Towsontown Spring Festival

Come out to Towson this weekend for the Towsontown Spring Festival for food, music, crafts, and fun.

Come by and see BEST's own Anne Madison, CEK Custom Designs, Jersey Girl Design, and Dari!

Twenty Things - nfall2rt

1. My second love behind creating is backpacking/ hiking.
2. My typical work habits include the "leap frog method." As soon as I have a new idea for my next project, I tend to stop the current one immediately so I can get started on the new one. Often I'll find myself in the midst of up to 20 projects at once!
3. I can only drink half a cup of coffee at a time.
4. I'm an obsessive cleaner and compulsive organizer.
5. When someone buys me flowers I feel sad for the flowers.
6. I went to the aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia about a year ago and still think about how beautiful it was on a weekly basis.
7. I can't stand it when someone puts the toilet paper roll on backwards (facing the wall).
8. My favorite Saturday morning consists of sleeping in and staying in bet to read until noon.
9. I think it would be beautiful to get married in the rain.
10. My favorite job I've ever had was teaching swim lessons at a YMCA.
11. I'm as impulsive as my cat Lucy. I don't plan, I just jump.
12. If I was stranded on a desert island I would need first and foremost a copy of Kurt Vonnegut's Galapagos.
13. I am in love with the moment when I wake up every morning and realize that I will make something beautiful today.
14. If I could only see in one color for the rest of my life I would choose green.
15. I am very clumsy. There are doorways in my house that I don't think I've ever successfully cleared.
16. I am a hoarder of poetry.
17. My car is almost always littered with bird poop and I don't care.
18. My work is largely inspired by nature.
19. I hate lipstick.
20. Ice cream is my biggest vice.

Post written by nfall2rt

Flower Mart

A long standing Baltimore tradition and rite of spring is Flower Mart, held in Mt. Vernon. America’s first official Flower Mart was in 1911, right here in Baltimore. This weekend you can join in on the tradition around the Washington Monument at Charles and Monument Streets on Friday, May 1 and Saturday, May 2, 2009.


Enjoy delicious food while perusing specialty annuals and perennials, and learn how to create a successful urban garden. If you don’t have a green thumb, you can take home something that won’t wilt by shopping the local artisan and craftsman vendors, including BEST’s own Elisa Shere.

Admission is free and it is a family-friendly event. A complete list of events can be found here. Don’t forget your lemon stick!

written by Monica.

Favorite Handmade Possession: Erica

Sad to say, I was recently burned by a seller on Etsy. I had placed an alchemy bid for a large messenger bag made out of magenta Asian brocade fabric. I had wanted to take the bag on a trip over Christmas. After accepting a bid from a particular seller we were off and rolling. I paid for the bag up front in full (big mistake on my part) and long story short I never received the bag….ever.


But it is not a complete loss because I stumbled upon another Etsy seller, Class A Bags who was selling bags made from Asian brocade. After many convos back and forth the very nice lady of Class A Bags made me the most beautiful magenta Asian brocade bag a girl could ever ask for! I couldn’t be happier with it and it is currently my favorite handmade item!

Written by Erica of CEK Custom Designs

Indie-Pendent Business: Broom’s Bloom Ice Cream and Dairy Store

When we read Broom’s Bloom Dairy excellent ratings on Zagat, I could barely wait to go there. Oh, and I’m so glad I did; their ice cream and farm fresh produce are THAT good.

This farmhouse turned ice cream parlor is located on a dairy farm, owned by the Dallam family, which dates back to the early 1700’s and has supported nine generations of Dallams. Dallam family has been milking cows and making artisanal ice creams for much of the past 10 years.

Not only do they offer a large selection of ice cream flavors, (They often rotate their flavors so you never quite know what they are going to have) they also serve a wide assortment of fresh, all natural soups, stews, chowders, quiche and sandwiches. They also carry a selection of foods and seasonings from local farmers who share their philosophy of responsible and sustainable farming along with their own artisan cheese, pork sausage, lamb, beef, free-range eggs, seasonal vegetables and cut flowers.

