Artist interview with Jill Winitzer

Jill Winitzer is a local designer featured in our store. She makes the most amazing blankets. They are colorful and bright and I fall in love with each row of yarn.

We asked her a few questions about herself and her craft.

Read on!

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I live in Brookline and have 2 college age kids, a dog and a husband. I studied Graphic Design at Simmons College and my first job was at the Boston Phoenix, a fabulous place to work! I have been involved in the PTO at Devotion School and Brookline High School. Many of my days have been spent watching baseball, football, soccer, field hockey, basketball, softball games and at track meets that my kids have participated in since pre school.

Tell us about what you are selling at Tiny Hanger.

Colorful hand knit baby blankets and snuggly neck warmers. The blankets are made from a variety of natural and man made yarns making a blend of gorgeous, deep colors. The neck warmers come in two sizes for a mommy and me look. They are warm on a cold day, and cannot be lost as they pull over the head.

What made you decide to start knitting?

I started knitting sweaters for myself after college. After my first kid was born I only wore machine washable clothes to keep up with all that spit up! I started knitting again when my son was in the 3rd grade and started football practices in the next town over. I needed something to do while sitting for a few hours, and found very cool novelty yarns and started making scarves. Scarves evolved into afghans, baby blankets, neck warmers and now into infinity scarves.

Who taught you to knit? How about the glass/paper?

I must have learned from watching my mother knit. (Her mother also knit incredible sweaters). I also remember a class I took at the MFA when I was in elementary school. I can picture a tile with various paper that I applied--that is what started me on the glassware.

Do you make other things?

I now do a line of house wares: glasswares decorated with paper. Vases, serving plates and bowls, coasters, switch plate covers. (WinitzerDesign on facebook, or www.WinitzerDesign.com)

What inspires you to make your creations/collection?

I love searching for yarn. Wherever I go, I look for yarn stores. I have found stores near each of my kid’s colleges in Maryland and Wisconsin! Finding new yarn is great. I branched out to the glassware to create other useful products that were fun to make while always thinking about color.

How would you describe your style?

Functional and creative, with color. One of a kind. Creating things people need!

Do you do this full time or in addition to other things?

I also design books (yes, books are still being published!) and I recently designed a cookbook.

Any words of advice or inspiration for aspiring designers?

Do what you love, and see where it evolves. I found that new products are always good to think about and create to increase your audience.

Craft Fair in Brookline on Sunday

If you are out and about Sunday and looking to find some unique, hand made holiday gifts, come by the craft fair at 16 Copley St. for some locally made goods. There will be a couple of us Tiny Hanger gals there selling our wears. Kara Lynn with her hand made trapper hats and mittens, as well as Jill with her super cozy knitted wears and glassware. I heard there is also going to be an excellent baker with some yummy homemade muffins! Come on by and check out the goods.

Sunday December 11, 1-5pm @ 16 Copley Street, Brookline

Finding the Perfect Holiday Gift

So every year I go through this....holiday shopping stress. I always sit down and make a list of what I plan on getting my loved ones. I come up with a list that normally includes some store bought items as well as, since I am an avid crafter, some home made items. I also usually end up making this list after Thanksgiving, because that is when the holiday season becomes real, which is much too late to possibly make or find everything on my long list. About three weeks before the holiday I usually rewrite my list to a more realistic showing of what I can create and source. I did this yesterday and am happy with what I ended up with. To help complete this list, I am including the unique gifts we are making at our weekly craft classes in the store.  Tonight we are making Terrariums! I am very excited about creating a tiny world to personalize and give to my friend who may not have the greenest of thumbs but will certainly love a terrarium to care for. They require little effort but make a great statement piece in any room.

Join us here at Tiny Hanger for our Terrarium making tutorial this evening at 6:45 to create your own tiny world to give to someone special!

Also, Friday afternoon we are designing/decorating tote bags! Totes make a useful, stylish gift or a personalized accessory for yourself.

I am feeling good about crossing gifts off my list and having a great time crafting with the neighborhood residents.

Monkey Shine

Monkey Shine sock monkeys are here! These adorable little sock monkeys are now at Tiny Hanger. They are locally designed and made in the U.S. They each have their own name and personality. I just love the colors and patterns. They are soft and cuddley too!

Many folks have been stopping by the shop today looking for the perfect gift for little ones. We have put together some gift ideas for a range of prices. Come check out our monkeys and our gift ideas!

