HEATHER COLE
Hello! My name is Heather. I graduated from Bryant University and currently work full time. I am also in the process of pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Merchandising at Framingham State. I have always loved being creative and have been drawn to painting. Despite working full time, I always found time to paint. It eventually led to ColeCraftBoutique, which was started in February 2013 and features hand painted glassware and stemware. It has allowed me to combine my two favorite things: painting and wine! I have enjoyed being able to have the opportunity to create and to now share it with other people.
Please check out ColeCraftBoutique on Etsy or at Posh Design Center in Norwood.
Hello! My name is Heather. I graduated from Bryant University and currently work full time. I am also in the process of pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Merchandising at Framingham State. I have always loved being creative and have been drawn to painting. Despite working full time, I always found time to paint. It eventually led to ColeCraftBoutique, which was started in February 2013 and features hand painted glassware and stemware. It has allowed me to combine my two favorite things: painting and wine! I have enjoyed being able to have the opportunity to create and to now share it with other people.
Please check out ColeCraftBoutique on Etsy or at Posh Design Center in Norwood.
MARY DOLAN
I came to America in 1986, and worked as a nanny for many years. When I had my two girls Briana and Chloe I started doing some side care at night, and I still work in that field. I have always loved going to estate and moving sales and the thrill of buying something at a fraction of retail. Over the past 12 years I have furnished and decorated two homes almost entirely from my wonderful finds. So starting this as a business is very exciting for me and I look forward to being part of POSH Design Center.
I came to America in 1986, and worked as a nanny for many years. When I had my two girls Briana and Chloe I started doing some side care at night, and I still work in that field. I have always loved going to estate and moving sales and the thrill of buying something at a fraction of retail. Over the past 12 years I have furnished and decorated two homes almost entirely from my wonderful finds. So starting this as a business is very exciting for me and I look forward to being part of POSH Design Center.
ANNALISA FERNANDES
Suite Decor was launched in 2009 after my realization that Corporate America was not the path I desired to continue on. My passion for home decor started at a very young age, and I knew that I wanted to pursue a business out of it. Since Suite Decor's inception, I have taken on small residential projects that required me to find the perfect throw pillows for living spaces. In most cases, I found myself frustrated with the lack of the "it" factor in the selections of throw pillows while venturing out store to store in search of the perfect pillows for my projects. It was at this time that my inspiration to be a self-taught seamstress" flourished and I began making my own pillows. After a grueling day of poking myself with needles and driving myself insane trying to figure out what "threading the bob" or "bobbing the thread" meant, I finally produced my first pillow which initiated the "SD Pillow" line. since that time, I have held pillow party's at establishments such as Savin Bar and Kitchen in Dorchester, MA, vending at the Sowa Open Market in Boston, and hosting a variety of private functions for many of my clients. Each season I feature small collections that are very limited as I do not purchase fabric in bulk. I enjoy constructing pillows by combining fabrics and colors that are rarely see or used by other pillow manufacturers. If you, like myself, love to switch up decor seasonally, Suite Decor pillows allow you to make a statement each and every time.
Suite Decor was launched in 2009 after my realization that Corporate America was not the path I desired to continue on. My passion for home decor started at a very young age, and I knew that I wanted to pursue a business out of it. Since Suite Decor's inception, I have taken on small residential projects that required me to find the perfect throw pillows for living spaces. In most cases, I found myself frustrated with the lack of the "it" factor in the selections of throw pillows while venturing out store to store in search of the perfect pillows for my projects. It was at this time that my inspiration to be a self-taught seamstress" flourished and I began making my own pillows. After a grueling day of poking myself with needles and driving myself insane trying to figure out what "threading the bob" or "bobbing the thread" meant, I finally produced my first pillow which initiated the "SD Pillow" line. since that time, I have held pillow party's at establishments such as Savin Bar and Kitchen in Dorchester, MA, vending at the Sowa Open Market in Boston, and hosting a variety of private functions for many of my clients. Each season I feature small collections that are very limited as I do not purchase fabric in bulk. I enjoy constructing pillows by combining fabrics and colors that are rarely see or used by other pillow manufacturers. If you, like myself, love to switch up decor seasonally, Suite Decor pillows allow you to make a statement each and every time.
