Whatsa jewelry roll?

A jewelry roll is a terrific accessory that you can store your jewelry in for travel. We just happen to make them here in the muchacha K studio, in vibrant, juicy fabrics...

One of the awesome things about coming in to the studio/shop is that you can choose you own fabric in person. It's pretty fun for us to watch people get all excited about pawing through our giant stash of fabric too :)

Click on the link to our online shop to see more samples (psst, look to the left hand side of the page!)...

OUTDOOR SELLING SEASON BEGINS!

Yes, this blog has been quiet for the past week. Between orders and prepping for outdoor selling season I haven't had time to breathe, nevermind spend quality time online. Above? A lovely afternoon spent in Jamaica Plain, MA at the neighborhood's First Thursdays season kickoff. I love selling in JP, terrific people, nice city neighborhood.

INDOOR selling season is still on of course, as always, in the studio shop ;)

Too busy for blogging?

Well, at the moment, yes...so enjoy the virtual cocktail just a tiny bit longer :)

My cats have hardly seen me either ;)

Enjoy THIS blog for the moment, from Susan Schwake of the artstream gallery in Rochester, NH:

ARTSTREAM!

Have a Virtual Cocktail on Us!

We are, after all "The Speakeasy" :)

The smell could not be more delicious...

...the Speakeasy has sprung alive with the wonderful smells of Stolat Organics body products. We've got lotions, body scrubs, soaps, mani/pedi kits, lip balms and more...all made from wonderful organic products, right in Newmarket, NH.

Stolat's Shea Butter Lotion was also the winning hand creme among the magazine staff in March 2008's New Hampshire Magazine! Congrats! (and thanks for bringing up your wonderful creations!)

Happy Weekend from the Speakeasy

Holy cows! How did I forget to post my weekly cocktail! Sheesh...

NH Represent!

Hey so, I'm sure you've figured this out if you're reading this blog with any regularity, but I thought I take a second to point out that here at the Speakeasy, we sell only regionally handmade artisan-made items. Regional meaning New England, BUT we primarily feature NH creators. Here's a list of the NH artists and towns currently represented in our shop:

Anderstall Artworks--Bow, NH
Blue Sky Bindery/Emma Bates--Warner, NH
muchacha K (yeah, yeah that's me)--Concord, NH
Little Lucy/Jillian Brown--Concord, NH
drawn onward designs/Allison Murphy-Concord, NH
Susan Schwake-Rochester, NH
Diane Terragni-Dunbarton, NH
Hoopties-Epsom, NH
Bags By Melanie/Melanie Chabre--New Ipswich, NH

This is why it's so cool to buy handmade--you can get great, quality goods, from local people.

(That little lizard guy up there? Official NH amphibian...the Spotted Newt...who knew we even HAD one!? He's cute! AND...he's LOCAL too ;) !)

Colorful, fun handmade books...

Yes, handmade books. I absolutely LOVE blank books. And nothing could make them cooler unless...UNLESS...unless they were made by hand. Emma Bates of Warner, just happens to be a professional bookbinder, founder of Blue Sky Bindery. We have a lovely assortment of her books here at the Speakeasy (in fact one of them found a happy new home within about 1.2 hour of coming to the shop!), different sizes, styles, prices...stash your secrets and ideas in the creamy delicious pages of a gorgeously handcrafted book.

Need Studio Space?

We're interested in sharing...if you are a seamstress or other fabric-friendly creator in the Concord area (that means paint and anything with a distinct odor might not be a good fit!), and you are looking for studio space, send us a message at info@muchachaK.com...great price, gorgeous light, and great company, how can you go wrong!

So you've never been to Etsy...

If you haven't been to Etsy, you should visit. It's the host site for the muchachaK/Speakeasy online shop. It's also a treasure trove of handmade goods, if you're into making OR buying that sort of thing (and if you're reading this blog there's a good chance you are, we betting)...one of our hairclips had the good fortune to be featured on Etsy's front page last month. Etsy's front page is always filled with pretty pictures that will beckon you inside...

www.etsy.com

It's 6AM, do you know where your muchacha is?

Don't know about yours, but ours is sewing. Yes it's true, nothing sacred anymore here at muchacha K's Speakeasy, not even sleep, haha!

Concord is way hipper than you think it is...

