Friday, December 3, 2010

Merry Mary and Holiday Heap This Weekend!


As if you didn't already know, the Baltimore crafty selling season is upon us. We survived Black Friday and many of us wondered if Cyber Monday was actually legit... But really, there are many places to spend holiday gift dollars this time of year. Where will you spend? You may want to think about keeping your hard earned dollars local and support the economy you live in.

Are you ready to be that "conscientious consumer"? Go crazy at these super fun shows this weekend!

This one always rocks my socks off! Charm City Craft Mafia presents Holiday Heap 2010 on Saturday Dec. 4th, from 10am-5pm. Never a dull moment at this show, shop early for the best pickin'. You snooze, you loose!


You can count on great handmade shopping at the Creative Alliance in the Highlandtown Arts District this Sunday December 5th, from 11am-5pm. If you are looking for unique items that will be remembered for years to come, don't miss this warm and fuzzy event!
Everything you need to know about Merry Mart can be found here.

It is SO much fun to shop these awesome shows. See you there!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

I Heart Art: Baltimore -This Friday!

Don't forget about the meet-n-greet party on MICA campus this Friday, November 19, from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. ET. Food, drink, music and a craft activity will be included in the festivities taking place in Brown Center’s Leidy Atrium, 1301. W. Mount Royal Ave.

Come meet Vanessa and Morgan from Etsy and members of the Baltimore Etsy Street Team. There will be a raffle full of goodies from BEST artists, MICA, and Etsy, so get there early! And don't forget to bring your business cards!

Please RSVP by calling 410-225-2219 or e-mailing spcs@mica.edu. We can’t wait to see you at the party! For directions, please visit: www.mica.edu

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Our Patterson Park Weekend

I was taking a photo of this leaf and branch, when she jumped up to get it. Total coincidence!

Patterson Park is just breathtaking right now. We have had beautiful warm fall days, the weather and sunshine has been perfect. So glad to get some shots this year.

Where's Brett? Monkey like-in the tree tops.
It was a fun day!

Monday, October 18, 2010

Button Rings on Sale!


Trying out the new Etsy On Sale App !

I will be offering more sales throughout the fall and winter since this app makes it so easy to offer my customers deals deals deals!! Please check back for next week's promotion!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

End of Summer Gardening

My daughter brought her play camera to our city garden plot the other day and took some really cool shots. Yes, I love everything she makes, that is my job, but I thought it might be a nice thing to share with my readers. Here is my 5 yr old's view of a day in the sunshine of our garden.


Marigolds gone by, looking closely and smelling their pungent fragrance as she dead heads them. I think this is a universal North American gardening experience. So happy to instill these scents in her childhood memory.


This one is so beautiful, she held a stick up and made a growling face, but "It didn't work", she said. I think it is a great self portrait. Very summery and sunshine. Even though it is the hot sweltering end of summer, this image is sweet and self aware.


I asked her to take one of me for fun. She had her turn with the hose and soaked me earlier, I am drenched in this picture. We really have a good time together when it's just us. I love going to the garden with her. She helped me weed the beets at age 3. Now at age 5, she is making friends with mourning doves and asking if we can take them home. I said she has to catch them first.


Watering plot #32. I propped up the hose in our neighbor's fence so I could focus on the other plot. I love to see her perspective, her vantage point and her world.


Morning glories cover the fences this year thicker than in past years. The vines provide some much needed shade in our corner near plot #2. She was hanging out close to me picking these heart shaped leaves and giving them to me. She repeated over and over that she was giving me the most important gift of the loving heart. I made sure to tuck them into my pockets so I wouldn't lose them.

It was a really hot blazing summer day out there, but we kept cool in the hose. There were a lot of weeds to pull, but we did find some creatures to look at. I squished harlequin beetles, squash bugs and we had to leave the mourning dove where he was perched on the fence. I left that garden closer to my daughter. Girl time.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Top 10 Kaboodle Contest Winner!

The results are in, I was #3 in the top ten. Thanks everybody for voting for my Red Cherry Blossom Ring! I appreciate all of your votes and I can feel the love from all my fans!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Vote for me in the Etsy & Kaboodle Floral Jewelry Contest!

Please vote for my ring!

Etsy's marketing team has been working with Kaboodle to do some cross promotion. They did a blog post in the Storque a few weeks ago: Tips for success for everything Kaboodle related here.

My Red Cherry Blossom ring has been singled out, along with 47 other Etsy finds, to be in a contest for the best Floral Jewelry. To win, my ring must receive the most hearts by Kaboodle’s community of savvy shoppers. If I win, I get some great free promotion on the Kaboodle site!

*I will be prominently featured in a Winning Designer’s Circle within Kaboodle’s new Indie Channel
*I will receive winner badge that announces that my ring product won the Kaboodle contest
* My ring and I will be promoted throughout the Kaboodle site.

With your vote, YOU are entered into a random drawing for a chance to win a $100 PayPal gift certificate offered by Kaboodle!

