Handmade by YOU at Gather Here in Cambridge

Detail of Tea Towel from the 2012 Etsy Craft Party at Gather Here, created by Saraland

Have you heard? The holidays are coming! It's time to crank up your creative spirit and show your loved ones what they really mean to you by making something for them with your very own hot little hands. You can do it. Really, you can.

To help you through the creative process is Gather Here, a fabric, yarn, and fibers store offering classes in an inspirational work space with knowledgeable instructors. For almost two years their aim has been to provide a creative, fun, inspiring environment for the maker in everyone.

The concept behind Gather Here is that if you have the space, equipment, and assistance, you can make anything. They provide a place to make something without having to purchase your own expensive equipment or make room in your home to craft. It's also a place where people can meet others who share a common interest (or two), and it's a gathering space to create, support, and learn from each other. Gather Here offers classes in sewing (beginner to advanced), knitting (beginner to intermediate), crochet, hand embroidery, and also workshops that cover crafts like block printing, and repurposing all kinds of stuff.

For your holiday gift making pleasure, there are still spaces available in a number of the December workshops at Gather Here:

• fliptop mittens (if you've been aching to learn to knit mittens this class is for you!)
• crochet lace bookmark (an introduction to crochet lace charts)
• patchwork stockings (a great introduction to quilting)
• penguin ornaments (make one, make a hundred)
• crochet cowl (a lovely striped cowl you can finish in a few evenings)
• an Ipad case (or Kindle or laptop or whatever e-reader)

There's also a special book binding workshop THIS Saturday, December 1st, at 3pm with recently published and seasoned North Bennett Street instructor, Stacie Dolin, and if you have children looking for a quick sewing fix, they're offering a three-day Winter Sewing Camp from December 26th through the 28th. This class is a great gift for a young crafter interested in using a sewing machine, installing zippers, and wearing handmade pajama pants in 2013. 

Gather Here is located at 370 Broadway in Cambridge, MA, right on the corner of Lee and Broadway. Check out their website for tons more information and let them help you MAKE SOMETHING this holiday season: http://www.gatherhereonline.com/

Boston Handmade at the JP Holiday Fair THIS Saturday!

Don't forget!
We will be showing at the First Church in Jamaica Plain's annual Holiday Craft Fair
THIS Saturday, December 1, 2012
from 11am to 6pm.
See you there!

6 Eliot Street

Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130

 

Monday Mosaic: Gifts From Our Holiday Gallery

Available for your gift giving pleasure at the Boston Handmade Holiday Gallery...

Hand stitched broaches made from recycled felted wool, by Stray Notions
Photo coasters for the music lover, by Lucie Wicker Photography
Sterling silver earrings, by Cristina Hurley
Handmade stoneware mugs, by City by the Sea Ceramics

Looking for more? Check out all of our Holiday Gallery exhibitors by clicking HERE.

An opening party extravaganza

by Jessica Burko

It's with great delight that I report to you that the grand opening party of the 2012 Boston Handmade Holiday Gallerywas an enormous success! The gallery opened on Saturday, November 17th with a GIANT RUSH of shoppers and a flurry of holiday cheer! We are thrilled that so many people came to celebrate with us and are grateful to everyone who came together this season to make handmade magic once again.

I have been describing the grand opening party as a "mob scene" and I want you to know that description is in no way an exaggeration. I actually had to leave early with my two small children because I was worried for their safety in the crush of people purchasing unique holiday gifts for friends and loved ones. Oh the insanity!

 

It was so crowded in there it was hard to move at times, and the line at the register wound all the way through the space. People were enchanted by the newly opened venue in Canton Center. One shopper commented to me that she found the perfect gift for her mother-in-law and couldn't believe that it was the first holiday gift she bought this season because her mother-in-law is notoriously difficult to shop for. Go handmade go! Go handmade go!

BIG cheers of gratitude go to Boston Handmade member Cristina Hurley for hosting our gallery this season at her beautiful new Canton space, and to Aaron of Monkey Chow for being the very first gallery volunteer this season, working at the gallery the entire opening day and coming back for more on Sunday.

Additional gratitude goes to gallery exhibitors who contributed items to the free gift bags that went to the first 20 gallery customers (the bags were gone in mere minutes!), Cody's Creations, Happy Owl Glassworks, Cristina Hurley, Lucie Wicker, and there were also items included from Boston Handmade and Etsy.com, who has been a long-time supporter of our group.