In gearing up for our trunk show last week, I did a little research. I wanted to know what other businesses would be open while we were on a Friday night. Here at the Speakeasy, we're big believers in the importance of supporting your local economy, of small businesses and business people. There's a pervasive idea out there that Concord's Main St. "dies" after 5...but that's not what I discovered while talking to businesses up and down our N. Main St.

I found several businesses that are open on Fridays until 7, 8 and 9pm. These aren't big city hours mind you--but we're not a big city, lol. Here's a list of many of the downtown businesses helping to keep Concord cool by staying open later than you think:

Dos Amigos, fresh mexican eats
Madeleines, fine French pastries, outrageously delicious treats
Things Are Cooking, quality kitchenwares of all kinds
Zoe's Professional Bra Fitters, yes, bra fitters
Lotions and Potions, fine lotions, bath goods, cosmetics and the like
the Gallery Hair Salon
Britches, fine clothiers
Pitchfork Records, great selection, good indie selection, AND the bargain CD basement
Fabulous Looks Boutique
Pompanoosuc Mills
Viking House
Let's Dance, dance studios
Butter's, cheeses and wines and things
House of India, delicious Indian food
Siam Orchid, Thai food
Barley House, restaurant and pub
Margaritas, mexican food and drinks
Hermanos, best margaritas ever

There's probably a few I've missed too...see, long list!!!

I have to say, I was impressed, and I started to see Concord a little differently...

Speaking of Sew-a-thons...

Must be Spring...the phone's ringing, the orders are coming in, and I'm sewing just as fast as I can to keep up ;)

What are YOU working on for Spring...?

Sew-a-thon

If they find me here in my sewing studio tomorrow with my fingers grown onto the sewing machine, I will NOT be surprised! muchacha K is in the middle of a completely nuts sewing marathon...pics to come...must...keep...stitching...!

In answer to the question:

...how did it go!? Answer: TOTALLY awesome. It was a cozy, sparkly evening, with a wonderful flow of enthusiastic jewelry and handmades fans from open to close. Must mention: the chocolate pate from Madeleines, cheeses, olives, drinks...yum. And Diane's jewelry, in its juicy spring colors really made a gorgeous display.

Thank you to all of the Speakeasy, artists, Diane, and to everyone who joined us, it really was a lovely evening...

Must be the day...

Party dress--check! Awesome handmade stuff stocked in the shop--check! A whole extra roomful of Diane Terragni's terrific colorful jewelry for Spring--check! Tasty treats...? Check!

Sounds like we're having a trunk show folks :) 3-8pm today, it's free, it's fun, come on by!

Mmm, beads...

Just another tasty sample, picked by hand like pebbles from a beach, from Diane Terragni, our featured artist for this week's trunk show (Friday, April 4, 3-8 here at the shop)...

Jewelry Trunk Show, this Friday!

Yes, indeedy, it's almost time for our FIRST Speakeasy event, our Trunk Show featuring Diane Terragni's chunky, colorful, fun jewelry.

This Friday, April 4, 2008 from 3-8pm, free to everyone, delicious refreshments will be served and a cozy, stylish time had by all.

Plus--it's important to support local hand-crafters, artisans and fine artists! It's a great way to feed our local economy--and nurture the arts that feed our souls.

A Twist for your Wrist...

This is the handy work of Concord, NH jewelry and accessory designer Alison Murphy, aka drawn onward designs. These super cute wrist cuffs are IN stock in a variety of fun colors, and ready to go home with you. Also here, Alison's sterling silver earrings--they're all about modern clean lines and colorful bead accents...good times!

Happy Weekend from the Speakeasy

Scarves...not just for Winter

Sometimes it's nice to have a little something to wrap around the neck on a chilly Spring morning. That's where Little Lucy Spring-weight scarves come in. Knitted right here in Concord, NH, from super-fun yarns in fantastic colors, by local knitter Jillian Brown...here's one now:



They'll be here next week, in time for the Trunk Show (April 4th!)...

You can't have it! Or can you...?

This here is a custom-created clutch from muchacha K studios (here at the Speakeasy Boutique). It's already been picked up by its very happy owner. But if you need one of your own, just let us know--you can even pick out your own fabric here at the studio, and trust me, we've got a TON of fabric...

Delicious Turquoise...

