New Website

Hurray.  I just launched my new website.  Please have a look around my clean, easy to navigate site at www.mtashvt.com.  You can sign up for my mailing list by scrolling down the front page.  I'll be tweaking and adding new one-of-a-kind and limited edition items so stay tuned.  Meanwhile you can see where I'll be selling live and in person by clicking on the Vending Schedule link on the right hand sidebar right here on this page.

Rich and Vibrant

I have been loving working with these rich and vibrant prints.  Today I am at the Norwich Farmers Market from 10-1 with the first of my new line of a-line wrap skirts.  I took these pictured of the rack of size S/M in my workshop yesterday so you can see the sashes and trim I created from locally thrifted button down shirts.

They set off the new designer fabrics of the skirts quite nicely I think.  Come see for yourself.

Get a Jump on Spring

After weeks and weeks of preparation and sewing, I will be offering for sale the first skirts from my 2013 line tomorrow!  

Come to the Norwich Farmers Market at Tracy Hall in downtown Norwich between 10am and 1pm.  Here are some previews from the size M/L rack.  I'll post pictures from the S/M rack tomorrow.  Enjoy!

Spring is coming!

This skirt has been featured in three treasuries on Etsy in the last four days.  I think folks must have spring and associated fresh colors on the brain.  Here in Vermont we are hunkering down for a big snow storm.  The white stuff is coming down light and fluffy, great for skiing and riding, but I hear the local rope tow can't host the annual snowmobile climb as scheduled for lack of a solid base.  Maybe later this winter.  

Meanwhile, here are more pictures to make you think of spring, if you are so inclined.  The prints I'm using for my 2013 line are pictured in the previous post.  The new line will be ready in mid March! 

Cute and feminine kitchen aprons are for all seasons.  Here are a couple that feature friendly retro beach dwellers at your hip, and tie in big flirty bows in the back.

Welcome to 2013

Here is the sneak preview of my 2013 line of Perfect Fit Wrap Skirts.  These are many of the new designer fabrics I have chosen for this year, with prints appropriate for a variety of setting where work and pleasure take place.  I've been frequenting the local thrift stores and collecting mint-condition button down shirts to transform into sashes.  Shirt collars and cuffs will trim many of these in my signature fashion.  

You can view them up close and place an advance order at the Norwich Farmers Market at Tracy Hall this winter.  Winter market dates are January 12, February 9, March 9 and April 13.  The new line of skirts will be available by the end of March and throughout the spring and summer.  Meanwhile, you can purchase ready-to-ship skirts from my Etsy shop, including many on clearance.  Out with the old, in with the new! 

The perfect gift

I'll be selling this Saturday at one of my favorite shows:  Touch of Vermont Holiday Gift Market.  This show happens in Montpelier's City Hall from 9-4 on December 8th.  There is a great variety of quality Vermont products and a sweet and lovely vibe.

In addition to skirts in my classic A-line in two lengths, I have two styles of aprons and these handy and colorful key fobs.   Find your keys easily:  In your bag, in your pocket, on your wrist.

Did I mention I will have a rack of skirts On Sale at this event?  It's true!  Happy December!

Join me in Shelburne this Saturday and Sunday.

Queen City Craft Bazaar this Saturday!

My favorite Vermont grown indie craft fair is this Saturday in Burlington.  Come see me and a bunch of inventive makers at the Queen City Craft Bazaar from 10 to 4 at Union Station, 1 Main Street.

Dig it! MAD cargo aprons on HGTV's gardening blog

HGTV gardening editor, Felicia Feaster, featured my cargo aprons alongside none other than Williams-Sonoma's in her recent blog post.  These make great gifts for the gardener in your life, also the teacher, medical professional, or anyone else who needs a few extra pockets.  My Etsy shop is currently well stocked with a variety of colors and prints.

Holiday Sneak Peek

I've been having fun playing with my fabric collection. 

  

These are pockets I made for the retro style kitchen aprons I'll be selling at my upcoming holiday craft fairs.

Some retro beefcake, cowboys and firemen, some repurposed thrifted clothing, and some prints and stripes from my diverse collection of vintage fabric.

My traveling retail season kicks off this Friday and Saturday at Twist in Northampton.

Missing the old HotHolders?  This year these charming kitchen helpers are making themselves useful as apron pockets.

