Crystal on Martha Stewart - The Proposal

Just had to share this adorable clip of Crystal Hanehan (Vintage by Crystal from my Boston Handmade group) on Martha Stewart yesterday. It was her second time on the show demonstrating her adorable spun cotton creatures, but this time she had a BIG surprise, on LIVE television. Absolutely adorable. Congrats Crystal and Ben.

http://www.marthastewart.com/clip-of-the-day-the-proposal?video_id=0

Boston Handmade at SoWa

UPDATE: Nor'easter (of the rainy, windy type) in Massachusetts. SoWa has been cancelled for today. I'll have to catch up with my BH pals another day.

Don't miss Boston Handmade on October 18th at SoWa. Work created by over 20 members of Boston Handmade, representing a wide variety of mediums, methods and art forms; from contemporary photography and cutting edge jewelry design, to classic children's toys, apparel, art, and modern and home decor.

I'll be there on the 11th (this Sunday) as well.

2nd Annual Boston Handmade Marketplace in Union Square

I'll be exhibiting this weekend with my BH'ers at The Boston Handmade Marketplace. More than 25 artists, artisans, and craftspeople will be showing and selling handmade jewelry, clothing, accessories, housewares, art, photography, toys, and sculpture in Union Square (at the intersection of†Washington, Prospect & Somerville Ave.) on July 11, 2009, 3-7pm, as part of the Somerville Arts Council ArtsUnion series.

The Boston Handmade Marketplace is an outdoor art and craft exhibition featuring work by Massachusetts area artists, craftspeople and artisans associated with the arts group Boston Handmade and Etsy.com: helping†people make a living making things. This exhibition promotes local independent businesses and individuals creating one-of-a-kind and limited edition handmade works in small studio environments, not factories. In addition to the individual exhibitors at the 2009 Boston Handmade marketplace musicians will be performing throughout the day. Performers include Boston bands The Grownup Noise and One Happy Island. There will be also be handcraft demonstrations with Faculty and Staff of The Eliot School of Jamaica Plain, and Members of the Common Cod Fiber Guild of Somerville. Another highlight of the afternoon will be martial arts demonstrations from the Shobu Aikido of Boston.

Boston Handmade at SoWa on June 14

I'll be exhibiting with more than 25 other members of Boston Handmade at the Sowa Open Market on Sunday, June 14th from 10am til 4pm. We'll be showing and selling handmade jewelry, clothing, accessories, house wares, art, photography, toys, and sculpture. Boston Handmade promotes local independent businesses and individuals creating one-of-a-kind and limited edition handmade works in small studio environments, not factories.

We'll be flanked by a fresh produce market, a new antiques market, loads of other artisans, and live music by The Grownup Noise!

So come down to the South End for brunch and shopping, or take your dog out for a social, and stop by the Boston Handmade row and say hello!

In Love with Screenprinting

The problem with trying new things is that they can quickly become addictive and I am certain this will be the case with screenprinting on fabric.

Last weekend I attended a workshop given by Boston Handmade member and fiber artist Linda Branch Dunn at her studio at Western Avenue Studios in Lowell, MA. The class was titled "Improv Screenprinting" and we learned how to make screens using a thermofax machine, and various ways on printing on fabric. I brought the fabric that I had previously dyed using gelatin printmaking methods, and layered over it with a screen of one of the tree photos I took at Brooksby Farm. And Linda let use some of her screens as well.

The result? I am in love with screenprinting and surface design in general. So much so that I have registered for classes with fiber artist Wen Redmond in New Hampshire. Her work is stunning (as is Linda's) and I can't wait to absorb some of her expertise.

BE MINE: 2nd Annual Boston Handmade Valentine Show

I'll be selling these sweet, original Valentine cards, along with several new works at Be Mine: The 2nd Annual Boston Handmade Valentine Show.
Friday, February 6 ~ 5pm to 9pm
450 Harrison Avenue - Gallery #31 - 31 Thayer Street
South End, Boston, MA

This one-night-only event coincides with the First Friday open studios and gallery receptions in the SoWa arts district of Boston's South End. Local artists, artisans and craftspeople will be exhibiting their one-of-a-kind and limited edition works, along with live acoustic music by Peter Paulousky and new exhibitor designs created especially for the winter season and Valentine's Day.