Yes, delicious is a term normally reserved for food, not jewelry...but look at these earrings!



That rich shade of turquoise is pretty much edible if you ask me. And the delicate wrapped wire frames it beautifully. Yes this pair of earrings just HAPPENS to be available right now here at the Speakeasy Boutique.

They're the creation of Somerville, MA jewelry artist Kate Feld. Her work has the most amazing delicate feel to it, but with really bold color and stone choices...a lovely selection of her pieces are here in addition to the earrings. Totally gorgeous stuff...

Happy Weekend from The Speakeasy

OWL TOTES!

Boston-area artist Chris Masci is creating a new line of reusable grocery totes featuring his designs! What do you think?



These two are here at the Speakeasy...come and get them while you can :)

TRUNK SHOW TIME!

Would you look at those lush, colorful, gorgeous beads! These jewelry pieces are the work of Dunbarton, NH jewelry artist Diane Terragni, also known as Fun Fakes and Funky Findings. Unique, hand-selected beads are the trademark of her work. Necklaces, earrings, bracelets...we've got a rich selection of them right now, but even better, her work will be the feature of our first TRUNK SHOW!

Friday, April 4, 2008 from 3-8 PM we're holding our first Trunk Show reception.

What's a trunk show?

It has nothing to do with trunks and everything to do with designers bringing you a fresh preview collection of their works for the season. Diane will bring gorgeous, brand new baubles and findings from her studio, refreshments will be served...all in all, a lovely, relaxing evening affair...plus it's First Friday in Concord so you can make it an evening out!

Happy Weekend from the Speakeasy

Fresh Deliveries!!!

The Speakeasy gets fresh new items tomorrow...gotta visit the shop to see them all...but there's a hint...!

Fresh off the sewing machine...

...one of the coolest things about having a "house brand" at your boutique is that new creations are coming off of the sewing machine all the time. It's not just any boutique that has a handbag sewing studio attached...this here is a custom order hot off the presses.

But a new beach tote found its way to the shop front today too, and stacks of them are cued up for stitching!

If you stop by the shop, ask to see the studio, we love visitors. If you hear the humming of a sewing machine, someone's busy at work...

Wait, where is the Speakeasy?

The signage is now complete!

Cute Purse Tutorial

Here at the Speakeasy, we're all about handmade. Well once upon a time, a friend brought me a really cool purse from Japan. "Here, see if you can make this," she said. It's never a matter of if, for the truly handbag obsessed, but a matter of how. So I came up with a tutorial for this purse, ages and ages ago, and posted it on Craftster. If you've somehow never visited Craftster, and you love making things, it really is a treasure trove of unconventional craft twists--mixed with excellent time-honored technique tips.

Craftster is also a bit of a Mecca for the resurgence in the making of handmade items.

The tutorial lives here: Japanese Purse Tutorial...don't laugh at my pics! They're vintage from my camera phone era!



Make your own!

Could this be prettier?

Gorgeous lavender lozenge necklace with black/deep purple accent--created by Malori Anderson of Anderstall Artworks, Bow, NH. This lovely necklace is currently at home here at the Speakeasy Boutique. Luscious. I fall instantly in love with jewelry that looks delicious and these beads make me think of pastilles (can you tell I haven't had dinner yet today?). The kind my mother used to stuff in my Christmas stocking. Creamy sweet disks of goodness.

But wait, the point here is the jewelry.

Off to the kitchen--time for a pork chop.

The Speakeasy Boutique is OPEN

The Speakeasy Boutique is born! Thanks to our many first day visitors, and special thanks to Lisa Chase for the chocolate pate...you haven't lived until you'd had Madeleines chocolate pate.

We opened with a beautiful selection of handmade goods--and even more are arriving next week. We're open 3-6 Tuesday, Weds and Fri. Drop us a line at info@muchachaK.com for more info.

Love,

muchacha K

Tomorrow's the day!

The Speakeasy Boutique has its first official "open" day tomorrow! We're open from 3-6PM...pics on the way...

the work of: Allison Fraske

This is the fantastic work of Allison Fraske, a Boston-area photographer. We're lucky enough to have her work here at the Speakeasy Boutique right now...fantastic note cards, blessed with her stylish photography and designs. You can see more of her work at her website Fraskedesigns. Or you can stop right by the Speakeasy Boutique and hold it right in your hot little hands.