I would be thrilled to get the promo from this contest. Voting ends on August 23rd, so don't delay! I encourage all my fans and friends of BEST to vote for me. Any promo I get, I carry my BEST team along with me!

Thanks for your vote in advance!
Allison

Friday, August 6, 2010

Celebrating 5 Years on Etsy!!!


*********SALE**********

Join me in celebrating 5 years on Etsy!!! How did that happen? What a great ride it has been. So many opportunities, so much growth as an artist and business owner. Happy to extend a celebration to all of you out there. Thank you, all!

20% off metal jewelry! Buy 2 get 1 button rings and plastic rings... GO! Sale starts now and goes through Monday night!

*Sale terms: Simply proceed through the check out and pay, I'll reimburse you the 20%. For button please request a color/style, for plastic rings please request a pattern. Sale ends Monday night at midnight EST.

Acorns for the Autumn Season

Look at these beauties! I am gearing up for the Fall selling season, making sure I am stocked up with my acorns. They are one of my popular sellers in the electorformed copper, but I am now offering sterling castings of some choice specimen. These little guys are cast from nature, preserving each detail and characteristic of the individual piece. Collect all 4! (lol)

Friday, July 30, 2010

17th Annual Hamilton Festival and Classic Car Show this weekend!

Come visit BEST and Charm City Craft Mafia members at the 17th Annual Hamilton Festival and Classic Car Show. The festival features two stages with all-day music, dance and martial arts performances, cars, craft and food vendors. There will be beer gardens for the adults and kids games with prizes for the little ones!


Hamilton Street Festival and Classic Car Show 2010
Saturday July 31st
11:00 a.m. to 8: p.m.
Harford Road at Hamilton Ave

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Patterson Park, Baltimore, MD

Pagoda, a rose garden, the pond. There is a duck and a rock in the pond.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Veggies of the Week, 7/14/10

We grew all of this. I have no idea how. I think my husband bought some seeds and started them. I have a vague recollection of planting them in our city garden plot.... I remember a lot of traveling and distractions...

We ventured out to check on things in the garden last week. Weeds had taken over a lot of the area, some veggies were being choked out by the healthy weeds, but underneath it all, we found food! Thanks to a good friend or 2 that watered for us while we were neglectful gardeners, the garden lived and somehow thrived! Check out that bounty! WOW!

Friday, July 16, 2010

Artscape DIY, Here We Come!

We'll be sweating it out at Artscape this year on Charles St. We have lots of new things to see, my sister Maria is up helping with the show!

Our booth C29, is just before the Penn Station, across the street from the Man/Woman sculpture, just before the Penn Station bridge. We're in good company selling in a tent with Sweet Pepita Clothing and The Broken Plate Pendant Company! Please come by and say hello!

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Pile of Craft THis Saturday!



This Saturday is Charm City Craft Mafia’s 4th annual Pile Of Craft! A one-of-a-kind craft fair for Baltimore, featuring 40+ of the country's best handmade crafters selling their own housewares, stationary, screenprinted & sewn apparel, jewelry, handbags, hats, knit items, woven scarves, plush toys, ceramics, comic books, prints, paintings and more! Support handmade and local artists and meet them in person!

A number of BEST members will be participating in this awesome event:

Jamie Zollars, Sweet Pepita, Maneating Flower, Elisa Shere Jewelry, The little Bean, Found Studio, Boxerbox Press, Sugarpaperie, The brokenplate, Tigerlilyshop ,Yummy and Company, jennyjen42, Dandelion Blu , and Block Party Press.At our BEST table will be: greenstarstudio, Design by Night, Atelier-Beads, and Jill Popowich designs. Check out the vendors page here.

Pile of Craft is absolutely free to attend and open to all ages. I hear a rumor that a photobooth will be there! Don’t miss this amazing event!

June 26th 10-5pm

2640 St. Paul Street

Baltimore, MD 21218

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Upholstery of the week


Well, really it has been a month or so! But the 2 pieces, couch and loveseat are done, delivered and sitting happily in their home. I am glad these are out of the studio, the space free to fill with the next few chairs... My daughter can scoot around here again while we work.

It was a big project, took longer than I had planned, but that is how it goes sometimes. I am pleased with the set, happy with the results.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Etsy Craft Party, Baltimore

Looking for a super fun way to kick off the weekend this week? Why not join BEST & the Charm City Craft Mafia for a Craft Party & Meetup, in honor of Etsy's birthday?

This friday, June 18th, starting at 6pm, we'll be at Roosevelt Park in Hampden. We won a free Craft Party kit from Etsy for being one of the top parties, so we'll have lots of crafty goodies to test out! We'll be working on a collaborative banner project, and we'll have a few other crafty things up our sleeve. Maybe even some giveaways!

In addition, we'll be hosting an informal craft supply swap at the meetup, so please bring any crafty supplies you'd like to trade or give away. Any unclaimed supplies will be donated to Art with a Heart and The Black Cherry Puppet Theater.

You can RSVP here, just click on the red button that says "I'm interested." Baltimore is DEFINITELY the craftiest spot on the globe, so let's let 'em see that, huh? Kids & families welcome.

