Happy New Year!

Fireworks photograph by Yulia Kazansky Art Studio

Cheers to 2013 and a new year to live handmade!

Monday Mosaic: Holiday Reds

Curated by Kerry Hawkins

1. Large Red Earrings with Soft Spikes by IanHendersonArt
2.  Whole Lotta Love Original Pop Valentine Painting by a2n2koon
3. Frilly Reds - Bracelet by LushBeads
4.  Portable, Foldable Bag Hanger Purse Hook -- Autumnal Harvest - Gold and Crimson Twilight Floral Garden - Japanese Chiyogami Paper by MaJentaDesigns

Merry Christmas

Elk holiday card set by Cricicis Designs

From all of us to all of you.

Wishing you everything wonderful today and always.

Monday Mosaic: Silent Night

All is calm, all is bright

North Star Pendant by Cristina Hurley
Boston Evening Skyline by Lucie Wicker
Encaustic collage titled 'Home' by Jessica Burko
Edgar Allan Poe's Raven by Monkey Chow

Last Minute Handmade Holiday Gift Guide

Are you still looking for the perfect gift for the person who has it all? Do you need one last special stocking stuffer for Christmas morning? Is the blandness of gift options out there getting you down? Have no fear, Handmade is here!

THIS WEEKEND there are several fantastic events and unique places to shop for those last gifts on your holiday list. Check out these venues in and around Boston to find the perfect something you've been searching for:

The 2012 Boston Handmade Holiday Gallery at Cristina Hurley Gallery in Canton, MA

The Boston Handmade Holiday Gallery is open today through Christmas Eve, 11am to 7pm, and this afternoon we'll be having a special Handmade Celebration with yummy treats (lovingly made by our gallery exhibitors), take-home DIY projects (courtesy of our friends at Etsy.com) and a chance to win the 2012 Handmade Collection. The party is from 3-7pm at the gallery located at 554 Washington Street, Canton, MA 02021.

UFORGE Gallery Holiday Fair at the Fotlight Club in Jamaica Plain, MA

UFORGE Gallery and the Trustees of Eliot Hall, home of the Footlight Club are cohosting a Holiday Fine Art and Craft Fair today from 11am to 6pm. The event will feature more than 30 exhibitors selling handmade work including photography, jewelry, pottery, stationary, clothing, soap and specialty bakery products. Check out this special neighborhood event at Eliot Hall, 7A Eliot Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130.

Western Avenue Studios in Lowell, MA (photo by Meghan Moore, Megpix Photography)

Western Avenue Studios is home to more than 200 working artists, many of whom have open studios hours this weekend. Visit the converted mill complex and you will find two buildings, six floors and 143 studios filled with artists working in all disciplines, media and styles. The studios are located in a brick mill building at 122 Western Avenue in Lowell, Massachusetts, near the heart of downtown. Be sure to check out some of Boston Handmade's favorites: Lush Beads, Made In Lowell, Toil and Trouble, Heather Wang, and The Intuitive Garden.

Are you showing and selling your handmade work this weekend? Please add your event or studio information in the comments section and let's all help make this the season of handmade!

Holiday Art and Craft Fair TOMORROW, Saturday, December 22

Christmas is right around the corner but it's not too late to find the perfect handmade gift to give! This Saturday in Jamaica Plain you can head to Eliot Hall  in The Footlight Club to do your last minute shopping. The event, sponsored by UForge Gallery and Eliot Hall, will host 30 vendors selling handmade arts and crafts including Boston Handmade members Karen Mahoney of City by the Sea Ceramics and Sharon Fischer of Stray Notions. Stop by and see what these local artists have, you may find the perfect item.

City by the Sea Ceramics

Stray Notions

Celebrate Handmade THIS Saturday at the Boston Handmade Holiday Gallery

Two of the five items included in the 2012 Handmade collection

Boston Handmade and the Cristina Hurley Gallery are gearing up for a Handmade Holiday celebration this Saturday, December 22nd from 3-7pm at 554 Washington Street, Canton, MA 02021. Join us for refreshments and some end of the season shopping and be sure to have the most original holiday present for everyone on your list.

As if that’s not enough, we’re giving away a FREE gift for one very lucky partygoer. Simply print our party announcement (http://bostonhandmade.org/HolidayGallery2012HandmadeCollection.htm) and bring it with you for a chance to win the 2012 Handmade Collection with work created by five gallery exhibitors.

Included in the 2012 Handmade Collection:
An oxidized Sterling Silver necklace with cubic zirconia, as pictured above, created by Cristina Hurley. A 2013 Desk Calendar, as pictured above, featuring photography by Lucie Wicker. An original photograph printed on watercolor paper and hand stitched to drawing paper by Jessica Burko. A pair of one-of-a-kind fingerless gloves made from upcycled woolen sweaters by Sharon Fischer. A lattice work beaded bracelet by Liz Stewart of Lush Beads.

Give Handmade. Get Joy.
Be a Handmade Hero this holiday season by supporting neighborhood businesses and local artists. See you Saturday!

