| If you love buying unique hand-crafted items directly | | | | hard way.) |
| from the talented artisan who made them, you will | | | | So what treasures will you find? Look for gorgeous |
| want to visit SoWa Open Air Market (540 Harrison | | | | one-of-a-kind handcrafted jewelry, stylish |
| Avenue) in Boston's hip South End neighborhood. | | | | pocketbooks, lustrous hand-crafted furniture, plus |
| Open only on Sundays from mid-May through | | | | many stunning sets of dishes and other pottery and |
| late-October, plus Saturdays on opening and closing | | | | ceramic pieces. One of my favorites is a local |
| weekends, the market is one of the city's most | | | | designer of greeting cards who uses a real |
| popular specialty shopping destinations. An exciting | | | | hand-operated letterpress to print the beautiful |
| new addition for 2009 is the SoWa Antiques Market, | | | | designs. Another favorite is a tiny Boston company |
| located in an adjacent historic building. | | | | that silkscreens designs of local graphic artists by |
| "SoWa" stands for "South of Washington (Street)" - | | | | hand onto silky cotton t-shirts - I think of them as |
| a part of the South End once called "home" by an | | | | wearable art. |
| assortment of large mills and factories producing | | | | One of the best parts of this market is being able to |
| pianos, canned goods, shoes, and other items. By the | | | | talk directly to the artisan who made the product |
| 1950s, most of these businesses had moved out and | | | | that you're buying. If you want something slightly |
| artists moved in, carving studios, living space, and | | | | different, or perhaps additional pieces for gifts, you |
| finally shops and galleries out of the mellow brick | | | | can usually make arrangements. |
| buildings. Many members from this flourishing arts | | | | At the Antiques market, look for sets of delicate |
| community exhibit their creations at SoWa, which | | | | antique china, mid-century furniture, Art Deco |
| also features the work of other artisans throughout | | | | objects, and vintage clothing. You'll also find paintings, |
| New England. | | | | plus antique and collectible books. |
| Every Sunday, a sea of white tents transforms the | | | | A favorite corner of SoWa Open Market is the area |
| large parking lot on Harrison Ave in SoWa where the | | | | where local farmers and artisan bakeries display their |
| market takes place. Over 140 artisans and 50 | | | | bounty. Juicy summer fruits and berries glisten like |
| antiques and collectibles vendors exhibit every week. | | | | jewels. As the summer goes on, incredible heirloom |
| Vendors and artisans change weekly, so you never | | | | tomatoes and fresh-picked corn begin to appear. |
| know what you're going to find. And when you find | | | | You'll also find mouth-watering local cheeses such as |
| something that you love, you should buy it | | | | chevre and smoked mozzarella. Buy a nice selection |
| immediately since you never know if the artisan will | | | | of these irresistible goodies, and you won't have to |
| be back the next week. (I learned this lesson the | | | | wonder what to have for dinner. |