Posted in Vendor Spotlight, tagged anna low, big chill, books, events, haiku, journals, maine, mayo street arts center, portland, purplebean bindery, southern maine, things to do on December 2, 2011| Leave a Comment »
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!)
Posted in Vendor Spotlight, tagged arts center, big chill, clothing, craft fair, events, holiday sale, maine, mayo street, portland, scarves, southern maine, spray paint on November 30, 2011| Leave a Comment »
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.
Posted in Vendor Spotlight, tagged body care, eden, holiday shopping, light, maine, natural, portland, southern maine, stocking stuffers, unscented on November 29, 2011| 1 Comment »
$9.99 Travel Pack from eden. -- Awesome value!
Tonight we introduce to you the miracle that is eden. Eden. provides gentle, natural and pure body products for men and women with plenty of unscented options for those who don’t want any fragrance, but would like soft, supple skin in the dead of winter. Having used the lotions and lip balms myself, I have to say they definitely don’t leave a residue. Here are a few products from eden. that would make great stocking stuffers or you could throw a few in a gift bag for a real treat!
Café Latte Lip Balm, $3.50 from eden.
The lip balm is delicious – we have ours in rosemary mint and it’s damned near impossible to keep from eating it right off the stick. Ok, actually it’s not impossible, but the flavor’s good enough that I’d totally let people think that’s what I do in the privacy of my own home.
Unisex Shaving Bar, $4.99 from eden.
Do you know what the grossest smell in the world is? It’s the smell of Barbasol, or anything remotely like it. It’s a step down from “axe” in my book. So! Make sure to throw one of these in your favorite arm candy’s stocking (be they a he or a she) to make sure your face smells like a face and your legs smell like legs!
Cedarwood Sage Lotion, $11.99 from eden.
Cedarwood Sage lotion is the ‘table lotion’ we have on our shared workspace at work. It’s hard to keep it in stock, sometimes people put it on their hands when they’re not even dry, just to get the smell on them. Light, airy, but still seasonal, woodsy and rustic this is definitely a favorite.
Come visit Elise from eden. and all the rest of us at The Big Chill Holiday arts, crafts and vintage sale at 10 Mayo Street in Portland! Saturday, December 3rd from 10am-4pm. Yes!
Posted in Vendor Spotlight, tagged big chill, christmas sale, events, holiday fair, maine, north loop yarn, portland, southern maine on November 29, 2011| Leave a Comment »
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!
Posted in Vendor Spotlight, tagged art, arts center, big chill, brunswick, christmas, craft, dappermonkey, december third, events, holiday, jared desimio, maine, mayo street, portland, sale, shopping, southern maine, things to do, vintage on November 28, 2011| Leave a Comment »
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!
Posted in Vendor Spotlight, tagged art, arts center, craft, east bayside, events, herbal revolution, holiday, lincolnville, maine, mayo street, portland, sale, southern maine, the big chill, three roasted beets, vintage on November 27, 2011| Leave a Comment »
"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!
Posted in Vendor Spotlight, tagged art, arts center, craft, deb gill, december 3rd, events, holiday sale, maine, mayo street, nanako o'donnell, pig+fish, portland, southern maine, things to do, vintage on November 25, 2011| 1 Comment »
Happy Black Friday, everyone – we hope you’ll be scouting out the deals at local shops instead of waiting in long, crazy lines at the mall today! And we hope even more that you’ll be joining us on Saturday, December 3rd at the Mayo Street Arts Center (10 Mayo St., Portland) to find some great, local products handmade (and hand selected) by your neighbors.
Today we feature pig + fish, the brainchild of Nanako O’Donnell and Deb Gill, two Mainers with a knack for stylish organization. We were so excited when their application arrived in the mail – being able to bring these gorgeous key holders, clocks, bud vases and coat racks to Portland (even if just for a day) was too much to resist!
It's about time you bought this gorgeous clock from Pig + Fish - click to view listing!
