Next Market THIS Thursday, Friday, Saturday!

Grass almost ready...

It's the last Market before Easter! This must be true since I noticed that my candy consumption is skewing slightly more chocolaty than fruity this week: from chewy cherry hearts to crispy Fiesta malted milk eggs. Here's a reminder of our new hours for 2012:

March 8th Thursday 12 -6

March 9th Friday  12-6

March 19th Saturday 10-6 

Give your house or wardrobe a whiff of spring with something cheerful and new from The Market!

I've been growing grass in order to provide some real living green in as many places as possible. This is wheat and rye grass which is safe - even healthy- for kids and pets.

COLOR!

Recent jewelry designs embrace fashion's color blocking trend.* Blue beads accented by a vintage yellow rose pendant, or red and pink earrings bring whimsy and instant color therapy to any ensemble.
*Color blocking means blocks of solid colors worn together. It is a super hot trend for spring and summer.

Passion for Pearls and Patina

Other designs you'll see are part of a collection I'll be bringing to the Live Oak Arts Fest on March 31st in Ft Myers, Florida. Pearls (cultured, freshwater, or vintage glass pearls from Japan) are combined with old rosary chain, mother of pearl beads and sea glass to make layered necklaces and earrings that are my current magnificent obsession! Somehow, using the older chain and muted palette make this collection appropriate to wear now in northern climes. These pieces don't scream Little Mermaid or 'My mom went to Sanibel and all I got was this lousy shell necklace' like I was afeared they might. Nope, I'm wearing the necklaces layered one upon the other with a tshirt and cashmere cardi or to fill in the neckline of a button down shirt or dress. I think you'll like them.

Justine and Lisa almost sold out during the art crawl so there will be plenty of fresh new furniture and home accessories to make you swoon. Honestly, their stuff is so great: chic pieces that add personality and character to a room while pulling their weight as seating, storage or work surface. As a rule, older furniture is better made and longer lasting than what is produced in foreign factories today. It just makes sense to get items that hold up to years of use while becoming more charming with each transformation.

Don't forget our new neighbors who will be open this weekend. The Better Life Cafe at the top of the stairs is cozy, intimate, friendly and fun. AND, their food and drink is fresh and delicious.
Sandy's Studio Sandy (of Sandy's Attic fame) has a wonderful studio in Suite #121 open on Fridays from 12 - 6. Expect to see fashion forward Spring apparel as well as art, gifts, and accessories.

There's something for everyone on Market days!

Art Lovers, Your Mothership Is Arriving...

Banbury Building 13 will be all abuzz and exciting at the

 Banbury Art Crawl 

February 3rd and 4th this Friday and Saturday! 

Hours are Friday 3pm - 9pm

Saturday 9am - 3pm

This is the event that got me (Susan) into Building 13 for the first time and I've never looked back. Years ago, the crawl was the brainchild of Eau Claire's own stained glass artist and Fairy Godmother of the Arts Laurie Bieze.  The atmosphere during the Art Crawl is cheerful, welcoming and completely inspiring! Every visitor is granted instant insider status as studio doors open wide to each attender. The glass, painting, sculpture, oh my goodness it's like a mini renaissance of the soul on every floor. Honestly, there's nothing like walking down a hallway discovering an open studio door and catching a glimpse of the colors, shapes, and treasures waiting within. Yes, lots of artwork will be for sale but even if you're feeling poor as a church mouse, you will leave feeling full and fed and dazzled by creativity. Of course, The Market will be open! Come say "Hi" to Susan and Lisa and see what's new (hint: there is a lot). The Banbury Art Crawl is a kid friendly event (just keep your eye on them if you stop in for the free wine tasting at Infinity Beverages) and Susan is working on a free gift for the first 50 kids who stop by The Market! The Banbury Art Crawl has an amazingly informative website you can access at http://www.banburyartcrawl.com/  See you there! xo Susan

Next Market: November 17, 18, 19

Look for this ad in the Nov. 10th issue of Volume One!

The Factory - A Real Life Fairy Tale

This is a story about a place. A place that is old and new at the same time. It is an important story and, like all the best stories, it is true. True stories are especially important to remember so that is why I am telling it now.

Uniroyal Plant 1964

Once upon a time there was a big factory in Eau Claire. The factory made lots of wonderful things for many, many years.These things were made by the people of Eau Claire, with great skill and with much pride. This factory meant a lot to the people in Eau Claire. It gave them jobs. It gave them friends they had for their whole lives. At the factory, they made important things for people all over the world. 

Uniroyal 1949

One time, the factory made things that helped our country win a very serious war. This work was so important that when the men of Eau Claire had to fight in the war, women came to help so the factory could still do its important work. After the war, some women liked making things so much, they stayed at the factory!

Many years passed. Times changed.The factory had to change too even though it was hard. But, do you know what? Many things about the factory didn’t change! It was still a strong, solid place to make things, and to think up thoughts. The factory became Banbury. It welcomed artists and businesses and all sorts of people who had new ideas & dreams to follow. And, there were still women who came to the factory to do their work! 

One summer day, three women dreamed of a place they could sell the things that THEY made, with much skill and great pride. They loved making new things. They loved using old things to make new things. They thought that old things were special and had soul. They hoped that when people saw these things that were special and handmade, they would like them and think their work was important too. They knew the perfect place to come and show the people their work: the old factory, Banbury! So, that is how there came to be a monthly market at Banbury. The three women saw more and more people who cared about soulful things, handmade things come to The Market. They invited everyone to come! They wanted to connect more and more and more people in Eau Claire to more and more and more people who made their own things. Guess what? It's starting to happen! Their dream is coming true! And that is a story of the place that is old and new at the same time, and how it stays strong and holds dreams.

Next Market: THIS WEEK! October 13, 14, 15

It's Market week at Banbury! The Market's  Harvest and Halloween  will be held this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday so grab a friend or two and visit Suite 203 which will be stuffed full of seasonal delights! New jewelry, accessories, and of course Justine and Lisa's stylish finds for house and home. A couple of new tenants are moving into Banbury Building 13 and they have decided to be open during Market days. I'll let you know more details as soon as things are confirmed; I can let you know they are artsy and fun! Of course, our neighbor, Infinity Beverages, will be offering tastings of their delicious, locally made Round Corner Wine.

I have had to cut myself off from making these scarves - they are addicting to make and SO fun to wear. Here's one of which my son said, "This one looks like a birthday party." Designing it, I was going for feminine, frothy and fun but not too sweet. Mission accomplished! I really want to have a birthday party now. Does anyone have a glass milk bottle for that clothespin game?


Hours of Monthly Market:

Thursday Oct. 13  12 noon - 8pm
Friday Oct 14  11am - 7pm
Saturday October 15 10am - 4pm

Inside The Market

"Still Life with Market Wares" Justine's incredible bags made from vintage grain sacks and canvas; furniture, accessories, jewelry, oil paintings, collage, pottery, &  Diet Coke can.

We're working on some really special things for August, and  SUPER amazing things for our Grand Opening in September! One studio at Banbury that will be open on Market days is Zodiac Productions. It was great to meet talented local glass artist D.J. Stewart.  I hope to convince the guys to do some glass blowing demonstrations for the "Back to Cool" market September 8-10. Our neighbors from The Cello Connection will delight visitors with beautiful cello music (more details to follow) and we plan on having lots of fun and interesting things for the whole family as The Market helps you get "Back to COOL!"

Shady Lady in Vintage Hearts T & apron