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LA Brown

7.1.14

Handmade by Vineyard Artisans

Creativity and Martha’s Vineyard go hand in hand. The number of galleries and fine art vendors and arts-and-crafts markets on the Island are testimony to that. Among them are the bi-weekly (in July and August) Vineyard Artisans Festival shows in West Tisbury; bi-weekly Chilmark Flea Market in Chilmark; weekly Featherstone Flea and Fine Art Market in Oak Bluffs; shops (most open daily during summer) that make up the Arts District in Oak Bluffs; and Night Heron Gallery, an artists’ collective in Vineyard Haven. Do some exploring and you will find that every town has numerous galleries and shops where a couple planning a wedding or a guest going to one can find works by Island artists – everything from favors, to table centerpieces, to bridal-party keepsakes, to wedding gifts.

Favors

Andrea Rogers inherited her love for gardening from her father. She grows her own lavender (and rosemary, myrtle, and jade topiary trees) and infuses her lavender products with that love. Her sachets, bundles tied with ribbon, and tiny bags of lavender make for pretty, fragrant favors, attendant gifts, or wedding-shower giveaways. (vineyardartisans.com/andrea-rogers).

Heidi Feldman’s Martha’s Vineyard Sea Salt, harvested from Island waters, comes in paper envelopes and itsy bitsy jars. With memories of the lovely saltcellars on her grandmother’s dining table in mind, Heidi created her tiny (about a half ounce) Traveler jar. Portable, unbreakable, and refillable, it holds five or more servings, and labels can be customized.
(mvseasalt.com).

For Emily Fisher, soap making is a full-circle experience. She makes her Flat Point Farm Goat Milk Soap (using fair-trade oils) with milk from goats raised on the farm where she grew up, and now lives with her own young family. The handmade bars have a back-in-time quaintness – and the moisturizing properties might take your hands back in time too.
(flatpointfarm.com).
Printmaker and collage artist Beldan K. Radcliffe creates tile magnets and larger porcelain tiles, both with colorful yet delicate collage-style etchings, that add a touch of elegance to any wedding table – and could be multipurpose, serving as coasters, decorative pieces, and keepsakes guests can take home. (beldankradcliffe.com).

A gentle wedding touch and touching gift would be any “Tending Joy” paper product by poet and artist Ingrid Goff-Maidoff. Choose from such treasures as a matchbox-sized Wisdom Box filled with mantras for joyful living, a miniature accordion book, or a blessing card
bearing a traditional wedding blessing or one of Ingrid’s own poems. (ingridgoffmaidoff.com).

Bridesmaid Gifts

Sylvie Farrington uses 1940s barkcloth for the signature vintage look of her bags. Wristlet and opera bags (with long straps rather than wrist straps) are detailed with such adornments as Czech glass beads and Swiss zippers, and make for cherished bridesmaid gifts
that could be passed down through generations. Yes, they are made to last that long. (sylviebags.com).

Among artisan jeweler Kathleen Tackabury’s exquisite designs is a necklace and earrings set called Blossom – a lovely gift from a blossoming bride to her attendants. Kathleen considers the properties of the stones she uses in her work as talismans for healing, prosperity, or love. (nightherongallery.com/kathleen-tackabury).

Diana Stewart is a master goldsmith and a professional jeweler with more than thirty years experience in custom design. When you’re wearing a Diana Stewart piece, it stands out. Her classic shell-and-pearl earrings and necklace set is perfect for beachy brides to gift to their bridesmaids. (vineyardartisans.com/diana-stewart).

Gifts and Registries

Ceramic artist Lisa Strachan is known for her porcelain pottery. She also creates stunning work that combines stoneware and porcelain, and all of her pieces are highly functional and durable. Pitchers and larger vases make gorgeous wedding gifts, and her bud vases are wonderful forever favors. (strachanporcelain.com).

L.A. Brown is a photographer and artisan. (See real-wedding photos by L.A. on pages 7 and 72.) Her flour-sack dishtowels with various motifs, such as flowers and farm animals, make for delightful and useful wedding favors. These towels can be customized with a couple’s names and wedding date. (labphoto.com).