Hope to see you there!

New Online Shop at 1000 Markets

I've recently joined 1000 Markets, a new online market of small, independent, artisan businesses built by people who love their craft. Many of my Boston Handmade friends have joined as well. So far I've listed prints of my new abstract designs. Stay tuned for more!

It was a perfect day to decorate the tree today. Snow storm outside...not the kind of day to be driving anywhere...just right for staying in and doing Christmas things.

Tomorrow I will be at Boston Handmade Downtown once again. It's the last weekend we have for Christmas shopping, so head to the gallery in Downtown Crossing for the most unique gifts you'll find this season!

p.s. if you were wondering about Katie, she is doing fine :-)

Boston Handmade Downtown Crossing Gallery!

From November 28 through December 28, over 30 local artisans will be exhibiting our handmade arts, crafts and wares at our Downtown Crossing retail gallery at 505 Washington Street in Boston.

We're busy prepping and painting, and while I don't have any photos of the space, fellow BH members Nancy McCallum and Jessica Burko have some great photos at http://nancyrosetta.blogspot.com/2008/11/renovations-have-begun.html and http://bostonhandmade.blogspot.com/2008/11/boston-handmade-downtown-is-on-its-way.html.

Be sure to come and shop handmade for the holidays!

Boston Handmade at SoWa was a blast!

We had such a fun time today in the South End at the SoWa Open Market. Our Boston Handmade group was out in full force -- artists, jewelers, crafters, clothing artisans and more -- with our very own row of tents.

I shared my tent with Sedie who made the most beautiful knitted neck warmers.

Can't wait to do it again.

Boston Handmade at SoWa THIS SUNDAY

UPDATE: I just found out we are going to have MUSIC for this show, from noon to 4pm. How awesome is that?!!

(and now back to my original blog post...)At the beginning of this year I joined a group called Boston Handmade, a collection of artisans who sell work on etsy. It's a fabulous group of talented crafters and artists from whom I have learned so much. This Sunday, a large number of Boston Handmade members will be exhibiting (including me!) at the Sowa Open Market on Harrison Avenue in Boston's South End.

Come down and visit!

Showing and selling handmade jewelry, clothing, accessories, house wares, art, photography, toys, and sculpture. Boston Handmade promotes local independent businesses and individuals creating one-of-a-kind and limited edition handmade works in small studio environments, not factories. For more info about Boston Handmade visit:
www.bostonhandmade.org

Sowa Open Studios this weekend!

While I wonder how I'll survive doing a two-day show, you can enjoy the eye candy for this weekend's 21st Annual South End Open Studios! The most widely attended and most popular Open Studios event in Boston with over 300 Artists with their studio doors open to visitors. I will have my booth at the SOWA Open Market, Saturday & Sunday - 10 to 5 where there will be over 120 artist vendors. PLEASE COME VISIT!

Christine Marie Art at the Speakeasy Boutique

I'm pleased to announce the opening of the SPEAKEASY BOUTIQUE, by Boston Handmade member Katy Brown (aka muchacha K studios). Muchacha K has been making handmade handbags, accessories, and bridal accessories, from gorgeous animal-free fabrics since 2005. The brand new studio shop, featuring must-have handmades from skilled artisans and fine artists, includes some of my prints and cards. The Speakeasy Boutique is in Concord, New Hamsphire. Stop by if you're in the area!

Boston Handmade

I'm excited to announce that I've been accepted into the "Boston Handmade" group of artists. Founded in March '07, Boston Handmade is a group of Etsy sellers based in MA. Boston Handmade is a gathering of colleagues who support one another in the pursuit of each other's respective craft, who act as resources for each other, and who create opportunities for group promotion. I'm looking forward to being an active member of this group!

Search "Boston Handmade" on ETSY to see this more from this talented group of artists.