The party was catered by Laura MacDougall of Home Plate Advantage Personal Chef Service, who made sure that everyone was well nourished during their shopping rampage through the fields of handmade.

Apologies for the blurry and low quality photos. They were all I could capture as I squeezed through the arts enthusiasts enthusiastically toasting the new gallery and making merry.

The party may now be a memory, but we still have many beautiful items awaiting you and the gallery will be receiving new inventory from exhibitors throughout the season, so shop early and shop often! Find us through December 30th at:
Cristina Hurley Gallery
554 Washington Street
Canton, MA 02021

Make this year the beginning of your handmade holiday traditions.
Make this year bright with Boston Handmade.

Happy Handmade Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Nightlight on orange Fused Glass by Happy Owl Glass, exhibitor at the 2012 Boston Handmade Holiday Gallery in Canton, MA through December 30th.

Wishing you a happy handmade holiday from all of us at Boston Handmade. Gobble gobble gobble!

Boston Handmade at the Jamaica Plain Holiday Fair

We are so thrilled to participate (for the *5th* year in a row!) in the First Church in Jamaica Plain's annual holiday craft fair. We will be back up on the stage selling our work and celebrating the season along with 50 other artists and craftsmen. The fair will also featuring a live band and delicious homemade baked goods. What's not to love?!

Representing Boston Handmade will be:
Anna Koon
Cody's Creations
Kerry Hawkins Photography
Lucie Wicker Photography
Monkey Chow
Seeds of Joie

Show Details:
Saturday, December 1, 2012
11am to 5pm
First Church in Jamaica Plain
6 Eliot St
Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130

View Larger Map

SEE YOU THERE!

Monday Mosaic: Wearable Art

1. Sakura Springtime Sky Blue - Japanese Chiyogami Square Glass Pendant by MaJentaDesigns
2. Sterling Silver Kenpo karate inspired Dragon Pendant Black and silver by CristinaHurley
3.Pink flower, Glass Tile necklace with 29 inch mini ball chain by KerryHawkinsphoto
4. Green ceramic pendant, rectangle glossy rope textured stoneware by Citybytheseaceramics

Wearable art by Boston Handmade members Cristina Hurley and Kerry Hawkins are available for sale online or at the Boston Handmade Holiday Gallery!

Holiday Gallery Grand Opening!

Letterpress holiday card by Albertine Press

Join members and friends of Boston Handmade for the Grand Opening Party celebrating our 2012 Holiday Gallery hosted by jewelry artist Cristina Hurley TODAY, Saturday, November 17, from 3-6pm at:
Cristina Hurley Gallery
554 Washington Street
Canton, MA 02021

Visit the gallery on our opening day and get first dibs on all the handmade holiday goodness - - mostly one-of-a-kind items! - - all hand crafted by local artists and artisans.

Want a reward for shopping early? You got it!

The first 20 Boston Handmade Holiday Gallery customers will receive a free gift bag containing handmade items and gifts from our gallery exhibitors and members of Boston Handmade Happy Owl Glassworks, Cristina Hurley, Jessica Burko, Etsy.com, Boston Handmade, Cody's Creations, Lady Dye Fiber Arts, and more!

Want a BIG thank you for supporting local artists? Here you go!

The first 15 customers who spend $100 or more on any combinations of gallery items will receive a free Boston Handmade t-shirt!

That's right, FREE GIFTS. What more could you want? How about hors d'oeuvres - - we've got 'em!

It's not a party without treats, and we are trembling with anticipation for party refreshments by Laura MacDougall of Home Plate Advantage Personal Chef Service.

The Boston Handmade Holiday Gallery will be open for business and fully stocked with the perfect gifts for your loved ones from:
November 17 - December 30, 2012
Wednesdays - Sundays
11am - 7pm.
We'll be open Christmas Eve too for those last minute shoppers!
(closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day)
 
Find us this season at:
Cristina Hurley Gallery
554 Washington Street
Canton, MA 02021

"Monday" Mosaic: Winter Whites

A Monday Mosaic on a Wednesday, stranger things have happened!

