8 minute read
KESTREL
! HOPE TREMBLAY NATE BLAIS
Eliza Jane Bradley, owner of Kestrel in Northampton, is thrilled to celebrate her shop’s 10-year anniversary in 2022 in the town where it all started.
Bradley started her career in Northampton, working at Roz’s vintage clothing shop. When the owners took her to a trade show in New York City, she was hooked on fashion. Bradley moved to Colorado where she was a buyer for Buffalo Exchange, then enrolled in the Art Institute for Fashion Design in San Francisco.
Throughout her career, Bradley yearned for her own store.
“My entrepreneurial interest continued to grow and the seed of having my own shop ‘in the future someday’ was planted,” Bradley said.
After college she worked for two independent children’s clothing brands.
“I learned from working in small businesses that one must be able to wear many hats,” she said. “I worked in product development plus design, managing wholesale accounts, graphic design, e-commerce and helped open a small retail shop in San Francisco’s Mission District.
“The work was diverse, challenging, and I learned a lot, but I was ready for a change. I kept coming back to the idea of working for myself and wanted to make it happen.”
Bradley said she had no idea how to start so she took a 12-week intensive business development class.
“It was there that I really finetuned my vision, learned to write a proper business plan and, most importantly, gained the confidence to take the leap,” said Bradley.
Taking that leap was a bit easier close to home and she recalled how much she enjoyed her retail experience in Northampton.
“Growing up in western Massachusetts and knowing what a wonderful town Northampton is,
I knew it was where I wanted to be,” she said. “Many of the small independent shops that I grew up going to have been around for decades. The town has a deep appreciation for handmade craft and truly values the arts.”
Although Bradley’s career was in clothing for many years, she wanted to explore her love for home decorating and interior design in her own shop and said it’s impossible to live in California and not be inspired by all the incredible plants.
“The concept of the shop was brewing in my head and there was nothing quite like it in my hometown so it felt like the perfect place to do it,” she said. “I feel so grateful that it has resonated with people as much as it has. We truly have the best customers and having the shop has been a dream come true.”
Bradley’s California influence is obvious inside Kestrel, where there is a light and airy vibe.
“Always inspired by nature, I wanted to create a space that was light, warm and inviting with a modern organic atmosphere,” said Bradley. “I love to bring natural materials into the space and displays like reclaimed wood, tree branches, drift wood, concrete shelving and lots of lush plants, creating more of an experience when shopping. Many of our customers say that coming in to the shop makes them ‘just feel good,’ and they ‘just want to live inside the shop’ -- Best. Compliment. Ever.”
Bradley said curating the merchandise and the space is fun, and choosing the products is an intuitive
process. She has always loved art, design and gift giving, so she seeks out beautiful and unique products she thinks people will like either for themselves or to give as a special gift.
Most of the merchandise is handmade by independent artists and designers in the USA with a little bit from makers overseas. It’s an eclectic mix of ceramics, home decor, jewelry, textiles, kitchen goods, baskets, apothecary, books, candles, artwork, children’s items, seasonal local flowers and more.
The name Kestrel was after Bradley’s beloved late stepfather who was an avid falconer.
“We had many birds of prey over the years as I was growing up. From red-tailed hawks to peregrine falcons to a kestrel,” she said. “The hawks were heavy and a bit intimidating but I fell in love and formed a special bond with our kestrel named Little Wing.”
Plants, jewelry, and all things self-care are the most popular Kestrel products.
“With people staying home more during the pandemic we are finding people wanting to refresh their spaces with beautiful things -- anything to make time at home more peaceful and enjoyable,” said Bradley.
Houseplants continue to be popular.
“We’ve seen a surge of interest in big, leafy green foliage and trailing varieties,” she said. “Plants like philodendrons, pothos, monsteras -- which are notorious for their easy and forgiving nature. These fast growing houseplants are great for beginner or experienced plant lovers looking to add greenery to their home, dorm room, office -- or zoom back drop.”
In terms of jewelry trends, Bradley said it's been such a hard couple of years and she is noticing folks wanting to treat themselves or gift something that is memorable and lasting.
“We couldn't say more about self-care that hasn't already been said the last two years,” she added. “However, things that smell divine -- soaps, perfume, incense, candles - add to your atmosphere or help you turn-off for the day have been key for our customers this year and leading into the spring.”
