December 2013 Applications are Open!

Good morning, internutz!!  Big Chill December 2013 applications are now open!  They will run from October 1st through 31st.  Please click the ‘apply’ tab at the top of the page, or here, to find the link to download.

This year, The Big Chill will be on Saturday, December 14th and will feature Mayo Street Arts’ main floor filled with local artists, crafters and vendors.  Snacks, beer, wine and soft beverages will be available at our bar for shoppers while they do their thing.  Additionally, we are transforming the artist studio space downstairs in to Santa’s Workshop where kids and kids-at-heart can make their own holiday gifts for $5.  Mom + Dad can leave the kiddos downstairs while they do their shopping, or stay and make crafts if they’d like!

Please direct any questions to audrey [at] mayostreetarts.org

 

Thanks!

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Vendor Spotlight: k. smith

It begins!!  And just in time.  We have more than 25 vendor spotlights to share with you throughout the month of November to get you salivating about all the great, locally handmade and sourced items that our vendors will be selling!

Reclaimed Pot Holders by k. smith

We’re starting with a Big Thaw veteran, Kate Smith of k. smith, who joined us for last May’s Big Thaw event at Mayo Street Arts.  Her utilitarian work is made of reclaimed wool and natural fibers is just as aesthetic as it is handy around the house.

Potholder Detail – k.smith

k. smith also offers a variety of pint-sized earrings and decorations made from brightly colored felted wool.  Have a look see!:

Earrings by k.smith

Felted acorns in their element by k.smith

Annnd, there’s nothing quite like soft, cozy fibers and natural aromatherapy scents to relax you and the little one at the end of the day.  For snuggling, try a bunny foo-foo:

bunny foo-foos by k.smith

And for a good ol’ home spa treatment fire up the bathtub, pour yourself a glass of whiskey (whatever, wine if that’s your thing) and choose one from the rainbow of k. smith’s super soft and herbal scented eye pillows:

so so many eye pillows from k. smith

So excited that it’s this time of year again!  You can be excited, too, by spreading the word about The Big Chill arts, crafts and vintage sale that will happen on Sunday, December 2nd, from 10am to 4pm at Mayo Street Arts (10 Mayo Street) in Portland.  Yayyy!

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Vendor Spotlight: The Proud Maine-iac + Jeanne Marie Coleman Photography

Jeanne Marie Coleman

Happy Tuesday, readers!  Tonight we bring you Jeanne Marie Coleman of the Maine Photo Source and The Proud Maine-iac.  It’s no secret from the name that Jeanne’s work reflects the more tangible reasons to be proud to be a Mainer.  After all, you can’t take a picture of what it looks like to survive a five month winter (although this year we did all right!) or what it sounds like to have a county accent.  Still, check out these photographs from the Maine Photo Source website that features all of Jeanne’s work:

Jeanne Marie Coleman

Jeanne Marie Coleman

Jeanne Marie Coleman

In addition to her photography talents, Jeanne has started a graphic design business with products like the packable canvas tote (seen below), novelty pillowcases, game boards and sweetly framed prints of the photographs above and many more.

Jeanne Marie Coleman

Come see Jeanne and all our other talented vendors on Saturday, May 12 from 10am to 4pm at the Mayo Street Arts Center at 10 Mayo Street!

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Vendor Spotlight: Herbal Revolution + Three Roasted Beets

"Eat Your Weeds" say the good folks at Herbal Revolution!

Sunday, Sunday!  And less than a week to go before The Big Chill!  Yay!  Today we’re learning about Kathi Langelier and her two ventures, Herbal Revolution and Three Roasted Beets.  I can say with personal experience that the homegrown + foraged personal wellness products from Herbal Revolution are amazing.  Plus, while you’re dropping them in your tea, rubbing them on your face, sore muscles, or whatever you can think of her wandering the woods outside of Lincolnville looking for just the perfect twigs and roots to help your skin, aches and pains, attitude and more.

The Big Chill:  What is the first sign of winter, in your opinion?

Herbal Revolution:  When the tip of my nose is cold all the time.  When the ground is hard to dig in to.  When I am ready for bed by 7:30.  And my favorite first sign of winter is the first real blizzard of the season.

Don't pretend like you don't need stress relief this time of year. Herbal Revolution's tinctures can be added to water or tea to provide support where you need it!

