Holiday Sale: Today!!

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The Big Chill Holiday Sale is today!  10am-4pm at Mayo Street Arts, 10 Mayo Street in Portland.  There’s a handy little map if you need directions!  Two floors of awesome artists, I know you can’t resist.  Be careful on those icy roads, this morning!

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Vendor Spotlight: Kris Johnsen + Meagan Anderson

Kris and Meagan at work

Hey, guys!   The Big Thaw arts, crafts and vintage sale is TOMORROW:  Saturday, May 12 from 10am to 4pm.  We will see you at 10 Mayo Street (Mayo Street Arts Center) – come by, grab a beer, browse the merchandise and leave with something excellent for your mom!

We are featuring Kris Johnsen and Meagan Anderson, the two inspired minds behind our gorgeous Big Thaw Poster.  You never know what these two will show up with, but whatever it is you know you’re gonna want it.  Check it out:

by Meagan Anderson

by Kris Johnsen

by Meagan Anderson

by Kris Johnsen

by Meagan Anderson

by Kris Johnsen

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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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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!

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Vendor Spotlight: Purplebean Bindery

We ❤ 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!)

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Vendor Spotlight: Lillianka

Presenting:  Lillianka!  Bringing you tote bags, purses, handbags, lavender + balsam sachets, stuffed owls and calendars.  Just gorgeous!  Here’s a little sneak peek…

Slouchy Tote in Neutrals

Looks like 2012 just got a little better!

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Vendor Spotlight: Legacy Arts

Yum Handprinted Labels 4-Eva

Shuffle, shuffle, shuffle!  Only three more days ’til The Big Chill.  Aren’t you excited?  I am!  And even more excited after meeting Jason Mowery of Legacy Arts yesterday when he so nicely volunteered to cover Portland in our limited edition, screen-printed posters (that are also for sale here, and at Mayo Street on Saturday!)  Legacy Arts brings you handmade pottery, bandanas, and monk’s cloth scarves that aren’t like anything you’ve seen before.

Winter Warmth in Style

If you’re not convinced by the awesomeness of these pictures, we suggest you get to know Legacy Arts by Jason’s gastronomic preferences.  Our absolute favorite response to our application question “What is your favorite comfort food?” came from Legacy Arts.  “Jim Beam straight and my sister-in-law’s butterscotch cookies.”  Um… hell, yes!

Come see Legacy Arts + friends at The Big Chill Holiday Sale on Saturday, December 3rd from 10am to 4pm at Mayo Street Arts!  10 Mayo St., Portland.  Yep.

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Vendor Spotlight: IDILLARD

Deer Painting!

Presenting… IDILLARD!  Bringing you original watercolor paintings and brightly splattered light switch plates to brighten up your room — matching Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus switch plates?  I think yes.

Rowr!

meow!

These light switch plates are made from original watercolor paintings by Isabelle Dillard (the namesake behind IDILLARD)  We think an excellent present for any animal enthusiast might be one of these fantastic elephant paintings:

Visit The Big Chill on Saturday, December 3rd at the Mayo Street Arts Center to see IDILLARD’s gorgeous work and much, much more!

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Vendor Spotlight: North Loop Yarns

Sometimes, pictures speak louder than words.  The beautifully spun yarns and thoughtfully photographed fiber-inspired cards from North Loop Yarn only need to be seen (and touched, and touched!) to be believed.  Here are some gorgeous things you might want to curl up with in the middle of winter for a knitting, crocheting or crewel project:

Fingering/Sock Weight Yarn in "Little Boy Blue" by North Loop Yarn

Silk Lace Yarn in "Canopy" by North Loop Yarn

Silky Alpaca Worsted Weight in "Leaf Litter" by North Loop Yarn

Yes, oh yes.  While we’re finishing up the three simultaneous knitting projects we’re working on here at The Big Chill headquarters, we’ll be dreaming of all the pretty new things we can buy on Saturday, December 3rd from 10am to 4pm at the Mayo Street Arts Center, 10 Mayo St., Portland, Maine.  Lovely!

Not a knitter? Don't do the crochet? Sending colorful greetings to those who are works, too!

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Vendor Spotlight: dappermonkey

Salvaged Material Canvas Backpack by Dappermonkey

We’ve already brought you the great finds from Monkivintage, today we introduce another Big Chill monkey, the creations of Jared Desimio at Dappermonkey.  High school teacher by day, sewing master by night and vintage-awesomeness seeker on the weekends.  Or, at least we’re presuming from the rustic, rugged and functional finds in his Etsy shop.

MASH Tee - Our favorite was Hunnicutt!

We know you’ll find something you love if you even have the remotest inkling of how badass lumberjacks, woodsmen and Mainers are.  We suggest stuffing a couple extra $20s in your wallet before you come to The Chill, just for this greatness alone.

Canvas Tote, Small, Made of Recycled Materials by dappermonkey

And just in case those photographs and descriptions weren’t enough to entice you, when we asked Jared what his favorite winter comfort food was he responded:  “Buttery grilled cheese with chunky tomato soup and a bold, red wine.”  Yes, Jared, me too!

Come visit dappermonkey and all the other great vendors at The Big Chill Arts, Crafts and Vintage Holiday Sale on Saturday, December 3rd from 10am to 4pm at Mayo Street Arts, 10 Mayo Street, in Portland, Maine.  Yahoo!

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