It feels like summer is just about over, despite what the calendar claims. The exodus of August visitors leaves the streets of Bar Harbor feeling somewhat quiet, if not deserted. Here at Spruce & Gussy we are grateful to have two back-to-back events that happen after the exhale that is Labor Day weekend. Ever the party girls, we welcome the opportunity to celebrate the arts, fashion, and some of our favorite people with Fashion Night Out and the first Friday Art Walk of September.

On Thursday, September 5th, from 6 to 10 pm, the streets of Bar Harbor will be alight and alive with the energy that is Fashion Night Out. 32 of the finest shops, galleries and restaurants in Bar Harbor will be offering fun, free events. On our block alone, alongside the Village Green, you can watch potters at work, take a dance lesson, go for a carriage ride, or watch a belly dance performance. Here at Spruce & Gussy we’ll be featuring one of our favorite Maine jewelers, Jennifer Atkins Lisa of Quench Metalworks.

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Sparkling gemstones set in handmade sterling rings

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Colorful cabachons in simply lovely rings

Jen sets vintage buttons, handmade porcelain cabachons, tiny antique doll arms, and gemstones in silver and gold; her designs feature sparkle, color, and hand stitched embroidery.

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A tiny antique doll arm in a silver sleeve with gold accents. Delightfully creepy!

As always, we’ll have our homemade snacks and festive champagne punch. We’ll be all gussied up, so come visit!

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Julie’s gorgeous yarns are saturated with brilliant color

On Friday, September 6th, from 6 to 9 pm, our dear friend Julie Havener joins us to spin yarns (literally), and talk about her fiber craft. Julie is a multi-talented artist, as comfortable at a metalsmithing bench as at a pottery wheel, but tonight she will be showcasing her first craft love, fiber.

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Her hats are a bold burst of color and texture

She will have skeins of gorgeous yarn, handmade hats, and some of her lovely handsewn bags, which are perfect for toting your own fiber projects. We will augment her offerings with other Maine fibers and fiber goods, including Good Karma yarn, Starcroft felting and spinning fibers, and lovely cards and felted bags by Spruce & Gussy co-owner Michelle. We’ll look forward to seeing you later this week!