KASEY FORGIONE
I am a born and raised Bostonian. I love wine, my dog, red lipstick, conversations with interesting people, traveling and all things vintage. Growing up around Boston I learned to appreciate the history, art, architecture, furnishings, and everyday items found in homes and around our city. Currently, I reside in the Historic Navy Yard in Charlestown. My surroundings continually inspire me. I never sit down and make myself draw or paint, it is a feeling that comes and has to be acted on. I love art with a vintage feel. There is something special about decades past and art that is reminiscent of it. It has the ability to evoke a certain emotion or memory which can be different for each viewer. My works include oil on canvas, charcoal drawings and photographs. Everything is original and one of a kind. All of my work has a wax seal as a signature, inspired by my love of wine and the historic way of sealing letters. My hope is to evoke memories and happiness for each viewer and give guests something to talk about. Art is a natural conversation starter, and in that a form of communication in its own rite. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed creating them.
I am a born and raised Bostonian. I love wine, my dog, red lipstick, conversations with interesting people, traveling and all things vintage. Growing up around Boston I learned to appreciate the history, art, architecture, furnishings, and everyday items found in homes and around our city. Currently, I reside in the Historic Navy Yard in Charlestown. My surroundings continually inspire me. I never sit down and make myself draw or paint, it is a feeling that comes and has to be acted on. I love art with a vintage feel. There is something special about decades past and art that is reminiscent of it. It has the ability to evoke a certain emotion or memory which can be different for each viewer. My works include oil on canvas, charcoal drawings and photographs. Everything is original and one of a kind. All of my work has a wax seal as a signature, inspired by my love of wine and the historic way of sealing letters. My hope is to evoke memories and happiness for each viewer and give guests something to talk about. Art is a natural conversation starter, and in that a form of communication in its own rite. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed creating them.
ANDREW GROTE AND KAITLYN SMITH
We are Andrew and Kaitlyn, husband and wife, dad and mom, architect and interior designer (turned stay-at-home-mom). The idea for Blue Green Blue Design started in 2010 while creating hand-cut baby art for our son’s room. We continued making art to give as gifts and we eventually decided to start our ETSY shop to share our prints beyond our family and friends. Starting Blue Green Blue Design gave us the opportunity to be creative together. Our little operation is truly a family affair. We work together on brainstorming, developing, and creating the designs. Kaitlyn oversees the daily operation of the business and all communication, Andrew lends a hand on processing orders after long days at his job, and the kids are great "helpers" when we run errands for supplies or on trips to the post office. We love working with customers to create special, custom prints for the special people in their lives. See our prints at POSH Design Center or check out our ETSY shop for our complete print selection.
We are Andrew and Kaitlyn, husband and wife, dad and mom, architect and interior designer (turned stay-at-home-mom). The idea for Blue Green Blue Design started in 2010 while creating hand-cut baby art for our son’s room. We continued making art to give as gifts and we eventually decided to start our ETSY shop to share our prints beyond our family and friends. Starting Blue Green Blue Design gave us the opportunity to be creative together. Our little operation is truly a family affair. We work together on brainstorming, developing, and creating the designs. Kaitlyn oversees the daily operation of the business and all communication, Andrew lends a hand on processing orders after long days at his job, and the kids are great "helpers" when we run errands for supplies or on trips to the post office. We love working with customers to create special, custom prints for the special people in their lives. See our prints at POSH Design Center or check out our ETSY shop for our complete print selection.
Belquist came to life in April 2012 when I decided to take a leap of faith and left my position at a high end interior design showroom in West Hollywood, CA to follow my dream of starting my own textile and interior design business. While designing my first collection of pillows I worked on various interior design projects in the greater Los Angeles area; a place I called home for 7 years. Textiles have always been a passion and I wanted to create beautiful and luxurious pieces that were affordable and would add a touch of glamour to any space. Belquist pillows are exclusive designs and patterns that are printed in metallic foil on 100% linen and hand embellished with rhinestone trim on linen/cotton and chenille fabrics. In July 2013 I moved to Boston where I have continued to grow my textile business while adding a 'Vintage Finds Collection' to my business which includes fabulous vintage home decor items. I also blog about interiors, travel, fashion and bits of my daily love over at http://www.classicallyb.com/
PAMELA LIZ
I learned how to crochet at the age of nine, after watching my favorite show on the public TV channel. I remember asking my grandmother to take me to the craft store to purchase yarn and a crochet hook, so that I can crochet along with the ladies on TV. It was fascinating to me and my hobby quickly became an obsession. I would never have imagined that one day my hobby would turn into my very own business! I started to receive orders from friends and family which then gave me the confidence to open my Etsy shop. Handmade by PamelaLiz was created in 2011 and specializes in crochet accessories for adults and children. My designs are also now proudly for sale at POSH, and I am very excited to see what this year will bring!