Potato Printing

Last Tuesday we hosted a potato printing session here in the store. Kara led the process and the rompers ended up sooooo cute! We cut out the shapes on the potatoes in advance and had plenty to choose from to create some adorable critters, holiday themes and unique designs. Our Tiny Outings are a lot of fun and we hope to see more of you here this Friday when we have a beginners' knitting tutorial. If you are an experienced knitter you are welcome to bring your current project and knit with us as well. We are hosting craft classes and meet ups Wednesday evenings and Friday mornings this month. You can check out the events on our facebook page. Come craft with us!

Black Friday Sale!

Well, Black Friday is right around the corner. After eating a feast and spending time with our loved ones, it is time to get ready for the next holiday. At Tiny Hanger we are doing our best to help make shopping for your little ones easier by offering 20% off from 10-1pm on Friday November 25 as well as all day sales on select items. We wish you a very happy Thanksgiving and hope to see you all Friday!

Handmade Winter Trapper Hats

Tiny Hanger is proud to present Kara Lynn Design's new line of winter trapper hats! They are warm, cozy and stylish. Kara Lynn is a local designer residing in Dorchester who makes all of her hand crafted goods with love and care. These hats come in a variety of color variations and sizes 18 months to 7 years old. ( My favorite is the purple plaid flannel with wooden star buttons ) They are completely hand made down to the crocheted strings and pompoms! I just love these adorable hats and I know you will too! Come on down to Tiny Hanger and check 'em out. It's getting cold out there tonight.....keep your little ones warm and cozy!

Ryder and James is Here!

We have the most adorable plaid flannel shirt dress I have ever seen! I'll be honest, I wish that Ryder and James made adult clothing. I can't get over how cute and cozy the leggings are. We also received a gorgeous white faux fur bolero shrug. It is a perfect companion to a holiday dress.

Come down to Tiny Hanger and check out Ryder and James!

First Lights Brookline

We are so excited for First Lights Brookline this year. First Lights Celebration is this Thursday the 17th 5-8pm.

Each year we head over to Coolidge Corner to enjoy in the festivities from, meeting characters like Elmo to searching all over for the hidden snowflakes to wonderful music.

This year we get to celebrate in a new way, as hosts to First Lights Brookline events!

There will be so much to do. We will have face painting, giveaways, the snowflake hidden contest, Meet the Tiger (not a real one, sorry) and the student run a capella group Note-a fy.

http://www.brooklinema.gov/firstlight/

Check the link for the schedule and event details!

Redfish Kids

We have a beautiful line of party dresses for every occasion. Redfish Kids is a company started by two mothers in Canada who design gorgeous, unique clothing that can be perfect for a "dressy" occasion but also comfortable for your little one. They are all made of cotton and easily washable. Redfish Kids has a very modern, elegant aesthetic that will make your little girl feel like the belle of the ball!

This "New Market Dress" is a great Thanksgiving day dress worn over a long sleeve black top with tights.

Come on in to Tiny Hanger in Brookline and check 'em out!

Lots of unique kids clothing

We keep hearing how much people love the lines we carry. People love the colorful clothing we have and so many people appreciate seeing the unique kids clothing in the store.

We are so happy everyone is noticing this as that is one reason we really wanted to open the this store!

We have searched high and low to find unique, cool and cute kids clothing.

Several of our lines are hand made and one of a kind. Some are small lines made by moms and dads. And some are larger international lines that are new to the area.

Whichever line you look at we hope you find something special for the special little one in your life.

Book Binding Tutorial

So here at Tiny Hanger we had a great book binding tutorial! Kara gave a nice introductory tutorial to book binding and inspired those in attendance to expand on the basics they learned and create some great gifts for the holidays. It is easier than you may think to make a beautiful keepsake such as a baby book, photo album or journal. Everyone likes a handmade gift that is made with love. Even the babies had a great time at Tiny Hanger while their caretakers got some craft time in.

Looking for things to do?

This Tuesday we will be potato printing on rompers or tee shirts.

Come join us and get you craft time in! We hope to see you here at 11 am Tuesday.

Please call or stop by to sign up and order your romper or tee shirt.

Get Crafty!

Join us at Tiny Hanger tomorrow, Thursday November 10, for a Japanese Stab Bookbinding tutorial.