Curated by Kerry Hawkins of Khawkinsphoto

1. White 7 Spike Plume Necklace on 18" silver chain by Zoa Chimerum Jewelry

2. Teapot with blue chrysanthemums and rope texture on white clay by Citybytheseaceramics3 Trumpet- 8x10- Photo Print by Lucie Wicker Photography
4. Wedding Pearls - Necklace by LushBeads

The Boston Handmade Holiday Gallery is Taking Shape

by Jessica Burko

Photo by Holiday Gallery exhibitor, Kerry Hawkins

Since 2008 Boston Handmade has been taking on the crazy project of making something out of nothing for 6 short weeks during the holiday season. In the past we have utilized vacant storefronts and magically transformed them into winter wonderlands of handmade gifting goodness seemingly overnight! This year we are able to join forces with one of our very own members who is graciously hosting our semi-annual holiday extravaganza in her new Canton, MA gallery space.

Sterling Silver Falling Water Necklace with Garnet by Cristina Hurley

Cristina Hurley is a metal smith and jewelry artist trained at Rhode Island School of Design. She has been operating a successful jewelry and gift gallery in Canton for 2 years and has decided to take the leap of opening a larger gallery right in the center of Canton. Cristina is kicking off this new venture with the Boston Handmade Holiday Gallery and we couldn't be more delighted!

There's nothing better than seeing something go from idea to fruition so here are a few photos of the gallery space as we put it together during the past couple of weeks...

 Just after we got the keys! The photo on the left is looking out of the gallery from the back wall, and the photo on the right is looking into the gallery from the front windows.

Playing with the space, figuring out where the furniture might go...

...so many possibilities!

Displays started coming in! Here are glass ornaments from Happy Owl Glassworks and paper goods from Albertine Press

Arranging, and rearranging - so much to showcase! Pictured here are pet accessories by Cody's Creations, knit scarves from reclaimed yarn by Jessica Burko, Boston Handmade t-shirts, bags by Stray Notions, and hats by Elephunk's Trunk.

We're gearing up for our Grand Opening party THIS Saturday, November 17th from 3-6pm. Join us for surprises, tasty treats, and a festive kick off to the 2012 Handmade Holiday Season!

ANNOUNCING: The 2012 Boston Handmade Holiday Gallery

It's true! And it's amazing.

For your gift giving pleasure,
the 2012 Boston Handmade Holiday Gallery is OPENING SOON!

This year we will be popping up for a limited time
in Canton, MA at Cristina Hurley Gallery.

Holiday Gallery exhibitors: Fused glass by Happy Owl Glassworks, Pet accessories by Cody's Creations, Fine silver jewelry by Cristina Hurley, Jewelry with unique photos and illustrations by The Intuitive Garden

From November 17th through December 30th, 2012 find us in all our sparkly holiday glory at 554 Washington Street, Canton, MA 02021 right in Canton Center just a few minutes walk from the Canton Center T Station. Inventory will be rotating frequently so shop early and shop often, Wednesdays through Sundays, 11am to 7pm. 

Members and friends of Boston Handmade have been making the holiday season bright and brimming with unique art and gifts since 2008. The 2012 Boston Handmade Holiday Gallery is the place to go for unique and high quality locally made gifts. This year Boston Handmade is delighted to be partnering with Cristina Hurley Gallery, exhibiting in her brand new gallery space in the heart of Canton, MA. With artists and artisans working in a wide variety of media, many types of limited edition and one-of-a-kind items will be available for holiday gift giving such as hand crafted jewelry, clothing, accessories, home goods, art, photography, holiday décor, and toys.

Be an original, buy art, and support local independent businesses and individuals creating handmade works in small studio environments, not factories. Artists and artisans will be available at the gallery on a rotating basis to speak with shoppers about items on display and about fine art and craft techniques. Make the 2012 Boston Handmade Holiday Gallery your first and last stop for holiday gift shopping, and make this the season of handmade. 

Want a preview? Visit: http://bostonhandmade.org/HolidayGallery2012.htm

Like to party? Join us at our Grand Opening Party on Saturday, November 17th from 3-6pm. 

Stay tuned for more info, photos, and special announcements as our opening date draws near!

Monday Mosaic: Lines

Curated by Kerry Hawkins of KHawkinsphotography

1. Tray with Chrysanthemums on White on Brown Clay, Blue Glaze by Citybytheseaceramics
2. Tag One Original Mixed Media Painting by a2n2koon
3. Piano2- 5x7- Photo Print by Knight27
4. Pyramid Temple Earrings in Sterling Silver by CristinaHurley