Kim O'Brien

Tableware made with love in Pawtucket

With my five year wedding anniversary fast approaching I have been thinking about what fun it was to make registries. The excitement of a new life, new belongings and maybe a new place to call home. Even with all of these presents, building your life is always a work in progress. You find new objects you love more than the ones you already own, styles and aesthetics change. But there are some things which are timeless and Gleena is the perfect blend of classical and modern which will never... → Read the rest of this article

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Illustrations by Alli Coate

As I feverishly prepare for Bazaar Bizarre, amongst the many other holiday shows I will be in, I have been taking a break to read about fellow crafters partaking in these fairs. I was excited to learn that Alli Coate will be at Bazaar Bizarre, her etsy shop has long been a favorite of mine.

Her illustrations are interesting in that they are a mix of materials. Vintage fabrics are used to give patterns and color to her drawings. In the image above, she used a vintage print to... → Read the rest of this article

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haute couture bookbinding

This week I am multi-tasking as I write my column. I am selling my jewels at the Pawtucket Rock And Roll Yard Sale. Please excuse me should any random song lyrics find a way into this post. As I sit surrounded by vinyl and rock memorabilia I have been focusing on these elegant journals and albums from local artist Natalie Stopka. Quite a contrast I know.

Natalie of Natalie As Is has an amazing eye for integrating vintage odds and ends into her books. The lace here is so... → Read the rest of this article

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Secret Door Projects

When I spot a poster of Providence designed by hand and printed by hand, I feel like I live someplace famous.

The subject matter is clearly important to the artist. Jean took the time to study this iconic image of Providence. He learned the lines and slight curves of this cityscape by re-creating these lines on paper. His own interpretation was given to the scene in the form of composition and color. His acts are much more deliberate than a simple photograph.... → Read the rest of this article

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felt like it

In the few minutes I had to spare at Providence Open Market this past weekend I came across a tent I haven’t seen there before.

What caught my attention was the stuffed green bean {quite similar to Bartie the Pear pictured here} I was originally introduced to through twitter. My favorite handmade store in providence was showing off some new goodies one fine day, the cute as pie green bean with a face being one of those adorable pieces. Since then, I have been on the... → Read the rest of this article

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