TBC:  What items from your business will keep customers happy + warm all winter long?

Herbal Revolution:  There are plenty of herbal products to keep everyone in the family happy throughout the winter months.  We have tinctures, elixirs and teas that will keep the immune system boosted, the nervous system uplifted and cheery and the respiratory system supported.

We have some great lotions, cream and oils to keep the skin moisturized and nourished during these drier months.

Lastly, we also have some great knit and felted wear.  Arm warmers, cowls, scarves, shrugs and wraps.  Plenty of warm wool to keep everyone warm and cozy throughout the chilly months!

Better than Botox by Herbal Revolution - From personal experience, I can say this freshens and tightens skin without leaving you looking like a cat in a wind tunnel! Definitely better than botox. 🙂

TBC:  What’s your favorite comfort food in the dark of winter?

Herbal Revolution:  Roasted tomato and red pepper soup with a fresh mozzarella, red onion and kale sandwich.  Warm gingerbread or ginger snap cookies with fresh whip cream  And I am a serious sucker for smart puffs cheese puffs as a snack, … oh, and how could I forget a Rogue Chocolate Stout beer to top it all off!?

Wow!  Thank you, Kathi, for your thorough replies.  We’re excited Herbal Revolution and Three Roasted Beets will be joining us on Saturday, December 3rd at Mayo Street Arts Center (10 Mayo St., Portland) from 10am to 4pm.  WoohoO!

Herbal Icy Hot from Herbal Revolution - Amazing muscle relief tested here at the Big Chill labs!

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Vendor Spotlight: The Last Domino

Ladies + Gentle Bens, we are so excited to bring to you the first of THIRTY ONE vendor spotlights featuring our wonderful artists + collectors who will be selling at The Big Chill on Saturday, December 3rd at the Mayo Street Arts Center (10 Mayo Street, Portland, Maine) from 10am-4pm.

Jocelyn Kahn of The Last Domino, as pulled from her Facebook page!

And why not start off with a bang?  Portland’s own Jocelyn Kahn of The Last Domino is our first feature.  Doesn’t she look sweet?  Click here to visit The Last Domino’s facebook page and “like” her!

It’s no secret that we love ‘stuff made from other stuff’ as proven by our past and present vendor rosters.  Jocelyn is no exception:  her primary products are pendants, earrings, necklaces and more made from repurposed dominos.  Yes!  Colorful, aquatic creatures with watercolor pigments grace the pages of her Etsy shop (click to see!) as well as a fortune of mermaids and pretty, art nouveau ladies with swirling hair.

Mini Domino Pendant Pair, $15.00 by The Last Domino, click to view listing

That there turquoise-toned bare-naked tree is what we’ll be looking forward to beginning very, very soon.  I can’t think of a better homage to a barren landscape than with bright hues.  At $15, this pair falls in the middle range of what you can expect to spend at The Last Domino’s table.  Items as low as $6 (pre-drilled dominos for the DIY spirit) and as much as $75 for this super-excellent rabbit-running-around-your-neck domino medley.

Domino Gamepiece Necklace, $28, by The Last Domino. Click to view listing!

We’re also totally impressed with the eastern-inspired, zodiac-like, cosmos-themed game piece pendant we saw at Jocelyn’s shop.  Can you believe this?  And with a long, brass chain the necklace is ready to wear as soon as your dollars change hands with The Last Domino.

We asked Jocelyn what she thought the first sign of winter in Maine was, and she said the smell of frost and woodsmoke.  Yes!  With this warm weather snap we’re supposed to have for the next few days it may be awhile before we smell either of those, but you can be sure her bright, colorful designs will keep you from feeling down on even the darkest and woodsmokiest of winter days.

Jocelyn will be peddling her wares alongside Monica from Beadlebot, who we will be featuring this month as well.  Stay tuned!

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December Vendors Announced!

"Be Happy" Letterpress Blocks from Monkivintage on Etsy

This is it!

Our complete list of December 2011 Big Chill Vendors can be seen at the tab above.  We’ll be bringing vendor spotlights about each and everyone one of them to you for your reading enjoyment.  Be sure to bring a napkin so you don’t drool all over your keyboard, though.

The Big Chill is now less than a month away and we can’t wait to get our holiday shopping on!

A caveat:  under no circumstances, whatsoever, will we subject you to Christmas music while shopping.  Our crafty oasis soundtrack will be rife with good local, music that has nothing to do with a large man in a velvet suit shimmying down your chimney!