I learned how to crochet at the age of nine, after watching my favorite show on the public TV channel. I remember asking my grandmother to take me to the craft store to purchase yarn and a crochet hook, so that I can crochet along with the ladies on TV. It was fascinating to me and my hobby quickly became an obsession. I would never have imagined that one day my hobby would turn into my very own business! I started to receive orders from friends and family which then gave me the confidence to open my Etsy shop. Handmade by PamelaLiz was created in 2011 and specializes in crochet accessories for adults and children. My designs are also now proudly for sale at POSH, and I am very excited to see what this year will bring!
ANTHONY J. LOBOSCO
A Boston native, Mr. Lobosco is a graduate in art history and in Italian studies. He studied at Boston University, Emanuel College and at Mass Art, as well as at schools in Florence and Rome. Most of the nineteen eighties and nineties were spent in various teaching assignments at Boston Latin School. While pursuing a career teaching Italian, Boston Latin offered him a position teaching visual art. After many years in that capacity, he decided to focus on his own artistic ventures. Inspiration for Mr. Lobosco’s artwork comes from historical periods, nature, architecture and music. In most of his work, by removing details, by working in layers, often glazed with a metallic wash, and by emphasizing the two-dimensional surface, Mr. Lobosco merges the visually observed with the emotionally experienced reality in the hope of edifying and uniting observers through universal and fundamental concepts of harmony and beauty.
Mr. Lobosco works in acrylics, oils, watercolors, oil pastels, pen and ink, mixed media, collage and photography; in everything from non-objective abstracts to traditional figural work and landscapes. He is most enthusiastic over his mixed media works of acrylic and watercolor, for in them he creates something completely new and unforeseen out of previous work.
He has had solo exhibits at the Westin Hotel, Boston, Sapient Gallery, Boston, at The Chestnut Hill and Atrium Malls, Chestnut Hill, and at The Massachusetts Convention Center, Boston. He had several solo shows at the former L’Essence Art Gallery, West Roxbury, and he has been in numerous group shows including the Danforth Museum of Art, Framingham, Boston University Art Gallery, and Zullo Gallery, Medfield.
You may view some of his work on his youtube station “ArtByAnthony”.
A Boston native, Mr. Lobosco is a graduate in art history and in Italian studies. He studied at Boston University, Emanuel College and at Mass Art, as well as at schools in Florence and Rome. Most of the nineteen eighties and nineties were spent in various teaching assignments at Boston Latin School. While pursuing a career teaching Italian, Boston Latin offered him a position teaching visual art. After many years in that capacity, he decided to focus on his own artistic ventures. Inspiration for Mr. Lobosco’s artwork comes from historical periods, nature, architecture and music. In most of his work, by removing details, by working in layers, often glazed with a metallic wash, and by emphasizing the two-dimensional surface, Mr. Lobosco merges the visually observed with the emotionally experienced reality in the hope of edifying and uniting observers through universal and fundamental concepts of harmony and beauty.
Mr. Lobosco works in acrylics, oils, watercolors, oil pastels, pen and ink, mixed media, collage and photography; in everything from non-objective abstracts to traditional figural work and landscapes. He is most enthusiastic over his mixed media works of acrylic and watercolor, for in them he creates something completely new and unforeseen out of previous work.
He has had solo exhibits at the Westin Hotel, Boston, Sapient Gallery, Boston, at The Chestnut Hill and Atrium Malls, Chestnut Hill, and at The Massachusetts Convention Center, Boston. He had several solo shows at the former L’Essence Art Gallery, West Roxbury, and he has been in numerous group shows including the Danforth Museum of Art, Framingham, Boston University Art Gallery, and Zullo Gallery, Medfield.
You may view some of his work on his youtube station “ArtByAnthony”.
HELENE MATTESON
At Urban Kitchen Handmade we create natural handmade soaps, soy candles, personal care and personal environment products from our soap studio located in Allston, Massachusetts. Urban Kitchen Handmade was created in 2004 when Helene Matteson started making soap from her kitchen. Her mission and goal was to create the best soap that made her skin feel clean, soft, and healthy. She created her soap using the finest ingredients nature had to offer. The soap had to smell good but it could not linger or compromise any other scent or perfume that she would apply for the day. The soap also had to be made from high quality, natural, products and it had to look as good as it felt. Today, Helene is making soap, soy candles and a variety of other personal care and personal environment products. She continues to apply her basic rules and criteria when creating high quality products. The Urban Kitchen Handmade product line has expanded since 2004. In addition to high quality handmade soaps, we offer soy candles, whipped shea butter, spa salt blends, massage & bath oil, lip balm and other personal care products. Our products are produced with thought and care as we work to provide our customer's with high quality, attractive products they will love.
