Last Chance!

This is your last chance to enter to win our spring giveaway! All you need to do is be on our mailing list and leave a comment on the original post here about a favorite work from one of the many talented BEST artists. If you are not on the mailing list yet, you are missing out on giveaways and newsletters delivered straight to your inbox (we promise to not be annoying, we only send you mail a few times a year.) So, what are you waiting for? Sign up now! The sign up page is on the right hand side of the blog. Contest ends Wednesday night, April 1st, at 11:59pm EST. Winner will be announced April 2nd.

In this giveaway you will find work from these great BEST artists
1. Jersey Girl Design 2. A Stone's Throw 3. nfall2rt designstudio 4. Greenstartstudio 5. Yummy & Company 6. Herekitty Pretties 7. The Baker's Wife 8. The Giving Tree 9. Zetta 10. Tigerlillyshop

What I'm Working On: Danamarie of Greenstarstudio

There's never a dull moment in the ol' Greenstarstudio... and there's never a blank desk or an empty shelf or a naked knitting needle. And, in the midst of 5 other "in progress" what I'm-Working-Ons I thought I'd share this one with you!

I was invited to participate in a very exciting show, staring this little wooden guy here.

The Kokeshi Show – From Folk Art to Art Toy
July 2009 - September 2009
LATDA/ Los Angeles Toy, Doll & Amusements Museum and guest curator, Christina Conway, are carefully selecting 100 artists to customize creative style wooden Japanese Kokeshi dolls to be part of a comprehensive Kokeshi exhibition at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, California. "This exhibition will be an exploration of the kokeshi doll, the traditional Japanese Folk toy originating in the mid-19th century, and how its status as a cultural icon has grown from cheap souvenir to esoteric collectible and now, to a new generation of artists, a source of inspiration for creative expression"

My mission, and i've chosen to accept it, is to turn this sweet little wooden doll into something unique and amazing. The Kokeshi blank stands approximately 8" tall and has a head that's about 2.25" round.





What to do, what to do...
Well, since Christina specifically sited both my knitimals and my painting in her invite, I'm thinking I'd HAVE to incorporate both into the final design. I'll update the progress of my Kokeshi on my blog, so if you're interested, follow me there!

Help Locally

The Guitar Center in Glen Burnie is trying to raise money for one of their own, Sean "Spalm" Palm, who has fallen on some extremely hard times. He's been on a medical leave of absence since January. He suffers from a precursor of Parkinson's Disease as well as seizures. Since then, his home has gone into foreclosure, his car has been taken, and he's been living in a homeless shelter a short distance from the hospital he visits for testing twice a week.

The Guitar Center will hold a silent auction at the event, which will take place April 11 at 7 p.m. at Sonar. Tickets are available at the Guitar Center and all proceeds will go directly to Sean. To donate an item, contact Matt Bowers at mbowers@guitarcenter.com or visit the event link on Facebook for more details.

Bands performing that night include Crash Ink, Black Day Seven, Evolver, and The Carbon Kin. Come out, have a beer, hear some great live music, and support a friend in need. Hope to see you there!

Submitted by Erica of CEK Custom Designs

AVAM Bridal Happy Hour!

Please join BEST members at the 8th annual American Visionary Art Museum's Bridal Happy Hour!
Thursday April 2nd, 5:30-7:30. Enjoy food and cocktails and view work by some of Baltimore's best wedding vendors. And best of all, it's free!

Why go handmade for your wedding?? There are many reasons!
-Have custom jewelry, paper goods and spa gifts created that are as a special as your wedding.
-Support local and woman owned businesses.
-Many BEST artists use sustainable and green materials in their work.
-Give your wedding a handmade touch that is unique.
-Show your bridal party and family your appreciation with gifts that are created just for them!

Participating BEST artists:
Block Party Press
Dandelion Blu Jewelry
Elisa Shere Jewelry
Jill Popowich Designs
The Broken Plate
TigerLilly Shop
Spa Therapy Works
Yummy & Co.