We will be taking you through the steps of making a book of your choice like the ones shown here made by Vanilla Joy. You can make a photo album, journal, or baby book. This method of bookbinding is not intimidating, for those of you are not constant crafters. They make a great keepsake or gift as well a functional notebook for you to jot down notes or make your to do lists. You can make the book unique by adding decorative papers, stamps, photos etc. It is an opportunity to make a baby book that you have actually constructed for the little one in your life. I enjoy the feeling of completing a project and having a tangible product that I can have forever.

We are beginning at 11 am and will be done by 12 pm. Feel free to bring your baby and get in some crafting time for yourself.

Stop by Tiny Hanger at 14 Pleasant St. or call us at 617-487-5501 to sign up. There will be a fee for supplies. We will have everything you need but feel free to bring any photos, paper, stamps etc. that you would like to use.

Let's get crafty!!!!

Seven Smooches in Brookline

Today is a beautiful day! So come on out and enjoy the weather!

We all know that this won't last long however and Winter is just around the corner. So here at Tiny Hanger we are gearing up for those bitter cold days with some adorable handmade sweaters to keep your little one warm and cozy. We have some gorgeous kimono style sweaters from Seven Smooches. They are made from once loved sweaters that have been felted and trimmed to be beautiful, snuggly, go-to pieces for the winter. We carry them in sizes 18 months up to 8 years old for boys and girls. They really are a must have for blustery days. Come down to Tiny Hanger and check 'em out!

I confess.

I confess.

I am addicted to the frou frou drink.

I have always been a coffee, half and half, no sugar type of coffee drinker. Every day. One cup in the morning (ok, more than that each morning since having a child). That's it. No frou.

Enter my friend, JML.

At some point she introduced me to the mid-day, soy chai latte. I had one and it was love. I used to only have one every few days when I was a stay at home mom but now, right by the Tiny Hanger is a coffee shop and it has become as habit to have one of these as my afternoon pick me up.

I have even added a friend to the repertoire, the soy pumpkin spice latte. The coffee shop was out of chai so they introduced me to this and I am again in love.

No whipped cream, please. Who needs the extra calories!

Anyway, I am just sitting here enjoying the pumpkin spice latte (thanks Molly!) and feeling pretty happy.

Let's Make a Terrarium!

Join us at Tiny Hanger to

make your very own Terrarium!

We invite you to come by Tiny Hanger on Tuesday December 6 to make your own unique terrarium. We will provide everything you need but you are welcome to bring along any accessories you would like to add to personalize it and make it your own! Some ideas are: children's toys, photos, jewelry, statues, game pieces etc. The possibilities are endless! Terrariums are a tiny little world that you can create to brighten up your big world and add life to your home. They also make great gifts! So bring your green thumb and creativity to

Tiny Hanger

14 Pleasant St.

Brookline MA

on December 6 from 6:45-8pm

for some Terrarium making Fun!

There will be a fee for this class due to supplies needed.

Please sign up in advance at Tiny Hanger or call 617-487-5501

to claim your spot and ensure that we have plenty of supplies.

Story Time @ Tiny Hanger

Stop by Tiny Hanger on Monday, November 7 11:30-12pmwith your little one to have Story Time with us. We will be reading some classic favorites and exciting new stories that will be sure to entertain one and all!

This is the first of our Monday Story Time series so drop in any Monday

at Tiny Hanger for a story or two!

OUR FIRST "CRAFTING PARENTS" THURSDAY!

Would you like to learn to knit?

Are you a knitter looking to meet some neighborhood parents?

Come Knit With Us!

Thursday November 3 from 11-12pm we will be hosting a beginners' basics knitting class. Experienced knitters are welcome to join as well as those looking to learn the basics. You will learn how to cast on and how to create a knit stitch to get you on your way to crafting a beautiful scarf!

This is the first of our weekly craft classes/meet ups to be held every Thursday from 11-12. We hope to give parents an opportunity to release their creativity, meet other parents and get out and about on Thursday afternoons.

Anyone is welcome to drop in if you have your supplies. If you are in need of yarn and needles, please sign up on facebook, at Tiny Hanger, 14 Pleasant St. Brookline, or call us at 617-487-5501.