At Urban Kitchen Handmade we create natural handmade soaps, soy candles, personal care and personal environment products from our soap studio located in Allston, Massachusetts. Urban Kitchen Handmade was created in 2004 when Helene Matteson started making soap from her kitchen. Her mission and goal was to create the best soap that made her skin feel clean, soft, and healthy. She created her soap using the finest ingredients nature had to offer. The soap had to smell good but it could not linger or compromise any other scent or perfume that she would apply for the day. The soap also had to be made from high quality, natural, products and it had to look as good as it felt. Today, Helene is making soap, soy candles and a variety of other personal care and personal environment products. She continues to apply her basic rules and criteria when creating high quality products. The Urban Kitchen Handmade product line has expanded since 2004. In addition to high quality handmade soaps, we offer soy candles, whipped shea butter, spa salt blends, massage & bath oil, lip balm and other personal care products. Our products are produced with thought and care as we work to provide our customer's with high quality, attractive products they will love.
KATHY MORGAN
Kathy Morgan (the "Aunt Kitty" of "Aunt Kitty's Creations") says that all of her nieces and nephews eventually receive a handmade baby quilt. "They might be in Kindergarten already," she says jokingly, "but eventually I get it done!" Kathy claims to have been a fabric addict since was old enough to hold a needle and thread. As a teenager, she once traded her beloved stereo system to her mom for an old Sears sewing machine. She is largely self-taught sewer and quilter.
She has also been an avid doodler and sketcher, and many of the designs in her fabric arts come from her own sketchbook. Her designs are often whimsical and feature the animals and other natural elements that are another of her passions. When she is not quilting, beading, or stitching up sock animals, she can be found teaching animal behavior at Wheaton College in nearby Norton, MA. She is also an active gardener, and takes many of her inspirations from her own back yard. Kathy currently lives in Plainville with her husband Matt Miller (a Copley Artist portrait painter), and a parrot named Scarlett, two cards (Davis and Yale), and her miniature Dachshund Zucchini; her Mare Cocoa lives in Blackstone.
Kathy Morgan (the "Aunt Kitty" of "Aunt Kitty's Creations") says that all of her nieces and nephews eventually receive a handmade baby quilt. "They might be in Kindergarten already," she says jokingly, "but eventually I get it done!" Kathy claims to have been a fabric addict since was old enough to hold a needle and thread. As a teenager, she once traded her beloved stereo system to her mom for an old Sears sewing machine. She is largely self-taught sewer and quilter.
She has also been an avid doodler and sketcher, and many of the designs in her fabric arts come from her own sketchbook. Her designs are often whimsical and feature the animals and other natural elements that are another of her passions. When she is not quilting, beading, or stitching up sock animals, she can be found teaching animal behavior at Wheaton College in nearby Norton, MA. She is also an active gardener, and takes many of her inspirations from her own back yard. Kathy currently lives in Plainville with her husband Matt Miller (a Copley Artist portrait painter), and a parrot named Scarlett, two cards (Davis and Yale), and her miniature Dachshund Zucchini; her Mare Cocoa lives in Blackstone.
GINGER BUNN
I am a mom to triplet boys and am passionate about textiles, design & philanthropy. After starting my blog about giving (letsgivetoday.com) and featuring businesses that give back, I knew I wanted to start my own philanthropic design business. Before I even knew what products I wanted to create, I knew the heart of my business would be focused on helping to sponsor children around the world. Ginger Lane (gingerlanegoods.etsy.com) was born after friends and strangers kept asking to buy the bags I was designing and sewing. I love designing many of the textiles I use and hand-crafting each bag. We currently sponsor one sweet girl in Rwanda plus give a percentage of proceeds to Compassion International so other children can be sponsored.
I am a mom to triplet boys and am passionate about textiles, design & philanthropy. After starting my blog about giving (letsgivetoday.com) and featuring businesses that give back, I knew I wanted to start my own philanthropic design business. Before I even knew what products I wanted to create, I knew the heart of my business would be focused on helping to sponsor children around the world. Ginger Lane (gingerlanegoods.etsy.com) was born after friends and strangers kept asking to buy the bags I was designing and sewing. I love designing many of the textiles I use and hand-crafting each bag. We currently sponsor one sweet girl in Rwanda plus give a percentage of proceeds to Compassion International so other children can be sponsored.
NORM THE NORTHMAN
Several years ago I found myself seeking a creative outlet that would compliment, yet not overtax what was already an active lifestyle. The musings which followed inevitable brought me to an "Ah ha" moment while comfortably ensconced in a living room chair under my heirloom, hand-crocheted afghan. Realizing how much warmth and comfort the afghan provided to me, I determined to learn the skill set required for creating such treasures.