Hope to see you there!

Learn from one of the B.E.S.T: Spring Classes!

Spring has sprung and it's a great time to pick up some new skills.

If you've ever thought "I wish I could draw" and then thought, "aw, shucks, I could never do that", I might just be able to help. My spring classes at School 33 have just been announced and there are two I thought would be perfect for you...

Drawing with Light: Beginning Drawing for Adults & Teens
Learn to draw in 8 weeks! Even if you’ve never picked up a pencil before, you’ll walk away with new skills & drawings you can be proud of. This popular drawing class uses light, and simple observation techniques anyone can employ to create confident & masterful drawings from the first class!

Students will move sequentially through new concepts & techniques, beginning with line drawings and concluding with complicated still lives and interiors. Other coursework will include work with a live model & portraiture. Individual instruction and student centered lessons make this the perfect class for the beginner AND the experienced artist looking to brush up on basic skills.

Fridays 6:30- 9:30pm
Friday, April 10- May 29th
Class Cost: $180 plus materials


Wednesday Night Whip Up!
Wish you could draw? Wonder what it would be like to paint? Curious about collage? Intrigued by printmaking? Popular Baltimore teacher, illustrator, muralist & fiber artist Danamarie Hosler will lead students through a little bit of everything. You'd be surprised what you can whip up in one night!

This 8 week course allows students to try their hand at a variety of traditional & non-traditional art making techniques--- see what they like & gain some new skills without having to commit to a single course of study. Each night, students will be introduced to a new material & will leave with a small piece of finished work! Learn how to use your new skills to make
great gifts, wearable & functional art.

A great way to spend a Wednesday night--- casual atmosphere, perfect for all skill levels. And you don't need to invest in a bunch of stuff either, because all materials are included!

Wednesdays 6:30- 9:30p,
Wednesday, April 8- May 27th
Class Cost: $200 (all materials included)

*********
Class sizes are limited and these classes haven't been announced on the School 33 website yet, so sign up with me now and get first dibs! Classes are for Adults & Teens and are laid back and lots of fun.

AND, just for you... Sign up before April 4th and get 20% off your class cost!
(when you register for the class, use the coupon code: BESTCLASS2009)

For questions or to register for classes, please contact Danamarie at: knitimal@gmail.com

Featured Seller: Hookless Designs

It's always enlightening when an artist takes an everyday element and sees it in a completely different way. Zippers are just plain cool things in the most boring application, but check out what Hookless Designs did with them!


Chocolate Brown Zipper Necklace in Offset Design

So elegant and geometric, simple but complex...I got a little rush when I saw them for the first time.


Jewel Toned, Grenade Style Zipper Necklace

These kind of designs spark my imagination and remind me to keep my mind open and really "see" the everyday object around me without preconceived ideas of what they "should" be used for. Food for the mind!


Zippered Teardrop Choker Necklace

Written by Shelly of A Stone's Throw

Random Baltimore Photo

For more information, please click on the image.

What I'm Working On Now

6 enamel on copper pendants for a bridal party. Fresh from the kiln! These still have finishing, polishing and then the sterling chains need to be made. To see more Dandelion Blu enamel work go to http://www.dandelionblu.etsy.com.

Procrastination 101: Banana Bread

when spring rolls around, i find myself feeling more domestic... buying flowers, cleaning my studio, dusting my overwhelming toy collection and of course, spending more time in the kitchen. i enjoy cooking, but rarely make time for it, so when the urge to bake shows up, i roll with it! I'm a chocolate chip cookie fiend, but i rarely have chocolate chips just hanging around waiting to fulfill their confectionery destiny... now bananas on the other hand...

see, i have this problem.
i LOVE bananas.
I buy them all the time.
but then i forget to eat them.

this problem is so severe that i even created a zine documenting my banana trials and tribulations; tales of the bananas that i put in my bag with the intention of eating and then completely forget about. so i usually end up with sad, sad bananas like these:


luckily, i'm a "glass half full" kinda gal and i've turned my carelessness into a good thing. i've embraced it.

you know the old adage: "when life hands you sad, squishy bananas, throw some Amaretto at them and make banana bread"!


so, if you're looking for a little something sweet to make when you're taking a break from sewing or knitting or painting or soldering, try my banana bread recipe!

