RikRak's Handmade Olympics: Vote BEST

Hurray! From over 900 entries THREE Best ladies have been nominate in the Handmade Olympics on the RikRak Studio blog! Congrats!

Please take just a second to cast your vote. If you are able to vote for each of us, we will luv u 4-ever:

--->The Garbologist's Wife Category--Favourite thrifty-foward, sustainably-minded blog, site or shop http://rikrakstudio.blogspot.com/2010/02/vote-event-6.html

--->Yummy & Company Tiny Valentine Planter Category--Favourite handmade goodie with an innovative design http://rikrakstudio.blogspot.com/2010/02/vote-event-1.html

-->The Broken Plate Pendant Category--- Favourite handmade eco-friendly goodie http://rikrakstudio.blogspot.com/2010/02/vote-event-3.html

Thank you!

Pho and Photography

This Thursday February 11th, Baltimore Pho Restaurant (yummmmmmmm) will host an exhibit and fundraising event to benefit the art and photography programs of Access Art, Inc.


Swing Jackie, age 17

The Exhibit will showcase photographs from Youthlight, an award winning after school photography project based at Access Art in Southwest Baltimore. Access Art Board members will also serve as guest bartenders during the exhibit and 10% of all restaurant’s proceeds will be donated to Access Art.

Benefit Date: Thursday, February 11th
Time: 5-10 pm
Baltimore Pho Restaurant
1114 Hollins St, Baltimore MD 21223 (410) 752-4746
web:http://www.baltimorepho.com

More about Access Art & Youthlight:
Founded in 2000, Access Art is an after school arts and media center that empowers youth to use their artistic ability and their unique understanding of their environment as catalysts for social change in their communities. Access Art delivers youth-centered after school programming to address the artistic, emotional, and cognitive development of middle and high school participants. We achieve these goals by providing students with a safe space to create, positive adult role models, empowering activities, leadership development, and alternatives to violence and high risk behavior. Access Art enables participants to learn the expressive qualities of art, while investigating their own lives. They learn to translate their unique views and feelings about the world through the visual language of image making while learning valuable art related and vocational skills, gaining self-confidence and self worth, and realizing personal achievement.

Creative Spaces - Jenny Jen

Over my winter break I decided to rearrange my entire third floor. My jennyjen42 business had a very good year and I needed more room for all of my supplies as well as my inventory. So, the smaller office turned into my new bedroom, my old bedroom ( my largest bedroom) converted into my new "sweat shop". A new coat of paint in a beautiful shade called "Rain wash" by Sherwin Williams and voila, a beautiful new space. I now have more space to put up my extra cutting table and plenty of space for storage. I'm anxious to see how my new environment effects my new spring products!

Random Baltimore Photo

For more information, please click on the image.

Tutorial: Grow Spring

Incredible, edible and a sweet little container for a little taste of Spring. Find out how to make your very own Egghead Eggshell Planter on kaboose.com And oh, a bonus... stick the whole shebang in the ground once planting time comes around! Imagine all of your little seedlings sprouting in eggshells!

Arts StartUP 101 - rescheduled

Join Maryland Lawyers for the Arts at School 33 (1427 Light St., Baltimore 21230) on Feb. 13 and 20 for Arts StartUP 101, covering the legal, financial, and regulatory basics of selling your art.

On Feb. 13, CPAs Stephen Oliner (MLA treasurer) and Eric Lee of Hertzbach & Co. will cover basic accounting for artists, including recordkeeping, spreadsheets, accounting software and taxes.

On Feb. 20, artist/attorney Tim Faith will cover business licenses, business forms, (LLC, partnership, or other), leases, zoning, and copyright and contract basics while Bill Richardson of Fidelity Financial covers business basics like financing and business plans.

Sessions run from 1:30 to 3:30. They're free, but reservations are required, and can be made by calling 410.396.4641 or emailing william.pace@promotionandarts.com.

First Friday at Indie-pendent Plus Size Shop: K Staton Boutique

I love First Friday on The Avenue in Hampden here in Baltimore. All of the indie shops get together, throw little parties and have some big ole sales. K Staton Boutique will be having a major Customer Appreciation Sale. The whole store will be up to 50% off!
What? You don't know K Staton yet?! It's a new independent womens clothing shop dedicated to plus sizes. It's a great spot for ladies sized 12-30 to find lots of brands you can usually only find online or in stores far, far from Charm City. I've shopped here several times already and adore this place. They have great selection of jeans, dresses, tops, skirts and accessories.

The big sale at K Staton is Friday, February 5th from 6-8pm at 817 West 36th Street, Baltimore, MD 21211. I will see you all there for sure!

Written by Kathy of The Garbologist's Wife

Baltimore (Plant) Life in Winter

Have you been to the Conservatory over at Druid Hill. Many folks know that it's an unexpected jewel in the park filled with exotic plant life and balmy temperatures. See that agave plant behind that kitty? That's about fifteen feet tall and just as wide, it sort of reminds me of Seymour from the movie Little Shop of Horrors because it's so huge! The desert room has a some pretty intimidating, bizarro pointy plants; I highly recommend spending time in it and hanging out with the resident orange cat.

But what's even more terrific is that you can buy the babies of many of these plants! They have shelves lined with cacti, herbs, flowers and other plant oddities for sale at really amazing prices. I wonder how big they can get? I want them all!

Written by The Garbologist's Wife

Indie-Pendent Business- Charmington

Combine 'Charles Village' and 'Remington' and you get Charmington, a spot for locally grown food and organic coffee brought to us by the folks from the Café at bluehouse.


Mustache Tea Cups by The Secret 'Stache

Charmington is expected to open in the spring of 2010 at 2601 North Howard Street in Baltimore, MD. We can't wait!

Etsy Favorites: Illustration and Art

This time of the year I tend to do much more spring cleaning than in the actual spring. Perhaps because it is a slower time of year for most craft-based businesses, but also there is something about starting a new year that is - well, new! This year I re-assessed my artwork collection and decided to splurge on a few pieces to liven up a stark wall in my house. It was a super fun task, as there are many artists I've been admiring on Etsy whose work is so affordable.

The first print I purchased was from Mincingmockingbird on Etsy. I love this bird and his puffed out chest and the amazing colors. I have a thing for asymmetrical compositions, too, and love all the negative space and the direct star of the bird.

The next print I purchased was actually a photo by Alicia Bock. Except this picture does look a little bit like an illustration. It has a nice, warm antique quality, so perfect!

The last picture I bought was from illustrator AshleyG. She's been on Etsy for a few years and I've always admired her simple, fantastical images. I love this grouping of three bird/human hybrids, simple and fascinating. I look forward to enjoying this piece for a long time