Spontaneous Celebrations

by Lucie of Lucie Wicker Photography

Over the past few months, I have photographed several events for Spontaneous Celebrations, a group that provides cultural programming and performing arts events based in Jamaica Plain. Last night I photographed their "Tropical Fiesta" which featured several acts including the aerialist in the photo above. I never know what to expect at Spontaneous and I love that!

Handmade is everywhere!

by Kerrie Beck of Cody's Creations

Over the weekend of February 10 & 11th at SureFire Dog Training Center in Westboro the Weston Whirlwinds hosted a Flyball Tournament. Flyball is a dog sport in which teams of dogs race against each other from a start/finish line, over a line of hurdles, to a box that releases a tennis ball to be caught when the dog presses the spring loaded pad, then back to the handlers while carrying the ball.

Cody's Creations was lucky enough to be there all weekend during the tournament. I will be back at the next tournament on March 10 and 11th at the SureFire Dogs Training Center.

I introduced a new exclusive Cody's Creations design during the tournament, I thought it was very fitting for the weekend....tennis balls!

It was a great weekend watching such amazing athletes, and showing that handmade items aren't just available at craft fairs. The next event you attend, I bet you can find a local artist that you can support!

Photo Story: Custom Order Saber/Epee Pendant

by Cristina Hurley of Cristina Hurley Jewelry

A client came into the shop about a month before Valentine's Day with a very special request; he wanted me to execute a design he had come up with for a pendant for his wife. Of course I accepted the job and found it to be one of the most enjoyable projects I have ever done. I worked closely with the client and tried to match his specifications. The result was a beautiful pendant with a lot of meaning behind it.

I love doing custom orders and am always willing to talk to clients about executing their ideas into fine one of a kind works of art, that are wearable too!

They met at a fencing class, she fences with a saber, he fences with an epee... Each sword represents them.

We did some sketching to make the piece look like the actual swords. He let me borrow them for inspiration!

The final design takes shape, then the work began.

I shaped the silver into tiny swords...

You can see how they are 2 pieces in this picture. After some elbow grease, a little bit of magic and a lot of love, I hade the end result!

I'm so happy with how it came out, there is nothing like a good dose of fresh inspiration from someone who wants to make a unique, special and meaningful gift for someone they love!

Are you interested in a custom order or have a unique design in mind? Feel free to stop in my shop or email me! I'm always looking for new inspiration!

Cristina Hurley Jewelry

3 Rockland Street

Canton, MA

02021

781-562-0421

http://www.cristinahurleyjewelry.com

Best Business Cards

by An Li Liu of An Li Liu

I’ve never liked getting business cards printed. Once I’d finish a design, I’d hesitate to get hundreds of them printed, and then contemplate whether for only a few dollars more, to print a thousand of them! There are also so many companies who print cards, I’d spend hours comparing prices.

Moo Cards has solved all my anxieties. They have what they call Printfinity, which allows you to use up to 100 different designs for your run. This is great for artists who want to show their work on the cards. It makes for a colorful stack of business cards, and much more fun to give away.

They make a range of products, including greeting cards, stickers, and business cards. My personal favorite is their mini cards. The smaller size saves paper, and the come in a slick little white box. You could adapt them to hang tags as well by punching a hole in them. Their website is well-designed and easy to navigate.

I’m relieved never to have to look to another printing company again!

Atlantic Works Gallery in East Boston

by Karen Mahoney of City by the Sea Ceramics

Earlier this month I went to an opening for a friend's show at Atlantic Works Gallery in East Boston. My friend Matt Keller shares the show, control.release.transform., with Kelly Slater and John Wilkinson. The show is an interesting mix of painting, drawing, prints, installations, and sculpture. Each artists has a very different approach to their style and mediums, so there is a large variety of work being shown in the relatively small space, making it really interesting to make your way around. The show is up until February 26 and the gallery is open Fridays and Saturdays or by appointment.

Matt Keller

Kelly Slater

John Wilkinson

Happy Valentine's Day from Boston Handmade

Hibou Designs

If life should end tomorrow

And from this world I should part,

I shall be forever young

For you have touched my heart

- Jessie B. Rittenhouse

Reclaimed to You

Monday Mosaic: From the Heart

1. Stained Glass Sacred Heart Necklace , by Parrish Relics
2. OOAK art valentine upcycled and original , by Reclaimed to You
3. My Cold Black Heart , by nancyrosetta
4. 3/8 Wide for Cat or Tiny Puppy in Hearts a Flutter , by Cody's Creations
5. Voodoo Doll pincushion breakup doll , by Hibou Designs
6. Needle Felted Romance , by Cozy Cottage Creations

Handmade Gifts for Men

By Celeste of ElephunksTrunk

Having taken the handmade pledge, I am always on the look out for great hand made gifts for everyone I know. The women in my life are easy to buy for, but I always struggle to find interesting gifts for men. I know I am not the only one to struggle with this, so I have taken the time to put together a list of ideas:

Unisex Ring by Christina Hurley

This oxidized sterling silver ring is a wonderful piece of masculine jewelry. Christina Hurley makes these rings in any size, so you will be sure to get one that fits the special man in your life.

Muscle Marcel by Hibou Designs

This tough guy plushie from hibou designs is the perfect gift for the man who's soft at heart.

Man Cave vinyl wall decal by OldBarnRescueCompany

Does the man in your life need to stake out his own territory? Get him this man cave sign from OldBarnRescueCompany.

Steampunk Kilt from techdragon

For the non-traditional man in your life, how about this leather paneled steampunk kilt from techdragon?

Unexpected Colors

By Evan of Evan Webster Ink

I deal with color a lot. A small cooking gaffe resulted in an unexpected splash of color. I forgot to add the spices (turmeric, cayenne and paprika) to my latest soup project, potato and pea.

Adding these spices later than recommended created beautiful earth tones. I took a picture before mixing everything together.



I'll be on the look out for other sources of unexpected color. Have you ever found color where you didn't expect it?

Sports Fever

by Kerry of Kerryhawkinsphoto

Superbowl Fever was all over New England. Even at the School of Fashion Design on Newbury Street, Boston. I took this Tuesday afternoon before the Superbowl. I love the gown with the Patriots Helmet and football.The Patriots lost but, it was a good game and there is always next year.