You'll need:
1/2 cup of golden raisins
6 tbsp amaretto
1 cup plus 2 tbsp all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
4 small VERY RIPE bananas (mashed)
1 tsp vanilla extract

You'll also need either a 9 x 5" loaf pan or a muffin pan (if you're feeling adventurous)

Before the making and baking stuff, pour your Amaretto into a saucepan and add the raisins; bring it to a boil then turn off the heat and let it sit for an hour so the raisins can plump up with goodness! If there is any liquid left, drain it... there probably won't be any, but just in case.

After the hour is up, pre heat your oven to 325 degrees.

In a medium sized bowl, mix: baking powder, baking soda, salt & flour
In a larger bowl, mix the melted butter with the sugar and beat it. Carefully blend in the eggs, one at a time, until you have a creamy consistency.
Slowly add the raisins and vanilla.
Mix in the dry ingredients 1/3 at a time.

Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 1 to 1 and 1/4 hours.
Check it at 1 hour and poke it with a fork... when it comes out clean, it's ready to roll!

Let it cool before you pop it out of the pan.


then cut yourself a slice and head back to your studio!

Friday Finds: Cherry Blossoms

It's cherry blossom time! The historic trees will start blooming this weekend, and will be at their peak starting April 1st. Get more information about the National Cherry Blossom Festival here, but in the meantime, check out all of the beautiful blossom-themed items we found on Etsy.

I love the spring green and pale pink in this photo, by lauri.

You can wear cherry blossoms in your hair with this lovely Kanzashi by gochemoche.

Need some spring on your sofa? Try a pop of pink with this pillow from joom.

The proportions of this cup are perfect, and I love the butterfly illustration and hint of magenta. By LoucheLab.

You can keep the blossoms with you long after they are gone, with this beautiful enamel necklace by our own dandelionblu.

Happy Friday!

Weekend Deals

Jennyjen is having a sale! Search her sale items to find totes and pillows at $10 off the original price PLUS FREE US SHIPPING! She’s making room for her new bags & pillows!


jenmenkhaus is offering an additional 15% off all sale items, as well as free US shipping with a purchase of $20 or more. Just enter code SPRING in the "notes to seller" section at checkout, and wait for a revised PayPal invoice. Sale valid through Sunday, April 29th at 11:59pm.

Twenty Things: BakersWife

Twenty things you didn't know about Laura from Bakerswife.

