Vendor Spotlight: Merchantship

Festival Zinnia scarf by Merchantship

Feast your eyes on the beautiful scarves from Merchantship!  These are the creative works from the hands of local crafter, Alicia Gaston.

 

Merchantship

Alicia prefers to work with super luxurious Japanese Echino fabrics and unique designer patterns as well as the super-soft ‘minky’ fabric used to line the inside of her scarves.

 

Olive Rose scarf from Merchantship

To feel these fantastic scarves with your own fingers, visit Merchantship at The Big Chill arts, crafts and vintage holiday sale at Mayo Street Arts, 10 Mayo St., Sunday, December 2nd from 10am to 4pm.  We can’t wait to see you!

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Applications Due this Wednesday!

David Jacobson of David Jacobson Glass

Ok, fabulous artists and crafters!  Our deadline for applications in our hands is Wednesday, October 31st so make sure you send in your applications ASAP!  Also, please feel free to leave your application in our mailbox if you’re local.  We’ll have our vendors announced on November 1st so you don’t want to be late!

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One More Week to Apply!

 

 

Opening our mail gets better and better by the day!  Here are some pictures from our inaugural sale to get you all excited about the holiday season:

little foxes by meagan and kris

 

ashley from a new heirloom setting up shop

mark from merchants row exchanging goods for currency

 

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The Big Thaw is Today! Come join us…

Hear ye, hear ye!  The Big Thaw arts, crafts and vintage sale is happening TODAY (Saturday, May 12) from 10am to 4pm at 10 Mayo Street, which is where the lovely Mayo Street Arts Center is located.  If you’re not familiar with it, it’s very easy to get to off of I-295 N or S.  Check out this technology map:

View Larger Map

The Big Thaw features 30+ artists, crafters and vintage sellers occupying two floors of the Mayo Street Arts Center.  Artists who have studios at Mayo Street may open up for the event, too.  Refreshments are available at the snack bar upstairs, including beer and wine for the daydrinkers among you.  Our doors open at 10am sharp, but please no early visitors while our vendors set up their spaces!  We look forward to seeing you – buy and make local!

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Vendor Spotlight: Lofted Designs

Here is a peek at the beautiful work you’ll find from Lori Dennis of Lofted Designs!:

Carrot Necklace by Lofted Designs

Pet Tags by Lofted Designs

Awesome Secret Swear Ring by Lofted Designs

Stacked Vintage Button Earrings by Lofted Designs

Spiral Necklace by Lofted Designs

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Vendor Spotlight: One Woman Studio

One Woman Studio

As you may know, there’s a pretty special place in Little Eye’s heart for those things-that-are-made-from-other-things.  Burlap coffee sacks, feed grain bags and sails are no exception!  Today’s Vendor Spotlight is for One Woman Studio, the creation of Julia Ventresco, who has a way with a sewing machine and raw materials that can’t be rivaled.

One Woman Studio

Since The Big Thaw is happening the day before Mother’s Day, we asked Julia about how her mother has influenced her art:  ”Suffice it to say I spent my childhood at my mother’s elbow watching her sew, paint, wallpaper and pretty much transform any available surface or material into a work of art – be it functional or frivolous!  As I grew older, it was I who was doing the sewing, wallpapering, painting with my mother at my side to guide and teach.”

One Woman Studio

“I can think of no greater influence in my life and creative endeavors than my mother.  In addition to the tehcnical skills and design wisdom she imparted to me, one of the greatest she taught me was “Be yourself (no matter how wacky!) and do what you love.”  I’m happy to say I am doing both.”

We’re pretty enamored with your mother, too, Julia, if she is responsible for fostering the growth of such a creative person!  Repurposed sail bags, coffee sack backpacks and totes, and feed bag totes abound.  Don’t be silly enough to miss meeting Julia and shopping the wares at One Woman Studio at The Big Thaw on Saturday, May 12 from 10am to 4pm at the Mayo Street Arts Center at 10 Mayo St.  See you there!

One Woman Studio

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Vendor Spotlight: k.smith

bunny foo-foo by k.smith

Oh my GOSH.  Happy Friday, comrades.  It was a long week, but we’re ending it in a special way.  That special way is by meeting with Kate Smith of k.smith at Crema (the snazzy new coffee shop on Commercial Street, next to Rosemont’s snazzy new produce market).  This is an exclusive treat, since k.smith’s web presence is pretty much limited to this Big Thaw post.  So!  The only way you’ll be able to get your hands on these oh-so-soft bunny foo-foos, pot holders, herbal eye sachets, pillows and more is by coming to The Thaw — poor you!  ;)

Sometimes it’s best to let beautiful things speak for themselves.  The light coming through the glass block windows, the warm wood tones of the tables at Crema and the upcycled stylings of Kate Smith speak for themselves — I won’t yak about it anymore, just let you see for yourself:

upcycled sweater potholders by k.smith

it's all in the details - by k.smith

individual designs - by k.smith

bunny foo-foo close-up by k.smith

herbal eye pillows by k.smith

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Vendor Spotlight: filia.

Poplin Skirt from filia.

Evening, kittens!  We’re happy it’s the weekend, too.  We’re brightening it up even more by featuring Kate O’Toole of filia.  You can find her on Etsy here, or if you’re more of the continual narrative type, her blog here.  Check out the before/after picture at the bottom of the page of an ottoman she reupholstered that was featured on the blog!  Ooh, ballsy!  We loved you and yer work already, Kate, but now we’re just jealous!

Geometric Print Cotton Sundress from filia.