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Big Chill Poster!

Fantastico!

Our Big Chill poster has arrived, via the talented Kris Johnsen and Meagan Anderson, and we are loving it just as much as our Big Thaw poster last April!  Looks like the bunnies have crept out of the brush from the Spring poster and have been joined by some other woodland friends.  We are making a limited edition run of 100 Big Chill posters, some of which will be for sale in my Etsy shop as soon as they’re available.  Pins and magnets featuring the characters in the artwork will also be available the day of The Big Chill.

If you’re craving some other print-y creations from Kris Johnsen, never fear:  he’s one of our vendors and also sells his work at amazing, new, Pinecone + Chickadee on Free St. in downtown Portland.

Do you want apply to be a vendor at The Big Chill?

Great!  Click here to be taken to the Application Page!

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Mildred!

Sweet, lovely Jackie volunteered to set up shop in the coat room which, by the by, is an excellent space to hang vintage clothes!  So let’s take a walk through memory lane…

Jackie and her Man in the coat room boutique

Pillows from Mildred

Ooh! Love!

Paper Goods from Mildred

Vintage Shoes a Happy Customer Make

 Mm!  So visit Jackie’s Etsy shop when you can’t find her at The BIG THAW.  She’s a lovely lady and a pleasure to do business with!

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Thank You.

What a fun day we had nearly three weeks ago!  The BIG THAW elves are busily compiling photographs for your viewing pleasure.

In the meantime… the rumors are true!  The BIG FREEZE is slated to commence post-Thanksgiving, pre-Christmas of 2011.  For more information on this upcoming event please subscribe to our blog in the field at the right.  Or email:  thebigthawportland at gmail dot com for more information!

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Vendor Spotlight: Purplebean Bindery

Good morning!  Ok.  24 more hours then The BIG THAW is on!  Yessssss.   🙂  This morning we’re talkin’ with Anna Low from Purplebean Bindery whose journals, sketchbooks and more are functional, colorful and affordable.  Check it out!

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Anna Low from Purplebean Bindery

How did you start making books?

I bound my first book in kindergarden but the obsessive binding really started in college with a great book arts class. I started working my way through all of the bookbinding instructions I could find and had to give away my little book experiments to make room for more. It’s grown from there into a nice ‘job’. I love making functional art. Every book I make is different and I think of all of them as collaborations between myself and whomever the book goes home with. I like that a hand-bound blank book might inspire someone to fill it’s pages with amazing sketches or writing…or something completely banal in a colorful cover.

Funhouse Blank Journal

What kind of goodies can our customers expect to see at your table at The BIG THAW?

I’ve got all kinds of funky and colorful goodies for The BIG THAW. I’ll have my customary Buttonhole Journals – nice books for journaling, list making, note taking, general musings. I love this binding because it’s both decorative and the books lay open flat. The binding also allows for lots of decorative paper and embellishments, so the books are cheery and user friendly. This winter (it was a long winter) I’ve been a recycling fiend in the studio, so I’ll also have a nice stack of books made with reused material, including some old school flash cards that I’m in love with and manilla paper that still smells of grammar school.

A Selection of Purplebean Notebooks

What textures/colors inspire you most?

One of the reasons I keep making books is because there is so much cool paper and fabric out there. I love colorful. But I also love black and white. And cheesy kitsch. It’s hard to narrow it down. I guess I should say, the next beautiful piece of paper is the one that inspires me the most?

What’s your favorite thing about Spring in Maine?

I love winter and snow but this year I’ve been antsy, antsy for mother nature’s big thaw. I love spring in Maine because it means gardening season is ON. I’ve got my veggie seeds started inside, I prowl the yard for signs of the bulbs I planned last fall, and if I owned a hair drier I’d be using it to melt the last chunk of dirty snow under the lilac. I also love that all the windows are open because 55° feels warm.

~~~

Right on, right on!  55 DOES feel warm and hopefully we’ll feel that tomorrow, Saturday April 16th, the day of The BIG THAW Arts, Crafts and Vintage Sale.  10am-4pm at Mayo Street Arts Center, 10 Mayo St. in Portland’s East End (off Cumberland Ave between Franklin and Washington).  Look out for the signs!  Can’t wait.  🙂

Now we're talking!

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