Here's a somewhat Christmas-y apron print, with peppermint candies and such, to which I'm adding gingham pockets and sashes.   View a full list of my holiday shows here.  These events will be a feast for your eyes, ears and noses, and are sure to inspire you.  It's not too early to plan some fun shopping excursions. 

at Twinflower Farm

Here are some shots by Inger Swingforth from a recent photo shoot at my home.

With local lovelies Laura, Maegan, Sydney, Bettina and Abby.

I'm spending the evening packing for my first farmers market of the season, the kick-off to a busy 10 days for MAD.  I hope you can stop by the charming Norwich Farmers Market tomorrow to see and buy all the great early season produce grown by local farmers.  And check out what we crafty types have been busy all winter developing = fresh new creations for locals and visitors alike.  I'm so pleased to finally be sharing the exciting and beautiful fabrics I've been working with over the last few months.

Here's what the next couple of weekends look like for me as I get my work out into the world:
Norwich Farmers Market, May 26, 9am - 1pm
Norwich Craft Fair Sunday, May 27, 10am - 3pm
Montpelier Fashion Show, June 2, 11:30am - 3pm
Stowe Farmers Market, June 3, 10:30am - 3pm

If you can't make it to any of these delightful, summery, oh-so-Vermont-y events, but you need a very special and completely unique summer skirt (and you know that you do), check out the wide selection in my online shop.  Have a great Memorial Day weekend, everyone!

Spring/Summer Preview

I'll be debuting these cheery prints, made into my signature one-of-a-kind skirts, at the Norwich Farmers Market tomorrow. This event at Tracy Hall from 10 to 1 is the last indoor market of the winter season. I'm looking forward to the outdoor season, and have been busy building up my stock to bring to four Vermont markets where I'll be selling this year. Expect to see skirts in these prints and more paired with sashes made from unique vintage fabrics, locally thrifted button down shirts converted into cute retro-style kitchen aprons, and sturdy cloth belts for men and women.

You can find me fairly regularly at the Saturday Waitsfield and Norwich Farmers Markets. I'm also excited to be selling this year at the Wednesday afternoon Market on the Green in Woodstock from mid-June through mid-August, and occasionally setting up my stall at the Stowe Farmers Market on Sundays. To keep abreast of my movements, and see new items appearing in my online shop, connect with the Mountain Ash Design page on facebook. This also makes you eligible for free domestic shipping when you buy from my Etsy shop, so don't forget to ask for the coupon code once you're connected. If facebook is not your thing, check my vending schedule. Links to all the market websites are on the schedule. Happy Spring!

Norwich Winter Market

I enjoy winter doses of the farmers market scene at the monthly indoor market at Tracy Hall in Norwich. Please join me and many other quality vendors of yummy edibles and dry goods. The market occurs on the second Saturday of the month, through April (that's tomorrow!).


After the January market this photo appeared in the Valley News. The caption heading reads "Farmers Market Fashion Find" and goes on to tell that my cute customer was here from Pennsylvania taking a course at King Arthur Flour and that she bought two of my skirts. She was so friendly and fun to visit with. I so enjoy the social aspect of my work (getting to know my customers face to face), and don't get enough of it at this time of year.
So, the rest of the story is that she's a farmer planning to open a farm to table restaurant. She thought she should brush up on her baking skills (thus the class at King Arthur). The photographer also ended up buying a skirt. I'll have many more for offer tomorrow, in both the lengths you see here.
If you can't make it to the market, or if you are looking for a special deal, there is an inventory reduction sale going on right now in my online shop. Feel free to check it out, and I'll be adding fresh new skirts to the shop soon, so stay tuned.

MAD at Alchemy Initiative this weekend

If you are near the Berkshires, don't miss this unique, high quality show in an truly singular setting, the old Notra Dame church in downtown Pittsfield, which now houses Alchemy Initiative.


Alchemy Initiative is a multi-faceted organization supporting local activities including community arts and urban farming.



They provide a thorough preview of all vendors plus other features (i.e live music) of this show on their blog here.



I will be displaying festive skirts, aprons, belts and more facing the vestry again this year. Come find me next to my friend Ellie Kreischer of Winged Rabbit Designs and across from the luscious holiday greenery (pictured above). Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Craft Vermont at the Sheraton

Happening right now! MAD is open for business at the Sheraton Conference Center in Burlington until 8:00pm tonight and through this Sunday, November 20th. Find my display in the center isle upstairs in the Emerald Ballroom.














If you'd rather shop closer to downtown, find me at the Queen City Craft Bazaar tomorrow, Saturday the 19th.