Fourth-year vendor Tam Helmin creates her XO Handworks goods from a home studio in Osseo, Minn. The junking gospel according to Tam:
Her metier: Employs vintage maps, dictionaries, game pieces and other ephemera to make jewelry and accessories.
She loves: To make stuff, to be her own boss and set her own schedule.
Best piece she brings to the Bonanza: Something, usually a map pendant or keychain, that speaks to the memories of a special time. “I love to hear people tell about how their heart is connected to a specific place and share the enjoyment of having a piece that is so satisfying to them.”
Bringing this year: More Nancy Drew pendants.
Best junking find: “My wedding ring, at an antique show 24 years ago.”
Funniest Bonanza memory: Ki and Jane passing out candles when power was lost in Medina.
Indispensible tool: Fiskars scissors.
No one would guess: “I used to help on my Dad’s car racing crew and once drove 100 mph down an empty Texas road. Now I almost always use cruise control to make sure I don’t drive too fast.”
We hope you obey all pertinent traffic laws in your sprint to get to the Junk Bonanza!
Kim
Cool stuff and I love the map for display – perfect!
Jan