There was life before the market...

...haha, and now there is life after the market :) And I'm happy to report, that life after the market is lovely! Everything came together and the day was so fun. I loved meeting all the artists in person, FINALLY, after 2.5 months of emailing with them all the time.

Now, let the prayers begin for good weather this coming Saturday...pleasepleaseplease! It's not looking good right now, BUT, this is New England, and there's still time. Things can change up until right before, so I'm still hoping we'll get a dry day for at least ONE day this weekend!

Ohh lala...!

Official market t's! We'll be the most stylish market crew ever! We'll be sporting the official market blue for week two!

Drumroll please.......

Okay, I've got the garbage cans, and everything's packed in the buggy, all slots are filled, the cones are ready and waiting...the MUSICIANS are ready and waiting, can't even say how glad I am that they're joining us...

Here's a shout out to Just Be, the makers of the official market staff t-shirts. Michelle Pratt-Lienhartt is printing up some t's for us, and taking on the world simultaneously, with her hip t's focused on encouraging positive energy. Here's her website: JUST BE, but she'll also be visiting us in person at the market on the 27th...

I love a relaxing day outdoors.

Last Minute To-Do list...

The countdown to opening day of Concord Arts Market has begun, it's coming up in one week...which is the reason I've been sadly ignoring my blog, of course. So many details to take care of, connections to make, flyers to distribute, calls to return, emails to send..and now here we are with ONE WEEK TO GO!!!

The last minute TO-DO list:

get garbage cans!
pack day-of supplies: broom, traffic cones, saw horses, signs, extra tables, tent...
OH YEAH, SIGNS...still painting those
finalize map of the space
assemble gaggle of volunteers

I'm sure I'll be adding to this list, of course...haha...the work of the market lady never ends...! I have my traffic cones already but maybe I can try to score some like the ones in the pic above...they're so hot! Art AND traffic cone all in one!

Wyrding Studios

Wyrding Studios is one of the artists participating in the upcoming Concord Arts Market. Wyrding, aka Kythryne Aisling, creates gorgeous wire-wrapped jewelry from unusual finds: richly colored beads, antique watch parts, nuggets of stone. She'll be bringing her rich selection of work with her to the market...but also, in her own words "I will be debuting a few new designs there, as well as doing custom work on the spot."

That's right, the artist in action...hooray! I love getting to see artists at work...

They're everywhere...

Markets are an ancient human phenomenon. And you will find them in cities all over the world. Throughout history they have filled basic human needs and wants. We buy food at markets, we buy other life necessities at market, we buy fun stuff at markets. And despite the fact that superstores and convenience surround us, there is something alluring about those tents on a sidewalk, or the flea market at the roadside venue.

Here in Concord we have our Farmers' Market, soon to be joined by our Arts Market...but even in big big cities like New York, markets spring up on city sidewalks. Here's one I walked through this past weekend:

Hurrah for software updates!

So aside from the fact that things are INSANELY BUSY right now (I'm not even creating new posts on Etsy, but my order book is full for the next month and a half), there is another reason that my posts have been sparse. For many weeks, I have been trying to figure out why my computer won't recognize that my camera is plugged in. This is pretty craptastic, considering that my camera is my number three business tool, next to the sewing machines, and the computer itself. So here I am thinking something is seriously wrong with my camera, or my computer, when I read an article online that asks the brilliant question "Have you completed all necessary software updates?".

Software updates? You mean those annoying reminders that pop up when I'm trying to use my computer to get work done and the little icon bounces around driving me crazy until I tell them to go away? Those updates I probably haven't done in...uh....I don't know how long.

Yes. Well, I uploaded all the updates, and voila...the camera works. And I got to download all the pretty pictures of new fabrics that I took this weekend...

LESSON LEARNED, and here, I pass it along to you, dear reader. It's good to be back.

Where's muchacha!?

Okay okay...I know this blog has been a little quiet lately. We're not taking any new orders for August...it's just that things have been so busy order-wise, that we need to breathe for a minute (we've got brides placing orders through May 2009!)...AND, the Arts Market is requiring a little love right now.

So...hang tight readers, muchacha will return!

Squam Art Workshops!

I could not be more excited to have received a message this week from Elizabeth at Squam Art Workshops. I have admired their site and programs many times, but have not yet had a chance to attend. Elizabeth wrote to give me a heads up about the Vendor Night they've scheduled for September 13, 2008. They have some tables available and are looking for a few more vendors to fill them up (ignore the signup deadline). Here is a link to the info: SQUAM ART WORKSHOPS VENDOR NIGHT!

If you are interested in participating, contact her directly at elizabeth@squamartworkshops.com

Also check out their classes and workshops for this September (and their gorgeous location!): SQUAM ART WORKSHOPS

(Photos courtesy of Squam Art Workshops' website; above print by Susan Schwake)

In With The New!

