Salem, Ma... Halloween... And Learning a New Craft!

October is a great time to be living in Salem, MA. We celebrate Halloween all month long here - thousands of people migrate to Salem to participate in Haunted Happenings... to hear about the famous Witch Trials and simply have fun getting caught up in all the hype of the season. I digress a little though. Ever since I have been in the "handmade" environment - I have been so impressed with all the artists who design children's clothes. I love that one-of-a-kind boutique look that you can't buy in stores. A particular design caught my eye - decoupaging with fabric.


I wanted to learn how to do this... however, the sewing machine scares the daylights out of me... I can sit through any horror movie you put in front of me and not flinch - but stick sewing machine in my face and I start screaming... running for the door. I am not sure why I have never taken up this craft... My grandmother was a top notch seamstress and by the third grade my mother was able to make her own dress that she then wore to a recital... so... why wasn't that gene passed onto me?!? Well - I was doing some fabric hunting and found the cutest Halloween fabric square pack by Moda. I did a little research on decoupaging clothing and I was off. Will all the supplies I needed I made a go at it. My mother was able to help with sewing the edges of the fabric on the jeans... and presto! I completed my first boutique outfit for my daughter! I am hooked... I now know why these are sold for so much as it took me about four days to complete.


I even hand embroidered on the jeans and the shirt! Devan wore the outfit to school today and got a lot of ooohs and aaaahhs... and when she was asked where she got it - she simply said... "My mom made it" and though small... I really felt proud of my accomplishment.

Antiques... Trash To Treasure... Made Into Art!

The North Shore, MA has some fantastic places to shop if you love antiques! You can head up the back roads to Newburyport - hitting Rowley, Ipswich and Rt. 133 into Essex on your way. Salem even has a few shops that are fun to poke around in. I love to pick up random pieces to mosaic or just refinish for my house. Sometimes you come across something you can't even imagine changing.

One shop in particular is Olde Naumkeag Antiques in downtown Salem, MA. To me, the outside just draws you in.

Originally, Salem was called Naumkeag when it was founded in 1626... as it resides at the mouth of the Naumkeag River. Three years later Roger Conant, a fisherman from Cape Ann, renamed Naumkeag... Salem. He then built the first house in Salem on Essex Street. However, there are still many places that carry the old name this city was once called. You can find out more if the history here.

If you are ever in town - you should check out Olde Naumkeag Antiques! Maybe you can find something to upcycled for your own home!

Photos of upcycled furniture from Knack Studios

Get "Witchy" With Sea Glass Things This Fall

Sea Glass Witch Earrings for Halloween...



I have created a bunch of these cute sea glass earrings with lead free pewter witch charms for the upcoming favorite holiday of Salem, MA - Halloween!



All a little bit different they have been a big hit so far and look adorable! I have three pair available in my store now with more on the way - so keep checking. Oh, and custom orders are always welcome!

First Ever Boston Handmade Marketplace - Fabulous Handmade Items from New England Etsy Artists

The Somerville Arts Council and The Boston Handmade present an ArtsUnion event! Also in conjunction with Etsy and the Mass Cultural Council - the Etsy Boston Handmade Street team will be well represented by a diverse group of New England Artists.

This is the first show in which the Boston Handmade team has come together to present fabulous handmade goods - art, jewelry, photography, handbags, children's items, clothing, home goods, pottery, glass and more!

Local artists include: Stonehouse Studio, Lucky Monkey, Made In Lowell, Amy Olson Jewelry, Little Wishes, Lucie Wicker Photography, Designs by Lulubelle, Two Guitars, Elizabeth Brennick Designs, Reclaimed To You, Nancyrosetta, Fern Animals, Fraske Designs, Tanner Glass, All Dunn, Blue Alvarez, Sea Glass Things, Bergman's Bear, The Hole Thing, Mimi Kirchner, muchacha K, Pogibabies Handmade, Vintage by Crystal, Glamourpuss Creations, Twigs and Heather, Amy Burhoe Designs, Paper Menagerie, and Cozy Cottage Creations






Come join in for craft demonstrations and live music with local bands: The Grownup Noise & James Christensen - an event you won't want to miss!












Details:
Saturday June 28th, 3-7PM
(Rain date June 29th)
Union Square, Somerville, MA

Visit the Boston Handmade site for more information and directions!

Mother's Day Out - Gloucester, MA

The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day to live by the coast... a nice meandering ride up through picturesque New England towns, dinner at a well liked spot downtown and sweet goodness for the ride home - what could have been better!



My mother, two daughters and myself went out for Mother's Day this year. We left on our adventure up the New England North Shore Coast to Cape Ann... Gloucester. Known as a fishing port, Gloucester is a diamond in the ruff... and there is a lot to see and do without spending money!

We first went to visit Rocky Neck - the Artist Colony... it was a beautiful day to meander through the galleries... the ones that were at least open. After that we took a ride through the town along the coast to the breakwater - we parked and walked out on the slabs of granite watching the waves crash against them until we reached the end. Then turned around and hurried back as the waves were now crashing and coming over the breakwater because it was nearing high tide.

We took a nice ride out and along the coast yet again to Rockport and then back into Gloucester stopping at Halibut Point for an early dinner. An ice cream at Captain Dusty's in Manchester by the Sea was a perfect finish to a wonderful day as we headed home!

2nd Annual Salem Jazz Soul Festival

The Annual Salem Jazz Soul Festival was founded to bring jazz back to Salem, MA and support music education in the city. Through the efforts of many community members, corporate sponsors and In A Pig's Eye Restaurant - last years event brought over 5,000 people to the festival. The festival will be held again this year at the Salem Willows on August 18th, 2008.

Please visit: http://salemjazzsoul.com/ for more information about the festival, events, and how you can be a sponsor or make a donation.

The 2nd Annual Spring Fundraising Gala will be held April 12, 2008 at The Knights of Columbus - 94 Washington Square - Salem, MA - 8PM to Midnight. The doors will open at 7PM and there will be live and silent auctions held, raffles, prize and lots of great music by Ken Clark Organ Trio, The Mystix, Boston Horns with special guest Barrence Whitefield. If you live in the area - don't miss this event as tickets are going quickly! You can also purchase tickets at In A Pig's Eye or online at http://salemjazzsoul.com/ - Tickets are $15.

I was asked to donate a sea glass jewelry set this year. Look below to view my finished pieces that will be at the fundraising event April 12th. This set is valued at $1800 and consists of 65 total pieces of cobalt blue, seafoam and white North Shore sea glass (hand cultivated by myself and drilled), swavorski crystals, deep blue freshwater potato pearls, and peridot freshwater pearls. The focal points for the set include Karen Hill Tribe Sterling Silver Starfish - purchased directly from the tribe located in Thailand. The necklace features a 53mm starfish that is stunning.

The "North Shore" Collection