1. My full time job is teaching elementary art. It’s awesome! I love my kids so much.
2. I adore Sondheim musicals. The most widely-known of these would be Into the Woods, from which I have drawn my username, my favorite character. She is known as “the Baker’s Wife” throughout the play.
3. My brother got into Juilliard for grad school!! He begins this fall.
4. Next to teaching and making art, singing is my love. I’m in a chorus and I take voice lessons. However, I am now having vocal problems which seriously bum me out. I won’t be able to sing much in the Mozart Requiem we are doing this week! That masteropiece does a lot to explain all the fuss over Mozart. Much of his other work seems to lack passion, but a guy who could be responsible for such music must have had something astonishing. It’s close to perfection.
5. I’m a bit of a music junkie in general. iTunes informs me that I have 10,304 songs. A basically alphabetical artist sampling:
Air
Bjork
Chopin
Dale Warland Singers
Ella Fitzgerald
Feist
Gnarls Barkley
Hooverphonic
Imogen Heap
Jane Monheit
Kanye West
Lauryn Hill
M.I.A.
Neko Case
Outkast
Psapp
Queen
Rachmaninoff
Sufjan Stevens
TLC
Univeral Hall Pass
Van Hunt
West Side Story
? Is there a band beginning with this letter that does not stink?
Yael Naim
? See x.
6. I once tried to be a jock. For a few years in high school I played basketball and volleyball, but determined that I am too sensitive and intellectual for that, and I really belong in choir.
7. Baking is something I do for fun, and I would like to branch out a lot more, but the bottom line always seems to deliver a reality check- nothing is better than chocolate chip cookies.
8. I can watch babies like other people watch TV. They’re just riveting. I adore kids of all ages, really.
9. When I read to my students I do all the voices and funny noises.
10. I majored in Art Education at Towson University.
11. Someday I will buy myself a potter’s wheel, because I find throwing on the wheel tremendously satisfying and calming. It’s something I picture my self doing well into old age.
12. I come from a family of musicians. My mom sings and plays piano. My brother is a trombonist. My dad plays cello, violin, mandolin, banjo, guitar, and bass. He bought an accordion off of eBay but no one uses it because it smells funny.
13. Evidently, my current TV lineup is somehow dominated by reality shows! This I admit with chagrin. It includes: Jon and Kate Plus 8, What Not to Wear, Mythbusters, and when possible, the Daily Show and Colbert Report. My true favorite, and the only thing I do watch every week, is Project Runway. Currently, I am concerned about its welfare.
14. I heart MarioKart.
15. School is something I always loved as a student, so it should come as no surprise that I am now employed in one.
16. My taste in food is akin to that of a nine year old. Macaroni and cheese, pizza, bread, hamburgers- these are all favorites of mine, but then I do adore crabcakes which might be cause for hesitation in some kids. I do eat my veggies, though.
17. When I was a little girl, I loved earrings so much that I would make them out of anything I could find. Puzzle pieces, leaves, construction paper, you name it. I would then tape them to my ears with band-aids and proceed to WEAR THEM IN PUBLIC. Once I wore some frogs with googly eyes and the nice lady at the bank gave me an extra lollipop because she liked them.
18. I enjoy fishing and camping, as long as I don’t have to touch the fish or bait, and there are shower facilities on site. I know it sounds odd but actually, we do this quite often as a family. My dad takes good care of me, what can I say? He’s just happy to have a girl that likes fishing.
19. When I go to the beach, I spend hours collecting what must be gallons of shells. They usually make it home, but after that, they seem to get sucked into a black hole. Or, mom pitches them. Not sure which.
20. My roommate and I often converse in Kelly-speak, used in the hilarious (or inexcusably silly) shoes video. Sometimes we forget ourselves and do it in public.

Would you like to be featured? Email your twenty things (keep it clean, please!) to baltimoreetsy (at) gmail (dot) com. Be sure to include your photo, name and URL.

Favorite Handmade Treasure: Maria of Worn Dress Designs

In this series of posts, we will be sharing stories about our favorite homemade possessions. First, here's one written by Maria of Worn Dress Designs.

Gray came into my life fairly recently and I love him very much. He was a gift from my significant other.
My partner is a part of a film crew that is currently working on a project called “Wings”, which records the lives of a group of inner city Baltimore Junior High and High school girls. There was a secret Santa exchange planned last Christmas that never took place- so I received this precious creature instead.

Gray was made lovingly out of some scrap fur (originally used to upholster a chair) and an embedded little paper heart that beats when you press in the right spot. We have been together ever since, and because I don’t have a childhood bear or blanket to sleep with, he accompanies me to bed every night.

Do you have a favorite handmade possession? Tell us your story - email baltimoreetsy(at)gmail(dot)com.

Baker Artist Award Winners Announced Tonight!

Collaboration Stories, part 1

Here at B.E.S.T., we are often in awe of our friends' talents and skills, and when we put our heads together, we find our collaboration can lead to some amazing things!

