meredith cutler :: arts marketing :: artist

It was not the lovliest of autumn weekends, but overcast skies didn't stop me from checking out the Providence Open Market on Saturday, newly relocated to Lippett Park (where Blackstone Blvd. intersects Hope St.)

Luckily for the vendors, I wasn't the only one unphased by the gloomy weather - a good group of East Siders held court, inspecting various goodies on display by local artisans and foodies. I was a bit disappointed to find that there were only two foodie stalls, but I'll get over it...I had already hit up Pastiche (pictured below) for some artisan cookies!

With some gift shopping to do, I was happy to encounter fellow East-Side indie artisan Kim Clark of Lucky Bird Studio. With a sharp eye for color and pattern, she incorporates revived papers (chiyogami-style), tiny beads, findings and hardware into microcosmic, epoxy-set collages - then reborn as earrings, pendants, hair pins or bracelets. Her signature pieces in this style live in small, copper-plated brass settings (about the size of a penny). I had a hard time picking just one! Kim's website, a bit of eye-candy in itself, does a great job at highlighting her wide selection of patterns and products.

Returning home after chit-chatting with Leigh Medieros of Warren's new Yes Gallery + Studio, I ran into Bravo the cat - who awaited me in ambush on my front steps. I care for my semi-feral friend and his scrappy pal Matilda when their sponsors (my landlords) are away. I just have to mention Bravo, because he is such a bizarre alley cat. Resembling a notch-eared, gigantic version of my enormously beloved (and sadly deceased) luxury cat, Phaedrus, Bravo's got quite an overbite...and simply cannot get enough love, which he demands by biting me!

Besides caring for emotionally needy, semi-feral garden cats - I also support the ASPCA and encourage everyone to check out their local chapter. Right now, the ASPCA needs our help to support their efforts to rescue animals affected by the recent Gulf Coast hurricanes. Every little bit helps!

The Providence Open Market has two more Saturdays in store for us this season: September 20th and 27th.