The selection of colors, patterns, found imagery and clean lines in the items from pig+fish provide accents for any home. Boy, oh boy, that clock up there would look great in my mustard yellow and rust orange living room. Where would you put it?
Modern Wall-Mounted Flower Vases
Deb and Nanako wanted shoppers to be sure their flower vases are great pieces for your home all year round: “Flower vases aren’t just for the summer – fresh flowers are welcome any time of year! Our cheerful flower vases uplift year round.”
Who doesn't love airstreams?
And perhaps, most functionally, these key holders (which come in many patterns + colors) are a dream come true for someone like me – I think it’s genetic, but we are constantly losing our keys in my family. If you have a gorgeous place to put them (like, say, the airstream key holder above or the bright and cheery one below) then how can you possibly resist putting them in the same place every time? Favorite.
Gorgeous Colors/Lines for this one of a kind key holder!
Posted in Vendor Spotlight, tagged art, black friday, center, craft, events, holiday sale, julie ann bailey, louisiana 1966, maine, mayo street arts, portland, sale, southern maine, the big chill, vintage on November 24, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Happy Thanksgiving to all! We are stuffed! But not quite in the same way the goodies from Louisiana 1966 are… Julie Bailey brings us lots of funky, plushy goods at The Big Thaw on Saturday, December 3rd! Take a peek:
Shirley the Sock Doll from Louisiana 1966
Bright colors and warm, handmade stitches are sure to warm up any winter night for your wee ones! At $18, it’s quite a deal for a handmade plushy!
George the Sock Doll from Louisiana 1966
Polka dots and black for the kidzzz.
Messenger Bag in Brown by Louisiana 1966
Louisiana 1966 makes bags, too!
Ophelia the Sock Doll from Louisiana 1966
This one’s my favorite. 🙂
Posted in Vendor Spotlight, tagged art, awesome things to do, craft, december 3, event, falmouth, hand painted jewelry, highwire handmade, holiday, maine, mayo street arts, portland, sale, silver, southern maine, vintage on November 22, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Hey, hey, Tuesday! Thanksgiving is upon us and birds are on everyone’s brains (or tofurkies, or if you’re like my clan you’re thinking of a delicious brunch menu) but one person in particular, Sophia Sarno of Highwire Handmade, has birds on the brain all the time. Hand painted, delicate little earrings, pendants, rings and more feature birds on wires, an iconic image familiar to everyone, everywhere… as long as the power lines are above ground. Here are some goodies:
Birds on Wires Ring, $24 from Highwire Handmade
Hand Painted Stud Earrings, $35 from Highwire Handmade
Chevron Pendant, $32 from Highwire Handmade
Highwire Handmade will be sharing a space with IDILLARD, who makes painted home accessories with animals. Stay tuned for a Vendor Spotlight on IDILLARD and start making your wish list now!
The Big Chill Arts, Crafts + Vintage Sale will take place on Saturday, December 3rd, 2011 at the Mayo Street Arts Center at 10 Mayo Street from 10am-4pm. We look forward to seeing you there!
Posted in Vendor Spotlight, tagged activities, art, craft, event, holiday events, holiday sale, lofted designs, lori dennis, maine, mayo street arts center, portland, southern maine, the big chill, to do, vintage on November 20, 2011| 1 Comment »
Happy Sunday! It’s a busy day in Big Chillville so we bring to you a quick snapshot of vendor Lori Dennis of Lofted Designs. Lori couldn’t be with us for the Big Thaw in Spring so we’re super psyched she’ll be selling her silver necklaces, earrings, rings, dog tags and more at The Big Chill on Saturday, December 3rd at the Mayo Street Arts Center. Without further ado:
Featherweight Hammered Earrings
Kinetic Ring with Rotating Wooden Finding
Peacock & Poppy Resin/Silver Necklace
Personalized Birthstone Necklaces
Veggie Resin/Silver Necklaces
The BIG CHILL 