Shannon of Sweet Pepita worked with Jen of Jenmenkhaus and together they came up with these soft little hats with the cutest felt embellishments. Jen's felt designs pair perfectly with Shannon's use of fleece in these warm hats.

Another great ongoing collaboration is the one between Anne of amadison and Deronda of DerondaDesigns. Anne designs rosaries and Deronda makes lampwork beads, so they're a perfect match.

Anne says of this piece she made with Deronda's beads, "This rosary was made in honor of Mother Teresa. The small beads are sacred bodhi wood from India. Deronda made the large beads in a soft, matte blue with cream, white, and silver swirls. They evoke the blue-and-white habits worn by Mother Teresa and her sisters."

This piece has been sold, but Anne continues to count on Deronda for inspiration.

More stories to come!

Indie-Pendent Business: Scene 217

In the heart of Little Italy, directly across from Vaccaro's, you can find my favorite hair cut and color place: Scene 217. The staff is friendly, the stylists are good, and the location is fantastic.

Lots of locals already know about it--Scene 217 was rated one of the top salons by Baltimore Magazine.

From their website: "Not just another salon, Scene 217 hosts many events throughout the year to educate and entertain our clientele. We are committed to providing each client with something a little extra."

Katya gives a mean shampoo and Krystle is great with short hair like I have. Why not stop in, and then get your cute self over to Vaccaro's for some gelato?

What I'm Working On: Anne Madison of AMadison

This series of posts will give you a sneak peek into what B.E.S.T. members are currently working on--in progress. The results may be messy, but they're definitely creative!

This one features Anne Madison of amadison.

Here is my worktable. The pile of pieces in the black tray
are most recent work, just photographed and added to my website, but
not yet to my Etsy site. My entire focus this spring is on
renewable, recycled, Earth-friendly, and fairly traded materials. The
rosaries are fabricated of Ghana recycled glass, tagua, Kenya
"mudbone," and crosses from Ethiopia. All are strung on either manmade
leather called Genya or on cotton soutache braid.

Above is the newest Irish rosary, all ready for St. Patrick's
Day next month. It is Kenya "mudbone" beads with a bone cross. The
ring is an African brass "belt" ring. I dunno much about them except
that they're old and hard to come by.

Here are just three of the rosaries pulled out and "posed."
Left to right, an Anglican rosary of red tagua and Ghana glass, an
Anglican rosary of recycled Coke bottles from Ghana and Indonesia, and
a Catholic rosary of Ghana glass.

That large copper watch face that lurks in all of the pictures is my
next project. I don't know what I'm going to do with it yet.

Look for these in her shop soon!

Monday Inspirations: Baby Gifts

A few of us here at BEST are expecting little ones soon, and I keep thinking about making handmade baby gifts, but I always feel kind of overwhelmed at the process. Handmade gifts are so much more meaningful, but often I just can't decide what to make. I mean, babies need a lot of stuff! I happened upon this great selection on Martha Stewart.com, and my brain just immediately started working again! There are projects for all expertise levels, so whether you or someone you know is expecting, check it out!

Picture This! Imagery in Enamel

Intense workshops have to be my favorite classes. I love cramming as much information as I can into a weekend and using that information to actually create something fantastic. This workshop makes me wish I was still making jewelry!


Maybe you know enameling basics, or maybe you're an expert but you're looking for a way to make your work more uniquely yours. Learn how to bring out your inner illustrator or photographer or painter with Picture This! Imagery in Enamel with Mary Chuduk at Maryland Institute College of Art, Jewelry Center at Meadow Mills.

Explore a fresh approach to drawing and painting in enamel, using ceramic pencils, line drawing, sepia decals, and painted over-glaze colors for delicate color washes and details. Experiment with the subtle and brilliant colors of sifted and wet-packed enamels for both recognizable and abstract imagery, on flat and slightly formed copper or silver. Enhance the images with lusters, inlays of metallic foils and leaf, cloisonné wire, and fine copper mesh. Drawing and/or painting experience is helpful but not required.

