The month of December will offer some great opportunities to check out the work of a few different local and semilocal designers and artisans. Driftwood Jewelry and Slip 77, both in Oak Bluffs, will be featuring weekly trunk shows through Christmas.
Driftwood Jewelry opened this past summer as a showcase for the work of local artists. At its launch back in May, the shop featured about 20 different jewelers. Since then, the inventory has grown to include the work of 45 artists, including jewelry, bags, cards, and artwork.
This month Driftwood will host a series of trunk shows to spotlight some of the shop’s jewelers. Nettie Kent was the featured artist for a Thanksgiving weekend show. On Tuesday, the shop featured wampum by Donald Widiss and holiday cards by Susan Shea.
On Friday, Dec. 4 Driftwood will showcase Harrison & Pike handmade nautical jewelry out of Rhode Island, and Gilly B, hand-stitched toddler clothing by Island artists.
On Wednesday, Dec. 9, Driftwood will introduce jewelry from BBenware Designs and vases, candleholders, and ornaments by Sharon Capen.
Brenda Benware creates wire-wrapped jewelry from handpicked semiprecious and precious gemstones. Ms. Capen’s line of glass creations is inspired by the look of sea glass embellished with shells.
On Wednesday, Dec. 16, the shop will spotlight Althea Designs and Noepe Designs. Althea specializes in linoleum block printing. Her small block prints feature charming designs — often from nature. Her subjects are small items like a carrot, a horseshoe crab, or a cheese grater, which make charming little rustic still lifes.
Kate June Fournier of Noepe Design creates beautiful tote bags and clutches featuring her original nature-inspired designs. The repetitive prints — animals, insects, plants — are silkscreened onto durable linen fabrics and sewn into sturdy leather-trimmed bags.
Two days before Christmas, and you’ve found something for everyone on your list but forgotten to gift yourself? Check out the Dec. 23rd trunk show featuring Hawkhouse Jewelry and shadow box pictures from Heather Smith.
Ms. Smith creates tiny framed tableaux from beach finds like sea glass and shells. Appropriately, her work features themes like beach scenes, mermaids, and Vineyard landscapes.
Jessica Kramer of Hawkhouse Designs creates interesting one-of-a-kind jewelry from raw crystals and gems like turquoise, opals, and amethyst in their naturally occurring forms. Her rings and pendants often have a rough, organic look, but retain an appealing artistry and delicacy. Hawkhouse pieces are unique and affordably priced.
On the other side of Circuit, the clothing and accessories shop Slip 77 will also be hosting a series of trunk shows throughout the month featuring the work of artists and designers from the Cape and Islands, Boston, and greater New England. Owner Christina Izzo is calling the initiative the Season of Charity Trunk Shows, since the events will benefit the Island Food Pantry (IFP).
In a press release, Ms. Izzo writes, “We feel deeply rooted in our Island community, and grateful to have the support we do at Slip 77. Hosting these events is a great way to use our channels as a local business and to tap into the many talented artists we have in our area, all in an effort to promote a really important cause and one that provides a direct benefit to our Island neighbors, especially during the holidays.”
Guests are encouraged to bring a canned good to the events to receive 10 percent off Slip 77 items. The store will also be donating a portion of sales from the event to the IFP.
The trunk shows will all take place on Fridays. The first show on Dec. 11 will feature Cape Cod Soy Candles and artwork from M-C Lamarre of Boston. Ms. Lamarre specializes in Fenway Park–inspired murals. Her work has been featured on several TV shows and news segments, as well as both national and international publications. She has also been commissioned to appear in two reality shows. Slip 77 will be offering some of the artist’s smaller “shingle” pieces.
On Dec. 18, the shop will spotlight jewelry from MV Treasures and hair, shave, and skin products from Blue Wave Body Co. Laura Hern of MV Treasures crafts wrap bracelets from leather, a variety of interesting beads, and embellishments. Bluewave Body Co., another locally made line, offers lotions, scrubs, salt soaks, soaps, hand creams, cleansers, toners, lip balm, hair products, and more. All are made from natural ingredients and essential oils, and none contain parabens, alcohol, glycols, or sulfates.
Future Friday trunk shows will be posted on Slip 77’s Facebook page.