BT:What does filia make and sell for Big Thaw shoppers to fawn over?

Kate O’Toole:  filia is a collection of modern, feminine apparel and small personal accessories that I design and sewn from my home on Munjoy Hill. The collection ranges from casual, brunch- or farmer’s market-ready skirts, tops and tunics to flirty, floaty party dresses, and includes many one-of-a-kind items. The filia aesthetic is distinguished by classic, stylish shapes updated with of-the-moment details and vibrant colors.  I work mainly with natural fibers like wool, cotton and silk and finish each garment with special detailing, such as grosgrain ribbon facing, hand-stitched hems, and pockets in nearly everything (they’re so useful!). Each filia design is produced in limited quantities and custom orders are always welcomed. Accessories include small bags, zipper pouches, envelope wallets, yoga mat bags, and iPod/tablet sleeves.

Black and Tan Skirt from filia.

BT:  How has your own mother (or mother figure) influenced your art, craft or endeavor? 

KO:  My mum has always been a huge inspiration in my creative endeavors. In the most literal sense she provided the foundation for my business by teaching me to how to sew as a little girl, but more importantly, as I watched her pursuit of several different types of crafts and creative expressions through the years, she instilled in me the fun and satisfaction of making things with your own two hands. When I decided to turn my love of sewing and creating clothing into a business in May of 2011, I named it filia (which echoes the Greek word for family and friendship) to honor the influence my mum all my loved ones have on my work. My mum occasionally helps me with the finish work on some garments if I’m finishing up a big order in a time crunch, is an invaluable consult on fabric choices or working out the construction of a item, and is generally one of my biggest cheerleaders and supporters. If I end up as a vendor at The Big Thaw, she will probably be with me at my table as my right-hand woman!

Tank Style Dress in Purple Floral from filia.

BT:  What new products or finds will you have available for shoppers at The Big Thaw that you would like featured on our blog? Please write a little about them and attach pictures (or links) if you’d like!
KO:  I’d hope that at The Big Thaw shoppers would find great gifts for their mothers and the special women in their life among my clothes for women of all ages and fun, stylish accessories. This spring I’ve got a ton of new fabric in bright spring and summer colors and patterns, ready to be turned into fun, warm-weather fashions! Designs will include drawstring-waist tunics, gathered skirts, blouses, and a variety of dresses in different styles.  For accessories, I have useful little linen zipper pouches, embellished with ruffles and geometric designs and lined with patterned cotton. I also have a line of stargazer linen zipper pouches that are hand-embroidered with different constellations – a fun gift to personalize with someone’s zodiac sign or for someone that loves looking at the night sky! I also have my popular yoga mat bags in a variety of colorful new patterns. I use a lot of the extra cotton from my yoga mat bags to sew cute little envelope wallets, which are great for holding small gifts like jewelry or gift cards, and iPod/iPad sleeves, which are lightly padded and make fabulous gifts. I’m always working on new items, so more would probably be added to this list!

Before

After

Come see Kate from filia at The Big Thaw on Saturday, May 12 from 10am to 4pm at the Mayo Street Arts Center at 10 Mayo St.  Happy weekend, jellybeans for everyone!

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Vendor Spotlight: Lillianka

Large Screenprinted Tote by Lillianka, with collaboration from Morris & Essex

Tonight, we bring to you Lillian Harris of Lillianka, a one-woman enterprise devoted to making calendars, greeting cards, purses, totes, sachets and other personal accessories and home decor items.  Bright, stylish colors and bold patterns with a classic feel.  If you want to find Lillianka before the Thaw, you can visit The Merchant Co. at 656 Congress St. – if you want to find Lillianka online, you can visit these links here:

-Lillianka on Etsy

-Lillianka’s Website

Pouch by Lillianka, fabric from Morris & Essex

As you know, the Big Thaw is wild about Maine artists.  So when TWO of them get together to make something beautiful we are besides ourselves.  The first two pictures above are examples of work that was born of a collaboration between Lillianka and the graphic prints of Eliza Curtis of Morris & Essex.  Simple, colorful and wonderful to look at.  More, more, more!

Blank Greeting Cards from Lillianka

It seems the more we are asking artists about their mother’s influence on their work, the more and more information we are getting about how important a role motherhood is in developing creativity in children, teens and later adults.  We asked Lillian how her mother affected her love of handmade, and this is what she had to say:

“My mother has been an integral part of my work in so many ways!  First she taught me to sew on her sturdy Bernina that she bought for herself in the early 1970s.  As a kid I went with her to craft fairs where she sold her handmade dolls, my introduction to the world of craft fairs.

Bag by Lillianka

The second way she has influenced my work is by instilling in me a sense of confidence in my own work.  There have been numerous times over the course of developing my business and my work when my confidence has wavered (i.e. what the h**l am I doing with my life?!?) and she has always been there to remind me to follow my heart.  If this is the work I love then its the work I should be doing.  The rest will follow (and it has).

Finally, she is my most honest crtic.  She will tell me outright if something is not right from a design flaw to a poor choice of fabric.  I go to her for an honest opinion.  Thanks, Mom!

Two Part Tote by Lillianka

Annnd, we found out that Lillian’s mother is also the lady behind her business card and logo design.  Aren’t mothers wonderful?

See more of Lillianka’s line of products by visiting her at The Big Thaw on Saturday, May 12, 2012 at the Mayo Street Arts Center at 10 Mayo St.  10-4pm.  Two floors of artists, craftspeople and vintage sellers!

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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!

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