I've Been Featured!

I had a really great customer stop by the studio last December shopping for some last minute gifts. To my surprise, she told me she is an art writer for the Carrol County Times!

Pam Zappardino put together this really glowing review of me after she got an "up-close and personal" studio tour. She must have been inspired by all of the stuff surrounding her during her visit to write such a nice article. It was really fun to meet her and I hope the people she got gifts for liked them! -thank you, Pam!

Will the CPSIA Effect Your Life?

From Etsy:
Many of our members are aware of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) and the resulting sense of confusion sellers of children's items are experiencing. These sellers need to know how the legislation will impact their businesses and need to be informed.

The CPSIA is by no means a done deal. We are in conversations with the executive director of the CPSC, and they are listening to the micro-business community! Discussion is ongoing: makers and supporters of handmade and vintage items still need to voice concerns.

In light of this need for information, discussion, and feedback hinging on this important CPSIA issue, Etsy has launched a special temporary forum. Please post any relevant threads there.

Furthermore, for up to the minute info on the CPSIA, we would like to refer folks who are involved or concerned about the CPSIA issue to BuyHandmade.org's new blog, which includes resources and news updates. The Etsy homepage now proudly sports the new badge from BuyHandmade.org, reflecting the focus on this issue.

Please take the Buy Handmade Pledge and show your support for sellers of children's items by placing the badge on your websites and blogs.

Yikes to WOW, Faux Finishing Adventures

Before: After:

Brett was asked to repaint a mantel in a historic Patterson Park row home. The fireplaces in this home are made of slate, and the others in the house were in their original state. For some reason someone decided to repaint this one, and did a very clumsy sponge painting finish. The finished project is painted to look like subtle grey black marble with the triangular shapes painted to match a cover that goes over the hearth.

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

Obamamaniac

What a great day!

Celebrate! We Are One- Watch Live

http://www.hbo.com/
Follow the link for live feed from the Lincoln Memorial.

Reupholstered Victorian Office Chair

So, if you need to spruce up your hum-drum office space, why not throw one of these in your cubicle! The wrought iron legs are actually a complex spring system, the back of this piece has custom faux woodgrain painted directly onto the metal frame.

I just finished this chair for one of my customers. He finds the coolest stuff for me to redo. This piece has new springs, a synthetic horsehair and cotton padding. The fabric is a pressed velvet mohair from France. Beautiful tassels and trim for a complete High Victorian look.

Currently I am finishing a very different set of chairs. I'll post images of them when I am done with them, so check back soon!

Jumpstart your Craft Business BEST at the Creative Alliance

If one of your resolutions is to start up or refresh your craft business, we have a workshop for you! BEST will be hosting its first business meetup at the Creative Alliance on Sunday, January 25th.

The meetup will feature roundtable discussions led by Cynthia Blake Sanders, MD Lawyers for the Arts; Rebecca Cason, former director of the Buyer's Market of American Craft; Jen Menkhaus, working crafter and one of the founders of the Baltimore Street Team; Nita Gale, web designer; Ariella Levin of Baltimore's Best Bookkeeper; and Thomas Wynn, professional photographer.


Practical discussions will include legal and accounting basics; marketing, wholesale and pricing; and looking your best– on the web and in promo photos. Lunch will be provided, a great time to get connected with other local artists and crafters to make new friends, show off your work, and share ideas.

Come join us!

Details:Sun Jan 25. 10am-2:30pm.

Adv reg $25, $20 CA & BEST mbrs.
Walk-in $30, $25 CA & BEST mbrs.

Includes lunch.

Register here.

Thistle Necklace from BijouxJardin

Look at this great creation from fellow Etsian Sharon Palac, aka BijouxJardin.

Using the images from my Garden Pond Stamp Collection she has created her own handmade focal bead for this piece. Take a look at her shop, she makes really nice mixed media jewelry. Beautiful copper, silver, and various stones coordinate striking pieces or all sorts. I love to see the creativity!

See us at the ACC, Save the Date!

I was lucky to be juried into the AltCraft section at the 33rd annual American Craft Council Show in Baltimore, Febr. 27-March 1. I'll be in great company with local designers Annie Chau of Imogene and Shannon Delanoy of Sweet Pepita.

"The AltCraft section celebrates the innovative techniques and materials of the burgeoning new handmade craft movement and Annie, Allison and Shannon have been selected to participate from hundreds of applicants because their work best exemplifies these trends" -- how delicious! According the the council, the Baltimore show is considered the most prestigious of the six shows it presents each year. "More than 23,000 attendees from the Mid-Atlantic and beyond travel to Baltimore during the 3-day event to view and purchase high-quality, handmade works from more than 700 artists, making the Baltimore show the largest, juried indoor craft show in the nation." Wow! For more information on dates, times and tickets, visit http://www.craftcouncil.org/baltimore/.

Now, back to work!