Community Photo Project

We have had a great time hanging with Roberto Farren Photography who has been taking amazing portraits of people in the community and visitors to the Tiny Hanger. Soon we will be creating a major photo collage and covering the windows of the empty store around us. A must see when in the Coolidge Corner area.

What do you think so far?

Grand Opening celebration!

Jill, Kara, Lucia, Olive and Celeste on opening night (photo by Brookline HUB).

Thank you all to the fantastic folks who came to welcome us to Coolidge Corner for our Grand Opening last weekend. We are overwhelmed with the super-warm welcome our neighbors have given us. It's just fantastic to be part of this community.

Thank you to Harvey and everyone at the Brookline HUB stopping by the celebration, and for their kind words help in better connecting us to our Coolidge Corner community. We're so very happy to be part of all of the fun and bussle that happens here!

Take a peek at more images of our Grand Opening in the HUB.

 

Brookline HUB celebrates revitalization of Pleasant Street

New Life Breathed Into Pleasant Street Block: Tiny Hanger Opens Its Doors

FRIDAY, 14 OCTOBER 2011 12:53

Walking east on Beacon Street from the Beacon/Harvard Street intersection that is the nexus of Coolidge Corner, a left on Pleasant Street will land you right in front of Boca Grande Taqueria and Jerusalem Pita and Grill—still an active area in the neighborhood. Going one street number down, however, one finds several storefronts in disrepair.

The building containing numbers 10-18 Pleasant Street (Jerusalem Pita and Grill is the closest to Beacon Street) with seven storefronts in all, is especially desolate at night; a recent break-in at the corner location where the Brookline Superette convenience store is situated is evidence of that. During the day, the Coolidge Corner branch library, a bit further down Pleasant on the opposite side of the street, is a source of foot-traffic.

As reported by BrooklineHub.com in June, in an article and editorial, enticing people to frequent this section of Pleasant Street is not a problem, as many residents have taken notice of the area's issues. This is especially true over the last few years as storefronts have been vacated. Residents have, as a result, urged Brookline to get the building’s owners to reinvigorate the property.

One address in the building, however, recently saw the opening of a new business, proving headway can be made with the owners and that they are very interested in renting and beautifying the spaces. This new business is Tiny Hanger. I stopped as they prepared for their grand opening. Headed by owner Lucia Berman-Rossi, Tiny Hanger is a children’s clothing and gift boutique for youngsters 0-6 years-old. She told me she has been in the store for a month prepping and known since January that the prospect of her business being there was real. Since then, she really pushed to get the lease from the landlord and their lawyer. Once the attorney stepped in, the process moved much faster with his assistance. When asked about the initial effort to discuss renting 14 Pleasant Street, she commented with a smile, “It was hard, as everyone knows. It’s a process.”

Ms. Berman-Rossi, a Cambridge resident who has lived in the area since the 1990s, said she had the idea for the store for about three years (when she first spoke to the owners about renting). The idea behind it occurred to her, a social worker by training, as she and her husband looked for clothes for their daughter and saw the only the same, limited number of brands available in stores. They wanted to bring new brands to the area and offer something really different.

Tiny Hanger, Ms. Berman-Rossi’s first business, is populated with products made locally by merchants without brick and mortar storefronts as well as international boutique lines of children’s apparel that have been around longer.

As an example, she pointed out baby shoes hanging next to the register. All pairs were packaged in clear plastic and one set featured the recycle symbol on the instep. Though the packaging is professional, Ms. Berman-Rossi said, the shoes were made locally.

She also noted that, throughout the store’s “moving-in” process over the last month, numerous people stopped by the open-doored store to express enthusiasm that a new business was opening. Some even asked for the owner’s phone number for renting purposes. The market for renting the rest of the addresses in the building is, as a result, strong, Ms. Berman-Rossi stating that the landlords just need to say they’re “ready to rent them,” and businesses would respond.

Asked why customers should stop by her store, Ms. Berman-Rossi cited the hand-picked unique inventory in Tiny Hanger. Also, she said the clothing and décor of the boutique would appeal to adults (the aforementioned recycle-symbol baby boots are an example) coming in to shop for children. With the grand opening under their bely, Tiny Hanger looks to be a prime place to find clothes for the tiny people in your life, and a continuation in the effort to spruce up one corner of Coolidge Corner.

by Andrew Palmaccihttp://www.coolidgecornerhub.com/

Roberto Farren Photography Pleasant Street Portraits Project