Big Chill 2013 Poster!

Gorgeous!  Molly Steinmetz, MECA student and mastermind behind bitches and beehives, has designed a lovely poster for our craft fair coming up this December.  The original is black and white, and we will be taking it to task with an armada of watercolors.  Would you like a few posters of your own to paint and post?  Just email:  audrey@mayostreetarts.org to find out how to get your hands on some copies.

Annnd… it’s still not too late to apply!  Applications close October 31st and we love to see all the creativity that’s been pouring in to our mailbox.  Click the “Apply!” tab at the top of the page to download the application and instructions.

Read Full Post »

Introducing: The First Annual “Big Chill”

Something’s brewing here in our little corner of Portland… stay tuned for updates because The Big Thaw’s cousin, The Big Chill will be happening this winter!

Not many details now, but soon to come.  Please share with your friends and contacts who might be interested in applying to be a vendor or coming as a customer!  They can either subscribe to blog updates from this website or contact us at:  thebigthawportland at gmail dot com  for updates via mailing list!

We promise to continue to make the website entertaining and informative about all the lovely sellers we will be hosting this winter.  Time to revamp!

Read Full Post »

Vendor Spotlight: By Bethany

Greetings from The BIG THAW and hope you’ve had a lovely weekend!  Some highlights in our corner of the universe included waking up to snow on Saturday morning (what the?!), a rousing show from Dirty Rogers, Huak and the Heebeejeebies at Geno’s on Saturday night and a rather impulsive and indulgent shopping spree at Fotoshops (closing…boo…), Material Objects and Bliss (big sale!) with some very nice ladies.

Best Buddies T-Shirt

Speaking of nice ladies, today it’s my pleasure to introduce you to the fine stylings of Bethany Hayes-Chute.  When The BIG THAW caught wind of her Etsy shop we were charmed to bits by the screen printed homage to all things Maine, plaid, and her lighthearted ‘creatures’ that play in geometric space on her t-shirts and onesies.

Maine Tee. Plus that Guy is holding a Chicken.

To follow the handmade code is one thing – but to really embrace it is another.  Not only are Bethany’s ‘creatures’ a cast of characters that have followed her from childhood, but she shares them with the world via a hand made silk screen press.  Mmm and who doesn’t love unique silk screened Tees for a Maine summer?  And look at these colors!

Dance Party Onesie. Your kids can look awesome, too!

And as if making cool t-shirts and onesies wasn’t enough Bethany makes gorgeous, simple, yet substaintial necklaces to boot.  The BIG THAW and Bethany are a match made in heaven — both artist and organization placing a huge emphasis on quality over quantity.  Bethany describes her jewelry work in her Etsy shop as such:

“All of the pieces I create are original, one of a kind designs. I have extremely high standards for quality of materials, workmanship and technique. I use only Sterling Silver or Fine Silver findings and materials, never base metal, surgical steel or silver plated. In instances of gold findings and materials, I use either 14K Gold-Fill or 22k Gold Vermeil.”

Yes, Bethany, yes!

Palmwood and Copper Necklace

Visit her Etsy shop here to start your shopping list for The BIG THAW on Saturday, April 16th at the Mayo Street Arts Center, 10 Mayo St, 10am-4pm.  See you there!

Read Full Post »

Deadline to Post: Friday, February 26th

Friendly reminder, kittens!  Have your applications in the mail by Friday so they are here in time!  Click here for application page.

In other news:  our poster is ALMOST done!  You may have noticed we revamped the colors on the site.  The blues, greens and punchy orange all come from the poster design and we can’t wait to show it to everyone when it’s finished!

Read Full Post »