DAYLIGHT SAVINGS

Shopping can be about as appealing as a trip to the dentist: torturous, prolonged and never actually necessary. Fortunately, the local artisans of SoWa have put the excitement back into supply and demand, serving as shining examples of how to make a hobby into a profession. SoWa not only helps to broaden your horizons when it comes to all things homemade or refurbished, but may very well restore your faith in humanity. Here are a few of our favorite vendors that will be representing miscellany all summer long.

INDOOR VINTAGE MARKET

Painted Pretty Furniture

With a vast collection of anachronistic novelties, Kerry Draicchio of Painted Pretty makes the neighborhood antique dealer seem like a rank amateur. As a division of LDM Painting & Decorating Solutions, Draicchio recycles, refreshes and renews rundown furnishings. From vintage vanities, teacarts, bookcases, framed chalkboards, mirrors and side tables, she transforms them into timeless treasures. Our favorite piece is the Distressed French Grey Vanity and Chair ($385), a four-drawer pale, Victorian dresser with a three-piece mirror and understated, upholstered chair. [paintedprettyfurniture.blogspot.com]

Deconize Vintage

Ariana Paoletti is better known around town as DJ Volvox, but when she isn’t spinning at Middlesex, she’s creating original jewelry and collecting vintage artifacts. Her latest line of jewelry is provocative yet wearable, featuring materials she scored on a recent trip to Sao Paulo, Brazil. Paoletti’s favorite items at the moment are a pair of ‘80s Walter Steiger mossy beige suede heels with an architectural heel ($50) and a darling pair of Geoffrey Beene red satin and rainbow metallic leather stilettos ($56), equal parts festive and elegant. Imagine imitations of ‘80s and ‘90s retro mod looks, re-imagined as high quality originals. That thing you’re re-re-imagining? Chances are, Deconize has ‘em. [deconizestyle.com]

OUTDOOR OPEN MARKET

PARK Home Décor

Carlos Santiago has the whole NYC fashion scene thing in the bag. He’s worked alongside some of high end’s finest, the likes of Anna Sui, Marc Jacobs and Isaac Mizrahi and now he’s taking haute couture to home interiors. Utilizing his expertise in textiles, Santiago not only creates gorgeous decorative accent pillows, but he also allows his clients to choose the print and size, even offering to ship free swatches before a customer commits. Our favorites are the 18” x 18” Around the World pillow ($50) and the Vintage Multi Floral print pillow ($50). [etsy.com/carlossantiago]

Feather Fiend

Remember back when you used your dad’s fly-fishing bait as a hair accessory? No? Well, good time to start—thanks to our West Coast counterparts, the latest trend on the festival circuit is feather extensions. SoWa is the most recent victim of this bohemian vogue, with Feather Fiend setting up shop this summer to acquaint locals with the subtle yet vibrant alternatives to other drastic hair-related measures. Whether sprucing up a fishtail braid or a simple side part, feather extensions are left to the discretion of the individual, who may choose the color, placement and bulk of the strands as well as how to style them and when to take them out. [featherfiend.com]

[Every Sun, May-October. SoWa Open Market. 460 Harrison Ave., Boston. 800.403.8305. 10am-4pm/free. sowaopenmarket.com]