The Big Chill is December 2nd!

Hey-yo!  Hope you’ve all had an amazing summer at the beach, eating ice cream, going on vacation, visiting friends and family, yadda yadda yadda.  But get to work, little elves!  Because this year’s Big Chill will be Sunday, December 2nd at Mayo Street Arts Center in Portland, ME.

Applications are open on Monday, October 1st and will run through October 31st.  We’ll announce our vendors on November 1st!  More information about vendor fees, specific times, location and more will be available on the 1st with the applications.

Stay tuned, silly balloons!

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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:

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: Little Eye Designs

Some colorful selections from Little Eye Designs.  Hey, that’s me!  🙂

Big Thaw Barrettes from Little Eye

Tea Cup Candles from Little Eye

Pebbles Ring by Little Eye

Strawberries Earring and Barrette Set from Little Eye

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Vendor Spotlight: Marian Gaydos Designs

A view of the splendid and ornate jewelry from Marian Gaydos:

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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: 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

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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!

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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!

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Vendor Spotlight: Falling Star Farm

Falling Star Farms Alpacas

What a treat!  Today our vendor spotlight features Sheila McDonough of Falling Star Farm — and her alpacas!!  We are so pleased to have a vendor whose product follows its whole life cycle in her hands.  The raising, loving, shearing of the alpacas all the way to the spinning, crafting and selling of goods.

Falling Star Farms

When we asked Sheila how her mother has influenced her craft, the message was loud and clear:  “My mother is the first weaver I knew!  She is also, for a ‘non-animal person,’ an excellent assistant if I need an extra pair of hands with the alpacas.  She is my #1 fiber picker!”

Falling Star Farm Goods

The experience and talent that run in the family certainly shows in these gorgeous garments.  We’re also looking forward to seeing the felted soaps that Falling Star Farms has recently introduced to their product line.

Falling Star Farm Felted Soap

“[The soaps are made of] soft alpaca fiber felted around scented goat’s milk glycerin soap.  It gently scrubs away even embedded gardening grime.  It has a rich later and is gentle on the skin – perfect for Spring and throughout the year,”  We think this would be the perfect, sunshiney gift for those Mothers who like to tend to the garden – bright, saltwater taffy colors are just what the doctor ordered after a long, somewhat uneventful winter season.  🙂

Falling Star Farm Alpacas

Falling Star Farm Goods

We can’t wait to meet Sheila and paw through her wares – you’ll be there, too, I’m sure:  Saturday, May 12 at Mayo Street Arts Center at 10 Mayo Street from 10am to 4pm.  It’s the day before Mother’s Day – don’t forget!

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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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