While it’s hard to choose, my favorite ice cream flavors are Dirt and Coconut Chocolate; I also loved the Italian sausage we brought home on our last visit a week ago.

The farm is located on 1700 S. Fountain Green Rd, Bel Air, MD, but Dallam family also sells their wares at the Waverly's 32nd St Farmer's Market in Baltimore; if you don’t feel like driving up to the farm – which is totally worth it, though! You can enjoy your homemade ice cream sitting on the picnic tables outside watching the sunset by the grain silo or inside, in the vintage farm decorated ice cream parlor.

Directions From I-95:

Take Exit 80/MD543 off I-95. Head toward Churchville off the exit. The farm is about 4 miles from the exit. Continue on MD543, cross Rt. 136 and they are on the left. Look for the sign. If you go as far as the light for Wheel Road, you've gone too far.

Post written by Spa Therapy Works

Random Baltimore Photo

For more information, please click on the image.

Tutorial: Monster Feet

This is a fun craft to do with an elementary age kid. The one thing only an adult can take care of is the final assemblage and cutting of the hole for the foot at the very end. I’ve shown a design done completely with paper, but you can feel free to embellish with markers or crayons as well. I highly recommend Crayola construction paper crayons- they are one of my favorite classroom art supplies. They don’t seem to be sold in conventional craft stores yet, but I found some here on Amazon. These come in the cutest colors that all look great together, and they stand out very brightly even on dark colored paper. Glitter crayons work pretty well, too.

For one pair of these, you will need:

4 paper grocery bags

Newspaper for stuffing

Scissors

Pencil

Glue- Elmer’s or school glue will do just fine

Construction paper

Crayons or markers, if desired



1. Begin to stuff two of the bags with newspaper.

2. Fill to the top of the bag.

3. Make the toes of your monster feet. I used human toes, but you can do lizard or dinosaur toes, bird claws, webbed feet, wacky shoes, you name it. Remember that we need two matching sets of everything, so it helps to fold the paper in half, or do two sheets at once.

4. Glue the toes to the closed side of the other two bags- the bottom. If you get this backwards, it’s no biggie.

5. Now create the texture, or skin- straight hair, curly hair, reptile scales, feathers, or fish scales. Cut paper has so many possibilities! This step could easily be done with markers or crayons instead or in addition. I did the curly hair by making fringe, then curling it with my pencil.

6. Glue the texture to the bag. You may want to allow a little glue-drying time here. If your little one tends to go to town on the glue, you can tell them “Just a dot, not a lot;” my students love repeating this.

7. Here’s the grownup part- open the decorated bag, and slide the stuffed bag inside of it. This makes a closed form. Staple the back and sides together so it won’t fall out. Now, cut the hole for the foot to go in. It needs to poke through both bags. You may have to do a bit of controlled jabbing to get though both layers!

8. Once you do all this stuff to both feet you are done! They wear like giant slippers. Enjoy!

Written by Laura of Baker's Wife.

Get Savvy

Adornment Craft Center will be holding “the Savvy Art Market,” beginning on May 2nd and 3rd, from 10am to 4pm. This will be a weekly event, every Saturday and Sunday, and will feature up and coming artists displaying their jewelry, paintings, sculpture and various crafts. Talk with the artists! Find that special gift! Discover the perfect unique accessory! Or order a custom made piece just for you!

For you crafters out there, the Savvy Art Market is now taking artist submissions. Email Jo-Ann for more information or visit their website.

Happy Etsy Day!

From the original Storque post here:
The Etsy Forums have united and declared Friday, April 24th, 2009, Etsy Day! Hurrah! We here at Etsy love you for working together to create a really exciting opportunity for us all. We will be reporting the guerilla marketing on Friday and we challenge YOU, buyer, seller or fan, to shout "Etsy!" from the rooftops. Get the Etsy name out there in the brightest, sparkly-est, boldest way you can think of! Make sure to record your efforts with video or photos (if you upload photos to flickr, making sure to tag them "Etsy Day 2009"). We'll be highlighting the funniest, weirdest, most attention grabbing efforts here on Etsy's Blog and on our social networks (like our Facebook page and Twitter), and we'll make sure to link back to you.

