FBM Spring Maker’s Market

Posted on by

Part of my job as a professional photographer is to capture events in my community of Owego and Apalachin, New York. I find myself in some really interesting happenings taking on this responsibility and this weekend is no different at Farmer Browns Spring Maker’s Market.

http://www.farmerbrownsmarket.com

Once a Season, FBM opens their doors to local artisans, vendors and food trucks for a 2 day celebration of holidays, themes and colors of that Season. Featured here are Spot Girl Designs, a watercolor artist whose childlike flair attracts children and adults refusing to “grow up,” DePueWelding a welding duo specializing in outdoor garden decor, camping specialties and custom-designed iron signs; and lastly B and B Well wellness who centers their focus on Elderberry products for boosting immunity and health.

click the links above to learn more about each artisan

Moving along the row of 10×10 tents, I found Lavendel Fields, local grower who makes all kinds of products ONLY from lavender and Sam Haines Delights who creates 3 new candle scents per month and 4 new soaps a season. I was enthralled listening to her talk about how community events influence her next series of products. June’s Strawberry Fest in downtown Owego struck her imagination to whip up 3 new strawberry flavors that literally look edible even though I know they’re soap. A dynamic team of 3 woman collaborated to present Hygge Home and Horse Krazy Designs featuring cozy home decor, unique jewelry from bullets and adorable bandanas for dogs. To round off that section of vendors, I found Mischief Exotic Studio, who specialized in wood crafted earnings and so much more. It’s impossible to show off all the vendors in one post – you must take a peak yourself on this sunny Sunday. The Maker’s Market hours are 10 – 4pm with Sugar N Smoke food truck today only.

One thing to note about this festive Marketplace, whether they’re celebrating an event or just hosting a food truck like Pit Stop Popcorn for the weekend, the staff is like no other you will encounter. Take a peak at Custom Planter & Display Extraordinaire, Adam Coney taking pride in his perfectly stacked garden soil for your ease of shopping! He’s the face behind every display at FBM and now you might understand the type of pride that goes into showing off a pansy or a petunia “the right way!”

http://www.thecameraseye.biz

For additional information, check any of the links throughout this post or shoot on over to http://www.farmerbrownsmarketplace.com Happy Sunday Folks = )

The Local Lens – Local Utopia

Posted on by

This week’s highlighted business couldn’t be more appropriate for shining the lens of The Camera’s Eye!

Local Utopia, located at 32 Lake St in the downtown, historic Owego Marketplace embodies the concept of LOCAL. Liz Skovira, moved back to her hometown of Owego after being displaced from her NYC job during Covid. Inspiration struck while binge watching Schitt’s Creek with her mom during quarantine. She wanted to create a store that could highlight smaller, local businesses that don’t have brick and mortar shops… and that is exactly what she did!

Filled with well over 90% local, hand-made products, Liz’s gift shop has two simple concepts; Waste Free & Chemical Free. Currently, the product focus is Homegoods: candles, teas, kitchenware, coffee, body scrubs, skincare, but she’s ever evolving so if you’re this type of artisan or manufacturer, Local Utopia is your showcase.

Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 to 5, you can find Miss Skovira working away behind the desk. A confessed Shop-a-holic, ordering and inventory is anything but a chore for her.

The best part of popping in to check out the vendors within? Liz knows the skinny on each one and is more than happy to share their story, location and how the product(s) are made.

Think about the concept behind this Gift Shop with me for a moment… you’re walking into one store filled with products for your home or body created by manufactures with a passion for saving the environment or keeping chemicals off your skin or out of your blood stream curated by a woman who can tell you anything you want to know about the manufacturing process. No wondering, “what’s in this?” No trying to grab your glasses or your magnification app on your mobile to see the tinsy tiny print on the back of the label. No… you just turn and ask, “Hey Liz, who made this and what’s the process behind it?” Outstandingly Brilliant!

To shop online or for more information, check the web at Local Utopia, call 1 570-731-0373, or send Liz a direct message at localutopia607@gmail.com. Thanks again for reading the Local Lens. This week’s find is a true treasure and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Know a business that’s in need of recognition post Covid or that simply has a lovely concept? Leave a reply on the Blog and I’ll be sure to check it out!

The Local Lens – Hygge Home, Owego NY

Posted on by

This week’s featured small business is an absolutely adorable find nestled in the Historic District of Owego, NY. Hygge Home is not only a downtown shop, it’s a way of living for owner, business woman and mother, Mandy Neira.

While reading a book about familial relationships worldwide, she stumbled upon the Danish concept, Hygge pronounced “hyoo·guh,” meaning Cozy. Completely inspired by the concept, she visited the Scandinavian countries of Sweden and Denmark and fell in love with the lifestyle and the people embracing it.

Mandy tested the concept in a small kiosk, a natural fit for the quaint town of Owego, NY and within a year, moved into a bigger space with much more inventory at 185 Front Street. Before getting one foot in the store that’s enticing you to enter with the scent of aromatherapy, you’re reminded of the concept of Cozy stamped on the concrete doorstep. It’s as if little Gnomes are wafting the scent beneath your nose and fairies are tugging your clothing to enter.

Once inside, there’s an instant feeling of calm wrapped up in an incredible visual of unique de’cor items designed to create a cozy sanctuary within your home.

