our turkeys

BEST supports the Maryland Food Bank

With Thanksgiving and the holidays here, the members of BEST want to take the time to give a little something back to our community. Several members will be donating money from the sale of the their items to the Maryland Food Bank.
The Maryland Food Bank provides nearly 14 million pounds of food annually to 1,000 Network Partners - including food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, low-income day care centers, after-school programs, senior centers, rehabilitation centers, and other feeding programs. They supply food for over 50,000 Marylanders each week who otherwise would go hungry or not eat enough, including families with children, the elderly, the homeless, the homebound, low-income workers, the recently unemployed, and people with AIDS and other health problems. For every $1 contributed to the Maryland Food Bank, they are able to provide 3 meals to Maryland’s needy families and individuals.

From November 27th through December 11th, the following participating BEST members will be donating the following:

jenmenkhaus.etsy.com - 10% from entire store
jennyjen42.etsy.com - 10% from entire store
blockpartypress.etsy.com - 10% from entire store
RobotZ.etsy.com - 10% from the entire store
yonpli.etsy.com - 10% from the entire store
yummyandcompany.etsy.com-10% from entire store
spatherapyworks.etsy.com- 15% from all soap sales
threewheelsdesign.etsy.com - 10% from entire store
bennyandheidi.etsy.com- 10% from entire store
vwstudios.etsy.com - 10% from entire store
lulaandme.etsy.com- 2% of all sales from store and shows
elisasherejewelry.etsy.com - 10% of all earring sales
thebrokenplate.etsy.com - $5 from each sale of Holiday Theme Plates

Take some time to visit these fantastic Etsy shops, support handmade and know that when you make a purchase between Nov. 27- Dec. 11th, you will be helping to provide food and services to someone in need this holiday season.

Here are some other ways to support the MD Food Bank:

Make a direct monetary donation to the here:

Purchase and donate food through the Food Bank's “Virtual Food Drive”

Deliver the food directly to the Maryland Food Bank at 2200 Halethorpe Farms Road. Please call 410-737-8282 to arrange your delivery.

Volunteer Opportunities

Shop Local Baltimore!

Thank you, Baltimore Magazine, for this amazing holiday shopping issue! It's practically a directory of indie crafters in Charm City, and it is so gratifying to see all of our friends together in one slick looking mag. Get a copy now, before we buy them all up!

Holiday Shopping of the Visionary Kind At AVAM

I am looking forward to this Friday and Saturday's American Visionary Art Museum's Bazzart. Many of my crafty Baltimore friends from across Baltimore and the region will be selling. Proven to be one of the best holiday shows in town, this one is not to miss!

Friday Evening • November 28 • 5:30–8:30PM: Bazaart PREVIEW PARTY & SALE

An opportunity to get the first shot at the original creations by 50 regional artists and craftspeople prior to the Saturday Bazaart extravaganza. Spend a relaxing evening strolling among Bazaart artisans and their wares while nibbling light fare, and perhaps enjoying a beverage. Music TBA. Location: American Visionary Art Museum, Jim Rouse Visionary Center, 3rd Floor. Admission to Preview Party & Sale: $20 at the door.

Saturday • November 29 • 10AM-5PM: BAZAART: Artful Holiday ShoppingA Holiday Marketplace of original creations by 50 regional artists and craftspeople. Painting, sculpture, papercrafts, metalwork, jewelry, textiles, mixed media, and other work that simply defies categorization. FREE ENTRY. American Visionary Art Museum, Jim Rouse Visionary Center 3rd Floor

New Christmas Tree Pins, Plushie Vinyl Cuties

These little 3 inch vinyl cuties will be up in the shop and for sale at Merry Mart and Bazaart. Had too much making these!

Brown and Blue Upholstery Fabrics

These fabrics are each striking in their own way. All bold in their graphic nature, use on a focal piece for some really eye popping interest. Or, some interesting pillows using these fabrics would modernize sagging decor.

The colors are contemporary, the chenille is super soft. All great stuff;)

Keep checking back for interesting and durable high quality fabrics. I will be doing a fabric post weekly from now on. Lots of exciting colors and textures in store! And if you see something you like, I can get it for you;)

My Sister is Awesome II

Green Apple Bike Reflector

Caution Bike Necklace

I have to say, I am always so impressed with her, you will be, too!

(drum roll) ...She is starting her New Blog!

Christmas Holiday Fiber Jewelry

Snowflake Brooch

Kimono Button Bracelet

Kimono Button Ring

I have been busy building up my holiday stock. I will have some super cute christmas tree pins soon! Check back;)

Officially Kicking off the Season! Baltimore Christmas Cards

Here is Brett's debut Christmas card line. Last year our loved ones all received block printed, hand pulled cards. This year, you can have some reproductions of your own to enjoy. Spread Baltimore's Holiday Cheer with these beauties.

I'll have these cards packaged w/ envelopes for sale in my etsy shop. Look for them at my table at the Holiday Heap show today!

The Annual Holiday Heap!

Are YOU ready for a rip roarin' craft show party? The Charm City Craft Mafia will be hosting their biggest show yet at St. John's Church Saturday Morning. This year's Holiday Heap is going to be SO great my head is going to explode, or maybe my hands will fall off.... tough call. I look forward to this show every year! See you there!

Virtual Trunk Show Today!

See some of Baltimore's BEST artisans and crafters at the Around The World Trunk Show on Etsy!

Start Time: November 13 at 7:00pm

End Time: November 13 at 9:00pm

Where: www.etsy.com/virtual_labs.php

btw, our B.E.S.T. participating shops will be offering a 10% discount throughout the show. check in to find out how to get it!

