TWIG AND THREAD

Atomic Tom’s is a small gallery space in the heart of downtown Binghamton, right in the middle of State Street’s Artists’ Row. Since February and until May of this year it’s hosting a pop-up weekend marketplace called Twig and Thread, a collection of local artists, artisans and entrepreneurs selling their unique and handmade crafts to anyone and everyone who’s interested in checking it out.

There are five vendors featured: The Blue Egg (blueeggvintage.com), specializing in vintage clothing and furniture; Mimi Sprague’s Wendy Willow Farms, featuring antiques and unique decorative items; Michelle Irene (michelleirene.com), specializing in handmade themed accessories such as handbags; Basketcase Soaps (thebasketcasesoapco.com), purveyor of local, natural body products; and Steven Reid, a metalsmith who pieces together industrial furniture and home accents from recycled materials.

These artists have been around for quite a while and have a local following. Michelle Irene, notably, has a contract with the television-shopping channel QVC. According to Sherrie Rinker, one of the main organizers of Twig and Thread, Steven Reid’s metalworks is a regular crowd magnet as well. Despite their dedicated following, Twig and Thread wants to encourage more people to come take a gander at the marketplace and its offerings.

It’s a small gesture on anyone’s part, but the benefits of shopping in local, artsy places like Twig and Thread add up consequently to a bigger payoff. Not only are people getting involved in the local arts scene- they are also doing their part to stimulate the local economy, while getting a completely unique piece of art with way more character than anything from a big-box store.

Binghamton now is noticeably different from the Binghamton of even a few years ago. “Five years ago was awful,” says Rinker, a Binghamton area native and lifelong resident. A few years ago, a drive around the city would yield sights of boarded up windows from closed-down businesses and just an all-around impression of blight. Now that the city is on the up-and-up, more local businesses are opening up and hopefully booming. It’s becoming a city to not only live, but thrive in.

Those interested in checking Twig and Thread out would be delighted to know that they offer wine and coffee during the weekends that the marketplace is open. They accept cash and credit cards, so you really would have to dig deep for an excuse not to check this place out. Once May comes around, Tom’s business kicks up for a summer of various events, which is why Twig and Thread is only going to be around until then. After May, the next time one could expect to see this pop-up marketplace pop back up again would be during the holiday season, at the earliest.

Since the emphasis is on promoting and getting involved with the local community, Rinker says that any local artist or business is welcome to inquire about participating or being featured in the marketplace.

Twig and Thread is ongoing every weekend until May. Their hours are Thursdays from 4pm to 7pm, Fridays from 11am to 7pm and Saturdays from 11am to 3pm. Atomic Tom’s can be found on 196 State Street in Binghamton. Those interested can learn more from their Facebook page at facebook.com/twigandthread or by calling (607) 349-7948.