So, bring some work in progress, a blanket, a picnic dinner, and get ready for some fun! Just look for the Etsy-orange balloons. Hope to see you then!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Columbia Festival of the Arts, Art Park

The Columbia Festival of the Arts is an annual event that celebrates music, dance, theater, comedy, literature, fine arts and crafts. It has grown in popularity since 1987, attracting big name artists from around the country. Events and performances span an entire 2 weeks of June. It culminates with a weekend full of music and art.

A few members from BEST will be selling in the indoor section of the Art Park in the covered garage at 10200 Wincopin Circle:
Saturday, June 12: Noon - 7 p.m.
Sunday, June 13: Noon - 7 p.m.
See you this weekend!



Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Blooms of the week 6/8/10



Can these Asiatic Lilies give a bigger and brighter show?!? I mean, this has been nonstop for 3 weeks now! I am so glad we took a chance on the mixed collection when we did. These hardy beauties have brought us lively color for us to enjoy year after year. I guess these have been established in our container garden for about 4 yrs now. It might be time to split them up and give them to some friends soon.
And lovely marigolds, how I love you. These seeds were collected at our community garden plot one Fall when the growing season was coming to an end. The red/orange/gold blooms on these 18" annuals are enjoyable all summer. Some of our other varieties of marigolds self seeded this year, so we have lots of orange ones, too. Also, our petunias self seeded all over the place and I have been tucking those into pots all over the yard for purple and pink color.

More pictures to come as the blooms keep on going!

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Blooms of the week, Our Urban Garden


Our lilies have started, and it looks like they have really multiplied this year! These Asiatic lilies are early summer bloomers that have showy colors and a profusion of blooms. Although they are not fragrant, the color and ease of culture make them indispensable in the container garden. They withstand the heat in our concrete backyard. I love these easy care bulbs.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Handmade Mart is This Sunday!

See the vendor list here!
See you this Sunday in Silver Spring, MD.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Blooms of the week, Our Urban Garden



We have had nonstop blooms in our city container garden. So happy to share some heirloom irises and a peony bloom with you this week. I have been waiting for this peony to bloom for 6 yrs, I planted it as a tuber. Finally!!!!

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Squidfire Art Mart: May 8, Fells Point Craft Show

Join us on this Saturday at the tenth annual Art Mart where more than 50 unique and hand-picked artists will flood Baltimore's famous Fells Point Square for an all-day, open-air marketplace. BEST members participating include: SugarPaperie , ElisaShereJewelry, BlockPartyPress, DandelionBlu, JennyJen42, The Littlest Bean, AtelierAdornments, JerseyGirlDesign, CEKCustomDesigns, TheBrokenPlate, TigerLillyShop, YummyAndCompany, Lanabella, Sweet Pepita, and VWStudios. This event runs from 11–6 p.m. For more information visit http://www.squidfire.com/.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

From Scratch Market, See You Saturday!


I'll be heading up to the From Scratch Market in Trexlertown Grange, PA this weekend. This is a now promising indie show that I am really looking forward to! I'll be in good company from the BEST team, Jenni from Lanna Bella Soaps and Tara of Trabu will be selling at this show. Check out the vendor list!

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Mother's Day is on it's Way

I'll be stocking up on hearts this week. Look for one of a kind gifts for mom!

Friday, April 16, 2010

7th Annual Highalndtown Wine Festival

This weekend make the trip to Southeast Baltimore for the 7th annual Highlandtown Wine Festival which celebrates the tradition of home wine making. This event has a nice feature in the Urbanite this month, check out the article here.

I look forward to sipping wine all day at this springtime event. Not only is there great food from Di Pasquales Deli , but live music and the old guy Bocce tournament are always entertaining. Everything starts looking better and better as the day goes on in beautiful Our Lady of Pompeii church courtyard, even the goats. There is a craft market this year, too. LannaBella from BEST will be there selling her organic teas, soaps, candles, and salves.

But the Homemade Wine Competition hosts some strong contenders. There is a limited supply of this good stuff, so get in line early and often!

Admission is $25 ($20 in advance) and includes a souvenir wine glass and 5 generous tastings.

Some news coverage here: http://wjz.com/video/?id=69550@wjz.dayport.com

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Annual Spring Blowout SALE!




*****SALE through Saturday April 17th! ******
Sale ends Midnight EST !

20% off all metal jewelry!!!!

*Buy 2 plastic rings, get one free! (please request design of choice for free ring)

*Buy 2 button rings, get one free! (please request color of choice for free ring)

To take advantage of the sale, check out through my Tigerlillyshop and pay. I'll issue a refund for the difference.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Blooms of the week, Dwarf Iris

These are old fashioned irises, I got them from an old guy's garden when I lived in PA. He had such a huge range of plants that he would split them up in the spring and offer gallon buckets for $3.00. What a deal!

This dwarf bearded iris only grows 8" at the highest. It's great for the front of a border or tucked away in a heat tolerant container garden. Lovely!