Kestrel, 22 Masonic Street, Northampton is open Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Friday - Saturday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
15% OFF
with signed contract expires 4/30/22
Walkways | Patios | Retaining Walls | Outdoor Kitchens Firepits | Hardscape Lighting Spring Cleanup Weekly Mowing Design and Consultation Planting Flower Beds & Islands
STATUARY
5 Year Warranty on Hardscaping
Coming Soon!
146 South Road Enfield, CT SnSandTarnow.com (860) 749-8008
Open Mon-Sun 8-6
Are you ready to build your Dream Home?
3 Simple Reasons Why a Construction Loan with Stafford Savings Bank Will Save You Time and Money
• One Closing - We offer Construction to Permanent Financing • Standard Rates - We do not charge any interest rate premium for our construction to permanent loans • Rate Discount - We offer a Rate Discount for automatic payment from a SSB Checking or Now account.
Stafford Savings Bank
Main Office: 860-684-4261
Serving the towns of Stafford, Ellington, Union, Tolland, Ashford, Willington and Somers.
COOL STUFF JUST OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR AND ONLINE!
ANCHOR HOUSE OF ARTISTS
GALLERY SHOW BY PETER KNAPP
MARCH 5 – MARCH 30 - OPENING RECEPTION FRIDAY MARCH 11TH 6-8PM 518 PLEASANT STREET, GROUND FLOOR, NORTHAMPTON, MA
Peter Knapp, a 71-year-old artist from Sunderland Massachusetts (https:// www.peterknappart.com/), is having a large art exhibition in Galleries One, Two and Three at Anchor House of Artists in Northampton Massachusetts March 5th – March 30th with the theme “Healing ● Awakening ● Resolution”. Opening Reception is Friday March 11th 6-8pm. Show attendance is subject to current COVID-19 protocols. The artist’s work has confronted and portrayed issues with depression and anxiety, moved on to embrace and explore topics involving the community and humanity, and established a 3-part resolution to finish earlier work in his career, create a cohesive portfolio in a variety of media going forward, and continue to explore issues involving life, philosophy and the spiritual.
The Anchor House of Artists is located at 518 Pleasant Street ground floor, Northampton, Massachusetts and on the web at: AnchorHouseArtists.org ; Telephone: (413) 588-4337, Gallery Contact: Michael Tillyer
MAPLE SYRUP MAKING DEMO AT HILLTOP FARM IN SUFFIELD 69TH HOLYOKE ST. PATRICK’S PARADE
SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 2022 AT 11 AM – 2 PM 1616 MAPLETON AVENUE • SUFFIELD, CT 06078
Although maple sugaring may happen once a year, the sweet taste of maple syrup and sugar can be enjoyed year round. It is often a community event. The process of making maple sugar, or sugaring, starts with collecting the maple sap from the trees in late winter. Once the sap is collected and has been strained, it is time to boil. This is a long process because the boiling sap must be watched to prevent it from boiling over or burning. The general rule of thumb is that it takes approximately 40 gallons of sap to produce 1 gallon of syrup. The sap is mostly water and a large quantity of steam is produced in the reduction process. Once it reaches the desired density, the syrup is filtered for removal of sediments and then bottled. Sometimes the syrup is boiled down further to get maple sugar. If you would like to see the maple syrup making demo, join us at Hilltop Farm, Sunday, March 6 between 11:00am and 2pm. For more info: HilltopFarmSuffield.org
WATCH IN PERSON OR BROADCAST LIVE AT NOON ON WWLP-22NEWS
SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2022 STEP-OFF 11:10 A.M. FROM THE FORMER KMART PLAZA
The St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke is thrilled to announce that after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic, the 69th Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade will be held on Sunday, March 20th. In order to arrive at Holyoke High School in time for the noon broadcast, the Parade will step-off at approximately 11:10 a.m. from the former Kmart Plaza. Parade spectators who usually watch the event along Northampton Street will need to note the earlier start time. The parade’s website, www. holyokestpatricksparade.com, will provide all the details regarding the time change and parade route. In addition to the Parade on March 20th, the 45th St. Patrick’s Road Race will be held on Saturday, March 19th.
