Happy Father's Day

Gone Birding by Jessica Burko, paper quilt, 8" x 10"

Wishing all the fathers out there a great day from your friends at Boston Handmade.

Marketplace Preview: Handmade Jewelery

Have you heard?? The 5th Annual Boston Handmade Marketplace will be held in Union Square, Somerville on Saturday, June 30th (rain date Sunday, July 1st) from 3-7pm. There will be so much to do and see with artists and craftspeople working in all media, along with live music, craft demonstrations and DIY activities. Today's preview: JEWELRY!

Oh the beauty and majesty of handmade jewelry designed and created by local artists. Here's a sampling of what you will see on June 30th...

 

k.o'brien jewelry creates earrings, necklaces and rings with sterling silver and enamel. Of her work O'Brien says, "I prefer to make one of a kind pieces, playing around with piece after piece leaving some ideas behind and taking other ideas along to blend with the new." This is the first year of k.o'brien jewelry at the Marketplace.

Little Wishes Handmade Jewelry is gemstones at their finest. Little Wishes returns to the 2012 Boston Handmade Marketplace with pendants, charms, earrings, for everyday and for special occasions. A Marketplace favorite is the chunky, funky Bold Collection.

Another newcomer to the 2012 Marketplace is Gilded Days who creates jewelry with sheet music inspired by a love of music and romance. The sweet, sentimental pieces by this artist will warm your heart while it adorns your body.

Local favorite Glamourpuss Creations joins the Marketplace again this year with her handcrafted jewelry designed exclusively from uncirculated vintage components like aged brass charms, lucite beads, and 70s chunky chain.

Want to see more? Check out all of the Marketplace exhibitors here: http://bostonhandmade.org/2012MarketplaceExhibitors.htm and see YOU on June 30th in Somerville!

A visit to the Fuller Craft Museum

by Evan of Evan Webster Ink

Going to the Fuller Craft Museum was like finding a crumpled up $20 bill in my pocket. "Wow, I didn't know this was here!" was followed quickly by "How is that possible?"

The museum, based in Brockton, MA, is a gem featuring a great blend of pieces which transcend traditional distinctions between "art" and "craft". You can look at the pictures below for a sense of the place. But I recommend actually going for the full experience. No one wants to be that person who doesn't get a story and is told "you had to be there".  

Monday Mosaic: Animal Kingdom

Curated by Kerry Hawkins of Kerry Hawkins Photography

1. Piglet Noteset by Cricicis

2. Elephant Pillow by HibouDesigns

3. Sterling Silver Dragon Pendant by Cristina Hurley

4. Three Bubbly Whales Notecard by An Li Studio

5. I wish I was a unicorn by Monkey Chow

6. Thumper the Chubby Bunny Pendant by MaJenta Designs

Come Join the Eliot School for the Student-Faculty Show June 10th

By Diane of Lady Dye Fiber Arts & Design 

Come join me this Sunday, June 10 from 3:00-6:00 PM for the Annual Eliot School Student-Faculty Show located at 24 Eliot Street in Jamaica Plain, MA. It's a free and open to the public. I am thrilled to be selected as one of the featured faculty members to showcase my work in the fiber arts along with these other amazing artists:
Cindy Arias (Illustration)
Pablo Friedmann (Painting)
Ellen Shattuck Pierce (Printmaking)
Susan Vannini (Woodworking)

The show will have over 100 Eliot School faculty members and students exhibiting work which is produced in or inspired by classes at the schoolhouse and in the Eliot School’s Partnership Program in Boston Public Schools. This year we will be showing work from a range of disciplines, including woodworking, wood turning, furniture refinishing, quilting, knitting, sewing, upholstery, drawing and painting, mixed media, photography and more.

The Student-Faculty Show is an opportunity for Eliot School artists of all ages and skill levels to share their work and gain inspiration and feedback from their community. It’s also an opportunity for prospective students to connect with the Eliot School community and see examples of things they might expect to make in class. Some faculty work will be for sale, there will be live music and refreshments will be served. The Eliot School of Fine and Applied Arts offers training, classes and workshops in crafts and fine arts for children and adults at their schoolhouse in Jamaica Plain, and in Boston’s public schools.

Monday Mosaic: Childhood Memories

Curated by Lynne of Cozy Cottage Creations
 

1. 5x7 happiness is a clear night sky , by Monkey Chow
2. Red riding hood collectible dolls , by Hibou Designs
3. Merrygoround Horses , by Kerry Hawkins Photography
4. Swing Set skirt and reversible pop top by Stray Notions

June Birthstone: Pearl

by Allison of Fraske Designs

Happy birthday to those of you born in June! June's birthstone is Pearl. Pearls are unique as they are the only gems from living sea creatures and require no faceting or polishing to reveal their natural beauty. There is a wide spectrum of colors that can be found in pearls, including cream, gray, green, blue and pink.

 Here is some handmade pearl jewelry available on Etsy:

Gold & Pearl Earrings by Made By Sam

Bib Necklace by Zafirenia

Black Tahitian Pearl & Diamond Ring by Metal and Stone Elite