Great Stocking Stuffers

Danamarie Holser is one talented illustrator, teacher, mural painter, sculptor -the list goes on. I picked these coloring books up last summer for my daughter and I am so glad I did. Inside each one is problem solving, rhyming, and great imagery. In her shop you can find a wonderfully imaginative world of knitimals. Soaps, coloring books, games, pins, masks, plushies, lots of great gifts for kids and adults alike.

This one is from the Make Me a Knitimal ACTIVITY COLORING BOOK.

My daughter and I were exploring this one last night. To my surprise, this little guy was created. The triangle between his legs is a tail wagging. Not sure what all that other stuff is... LOL.

My Bedroom Mural

I am lucky to wake up to his beautiful Japanese inspired landscape every morning. I am not tired of looking at it yet and I find new joys in it almost everyday.

When we first bought our home the bedroom was first on the renovation list. The finishing touch was the beautiful mural my husband painted. With original art and years of experience under his belt, he created a beautiful piece for our room using gold leaf and tiny samurai. Beauty with a sense of humor, there is nothing better I could ask for to wake up to every morning.

If you would need any decorative painting in your own home in the future, please think of us and feel free to contact me.

Cottage Style

These pieces were for a Baltimore area customer. She was going for a soft country cottage style with these cottons. Really nice old rocker seat was made new with all new materials. A simple striped piano bench and fancy soft looking pillows coordinated with her other furniture for a complete look.

I am currently accepting new upholstery work. If you need an estimate, please contact me.

Black and White Upholstery Beauties

These 4 fabrics are each striking in their own way. All bold in their graphic nature, use on a focal piece for some really eye popping interest. Or, some interesting pillows using these fabrics would modernize sagging decor.

Keep checking back for interesting and durable high quality fabrics. I will be doing a fabric post weekly from now on. Lots of exciting colors and textures in store! And if you see something you like, I can get it for you;)

Change Has Come

I am in total awe of this nation. Never before have I expereinced the power of the people, seeing what change we can bring if we work for it. The apathy I felt and disconnectedness is gone.

When I see media footage from the past of the cilivl rights movement and the turmoil of the 1960's, it seems so distant, so far away from my life and our reality of what we live now. Obviously, my generation takes some of that struggle for granted, not knowing first hand what any of it really meant. We were taught of the the fights that were waged, the struggle it took and the hope and passion that was felt in this nation in the past. Now WE know -we have expereinced what this nation can be. I have seen it, felt it, and can now go forward really knowing what this nation can do.

I have never seen anything in my life living here as a citizen of this country, that moved me so much as when I saw what unfolded last night. But it is our country, our responsibility to make it what we want it to be. I now understand that we the people really do have the power here.

This is a great nation.

Handmade Arcade This Weekend!

This holiday craft show season I am doing something unusual. I am traveling to sell my jewelry somwhere that is actually more than 30 minutes away from my house! I have never ventured out to do this, I have only sold locally. Really excited about this trip.

There will be other B.E.S.T. members showing at the Arcade along with a ton of really talented indie crafters. Please come and check out this 2 day show! Handmade Arcade 2008 will take place on Saturday 11-7 and Sunday 11-5 at the Hunt Armory 324 Emerson, Shadyside, Pittsburgh, PA.

I Voted!

Hells Yeah! I'm an Obama Mama!

Mark Your Calendars!

Etsy's Virtual Labs are going to be hopping that day! Our B.E.S.T. team is planning our own time slot that night from 7-8:30. We are going to present a nice evening full of well organized categories that showcase local Baltimore Etsy Street Team members. There will be discounts and surprises in store for this fun and easy shopping event!

My Sister Is Awesome

Guitar cuff to make you even cooler.

Green Bike Reflector for your ride.

Yabettasupadont is my sister Maria. She is a Cleveland Institute of Art grad with a metalsmithing background. I love her, so maybe I am a little biased, but I think she is a very talented;)

Among other things, Maria uses a variety of plastics in her production line. These are 2 examples of her super awesomeness!

Veggies of the Week

We got these Chinese White Radish seeds on sale at the end of the summer season. On a whim, we thought we could try them for a fall crop. We lost the seed packet, so I can't tell you what variety they are. Spread them over the ground and they grew -as radishes usually do without another thought of them.

Tasted them raw, and WOW, pungent and bitter. I could see their place shredded and sparsely sprinkled in a salad. Probably marinated in vinegar would be good, but I am a roasted veggie fan. I found this recipe, didn't have the sesame seeds and made it anyway. Tonight, I discovered that roasted radishes are AWESOME!

Radishes are really easy to grow, But I am never very impressed with them as far as eating them raw. But I am reconsidering their place in the garden. They may be a cheap and easy veggie to grow. I am happy with our fall crop.

Info seeker that I am, I thought I'd post some info about these little veggies.

Nutritional Value of Radish

Radish is a root vegetable with a rich flavor. It is used in most of the world cuisines but is very popular in Japanese and Chinese cuisine. Radish is a root vegetable with a rich flavor. It is used in most of the world cuisines but is very popular in Japanese and Chinese cuisine

• Nutrition Facts and Information about Radish: Radish has excellent levels of copper, manganese and potassium. It is also a good source of calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorous, zinc and sodium.


• Vitamin Content: Radishes are a very good source of vitamin c and vitamin k. They also contain riboflavin and vitamin b6.


• Calorie Content of Radish: 100g of radish contains 16 calories only. Radish is low in saturated fat and very low in cholesterol. They are also very good source of dietary fiber.


• Health Benefits of Radish: Radish has anti-bacterial as well as anti-fungal properties. It is beneficial for cough, respiratory problems, digestive disorders, asthma, bronchitis and liver and gallbladder troubles.

Who knew? I love the internet.