Vendor Feature: Liz Clark Jewelry, Virginia Piazza Pottery, The Hudson Standard, and Matt Pleva

This bunch of fantastic Hullabaloo vendors includes the award-winner for the furthest drive to Hullabaloo (if there was such an award), a third year Hullabaloo veteran, a Hullabaloo newbie, and a hometown favorite!  They should all be able to help you knock a few more gifts off your holiday list, so learn a little more about them and click on their links to start getting some ideas!

Liz Clark Jewelry, Providence, RI

In her metal studio in Providence, RI, Liz uses floral and geometric elements with simple lines and silhouettes to create a subtle-but-striking collection of earrings, necklaces, rings, and brooches. Her work has a sculptural feel, yet her pieces are delicate, unobtrusive, and comfortable to wear. The organic elements of her work lend a classic feel and timeless elegance to balance the modern edge of the shapes and materials used in her unique jewelry.  Whether you’re looking want an un-fussy brooch for a classy lady on your list, a unique statement necklace for New Year’s, or a gorgeous pair of studs for a trendy teen, Liz has the perfect piece! It’s her first Hullabaloo and she’s making a long drive to join us, so give her a warm welcome! 

Virginia Piazza Pottery, Beacon, NY

As soon as Virginia started working with clay, she knew it was her medium! After experimenting with different firing techniques and types of pieces, Virginia now focuses on functional ware, mostly with porcelain in a limited glaze palette; lately, though, she’s been incorporating some neat embellishments. Her work is clean, simple, and charmingly understated, with a muted color palette and comforting, functional shapes. Her mission is to make work that speaks to the user and finds a special place in their everyday life. Virginia’s work somehow feels both familiar and completely fresh, bringing to mind breakfasts on summer porches and cool nights spent in warm places!  Her bowls, mugs, vases, pots, sugar bowls, nesting bowls, berry bowls, and serving dishes make great gifts for so many occasions. Virginia has been with us from the beginning, so please join us in welcoming her back to Hullabaloo!

The Hudson Standard, Hudson, NY

Using traditional processes that date back to colonial times, The Hudson Standard hand-crafts cocktail bitters and shrubs (deliciously tart syrups made of fruit, spices, vinegar, and sweetener) that are creating delicious cocktails, sodas, foods, and sauces in top-notch regional restaurants and in homes nationwide. Their products highlight the flavors of the Hudson Valley (think Apple Coriander Maple Shrub and Spruce Shooter Bitters, for starters) and work with NYS farms to source the best ingredients. Doesn’t a nice fall cocktail (like the Pear Honey Ginger Shrub with rum, gin, or bourbon!) with Thanksgiving dinner sound like a good idea? Stop by The Hudson Standard’s table at their first Hullabaloo and pick up some of their products for the home bartender or chef on your list...and some for yourself!

Matt Pleva, Kingston, NY

If Matt Pleva’s intricate work looks familiar, it’s because he was one of the muralists whose work was part of the O+ Festival last year!  On a smaller scale (pretty small, actually) he creates these incredible dioramas, illustrations, and miniature pen and ink drawings, and turns them into wearable art (buttons, earrings, pendants) and display pieces. He takes his inspiration from his vast range of interests including history and pop culture—so you’ll find tiny scenes from Dr. Who, Monty Python, Office Space, Star Trek, The Wizard of Oz and more, as well as historical “reenactments” in pen and ink! He also offers a large selection of prints, cards, and postcards.  Have a favorite movie moment you’d like him to recreate in paper? He does commissions! Stop by Matt’s table at his first Hullabaloo and check out his work—he’s got a piece for every type of enthusiast—and if you don’t see your favorite, he can probably make it for you!

Vendor Features: Eco Skin Essentials, PKBrown Woodworking, Hawk Dance Farm, and ehstern!

What do these four makers have in common? Not only are they all returning Hullabaloo vendors, they also share a commitment to sustainability, eco-conscious products and practices, and responsibly sourced materials! What an awesome bunch…

Eco Skin Essentials, Phoenicia, NY

After becoming disillusioned with big corporations after working for years in the food industry, Theresa of Eco Skin Essentials started doing some research—and what alarmed her about what was in our food got her thinking about what’s in the products we put on our skin…we’ll spare you the gory details, but it’s pretty scary stuff! Lucky for you, we know where you can get handmade, all-natural, vegan soaps and skin care products, in eco-friendly packaging! There’s a bar soap scent for every nose—like the zesty lemon poppy seed, the soothing lavender vanilla, and the invigorating peppermint rosemary—and even unscented options too! In addition to these fantastic soaps, Theresa makes sprays, body butters, lip balms, and other miracle products (have you tried the Chapped Skin Stick for your winter skin needs? OMG, there should be one in every stocking!). She also has new products to make your baths more pampering. We’re so happy Eco Skin Essentials is back for their third Hullabaloo! 

PKBrown Woodworking, Tivoli, NY

We’re so excited to have PK Brown Woodworking back for their second Hullabaloo! In his studio in Tivoli, which is powered by a photovoltaic system, Kaj creates his pepper grinders, salt and pepper mills, salt and pepper shakers, coffee grinders, jewelry boxes, and French rolling pins (which are new this year!), all from sustainable local wood.  “Each tree writes its own story,” he says…and his mission is to carefully reveal the grains of the woods to let the stories show through. He’s recently developed a new method of laminating the wood to give the finished item a unique look and make the grain of the wood stand out. Eco-conscious and beautifully-crafted, Kaj’s products are fantastically functional gifts for anyone who appreciates fine craftsmanship! 

Hawk Dance Farm, Hillsdale, NY

Hawk Dance Farm is returning to Hullabaloo for their second year, bringing their 100% beeswax candles, nature crafts, and handmade digeridoo instruments (look for their heirloom veggies, herbs, and flowers at local farmers’ markets)! Their charming candles are perfect for the holidays—like, hot cocoa in front of the fire in your Catskills log cabin perfect! And it gets better—they’re donating a portion of their profits from the sale of their beeswax candles to organizations that raise awareness about the declining bee population, and that educate the public about the important role of pollinating insects in sustaining our food growing system! How awesome is that!?!? So pick up some awesome candles (we’re partial to the Christmas trees and the pine cones, but you can’t go wrong with a high-quality taper either!) for the bee-lover, hostess, co-worker, friend, or other special person on your list!

ehstern, Kingston, NY

Emilia is back for her second Hullabaloo! Using silk that is repurposed, remnant, or purchased from Peace Silk (a sustainable, fair trade supplier that allows the silkworms to complete their lifecycle), Emilia dyes the material a variety of beautiful colors, cuts it into cords, and designs her unique hand-crafted silk jewelry. She often adds elements of metal, wood, glass, and organic materials—also obtained from sustainable, fair trade source—to lend texture and variety to her work. The results are one-of-a-kind, soft, light, comfortable pieces of jewelry that are easy to wear and sure to get attention! This year, Emilia has been experimenting with different dyes and color combinations, sourcing new beads and findings, and designing new styles, like tassels and a new version of her fringe necklace on a brass chain. She offers unique jewelry designs in a wide range of price points, so her pieces make great gifts for anyone who would appreciate a pop of color and texture!