This Weekend, Too! Merry Mart

Merry Mart is a unique craft show featuring a diverse mix of art and craft from Baltimore and beyond. BEST's own Jen Menkhaus of The Littlest Bean and Allison Fomich of Tigerlillyshop helped to organize and run the event again this year!

This is a warm and fuzzy indoor show that showcases local Baltimore talent with unique handmade work. Shoppers will find one of a kind gifts, clothing, handbags, plushies, felt accessories, ceramics, soaps, kids toys, mixed media, amazing jewelry, and great art! If you are looking for unique items that will be remembered and appreciated for years to come, don’t miss this show. Shop local and expect to find great gifts at this handmade marketplace this holiday season!

You can find the vendor list and preview here: http://merrymartbaltimore.blogspot.com/

As always, it will be held at the Creative Alliance at the Patterson on December 4th, 2011, from 11am-5pm.

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!

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

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!

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

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!

tigerlillshop

greenstarstudio

tarabu

Designs by Leslie Brown

Handmade Mart is This Sunday!

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

Pile of Craft 2010!

Save the shopping date! This show can't be missed;)
See ya there!

Inspired to Work by the Buyer's Market of Philadelphia

Back from a trip to the Buyer's Market of Philadelphia this week. Just visiting, not selling. I was lucky to get to tour the floor with my friend Monica and Jen Menkhaus, the former Assistant Show Director. I was able to connect with some great young sellers like Betsy of Foundling , Sofi Masri and some seasoned sellers such as Michael Michaud and Melissa Finelli. I even saw a few familiar faces from Baltimore in action Barbie Levy and Lisa Cimino, both had stunning displays and beautiful products.

I was very inspired by the day. I better understand what needs to get in line in order to really be prepared to do a show of this magnitude. So, off to kick start production, maybe make some new things.

Solid products, line sheets, display, confidence, courage... I feel like we are kicking off the new year to a good start!

Squidfire Winter Art Mart

Join 60+ talented artists and crafters on December 12, when the Du Burns Arena in Canton will be transformed into an alternative shopping center. DIY/indie crafters from all over the east coast will join all of us from Baltimore to offer you the most unique, handmade gift ideas.

BEST will have some things for sale from the button jewelry line. I, however will be in NYC that weekend selling at the One of a kind show! Squidfire is sure to be a great show, the space this year is huge and will accommodate a big crowd. Get your last minute gifts and finish up holiday shopping at super hip show!


Du Burns Arena, Boston Street, Canton, Baltimore, MD
Saturday Dec. 12, 11-6!

Marry Mart at the Creative Alliance This Sunday!

Sun Dec 6, 11am-5pm.
Free! Cash bar. Lunch for sale catered by Water for Chocolate.

Avoid manic mall madness! Do your holiday shopping at The Patterson. 35+ fab local vendors with the best in regional crafts, arts, and gifts! Coordinated by Allison Dickinson, founder of Paper-Rock-Scissors Gallery.

These fellow BEST member swill be vending:

DesignByNight

JillPopowichDesigns

AtelierBeads

Buttons For Babes

Tigerlillyshop

Visit BEST at the Greenbelt Festival of Lights!

The BEST girls will be showing at the Greenbelt Festival of Lights this Saturday and Sunday.

Somehow a ton of local shows fell on the same 3 days this year. Not sure how this happened, but many of us are trying to show at all of them and are stretched pretty thin this weekend.

Although I won't physically be there manning the table, some of my work will be at this show. My generous lady friends agreed to host a couple of trays of button accessories for me! So look for button rings, plastic rings, button earrings and hair ties at the BEST tent. My trays are filled with deals at $6.00! All one of a kind, all handmade, and great for a quick gift!

Ok, see you around this weekend!

3rd Anual Holiday Heap This Saturday!!!

It is that time of year again! This local craft show is my favorite of the season. The venue hosts a handmade loving crowd, the building has a warm and fuzzy feeling. Grab some coffee, listen to the DJ and feel good about shopping local.
This cool Charm City Craft Mafia show never lets us down!

