Kamis, 27 September 2012

Greater Boston Yarn Crawl

Photo (of hand dyed alpaca yarn) by Jessica Burko
Seriously. OMG.

If you knit, crochet, or craft with yarn in any way, shape, or form, this weekend is for you!

The Greater Boston Yarn Crawl 2012 is happening THIS Friday though Sunday, September 28-30. Join fellow yarn enthusiasts for a self-guided tour of the premier yarn shops in the greater Boston area.

Sixteen fabulous local Boston yarn shops will be showcasing yarn, hosting special guests, and featuring trunk shows and demonstrations. Many special sales, raffles and giveaways will also be offered. This is a wonderful way to discover some different shops in your area, or revisit your favorites. You choose – visit all the shops, a few of the shops, or just one. A yarn crawl is also a super way to mingle with other fiber fanatics and find out what they are excited about.

Finding your way around the crawl is easy!  Find all the information you need here, http://www.yarn-crawl.com/, or at the links below...

• Click on Shops to learn key information regarding store names, locations and crawl hours. Pay close attention – the hours are different for each shop.
• Plan your route by printing a copy of the Pattern, which includes a map. It is VERY important to bring a pattern with you – some shops are offering special deals to those who present their pattern.
• Be sure to check out Specials to see a list of the exciting events planned at each shop.
• In case you get hungry or want a variety of shopping opportunities, you will find a list of local restaurants and shops near many of the yarn shops by clicking on Extras.
• Last but not least, you will find an amazing list of Sponsors who have generously donated items to help make the Greater Boston Yarn Crawl 2012 a success.

To give you a taste of what each yarn shop has to offer, here's what JP Knit & Stitch in fabulous Jamaica Plain is planning for the next few days:
• free mitten and scarf pattern with every purchase.
• with every purchase of $50 or more, you will receive a 15% off coupon towards your next purchase.
• lots of great raffles (blanket pattern + yarn; mitten and scarf; and more).

FRIDAY, 3-6PM at JP Knit & Stitch: performance by the fiber artist Virginia Fitzgerald: Come see fiber artist Virginia Fitzgerald perform her piece, Insatiable. This piece is an ever growing, organically crocheted fiber piece in which she crochets a myriad of different materials, some traditional fibers and yarns and some untraditional -- old plastic bags, electric cords, balloons, etc. Beside using the different materials that she has collected, Virginia encourages others to bring in materials to add to the piece.  So look around your house and bring in any greenish/brownish fiber like materials - such as, scraps of yarn, strips of fabrics, old nylons, gift wrapping ribbons, old ribbons, old packing materials, old plastic bags....the sky's the limit, let your imagination run wild!

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY at JP Knit & Stitch: Photo Booth Session: Crafter's Edition with photographer Jennifer Waddell. For more information about how to sign up for a session, click here.

SUNDAY at JP Knit & Stitch: Trunk show with Knit Collage, a nationally distributed indie yarn company based in Boston. Love their unique, globally inspired yarns and ethically conscious business practices. Come and be inspired by their handspun yarn influenced by nature, travel, and fashion.

Be sure to come back here to add your comments and share where you crawled this weekend!

Rabu, 26 September 2012

Somerville is more than just Fluff

Fluff Festival THIS WEEKEND
in Union Square, Somerville

Saturday, September 29 (raindate 9/30)
3 - 7 pm

Marshmallow Fluff is out of this world and lighter than air, so for this seventh annual "What the Fluff?" festival we explore Fluff in space! (Space.... Space....) Fluffernutters were served at the International Space Station (it's true!) and we're bringing that glorious space dust down to earth.

What the Fluff?: A Tribute to Union Square Invention honors the illustrious Fluff creator, Archibald Query, who concocted the gooey sticky spread right here in Union Square in 1917.

On Saturday, September 29, 2012 from 3 to 7 pm local artists, musicians, theatrical performers, inventors, and humorists pay madcap tribute to the creation of this great American foodstuff on two stages.

Fluff games and shenanigans will spread the sticky goodness throughout the Union Square. Rick Linnehan, the Massachusetts-born, Fluff-loving astronaut, is sending us some special prizes to give away at our spacey fluff games, and yes, there will be a moonbounce!

Fest-goers can sample the taste of Fluff from our local vendors presenting sweet and savory Fluffalicious delights. Pair these with Fluff-inspired cocktails at local watering holes while

You'll be transported with appearances by Hot Molasses, The Burlies, our beloved Fluffettes (aka Thru the Keyhole Burlesque), and the Boston Derby Dames.  Over at the DJs stage Brother Cleve, Roy Van and Mark Chandler will be spinning out of this world discs.

Are YOU showing your work at this festival? Leave a comment here!

Rabu, 12 September 2012

Boston Celebrates the Arts

by Kerry of Kerry Hawkins Photography

I attended the 10th annual Boston Ahts Festival at Christopher Columbus Park near the North End in Boston. This an all weekend event with lots of art and music. Here are some photos I took there...
 

A photo of a rose in the Rose Kennedy Rose Garden (below). Which is beautiful and just steps from the festival.

This was a fun mural set-up for children to paint on. Lots of color.

We enjoyed the glass blowing demonstration.

These funky temporary public art on the lawn made for some great photos. It was a windy day! The small pieces of cellophane flapped and danced in the wind.

There were many artists and artisans that represented everything from jewelry, drawing, photography, handbags, t-shirts, paintings and prints. I had quite a few favorites.


I am looking forward to next year. It was a nice day of art and music.

Jumat, 07 September 2012

Dedham Square Artist Guild: Call to Artists

By Kerry Hawkins of K Hawkins Photography


The Dedham Square Artist Guild is looking for new applicants interested in becoming 
members of the Dedham Square Arist Guild.

The Dedham Guild is a year-round arts cooperative located on High Street in historic Dedham Square. Our members share work responsibilities, expenses and informally act as a support group for fellow artists. Many members are full-time professionals who find cooperatives a welcome addition to help strengthen their participation in an artistic community.

fee
A $20 non-refundable jury fee is required when applying for membership (or consignment) and should be included with your application. All applicants will be placed on a wait-list, pending space availability at the gallery for our new year of membership starting in October 2012. The application is available as a pdf download located at the bottom of this page.

samples/jury
Upon receiving your application and fee, you will be asked to submit up to four finished and current examples in jpg format. Each file should be no larger than 1MB. Our group of members will judge submitted work by the following criteria: workmanship, attention to detail, appeal to our customers, originality, price and durability, as well as competition with current pieces showing.member obligations
members are expected to volunteer to gallery-sit, participate in events, be a part of committees, attend monthly meetings and openings, and help promote the cooperative.

For any questions please contact: staff@dedhamguild.com

Application Form here

Sabtu, 01 September 2012

September Birthstone: Sapphire

by Allison of Fraske Designs

Happy birthday to those of you born in September!

September's birthstone is sapphire. This gemstone, which is the second most popular gemstone choice for engagement rings (second to the diamond) is most commonly a deep blue, but naturally occurs in many colors.

Here is some beautiful sapphire jewelry available on Etsy:

Sapphire jewelry Necklace Tree of Life Pendant  in 14kt gold fill fine blue jewelry

Sapphire and 18k gold necklace, Gold chain with sapphires, Pink sapphire teardrop necklace, Princesse collection

Multicolor Rainbow Sapphire & Diamond Tennis Bracelet 14K White Gold (9.5ct tw) SKU: 411-14K-Wg

Rose Cut Sapphire and 14 Karat Gold Engagement Ring