Handmade Holiday Festival, Part I: Scarves

Every new show is an adventure for me. This weekend I was in Pittsfield, MA for the amazing Handmade Holiday Festival. As I kept telling the locals who rolled their eyes when I said I felt like Suzi Muppet from the farm visiting Sesame Street, I have to drive many hours to reach this much pavement!

In continuing my series on Craft Fair Couture I had fun snapping photos of vending artists. This is Michael Vincent Bushy, MVB Printmaker and bookbinder.

One of the clear style trends of the weekend was artfully worn wraps to keep necks warm in this inspiring and unique venue. The festival took place at Alchemy Initiative, which is housed in an old church in downtown Pittsfield. It looks like this post is going to have a duel focus: scarves on artists and church as craft fair venue.


There were a few young couples running booths together at the festival. This is Molly and Aurel of Moho Designs. Note the stained glass windows behind them. Their women's line is quite elegant, and their underwear would bring anyone a chuckle and get the localvores nodding and smiling.

The show started on Saturday morning with a silent auction to raise money to help restore the church's beautiful windows and other Alchemy Initiative projects. Pews can be purchased to support the same ends. To get one call 413-236-9600 or contact them online.

Wendy Akroyd of Artemesia staying warm in her boot cut leg warmers (great over clogs) and similar what-you-need for your arms & hands. All her beautifully crafted goods are repurposed from cast off sweaters.

The view directly in front of my booth. I did not get their card but their work was lovely in a Martha Stewart kind of way. I managed to score a little pot of paperwhite bulbs with catkins twigs and moss packed around the base before they sold out. I always need to have these around during the holidays. They bring back fond memories from my childhood. Each year my dad had a secret project in his basement workshop of planting a pot or two of paperwhites in wide shallow bowls. They would appear under the tree on Christmas morning and were always a delightful and a surprise.

Pretty cute, huh? This is Stephanie Iverson before her jewelry display (Sundance would love her work). She knows how to rock plaid against black. In fact, even after a few friends tried to steer her towards prints, she bought a solid black MAD skirt with red plaid sash.

There's the view from the stage facing the back of the church, with my racks of skirts and aprons and Winged Rabbit (to be included in an upcoming post) up front. A big thank you to all of my new customers, all the very welcoming AI people and friendly vendors, to Crispina and Suzi for wearing their MAD skirts (stay tuned for pics), and to Moe and Matt for being my family for the weekend. I hope to return soon for more Alchemy Initiative adventures!