For more information about the Boston Handmade Holiday Gallery visit:
http://bostonhandmade.org/HolidayGallery2012.htm

Monday Mosaic: Take A Seat

Curated by Kerry of Kerry Hawkins Photo
 

Tired from all the holiday shopping? Take a load off and shop online for handmade art and craft: http://bostonhandmade.org/FeaturedOnlineShops.htm

1. 13x19, So this is Destiny - Bacon Limited Edition Poster Print by MonkeyChow
2. Collectible plush character - Mr. Noze Knows - hand sewn felt weird funny plush - OOAK by HibouDesigns
3. Take a Seat, Amsterdam, 11 x 14 Matted Photograph by KHawkinsPhoto
4. notebook with chairs by cricicis

Night Owl Deals on Handmade Goods at Boston Bazaar Bizaare (this Sunday!)

Ten Boston Handmade members will be featured in the annex at the Boston Bazaar Bizaare this Sunday (December 16) and for the first time many of us will be offering "Night Owl" specials for folks who shop during the last hour of the show (5-6 pm).  Admission to the show (only $1) is free after 5pm, and the line is expected to be shorter as well. Hand crafted goods are always a great deal:  you get unique and well made items and support local artisans.  We hope to see you, whether it's earlier in the day for the best selection or later for some special deals.

After 5 pm you will receive 10% off from the following vendors:
Cristina Hurley Jewelry Design ~ ~ ~ jewelery
Hibou Designs ~ ~ ~ fiber/softies
Lady Dye Fiber Arts & Design ~ ~ ~ fiber/handspun yarn
Lucie Wicker Photography ~ ~ ~ photography

Lush Beads ~ ~ ~ jewelery

Monkey Chow ~ ~ ~ graphic design/paper goods

Stray Notions ~ ~ ~ fiber creation

And $10 off a $100 purchase from:

Zoa Chimerum Jewelry ~ ~ ~ jewelery

Details:
Sunday, December 16, noon - 6pm
BCA Cyclorama
539 Tremont Street, Boston
Admission $1

Visit Boston Handmade at the Boston Bazaar Bizaare this Saturday

Boston Handmade will be "setting up shop" in our own area within the Bazaar Bizaare at the Cyclcorama in Boston's South End on December 16th.  (on the Map it is the area to the left with the lettered spaces) Ten members will be offering handmade goods in a boutique area just off the main floor. We hope you'll come visit and find something you will love or love to give. Come early (well actually it starts at noon) for the best selection or later (between 5-6) for the night owl specials many vendors are offering.  We'll also have Boston Handmade T-shirts for sale, designed by our founder Jessica Burko and printed by alum Evan Webster, a great way to show your support for local artisans.

Details:
Sunday, December 16, noon - 6pm
BCA Cyclorama
539 Tremont Street, Boston
Admission $1

Participating Boston Handmade Members:
City by the Sea Ceramics ~ ~ ~ ceramics
Cristina Hurley Jewelry Design ~ ~ ~ jewelery
Hibou Designs ~ ~ ~ fiber/softies
Kerry Hawkins Photography ~ ~ ~ photography

Lady Dye Fiber Arts & Design ~ ~ ~ fiber/handspun yarn
Lucie Wicker Photography ~ ~ ~ photography

Lush Beads ~ ~ ~ jewelery

Monkey Chow ~ ~ ~ graphic design/paper goods

Stray Notions ~ ~ ~ fiber creation

Zoa Chimerum Jewelry ~ ~ ~ jewelery

Monday Mosaic: Blue Hues

Curated by Kerry Hawkins

1. Soft sculpture ''Internal Landscape'' - hand sewn and needle felted soft sculture by HibouDesigns - OOAK by HibouDesigns
2. 1 Inch Wide Dog Collar with Adjustable Buckle or Martingale in Moustache an Exclusive Design by codyscreations
3. Turquoise Cup with Rope Impression by Citybytheseaceramics
4.  I'm Still Here by a2n2koon

The Holiday Season is Here!

By Diane Ivey, Lady Dye Fiber Arts

Hi Everyone - It has been a while since I last wrote a blog post and I have to say, I have missed all of you! I have been busy preparing for a couple of trunk shows and craft fairs for the last two months and have not been in communication with the world. I wanted to let you know that Lady Dye Fiber Arts is doing well and I am looking forward to an incredible holiday season.

Listed below are two opportunities to come and check out my yarn! In addition to my yarn, I will be selling amazing broaches, felted soap, and a great cowl pattern. Some photos of my products are shown below for you all to see! Happy Holidays Everyone!

Lady Dye Fiber Arts Trunk Show at JP Knit & Stitch
Friday, December 14th, 5-7pm, 461 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, MA

Boston Bazaar Bizarre with members of Boston Handmade
Sunday, December 16th, 12-6pm, BCA Cyclorama, 539 Tremont Street, Boston, MA
Admission $1 ***Come and check out Boston Handmade at the Bazaar Bizarre!***

Here is a photo of my second knitwear design pattern that you can purchase through my ETSY Shop or at any of the events I will be at listed above:

This is a photo of a broach that I made and I have about 60 more of them ready to be purchased from all of you!

Need some hand soap? Or how about some soap to take a bath? Lady Dye has got you covered! Look at my new felted soap! Felted soap is your soap and washcloth all in one. As you lather the soap, the wool remains tight around the soap making the bar last longer. The felt shrinks along with the soap as you use it.

Monday Mosaic: The Art of Nature

1. 5x7/ Tea Time / Flower / Greeting Cards/ Blank Inside/ Water Color by Chie Yasuda
2. 13x19, Magical Unicorn - I pretend it's just a party hat by MonkeyChow
3.  Hair Comb Blue Origami Peace Crane by ElephunksTrunk
4. orange kitten bookplates by cricicis