The Jewelry Workshop, Picture This! Imagery in Enamel with Mary Chuduk will be held on
Saturday & Sunday April 18 and 19 from 9:30 am – 4:30 pm. The cost is $280.

To register call 410-225-2219 or visit danube.mica.edu/cs/register/
For questions about “Picture This!” feel free to contact Shana Kroiz at shanakroiz@hotmail.com or 410-499-7577

Maryland Institute College of Art, Jewelry Center at Meadow Mills
3600 Clipper Mill Road. Baltimore, MD 21211
suite 103

Random Baltimore Photo

For more information, please click on the image.

Have a Weekend? Sew Great Stuff!

Win Weekend Sewing, the new how-to book from from Fabric Designer Heather Ross!


The contest is being held through the Charm City Craft Mafia. Read their interview with Heather and leave a comment on the original blog post about the project you’d like to make using Heather’s fabric, or the part of the interview that you enjoyed the most. A winner will be drawn at random this Monday, March 23rd.

Meet Heather in person and get your cool new book signed:

March 21
Silver Spring, MD
Demo and signing at Honfleur Home – 1pm
More info: here

March 29
BALTIMORE, MD
Demo and signing at Atomic Books in Hampden 3pm-5pm
More info: here

Flickr Finds - Crochet Bridal Party

Super cute crocheted bride, groom, bridesmaids, and groomsmen. From StarSapphireHandmade's photostream.

Join the Baltimore / Maryland Crafters flickr group, hosted by The Broken Plate, and we may feature you and your work in an upcoming BEST blog. So if you're crafty (and you know you are), and you live in or around Baltimore, look us up. We know you're out there, so show us your stuff! (Note- if you don't have the "embed" option turned on, it's really tricky to link to you!)

Friday FInds - Out Like a Lamb

It's officially SPRING!!!! SO let's just jump right in and start dressing like it, shall we?

This is the sweetest little dress, ever. (And can I have that kitchen, too?) By yellowcake.

I'm a person who just can't stick with one color or pattern, so this purse really appeals to me. By spongetta.

I have been dying for a pair of these shoes by mohop.

Our own Elisa Shere just keeps coming up with the sweetest designs, like this necklace.

No spring outfit is complete without a beautiful headpiece, like this one from Frederick native whichgoose.

Happy Friday!

Register Now for the Summit of Awesome

Registration is now online!

May 1 - May 3
MidCity, Washington, D.C.

The Summit of Awesome is 3-days filled with business seminars for artists and crafters, hands-on workshops, the D.C. premiere of the Indie Craft Documentary, Handmade Nation, and a Saturday night party. Through a partnership with the MidCity Business Association, all Summit seminars and workshops will take place in the wondrous and vibrant independent businesses in MidCity (14th and U Streets NW). There will be informal tours of DC’s coolest indie shops and a welcome reception for early arrivals on Thursday, April 30th.

Seminar topics include Business Identity and Branding, How to Green Your Craft, Small Business Basics, The Ins and Outs of Trade Shows, and many many more! Hands-on workshops will show experienced crafters new techniques, and will introduce exciting projects to craft dabblers. A complete schedule of speakers and seminars is coming soon.

Our seminars and powerhouse line-up of speakers will show you how to grow your craft, green your craft, and be prosperous in this ever-changing economy. And best of all, you will get to meet and hang out with other crafters just like you!

Your registration includes all programming from Friday through Sunday. Spaces are extremely limited, so register now!

All access passes are currently the discounted price of $150, after April 10, passes are $180.

Coming from out of town? Get complete information about travelling to and staying in Washington, D.C.