That afghan, still in my possession and as beautiful as the day I received it, was created for me by my mother during the mid-1970's. This "big and burly" afghan has proved durable to say the least. (See the Afghan in my ETSY.com shop).
So... go to the source for tutelage. After dinner on a Thanksgiving Day, I asked my mother for a lesson. Initially the image of me with a crochet hook and yarn greatly amused my brothers, sisters, and other family members, but not long after that day they all looked forward to what I might create as a gift for them.
After hiking a wooded autumn trail, kayaking upon a springtime lake, walking a cooling beach on a summer evening, or cross-country skiing a brisk winter landscape my wife and I welcome returning home to both warmth and comfort. The Northman creations are aimed at providing both.
Displaying my creations through POSH and ETSY.com allows me the opportunity to share my "Ah-ha" moment with others. Hopefully I can create a treasure that will provide both warmth and comfort to you.
Several years ago I found myself seeking a creative outlet that would compliment, yet not overtax what was already an active lifestyle. The musings which followed inevitable brought me to an "Ah ha" moment while comfortably ensconced in a living room chair under my heirloom, hand-crocheted afghan. Realizing how much warmth and comfort the afghan provided to me, I determined to learn the skill set required for creating such treasures.
That afghan, still in my possession and as beautiful as the day I received it, was created for me by my mother during the mid-1970's. This "big and burly" afghan has proved durable to say the least. (See the Afghan in my ETSY.com shop).
So... go to the source for tutelage. After dinner on a Thanksgiving Day, I asked my mother for a lesson. Initially the image of me with a crochet hook and yarn greatly amused my brothers, sisters, and other family members, but not long after that day they all looked forward to what I might create as a gift for them.
After hiking a wooded autumn trail, kayaking upon a springtime lake, walking a cooling beach on a summer evening, or cross-country skiing a brisk winter landscape my wife and I welcome returning home to both warmth and comfort. The Northman creations are aimed at providing both.
Displaying my creations through POSH and ETSY.com allows me the opportunity to share my "Ah-ha" moment with others. Hopefully I can create a treasure that will provide both warmth and comfort to you.
SARA SANDSTROM
My husband likes to play a game with guests who come to visit our home: "Guess What Sara Made." Then there's a tour of our small 800-square foot condo, in which guests point out items they think are either made by me, or were purchased in designer stores. It's always entertaining to watch my 6'2" husband jump up and down with glee when someone guesses wrong!
I love creating things for my home, but with such a tiny condo, I've run out of things to decorate! And thus, my Etsy shop was born, allowing me to continue with my passion for creating lighting and industrial elegant home decor.
My husband likes to play a game with guests who come to visit our home: "Guess What Sara Made." Then there's a tour of our small 800-square foot condo, in which guests point out items they think are either made by me, or were purchased in designer stores. It's always entertaining to watch my 6'2" husband jump up and down with glee when someone guesses wrong!
I love creating things for my home, but with such a tiny condo, I've run out of things to decorate! And thus, my Etsy shop was born, allowing me to continue with my passion for creating lighting and industrial elegant home decor.
SARAH J. SILVA
My Grandmother started sharing her love of art with me and my siblings at an early age. Through the years I have experimented with many mediums, but none have captivated me like ceramics. Throwing on the wheel is a time of piece and reconnection with things above. If one of my pieces can bring a smile and joy to someone's day then I have accomplished my purpose.
My Grandmother started sharing her love of art with me and my siblings at an early age. Through the years I have experimented with many mediums, but none have captivated me like ceramics. Throwing on the wheel is a time of piece and reconnection with things above. If one of my pieces can bring a smile and joy to someone's day then I have accomplished my purpose.
LU-ANN SULLIVANMy love for sewing started at age 7 when my Grandmother showed me how to use her treadle machine. Since then it has been a learning and growing experience.Many classes and mistakes later I learned that anything can be accomplished with patience. For many years I worked in a sewing machine/fabric store while sewing for myself, my family and friends. Someone always needed something repaired or on occasion someone would ask for something custom made. With the birth of my third child so was the birth of Sewing by Lu-Ann. It started off small and has grown into a full time alteration and custom sewing business. With the purchase of a sewing/embroidery machine a new creative approach was introduced. Creating the fabric by quilting and embroidery turned into custom totes. Always one for new and different ideas I decided to add this to my sewing business. Selling a few totes here and there to the customers who needed alterations just wasn’t enough. After hearing about Posh Design Center on an episode of Chronicle I decided to contact them to see if my bags would be a fit, now it’s more ideas and more bags to display.
