studio. The result is pure magic. She has created a menagerie of every animal imaginable, a parade of personalities from cherubs to devils, and a world of smiling trees and carrot people. Her creations can go on trees, counter tops, and even atop wedding cakes.  Crystal's unique talents haven't gone unnoticed. She shared her skills as a guest on the Martha Stewart Show and most recently created a collection of ornaments for Anthropologie. Wanna see the coolest thing ever? Anthropologie created a stop action animation short using her spun cotton critters. Visit her website, blog, and Etsy shop to find out about her process, see works from all of her holiday collections, and to purchase the perfect piece for your home. You can also follow Vintage by Crystal on Facebook and Instagram. Once you take a peek into her world, you will fall head over heels for her work!

Crystal Sloane with husband Ben and daughter Olive - Vintage by Crystal

curious cotton creatures

one foxy couple

dog with spots and puss in boots

ornaments and decorations for every season

One of the best parts of doing SoWa is getting to know many of the wonderful artists. I was tickled pink when I saw several of my artist friends wearing their Twitch and Whiskers pieces at the show. 

Lianne Stoddard of Swirly Designs in her vintage Santa pinback button necklace.

My car necklace sister - Jen Gubicza of Zooguu Handmade Plush Toys

My biggest obsession lately has been all things tin: tin whistles, tin clickers and tin toys. Before SoWa, I had a chance to make a new batch of tin necklaces with kitschy imagery and vibrant colors. Many of these went whistlin' home with happy customers. 

tin whistle necklaces

Liz of Liz Rodriguez Ceramics in her tin bird whistle necklace and Fun 'n Games ring. 

I also brought a collection of tiny clicker necklaces with cutesy animals and vintage plastic and glass beads. 

tiny tin clickers

clickers, thimbles, and magnets

Abby Berkson of Abby Berkson Ceramics in her blue bunny clicker necklace

I had many new Hob Knob rings and necklaces in new color combinations. They proved to be a great gift for musicians and music lovers.

Hob Knob rings and necklaces

turning up the volume in a red Hob Knob ring

My Fun 'n' Games rings made from vintage pinback buttons, game pieces, and Cracker Jack prizes were a popular stocking stuffer gift. Folks had fun digging through the piles of rings to find the perfect match for their friends.

Fun 'n' Games rings

Christine of Fawn in her Cracker Jack prize and game piece ring

Pinback button necklaces also found their way home around the necks of lovely ladies. It's fabulous when people make personal connections to the pieces. One woman got two Reddy Kilowatt necklaces because her father worked for an energy company that had Reddy as its mascot. Another woman purchased a North Pole, NY necklace because she had fond memories visiting Santa there as a child. 

Feeling Reddy?

pinback button necklaces

Don't monkey with Susan!

Yes, she's actually been to North Pole, NY!

Many protractor necklaces also left the building, including one of my faves featuring a pink polka dotted lamb brooch and vintage pink and mint beads. 

Little Lamb

looking lamb-tastic

making a splash in a mermaid protractor necklace

It's always nice to get visits from friends at shows. I got warm hugs and hellos from Amy Trueblood of Amy J. Designs and her two sweet daughters. I had the pleasure of meeting them back at Jamaica Plain Open Studios this past summer and it was terrific to see them again.

Amy of Amy J Designs and her sweet daughter Gwen and Tagen stopped by with smiles.

Another visit came in the form of four paws and two feet. Andy, a volunteer for NEADS of Massachusetts and Beamer, his service dog in training were visiting the market. I have a soft spot for service dogs because my elementary school does a lot of good work with Guiding Eyes for the Blind. I had a nice conversation with Andy about his work with Beamer. I found out that NEADS provides dogs for deaf and disabled individuals. I enjoyed meeting this dynamic duo and learning about a great organization.

Andy and dog Beamer of NEADS

Kindness must have been in the air at SoWa because a customer came up to me and shared her Yummy Mummy Brownie treats with me before she went off to finish her shopping. What a sweet (and delicious) surprise.

Yummy Mummy Brownie treats 

At the end of the non-stop weekend, I walked to the parking garage to fetch my car. On the way there, I passed a Christmas tree lot next to the Benjamin Franklin Institute. Sitting in the back of the lot was the most delightful little trailer I've every seen. It was all decked out in lights and kitschy Christmas decorations. Before I got caught up in the madness of loading my car back up and driving back to Connecticut, I took a quiet moment to pause and take in the glow of the lights and the smell of the trees. It was the perfect ending to my day and the ideal way to end my 2014 show season. Many thanks to all of the wonderful customers, artists, and organizers who made SoWa Holiday Market a smashing success. I hope everyone's season was merry and bright.

Happy Holidays from Twitch and Whiskers!

I cannot wait to see what 2015 has to bring. I am in the process of setting up my 2015 show season and will let you know as soon as I have dates.

In the meantime, visit Twitch and Whiskers on Etsy, Facebook, and Instagram. Most pieces found on Instagram and are available for sale. Inquiries are always welcome. 

Happy New Year!

Cheers,
Mei-Ling