Dar Tavernier-Singer

Brattleboro, VT attracts a lot of artists, musicians, and other creative types. People choose to live here even though the economy is tiny because it's a lifestyle where one can create. It's pretty common to hear the term "piecing it together" in reference to the all consuming question, "what do you do?". 
We piece it together and somehow it works. 


In fact, by piecing it together we are allowed to tap into multiple selves and get away from that awful thing called "specialization". 


I prefer to celebrate and admire those who are boldly multi-talented- like this Vermonter, Dar Tavernier-Singer.  She describes herself as an artist, graphic designer, chocolatier, magpie and bowerbird. She has two Etsy sites, both with a small but beautiful selection of handmade items. Below are a few of my favorites.

Etched in water buffalo bone, this scrimshaw piece was made with waterproof sepia ink that was sealed with a beeswax resin, & strung on a delicate filigree copper chain with copper lobster clasp. By Dar on akimbaMade.

two initials etched side-by-side on one face of an oval disc, which spins to say "beloved"
on the other, both in graceful script

Imagine getting one of these necklaces in the mail. Delightful!

Flour sack cotton towels, hand printed with antique hand-carved Indian woodblock

Simple and Beautiful Hand Towels by Flo & Ella, named after Dar's Grandmothers

~Visit Dar's blog, Bucolic Splendor, for more visual goodies and tell her to keep multi-tasking~

Local Businesses who Rock Part 2: Altiplano

What can I say, I LOVE Altiplano, it's one of my very favorite places to shop. I love it so much that I walked in one day and asked the owner, Shari Zarin, if I could work there and she said "yes".  

It  helped that I told her how much I loved the window display and the DRESS in the window display, which I ended up buying.... anyway, it's fair to say that Altiplano and Shari hold a special place in my heart, and not just because it's a fab store. Shari is also a fab person, who is a super creative jewelry and bag designer. She travels to Guatemala and works with artisans (all fair trade) who make her designs come to life. 

Huipile and Leather Tote from Altiplano

In the store, located at 42 Elliot St. you can find very cool clothes, amazing gifts for adults and children and of course, Shari's jewelry and handbags. Stop in and say hi to the super friendly staff (half of them have been featured on this blog because they are so cool- such as Quinn Cartelli and Vail Burns. Lila, you're next, right? )

A very special thank you to Alitplano for sponsoring Episode 5 of The Desha Show: Wild Night on the Catwalk. It's a fashion revolution. Watch it here online.

Please take a moment to "Like"Altiplano's retail store on Facebook  and Altiplano Handmade. Say hello from Desha!