Don't miss it!
10am-5pm
Saturday, December 5th
Saint John’s Church, 2640 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21218

Not only can you buy handmade, but there will be an awesome gift basket raffle benefiting Art with a Heart, a local non-profit providing access to art activities for disadvantaged families, children, and people with developmental and physical challenges. Take a chance and give back.

We hope to see you this weekend! The following BEST members will be vending this year:

TigerLillyShop
Jen Menkaus/Littlest Bean

Sweet Pepita

Elisa Shere Jewelry

The Broken Plate Pendant Company

Yummy and Company

Block Party Press
JennyJen42

BEST

New York One Of a Kind Show and Sale

I am really looking forward to my first show in New York City this month. Nervous, yes!

I am making lots of new metal work and electroforming like crazy. My sister Maria will be accompanying me at the show and she too, is making new nature work for the Tigerlillyshop.


The New York One of a Kind Show and Sale Open to the Public, Pier 94, 12th Ave at 55th

Preview Night Thursday Dec. 10, 5pm - 9pm
Friday Dec. 11, 11am-8pm
Saturday Dec. 12, 10am-7pm
Sunday Dec. 13, 10am-5pm

And! I have some FREE NYC OOAK Show tickets for you!

1st come, 1st served. E-mail or Convo your address to me and I'll ship you however many tickets you need.

Squidfire Philly Art Mart

Fall is a great time for a road trip. This weekend, grab a friend, hop in the car and jet up to Philadelphia for Squidfire's first Philly Art Mart. It will be held on Saturday October 17, from 11-6pm in the fancy schmancy neighborhood of Society Hill.

Over 40 of the best local and regional crafters and artists will display their handmade wares at the Old Pine Community Center in the heart of Philadelphia. Come visit BEST's Sugar Paperie, Jennyjen42, Yummy & Company ,Sweet Pepita, The Littlest Bean and The Broken Plate. This event goes on rain or shine. We hope to see you there!

I'm In! Holiday Heap Craft Fair

Mark it on your calendar's folks!

It's the best seasonal show in Baltimore!

The Charm city Craft Mafia's 3rd Annual Holiday Heap

10am-5pm December 5th
2640 St. Paul Street
Baltimore, MD 21218

Crafty Bastards , Check!

This is all I saw for the entire time Saturday from 10 -6. OMG, I am still recovering.
Thank you all for stopping by, we had an insane and great day~!

Gift Guides on Etsy!

Crafty Bastards Picks

Crafty Bastards Arts & Crafts Fair is an exhibition and sale of handmade alternative arts and crafts from independent artists presented by the Washington City Paper. The fair is all-day, outdoors, free to attend, and will offer goods for sale, food, entertainment, prizes, and more! Crafty Bastards will take place Saturday, October 3, 2009 in Washington, DC. More details about the fair can be found http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/craftybastards/Whether or not you can make it to the fair in person, be sure to browse the selection of work from Crafty Bastards vendors below.

check it out here!

Vote for your fave (Me, of Course)!

Go ahead! Vote here.

Summertime

Brett painted a beautiful shop sign for my show in Maine. I was excited to do my fist show up there and have a real booth to show in, only to have a total bomb of a sale. Unfortunately no one was buying, some vendors didn't bother to even show up the second day it was so bad. But I did connect with some great new vendors and meet some interesting crafters from Maine.

It was a good networking show where I had a chance to wander and talk with many of the vendors. I bought a great interactive cat napper from Maine-ly Cats , traded for some super cool jewelry with Vieve Designs, and was lucky to be next to Shauna's World -very talented and inspiring eco firendly children's apparel and accessories.
I even stopped in the Art & Soul Gallery in Ogunquit, ME and felt it would be a good fit for both my button jewelry and the copper line. I am happy to have made the connection there, so if you are up that way, stop in and check out the shop!