Getting the Word Out!

Our first open day is Friday (3-6PM), which of course means my biggest job right now (besides receiving AMAZING handmade goods from the participating artists) is getting the word out. This here is the Speakeasy Boutique flier currently making its way about town.

I also just got word that our first bite from the press is coming in for a landing... Can't say what yet...but it's a comin'!

If you like what you see, and you're in New England, FORWARD this blog and flier to your people...and your people's people...

Anderstall Art Works

The artists of Anderstall Artworks of Bow, NH stopped by to stock up the Speakeasy with vibrant blown glass vases, paperweights, and ornaments--and jewelry with a mod twist. Joe and Malori are terrific creative team...you can see more of their work at their website Anderstall Artworks.

Fantastic HANDBAG Arrivals

As the shop preps to open, tons of great stuff is pouring into the shop--including an excellent batch of handbags by meticulous handbag creator Melanie Chabre aka Bagsbymelanie, out of New Ipswich.

Melanie's bags are all about careful craftsmanship, clean lines--and fantastic fabrics.

Opening UPDATE!

Things have been rolling right along with the set-up of the Speakeasy Boutique. But a funny thing has happened...I've got all these boxes of GREAT stuff arriving daily, and I'm not even kidding! I need more time to get the space 'right', with all of the wonderful new merchandise in it's new home at the Boutique. It's like getting a fantastic 3-D collage in order.

So the opening day of the Speakeasy Boutique has been moved to Friday, March 7, 2008, in order to facilitate increased fabulousness. If you'd like to come by though for a cup of tea with muchacha K to celebrate Leap Year, on the 29th? By all means! Drop me a note :)

Cool shop fixtures...

...with the Speakeasy Boutique opening next week, I'm working away on getting the space properly arranged. Next step: painting and hingeing together these tall screen displays. A deep berry color and magical golden hinges will complete the look...

For example...delicious rings!

...these are a perpetual must have in the world of muchacha K. I personally own five and a gorgeous batch of them is currently featured here at the Speakeasy Boutique. They're the meticulous hand-work of Corinna Buchholz of Portland Oregon, who also happens to be a creator of awesomely vintage digital collage sheets.

The rings come in a variety of sizes, colors, stones, and are a large, chunky kind of beautiful. Questions about sizes and styles are welcome...

Simple Solutions for Ugly Fixtures

I've been working to ready the Speakeasy Boutique for its February 29th opening, but no matter how great the space was starting to look, there was a small problem: a really ugly, ancient lighting fixture, coming straight out of the wall. It is clearly a relic from the VERY old days. The building was built in 1874, so there's a lot of decades that could have spawned it.

Often times, older fixtures in older buildings are desirable, if not beautiful details, like the wooden mouldings around my doorways and windows in the studio. But this lighting fixture...I guess I should have posted a picture, but trust me, it's ugly...it's like it sprouted, Alien-style, straight out of the wall, and it's got parts missing, and it won't light up, even with a modern light bulb. It had to go...but couldn't be removed from the wall without damaging the wall, and I wasn't up for that project.

So I headed to the Mecca of simple solutions, IKEA--if you're going to participate in our capitalist culture of consumption, you may as well do your necessary acquiring at a store that recycles, and utilizes renewable resources, right?

Anyway, without further ado, here's the simple, attractive solution:

Color Palettes!

This is one of my favorite websites...truly. This tells you something about my design-geekiness that I have a favorite website that is nothing but a collection of color palettes: Color Lovers . This week I am consulting the magical palettes as I finish painting the studio shop, the Speakeasy Boutique. Here is the palette I've created for the Boutique:


For those who DON'T know, the muchacha K Speakeasy Boutique is opening at the end of the month, featuring not only the work of muchacha K, but of other New England artists as well.

The City Says Yes!!!

It's official! The city has said yes to the Speakeasy Boutique! Updates to come! Wooooohooooooooooooo!

New Design...

This is a modification of one of my classic patterns. I love making a small change like this, because even a small change can make a dramatic difference. Plus, when you're making a modification to a pattern, you "know" what it's going to look like, but you don't really "KNOW" what it's going to look like until it's done...well this one's done, and I think it's worked out nicely.