The Big Thaw Arts, Crafts + Vintage Sale: Why Apply? ;)

White Shell Valentine from Quercus Design, Big Thaw alum

Good morning, internet!  We were browsing new work from past Big Thaw vendors and saw the above from Quercus Design, based out of Bar Harbor, Maine.  Jennifer Booher of Q.D. was a vendor at the inaugural Big Thaw last April, 2011 at Mayo Street Arts.  Beautiful work, Jennifer!

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There have been some questions regarding applications, so let’s go over them here so everyone’s in-the-know!

1.  Yes, you can submit your payment for the vendor fee via Paypal.  Please email me at thebigthawportland [at] gmail dot com for how to do this.

2.  Yes, you can email your application if that is easiest for you!

3.  The original .pdf we put up didn’t have the mailing address for applications:  woops.  Problem solved!  But if you are wondering, all application documents are now correct with all the information you’ll need.

4.  Yes, we love help where future vendors can offer it!  Because The Big Thaw is organized on a shoestring budget (vendor fees basically cover the venue and our beautiful posters) help in any form is greatly appreciated:  marketing, hanging posters, photographs of the event for future marketing, connections at local businesses where we can put our posters in ‘prime’ locations, newspaper features, tv interviews, knighthood by Queen Elizabeth, you know — that stuff.

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So exciting!  The Big Thaw will be happening on Saturday, May 12, 2012 (which is the day before Mother’s Day) so we are hopeful for a big shopping day of children, big and small, young and old finding the perfect something for their Mama.  Thanks to everyone who’s applied already, and for everyone else:  keep those applications coming in!

Applications are Open!

Copper Heart Necklace from Rough Magic Creations, $45.00. Click for listing!

Oh, good!  In a surprisingly easy technological effort of composing the application, waving my magical .pdf wand and uploading it to wordpress:  applications are here, and five hours before deadline!

If you’d like to visit the application page, click here.

Or if you want to cut through the red tape, just click here to download the application..

Applications will be open from Wednesday, February 1st through Wednesday, February 29th.  Space is limited and we try to accommodate as many applicants as possible by working together!  We love shared tables (got a crafty friend?) and we try to consider all factors when planning the line-up/layout of the event.  Please contact Audrey at:  thebigthawportland at gmail dot com if you have any detailed questions.

The Big Thaw will be held at the Mayo Street Arts Center, as always, with a wine, beer and snack bar and local music sounding from the rafters.  Yayyy!  We can’t wait!

Big Thaw: Under Construction

Rustic Love from Little Eye

Last day of January!  Guess it’s time we start rolling out the applications and gearing up for The Big Thaw on Saturday, May 12th from 10am to 4pm.  We’ll be setting up shop at the Mayo Street Arts Center again, and we can’t wait to see you all there!  It’s the day before Mother’s Day, which we think is particularly auspicious.  We’re hoping the flowers will be popping their heads out of the ground by then, and by waiting a bit longer in to May hopefully it won’t be as chilly as last year’s Thaw!  ;)

Applications will be up on the website by tomorrow at the latest, and we will be accepting them from February 1st through the 29th.  Yes!

Thank you, thank you!

Thank you, shoppers, for making the Big Chill a bustling place.

 

Thank you, Mayo Street Arts, for being such a wonderful place to set up shop for a day.

 

Thank you, vendors, for being kind neighbors and making such high quality items for our shoppers to buy and gift.

 

Thank you, Kristina, for helping me us the Big Chill table!

 

The Big Thaw – Spring will be coming at you in April or May of this coming year.  If you’d like to be notified when applications are open please ‘subscribe’ to our posts using the bar on the right-hand side of this page!  Stay warm, Portland, we’ll see you when the days are longer and the air is warmer!

 

The Big Chill is Today!

Ahh, the moment we’ve all been waiting for.  The forecast indicates clear skies and above-freezing temps, how lucky!  Plus we’re pretty sure the weather over 10 Mayo St. will be 10 degrees warmer, due to some freak occurrence of nature.  So you better get over there!

 

Buying locally, and from independent craft fairs is an important way to invigorate the local economy.

 

We can’t wait to see you today, at The Big Chill arts, crafts + vintage sale at 10 Mayo St (Mayo Street Arts Center) from 10am to 4pm.

Vendor Spotlight: Timblebee

Lampwork Glass and Beaded Jewelry from Timblee (kitty not included!)

Me-ow!

Lampwork Disc Necklace

Fire Agate Necklace

Vendor Spotlight: Purplebean Bindery

We <3 Anna Low of Purplebean Bindery!  Not only did she help us plaster Big Chill posters all over Deering, but her handmade journals and other bound beauties are just excellent gifts, and probably the most perfect place to put your important ideas and to-do lists that you don’t want to forget.  Here’s a peek!

Irish Spring Notebooks - Priceless!

Scary Face Funhouse Journal

Haiku-For-You Three Pack (closed)

Haiku-For-You Three Pack (interior!)

Vendor Spotlight: Sweeter Salt Vintage

What a treat!  Laura L. Duplissis of the most-excellent blog Sweeter Salt will be joining us selling men’s and women’s vintage accessories and handmade t-shirt necklaces!  While her Etsy shop is empty for the time being, we found some images from her most-fashioniest blog just to give you an idea of what you’re in for!

Laura: owns fashion. Did you know?

Duck Sweater from Swap Maine! I don't know that she'll part with it, but this just gives you an idea of what's in store...

T-Shirt Necklaces on Parade - As featured on Forefront Fashion

Vendor Spotlight: Beadlebot

Naturalistic jewelry from Beadlebot – gorgeous color palette to brighten up the winter months!

Pinecone Earrings by Beadlebot

Fire Agate and Glass Necklace by Beadlebot

Honey and Lavender Agate Necklace

Vendor Spotlight: Flat Out Tees

Flat Out Tees – Funny tees to keep you giggling.  ”The tees speak for themselves – if they don’t make you laugh out loud or crack a smile you have a heart of ICE!” –f.o.t.  ;)

The Way Life Should Be

Horn Dog.

Obligatory Bacon Tee