Twenty Things: Cara Ober

Cara Ober is an artist, art critique, blogger and co-owner of Paperwork Gallery here in Charm City. She shows both locally and nationally, and can be found commenting on all things art and political at www.bmoreart.com. To see more of her work check out www.caraober.com

20 Random Unoffensive Facts about Me, Cara Ober:

1. If I had to eat only one food for the rest of my life I would choose ... wait for it ... peanut butter. The recent salmonella scare had me in a panic.
2. I married a man I met in 7th grade Orchestra class. We both played the violin.
3. I have two yappy smalldogs, Friday and Peppy, and I love them more than life itself. Their pomeranian antics entertain me constantly.
4. I have never been able to choose between art making and writing. So I do both at the same time. I'm not sure how efficient this is.
5. I can't touch my toes.
6. For some reason, I receive People Magazine in the mail each week addressed to me, the Spanish Langauge Version, which I can't read.
7. I am not a natural blonde. Hard to believe, I know.
8. I am addicted to coffee. Hot in the winter and cold in the summer.
9. I do not like dessert. Salt = Yes. Sugar = No.
10. I have approximately 10 different jobs that actually pay me. But not very much.
11. I live in a house that is 100 years old and my husband is fixing it up one room at a time. I use this as an excuse to not clean. Ever.
12. I bite my fingernails like it is going out of style. I really enjoy it. I know it is gross.
13. I am still close with my best friends from elementary school and middle school. I am wealthy in friendships. I have several good friends in my immediate Baltimore area as well.
14. I adore body products that smell like mint or nuts. I detest body products that smell like fruits or flowers. Is coconut a fruit or a nut? I put it in the nut category, unless it is combined with a Pineapple smell, which ruins it for me.
15. I always assume everyone I meet is gay. This sometimes gets me into trouble.
16. I love Woody Allen. I love his movies. I love him. I really love him. I am watching 'Manhattan' right now. It is my favorite one.
17. I refuse to shop at Wal-mart. I will not step foot inside. I get panic attacks and think they (the wal-mart people) are evil. Seriously. I don't understand why anyone goes there. There are some things more important than saving money. Yes, there is a tirade here.
18. I am an pretty effing good cook. I never use recipes although reading glossy cooking magazines is one of my guilty pleasures.
19. I am politically involved and interested. I will argue with anyone at any time. Gay marriage = fairness. Conservatives need to learn that time does not march backwards.
2o. I am a terrible driver. I sometimes check my email while driving.

Would you like to be featured? Email your twenty things (keep it clean, please!) to baltimoreetsy (at) gmail (dot) com. Be sure to include your photo, name and URL.

The Broken Plate in Maryland Life

Check out media darling Juliet of The Broken Plate in the April issue of Maryland Life!

What I'm Working On: Danamarie of greenstarstudio

It's been over a decade since I made my first Knitimal, and in that time I have dreamed up, knit, sewn & stuffed over 600 of them, and watched them all find homes all over the world. This amazing opportunity to bring art into young lives has kept me thinking, pondering, sketching & creating with almost insomniac fury. What I'm working on now has been cooking in my brain for a while now, but this winter I finally found time to delve into a massive new undertaking... In just a few weeks I'll be unveiling a brand new line of art dolls; ones that encourage art making & creativity, even for the self proclaimed "non-artist". They're top secret for now, but I'm revealing them bit by bit on my blog. Now, to come up with a name for them...

This series of posts will give you a sneak peek into what B.E.S.T. members are currently working on--in progress. The results may be messy, but they're definitely creative! Would you like to submit your own work in progress? Email us at baltimoreetsy@gmail.com.

Holiday Finds: Luck of the Irish

I'm all about decorating my mantle for holidays, and these would be perfect. Set of three houses by careysquirks.

I'm only a wee bit Irish, but on St. Patrick's Day, I still like to say I am - who doesn't? Note card set by katieblairdesigns.

I adore the texture of this scarf by marshallarts79.

Smell like the Emerald Isle with these soaps from Sudstress.

Love this moss clip by Ottoman, the little circles remind me of moss-covered landscapes.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!