Every corner is deliberately arranged with concept of creating a cozy, loving, nurturing environment for you, your family – even your pets! Creating a feeling of complete calm; scented candles, essential oils and Palo Santo are intricately displayed in every corner while blankets, pillows, journals and mugs adorn the furniture begging you to “sit a while.”

With so much technology and overwhelming social media in our lives, Mandy believes “we need to disconnect and focus on simplicity and connection with those we Love.”

Another of Mandy’s passionate thoughts is “to create a special place where people can enjoy the moment with peace, relaxation and laughter – a place to host friends, read, journal and find stillness for their well being.” She leaves nothing out when stocking the store with Hygge Home products – there’s even a section designated for entertaining family and friends.

If you haven’t ventured into this shop yet, it’s a must see! Your husband might not be thrilled, but you will definitely leave with an entirely new outlook on decorating your Home. Open Wednesday through Saturday 11- 5pm and Sunday 11- 3pm, Mandy will be there with a warm smile on her face to greet you!

Owego Custom Planting Auction This Week!

Posted on by
As the owner of The Camera’s Eye, I find networking with business owners vital to thriving in small upstate NY!  Last week, I shared my love of gardening with the owners of the soon-to-open Belva Lockwood Inn and scored a fun gardening project that exploded with creativity and opportunity for two other local shops! Read through to learn how THIS WEEK you can own a piece of our project and support The United Way at the same time 🙂
Belva Lockwood Inn by The Camera's Eye, Owego NY
Locals Julie and Ike Loveless purchased a dilapidated building at 249 Front St. Owego, NY and gained more than they bargained for with both a spot on the hit HGTV television show House Hunters AND a striking piece of history from the 1800s.

Belva Lockwood Inn by The Camera's Eye, Owego NY

When Julie asked me to “fancy up” the half-torn-down porch for an official tour by travel bloggers converging for an international TBEX conference in Corning NY, I was “game on!” I drew in Logan Keeney, the new owner of Farmer Brown’s Marketplace, not only because his flowers adorn my property; his brother-in-law designer, Adam Coney, also created a stunning arrangement across the street from my studio that I used as a photo backdrop all summer!

Belva Lockwood Inn by The Camera's Eye, Owego NY

Adam wanted to incorporate a shabby chic style to match the re-purposing of the old house, so off I went to Rusty and Jewel to beg owner Lisa Bystrak for wares that could create the look Adam desired.

#belikebelva, #belvalockwoodinn, #owego, NY, #IloveNewYork, #hgtv, #TheCameraseye
Adam named the custom arrangements “A Cinderella Story” because they literally came to life in one night! The event went off fantastically, and construction at the Inn is now back in full force.  Logan and I can’t handle seeing the Cinderella arrangements become covered in deck stain and wood-working dust, so we’ve decided to auction them off on Facebook with proceeds benefiting the United Way! Bidding is Friday and Saturday, September 28th and 29th – check out our sneak peaks all week!
#myflextbex, #belikebelva, #belvalockwoodinn, #owego, NY, #IloveNewYork, #TheCameraseye
Belva Lockwood Inn by The Camera's Eye, Owego NY

Meet Jeff Turney of Lone Ranger Antiques!

Posted on by

So I already featured some of the artisans I met at the Country Living Fair in Rhinebeck, but a few of them had such interesting stories that I needed MORE space for them! So meet Jeff Turney of Lone Ranger Antiques in Florida!

Jeff specializes in antique Swedish furniture. Here are some of his wares on display at the Country Living Fair:

CLFair009
CLFair003 CLFair008 CLFair007 CLFair006 CLFair004

So, how does one get started in antique Swedish furniture? Jeff started visiting Sweden in 1986, when he was 21 and especially interested in Swedish girls um, culture. While waiting in line for ice cream at Kings Garden in Stockholm, he got chatting with an American guy and a Swedish woman. They bought him some ice cream – his Swedish language skills being non-existent – and they sat down to start chatting.

The American guy offered Jeff a job so that he could continue living in Sweden. The couple then invited Jeff to spend the weekend with them at their country farm house. Right across the road was an Estate Auction sign. All that Jeff bought was a box of old wooden tools for $2, but that was all it took – he was totally hooked. See Jeff’s own photos for proof:

12-21-2008_009 12-21-2008_071 old08[1]

Today, he owns his OWN Swedish country house, and spends summers in-country buying up items from estate auctions like an unstoppable force.

He has spent nearly three decades making the trip to Sweden each year, and frequently hears from customers that “there must be nothing left in Sweden.” He actually finds that with the popularity of IKEA and other modern, cheap options, there’s not a whole lot of demand for the type of antiques and collectibles he finds, and he never has trouble scooping them up and bringing them home.
IMG_20150625_161136nopm

In fact, the items he’s after are frequently called “Mors Mors Skit” by the Swedish. “Mors Mors” is “grandmother” and “Skit” is, well, just one letter different than its English translation. I can say that his wares are WAY better than that term implies 🙂

Jeff does four shows each year –  the Brimfield Antique show in Massachusetts (summer and fall) and the Round Top Antiques Fair in Texas (next show starting September 28th, 2015).

Jeff is the one on the right, FYI.

Jeff is the one on the right, FYI.