I've posted sparsely about this previously, but here's the full update on what's up with the Speakeasy, the Arts Market, and muchacha K, since many have asked.

muchacha K will continue to produce awesome handbags and accessories, as always. The Speakeasy, our studio shop, has closed. Why? Because a person can organize just so much at once. The Concord Arts Market is a project I've been hoping to get off the ground for a while now, and when the opportunity presented itself, I had to jump on it. So essentially, I've traded up, traded my studio shop for an Arts Market, that will have the ability to be a waaaaaay more visible venue for the artists I love to help promote, as well as a super event that the entire community can enjoy.



I LOVE outdoor shopping! And after this Fall's kickoff of the Concord Arts Market I can't wait to get planning for next year. My goal is to continue the weekly outdoor shopping experience once things warm back up next May/June. Picture yourself wandering the Concord Arts Market, tent after tent of super handcrafted items for you to browse, and local artists for you to rub elbows with...maybe an ice cream cone in hand from the Cool Moose Creamery...a bag of veggies on your arm from the Farmer's Market...and a delicious lunch awaiting you on Main St. Hello!? Could this possibly be a more lovely afternoon? Maybe some acoustic music in the air (still working on that permit, haha, but still, imagine how great it would be!)

Just imagine!!!

For more information about the Concord Arts Market (which kicks of Sept 20, 27, and Oct 4, 2008 from 10am to 4pm) visit the MARKET WEBSITE.

(photo by Jessica Burko, an artist who will be participating in the Concord Arts Market this Fall)

How many people have...

...walked through this same hallway in Grand Central Station? It's magical just thinking about it. And so are these pretty lights hanging overhead. It's moments and places like this that feed creativity and inspire creative people to keep on creating...

The Arts Market Website: it's up!

Okay, the Concord Arts Market is ON! Need more info? Well funny you should ask because the website is up. Here's the link:

CONCORD ARTS MARKET WEBSITE

Just waiting for confirmation on the dates...check back to the site for updates!

Selling in Somerville, MA!

Hey everyone,

If you'll be in the greater Boston area this weekend, come say hello as a sell my wares at the Boston Handmade Marketplace, in Somerville, MA. Today, Saturday, June 28, 2008 from 3-7. A gaggle of high quality New England handcrafts will be there for you to browse and buy and two live bands will be performing.

More info: Boston Handmade Marketplace!

Concord Arts Market "Those in the Know" List

Are YOU on my offical Concord Arts Market email update list?

The market is still in its planning stages, but you'll definitely want to be in the know when the details all come together :)

Drop me a note at info@muchachaK.com and get in the loop!

Geometry

How can I be a designer and be so unskilled in geometry? This pic of the Brooklyn bridge (taken as I whizzed acrost it) really makes a person think. Look at all those lines...look at that arrangement of geometric entities in space. I couldn't map it out for you in math-language, but I could eyeball its elements and come up with a really wicked handbag based on the visual themes therein.

NYC Day One: Renegade Craft Fair Brooklyn!

Alright, for those of you who have never heard of the Renegade Craft Fair, here is your clue! Renegade Craft Fair is an enormous indie craft market that happens in three different cities, Brooklyn, Chicago, and San Francisco. It's a giant cornucopia of indie handmades by talented artisans and artists. I went to the Brooklyn Renegade, obviously, and I was NOT disappointed. There were something around 150 vendors, and a delicious vegan ice cream stand, DJ's...good times! I didn't even care that it was 100 degrees out. Okay, actually I did care that it was that hot, but it meant that I got to buy a gorgeously made cotton skirt that I shall post in a later post :) My jeans were just NOT the thing to be wearing in that heat!

I had the good fortune to run into a handful of New England area vendors that I know, some who were there selling and some who, like me, were there gawking and shopping. Adam Yothers of Boston's Dyslexic Press was there. His subversive mix of t-shirts and sarcasm fit right in, lol:



Learn more about Renegade Craft Fair here: Renegade!

OMG!

Just came back from NYC! I'll post pics this week when I find that durned camera cord! What a great city...

Presenting....Michael Lewis

Michael Lewis is a painter I couldn't be more delighted to have stumbled upon. His birds, even the tiny ones, have got more personality than most people I know (and I know a lot of great people!). A variety of them are perched here at the Speakeasy, come and pay them a visit...and visit the artists online home here:


Lewis Acrylics

Don't mind the mess...

...it means we're really busy with orders! Doesn't mean we don't have time for yours though...need some custom clutches? We're on it, just send us a note...

Offbeat Bride!

In honor of my bridal customers, who make up a huge portion of my customer base, I offer this: The Offbeat Bride.

I love this site. It is a love letter to every girl who thought weddings should be fun, and creative, and a little, well, off-beat. It's not for everyone, but if it's for you...it's PERFECT! Have fun, and make sure to check out the Wedding Porn section. It is nothing relating to actual porn, and everything relating to oogling other people's weddings...