Roving Reporter: Cambridge Open Market

At a time when it’s totally plausible that millions of people are wearing the same faux-vintage, turquoise choker that was featured prominently in the Urban Outfitters window display, finding one-of-a-kind pieces that are unique and fashion forward is important. Luckily the Cambridge Open Market (the collection of vendors on the Science Center Plaza), which will be open Fridays from 11:30am – 5:30pm through October, features plenty of wares from handcrafted-jewelry vendors. This past Friday, the market was abuzz with shoppers and designers alike, as both students and local residents descended upon the Plaza for some good old-fashioned retail therapy.

This Roving Reporter took part in the fun and had the opportunity to meet some of the market's artists.

Erin Nelson, jewelry designer, Freebird Designs

Roving Reporter: What inspires you in the jewelry that you make?

Erin: Well, mostly the gemstones themselves. I don’t really start with an idea of what I want to make until I have the gems in my hand.

RR: Do you have a favorite gemstone?

Erin: I would say probably a stone called labradorite, which is a semi-precious stone, and it just has a lot of iridescent colors in it. So it looks different at different times of day and depending on what you wear, so it’s a little more interesting than the other stones.

RR: If you could pick only one of your pieces to wear, what would it be?

Erin: Probably one of the lockets. They have, on one side, a vintage postage stamp, usually a bird or butterfly, and on the other side an inspirational quote or reminder that you can have with you throughout the day.

Molly Kirkpatrick, vendor, SoWa Vintage Market

RR: How would describe your shop here?

Molly: An eclectic mix, they’re all vintage finds. We like art, and a little bit of everything to try to appeal to most people. We like things that are a little weird, things you don’t see every day.

RR: Do you have a favorite item that you sell here?

Molly: I love our art! I love paintings, I love Expressionism…

RR: If you could wear one piece of statement jewelry, what would it be?

Molly: Well, I have to say probably like a cool belly chain. A skinny gold one.

RR: Haven’t heard that one before! Exotic.

Heather DeSimone, jewelry designer, Leetie Lovendale

RR: How would you describe your product?

Heather: It’s actually not only vintage-inspired, but vintage-based because I cleaned out a warehouse of about 40,000 pounds of jewelry components that were made in the '60s or early '80s, so all the jewelry is new, but with old parts.

RR: How do you like having a shop here on the Plaza?

Heather: It’s been great! This market is very energetic and vibrant, lots of young people but also lots of older people as well, so it’s been a really great group of people. This is only my third market here, but it’s been very good.

RR: If you could pick one—just one—item of jewelry to wear, what would it be?

Heather: A pair of big, bold hoops!