hingham + holiday = hooray!

Although I was a wee bit cold, I had a fantastic weekend at the holiday shipyard show and became aware of a whole new development in Hingham that I didn't even know existed! Wow. The area is just full of potential for shopping, relaxing and dining.  Tons of free parking, beautiful water views and numerous restaurants including Alma Nove,  Hingham Beer Works and Typhoon Asian Bistro  to name a few. And for some cool design and artsy stuff, there’s BG Galleries, a humongous showroom of antique, vintage and modern design, and across the street, the newly opened satellite location for the South Shore Art Center.  Both were closed by the time I was done packing up for the weekend so I’ll have to make a trip over there soon to do some more exploring.

Ok, so back to the actual SHOW.  Thank you to everyone who came out in droves to attend and make purchases at this first time event, especially my local pals from the south shore.  It was great to see you all and I appreciate the support!  Once again I lucked out with neighbors.  I’ve seen Big Skinny the Cambridge-based creators of the world’s thinnest wallets at several shows but this was the first time I was next to them.  And my other talented neighbor Rachel of Malagueta traveled all the way from Philadelphia to bring her beautiful clothing and handbags to the Boston area.  I think she should come back to Boston often!  

Um, so I kinda splurged a bit and did some shopping of my own.....

Some fabulous frames from Mean & Wroughten (I can’t resist a pair of old red scissors with chipped paint welded to a frame.. I just can’t), a set of gorgeous pillows from Red Staggerwing Designs (hello yummy color combos and beautiful craftsmanship!) and lastly, a most awesome cabinet by John Warren Designs (as soon as I saw it, I stopped in my tracks and was like.. omg, I have to have that!).  But I had to stop myself there for the tent was brimming with so many amazing temptations… 

 Mean & Wroughten frame (without a photo)

Red Staggerwing pillows, my bed never looked so good.

Oh, and a final shout out to Cindy from Letter C Design for also making the trip to Hingham from Connecticut. The designs and paper goods from her studio are just awesome!

Display Ideas, etc.

Just finished a show at the Duxbury high school and it was pretty sweet.  I have to say I was a little surprised at the condition of the girl's bathrooms (ew...gross), but aside from that, the show was great.  A huge thank you to organizer Brooke Stanton and her beautiful hand-dyed silk scarf collection. Yay Brooke!

My immediate neighbors and I became quick friends which is always an added bonus when you're planted in one spot for 2 days.  And since the booth spaces were 10x10, I'm always curious to see how others will set up.  I saw some pretty creative displays and here are a few:

First up.. T. Breeze Verdant's marquetry and inlay work.  On each side of his set up, there are 2 hinged doors painted black to display hanging work, leaving the center open for him to interact with customers... there's also a horizontal pole overhead to hold the lighting panel. A clean, crisp look, and a great way to display tabletop and hanging pieces.

Another gorgeous set up by Catherine & Rob from By the Sea Driftwood! I've said it before and I'll say it again, I just want to curl up with a blanket and hang out in this space all day. It's inviting, warm, full of charm and brimming with lots of beautiful old stuff that's been repurposed and given new life... they utilize every inch of space on their walls, top to bottom, and leave the middle open...it's very welcoming.  Oh, if you're heading to the Cape, be sure to stop by their studio in Orleans... that's pretty dreamy too..

It's challenging when you have an enormous body of photographic work and you only have so many square feet of wall space.  So in addition to display walls and racks, photographer David Grossman brought (the most enormous monitor I've ever seen) to display his work.  It drew people in and was an effective way to quickly display the range and depth of his subject matter. 

Deirdre's Heart at Work Jewelry is designed to inspire your soul and it's definitely done so to mine.  Her unique wood and painted display cases have had a long show history and you can always spot Deirdre and her delicately displayed pieces as her display stands out from the crowd.  And their compact design is fantastic when it's time to break down and head home, a most important feature for those of us traveling from show to show...to show..

Here is a room shot taken by me standing on a wobbly chair behind my table. yes, ladies and gents, I really do live on the edge.  As you can see if you look closely, some exhibitors used their outdoor tents (without the top) to create their set up.  A little fabric, banner, grid walls, etc. and voila, you have a natural divider and backdrop. I really wish someone (like the event organizer) had mentioned the tent idea as an option for shows I've done in the past.  It would have been so much easier if I'd known that was an option. Of course, it seems so obvious NOW but it wasn't the first thing I thought of.. ad I'm someone who definitely thinks outside the box. lesson learned.

So the next stop on the holiday show train is Hingham!! It's bizarre and wonderful to be exhibiting so close to home/where I grew up and running into people I haven't seen in years (!!!)...and hopefully I'll see a few more familiar faces, so much fun.  So forget those malls (yawn) and head to fun craft shows to buy locally, handmade stuff from really awesome people!

Hingham Shipyard Holiday Market

November 27 + 28

I Shipyard Drive - Hingham, MA

10am to 6pm both days

FREE Parking and entry

I'm in BOOTH 70

Ahhhh... Monday

Organizing my week's "To Do" list and it seems overwhelming but somehow it'll all get done.  So before I get to it, here are some photos from TWIST in Northampton, MA.  I was one of the first to arrive for set up (cuz I'm an early bird... and a nerd) so I snapped photos over the 4 hours prior to the opening.  It's amazing to watch a room transform from an empty shell into a magical, energetic place:

11:30am

12:30-ish

 1:30pm

2:30pm

3:30pm

 And at 4pm.. it's lights, music, shoppers...showtime!

I spent Sunday in Pawtucket, RI at CRAFTOPIA and was so fortunate to be surrounded by fabulous, talented friends including Idazz, Weehah!, AG Ambroult, Hilary, Joy in My Studio and Twigs & Heather.  The day went by so quickly and before I knew it, it was time to pack up and head home.

Amy from AG Ambroult & Louisa from Weehah! (above)

Next shows are a bit closer to home:

November 20 + 21

Saturday, November 20, 10:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday, November 21, 11:00am – 4:00pm
at
Duxbury High School
130 St. George St., Duxbury MA

I'm in BOOTH 6

($5 general admission)

AND

November 27 + 28

1 Shipyard Drive, Hingham, MA

I'm in BOOTH 70

10am to 6pm both days

FREE admission and parking!!