Vendor Spotlight: Bowerbird Handmade

And now, a little look at the lovely things from Bowerbird Handmade.  Enjoy!

by bowerbird handmade

by bowerbird handmade

by bowerbird handmade

by bowerbird handmade

by bowerbird handmade

by bowerbird handmade

Vendor Spotlight: Allsey + {dwinal}

Countdown:  2 Days to The Big Thaw!  Today our Vendor Spotlight (slideshow!) features allsey and {dwinal} from Jen Collins!  She’ll be there with her unique vintage finds and retooled jewelry at The Big Thaw on Saturday, May 12 from 10am to 4pm at the Mayo Street Arts Center, 10 Mayo St. in Portland!

Tooled leather bag from {dwinal}

wood bracelet from allsey

Salt + Pepper shakers from {dwinal}

Purse from {dwinal}

shark pendant from allsey

earrings from allsey

Vendor Spotlight: Lilleputt Studio

Another picture show, featuring Annika Schmidt of Lilleputt Studio.  Click on the images to see the link!

Swedish Horse Pillow by Lilleputt Studio

Pincushions on the Lilleputt Blog

New fabric at Lilleputt Studio!

Breakfast Pillow with Birch Trees from Lilleputt Studio

Yellow and Gray Bib from Lilleputt Studio

Wow, wow!  Top caliber stuff, Annika.  Can’t wait to see you at The Big Thaw arts, crafts + vintage sale this SATURDAY May 12, from 10am to 4pm, at the Mayo Street Arts Center at 10 Mayo St.  Yahoo!

Vendor Spotlight: Patti Sandberg, Ceramic Artist

Just a quick pop-in – so busy in the week leading up to the Big Thaw!  Here is a nice little picture set of works from Patti Sandberg, whose work I’m sure you’ll recognize for its originality and function!  If you’re interested in the piece, just click on the picture for more info.  Enjoy!

 We’ll see you THIS SATURDAY at the Mayo Street Arts Center at 10 Mayo St., from 10am to 4pm the place’ll be hoppin’!

Vendor Spotlight: Mermaid Meadow and Hippie Hamper

by Mermaid Meadow

Beautiful Sunday!  Today we feature Melissa Bankhead of Hippie Hamper and Bevin Holmberg of Mermaid Meadow.  These two ladies are three-time Big Thaw veterans, and we just adore their work.  Hippie Hamper brings bright, patterned fabrics, colorful embroidery and all things you didn’t know were essential to your home until you saw them (re:  ruffly aprons and bird-shaped pin cushions!)  And Mermaid Meadow presents a playful world of anthropomorphic animals, seaside motifs and rustic accents for your home.

by Hippie Hamper

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

Hippie Hamper:  My mother has been a huge influence to me.  Not only was she the one who taught me how to sew, hand embroider and stitch, but she has also been supportive to my goals as a crafter.  She’s my “go to” gal when I have any creative doubt, always lifting me back up!

by Mermaid Meadow

Mermaid Meadow:  In more ways than I could EVER express.  She and my dad were both extremely talented artists.  She has always encouraged and inspired me in ways no one else ever could.  My mother taught me that there are no accidents in art… just opportunities for change.

Apron selections from Hippie Hamper

The Big Thaw:  And what new products will you have available for shoppers at The Big Thaw this coming weekend?

Hippie Hamper:  Hand embroidered tea towels with a vintage feel, bird pin cushions filled with walnut shells for sharpening needles, half aprons that would make any mom smile, and felt flower pins to dress up your outfit!

Flea-For-All Display from Mermaid Meadow

Mermaid Meadow:  I painted a variety of small square tiles for The Big Chill that made good holidays gifts… for the Big Thaw I plan to make more with a lighter, spring-like theme!

We can’t wait, you two!!  The Big Thaw is happening on Saturday, May 12 from 10am to 4pm at the Mayo Street Arts Center at 10 Mayo Street.  We will see you there!

Vendor Spotlight: Jewelry A La Carte

Jewelry A La Carte

Hey!!  Only one week until The Big Thaw – we are so excited!  Plans are being finalized, vendor spaces at Mayo Street are being figured out, and look:  the sun’s shining!  Today we feature Nancy Leavitt of Jewelry A La Carte.  Her work is unique, because as you shop with her you determine what you want your jewelry to look like.

“I offer the unique opportunity for customers to customize their own piece of jewelry.  First, they choose from handmade pendants, usually of gemstone or crystal.  Next, they pick from over 40 options of necklaces + bracelets.  Then I put it together on the spot.  Voila!  One-of-a-kind.”

Jewelry A La Carte

We asked Nancy about how her own mother influenced her work – the response we got told a story of a post-surgery nightmare with the silver lining of motherly love.  We’d like to share some of it here, it seems that the mothers of the Big Thaw vendors have no end of influence in their childrens’ lives:

“…I had to have surgery.  The anesthesia didn’t agree with me and I woke up with ‘cognitive difficulties.’  Toss in some post-surgical narcotics and you have the mess my elderly mother cared for this past summer.

As I came out of the haze, all I knew was that apparently my mom had taught me how to make jewelry, and that many large boxes of jewelry making supplies kept arriving in a brown truck.  When I called her up to let her know her stuff had arrived, she said, “Oh…no, Dear, … YOU ordered all those supplies.  Don’t you remember starting a business?”

The anesthesia and narcotics had left me in an emotionally vulnerable state, my usual defences, walls and filters non-existant.  I was completely exposed.  But what I saw as a vulnerability, my mother saw as an opportunity.  She ran a brainwashing campaign that any decent Propaganda Machine would be proud of.  While I was unconscious she played self esteem tapes.  While barely conscious, we made jewelry and spoke over and over of how fun and profitable it could be.  I have vague memories of learning why crystal is superior to plastic, and how to gauge the lead content.  She signed me up for 6 shows, one every other weekend, as Christmas was approaching.  I went with my stuff and, much to my amazement, did pretty well.

I’m on the other side of the Christmas season now.  I still sit on the couch too much, but at least I’m making jewelry.  As I look back I see how one of the most under-appreciated people in my life saw an opportunity and knew what I needed for me to get back on my feet.

My mom is a saint.  And I’m going to go call her and tell her that.”

Jewelry A La Carte

An impressive story, and beautiful jewelry.  We’ll see you all at the Big Thaw arts, crafts and vintage sale ONE WEEK FROM TODAY on Saturday, May 12 at the Mayo Street Arts Center at 10 Mayo St.  10am-4pm – yahoo!

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