...meanwhile, back at the muchacha cave...

Hello! Oh yes, it's been awhile since posting has occurred, not out of lack of desire, but lack of time. muchacha K is actually technically on a break, although we are still at work in the studio.

If you'd like to see why I've been WAY too busy to post here, come visit the CONCORD ARTS MARKET website, because we're ramping up for opening weekend (May 30th) and it's gonna be great. Amazing artists and musicians are booked, just waiting for a call back from the weather fairy to ensure that we'll have a perfect day ;)

Let's get this party started...

Planning the details of the Verdigris Artisans Open Studio Reception this week...

Diane Terragni and David Preece

I had a great night out in Manchester tonight, checking out an exhibit of the work of Diane Terragni, jewelry designer and David Preece, painter. Their exhibit, Back to basics: Two friends' perspectives will remain in Manchester's City Hall, I *think* for the entire month. Also on display are the paintings of two young men, Ben Demers and Chris Fram, extremely talented young men, each with their own distinct styles of painting and amazing stories.

I played papparazzo, a role I rather enjoy...

Etsy's CEO, Maria Thomas

As a member of Boston Handmade, I had the chance to meet Etsy's CEO, Maria Thomas this past Friday.

For those who do not know what Etsy is, who Maria Thomas is, or why you should care...the shortest version of an explanation is that Etsy is an online site that basically revolutionized the sale of handmade goods by individual artists and crafters. After three years of explosive growth, and many, many highs and lows, Etsy got it's first post-founder CEO, Maria Thomas.

This was a HUGE deal...imagine if the CEO of pretty much anything you rely on for a portion of your living came to visit YOU and ask YOU what you think of their service? Such an opportunity!

And such an opportunity it was. Maria really took it like a champ...we Boston Handmade gals have many thing we love about Etsy but we had a lot of concerns too and a lot of questions. Maria really did take the time to try to answer as many of our questions as possible, and she seemed to welcome our criticism as a learning opportunity.

It was a long, intensive meeting and I really came away with a lot to think about. With muchacha K handmade in a time of many changes (for the better, I believe) it was a good time to really get my own mind thinking about how I sell, what I sell, what my own focus is as a business...and how Etsy might fit into the future of muchacha K.

(pics courtesy of Kerry Hawkins and Jessica Burko)

OPEN STUDIO DATE!

muchacha K is all moved in the Verdigris Artisan studio now, along with Nilaven Jewelry and Sandpiper Beads.

That, of course, means it's time for an OPEN STUDIO RECEPTION! YAAAAAAY! We're opening the studio to the public on the evening of Thursday, March 19th. More details to come! We'll all have work on display and may even have some visiting artists. We will DEFINITELY have tasty, elegant snacks and beverages.

Visit the studio website here: VERDIGRIS ARTISANS!

Concord Area Transit!!!

Big apology to my out of town readers, but this is a local issue that I just gotta plug!

Ever wondered why buses in Concord buzz, empty, round the same clearly over-serviced routes and yet there are whole neighborhoods in Concord where there are no bus routes? Ever think about how nice it would be to NOT have to park downtown? Ever wonder about more ways to get people from different parts of the city to shop downtown? ME TOO!!! In fact, I think about this stuff all the dang time, which is why I am so excited to discover this website: http://concordareatransit.com/

An efficiently run public transportation system would be so good for downtown business, it would give those of us with cars more options for traveling our lovely city, and it would give those without cars better service than they are getting now.

If you love public transportation, or would like to use it if it actually went through your neighborhood, and you like to see money spent well, check this site out and see how you can get involved. The woman behind it is named Marcy and I'm so glad she's doing this.

Custom Bridal Orders

Wow. I hadn't anticipated how unpopular my decision to cut off custom bridal orders might be! There's been a little feedback on the issue, and trust me, I fully take that as a compliment. So here's the dealio...if you have an event coming up before our official custom order moratorium is over in the Fall, please contact us. We will let you know if we're able to accommodate your order at that time. Really, we want to give you the best service we can, so if that's just not possible right at that moment, we promise to do you the favor of drawing the line :)

PS: we are also doing some renovating in the shop at this time. So, don't be alarmed by the empty shop. It's temporary and will all be back soon!

New studio...

...I've been able to work in the new studio and...here's a teaser pic! The full unveiling will be in March at our Open House. We'll also have music, treats, good people and good times at the Open House, but that's another post for another day :)

Heading back to the studio right now...I have a PILE of stuff to finish. I have had to cut off additional orders until Fall because things are so busy. The good news is, I know my limits! If I'm turning you down for an order, trust me, it's for the best, because with FINISHING GRAD SCHOOL (can you tell I'm a little excited about it???) and finishing existing orders, our turnaround time has gotten way too long. Yes, individually handmade work takes time, but I still like to offer a certain level of service and we just can't take more orders right now and maintain it. So I guess the other good news in all of this is that when we come back full force in September...? We'll be far more ready to "deliver". If you're local, come by the new studio! We're at 88 N. Main in Concord. Send me a note and I'll send you directions/hours. We've got a selection of items on hand that you can see in person.