To learn more about Etsy Day, check out the latest forum post by Shugirl here.

Here are some ideas from the Etsy Admin:

1. If you get people to sign up for Etsy on Friday make sure they mention your Etsy username in the Referrer Username box at sign up! If we see a user who really rocks this, we'll automatically include you in our Etsy Day follow up post. So if you print out flyers, get on the news, or get Ashton Kutcher to tweet about Etsy, make sure you get your username in there, too!
2. Tweet your endeavors via Twitter and make sure to add the hash tag #EtsyDay. (And send it to @aplusk. Let's get Ashton Kutcher's attention on Etsy Day. Ha! Mr. Most Twitter Followers.)
3. Support a new seller on Etsy Day! Buy an item from someone with no sales (you can find them on Pounce Undiscovered), and wish them a "Happy Etsy Day" in the Message to Seller field when you check out.
4. Print out schugirl's Etsy sign to stick in your car window or download and print out the design Anda made for Etsy Day!
5. Get an Etsy tattoo!
6. Dress your family in all orange. When you get weird looks, whisper "Etsy".
7. One final clarification..."Etsy" is pronounced like "Betsy" with no B.

Thanks to Shelly for pointing this out!

Friday Finds: Taurus

Being a Taurus, I love this time of year. Five of my close family members are also Tauruses, celebrating birthdays between 21 April and 21 May, so there are lots of celebrations. Here are some fun Zodiac-inspired Etsy finds.



First, I love the name of this necklace, pointing out something I've been told all my life (the "bossy" part more than the "cute" part,.) Tauruses are Bossy ( in a cute way ) by Marmar



Next, here's a cool linocut print card featuring a bull by Winged Lion.



I've never had much success finding the signs of the zodiac in the sky, but maybe this vintage print from Surrender Dorothy could help.



I love the colors in this poster from 1969, recently resurrected by UK designer Paul Smith and offered by Simboli Design.



And finally, red velvet cake balls have nothing to do with Taurus or the Zodiac, but I want them in my mouth ASAP! By Vintage Confections.

Enter to Win a Pass to the Summit!

Hello Craft is giving away two free Saturday only Passes to the Summit of Awesome. Just tell them why YOU are awesome. (Easy enough, right?) The two most awesome entries will each win a Saturday Pass to the Summit of Awesome ($85 value). The prize does NOT include travel expenses, just all Summit activities for Saturday, May 2nd. This includes seminars, workshops, a craftnote speech by Jenny Hart of Sublime Stitching and a Saturday night party. See the Saturday schedule for complete details.

To enter, just email a short description of your awesomeness by Saturday, April 25. Winners will be announced on Sunday, April 26th.

Photo credit: Awesome card by OrangeTwist.

Happy Birthday, Maria!

aka worndress.

Twenty Things: Sylvia Ortiz

New York native Sylvia Ortiz, now based in Baltimore, has been heavily active in the urban art scene since 2002 having her first solo exhibition that same year. As a working artist she has exhibited her work across the globe with artist groups such as The Antagonist Movement and The Soup Group. You can see her work at her upcoming show beginning May 1 at Definition Gallery.

1. i'm a self professed dorkus maximus

2. i'm the biggest chicken on the planet but can't live without my scary movies

3. i am also an anime junkie

4. chocoholic to the max

5. i have a comic book collection

6. ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm i love animals....what girl doesn't :-)

7. o o o o i love video games!!!!

8. can crack my collar bone, wrists and ankles

9. i've got a double jointed thumb

9. i have a potty mouth

10. i know how to fish and I'm pretty good at it

11. i make a mean ass Coquito (look it up)

12. got accepted to copper union's prestigious portfolio prep with just 2 sketchbooks at 20...it was the beginning of my professional schooling in the arts

13. my biggest accomplishment was beating the odds and surviving the urban jungle i grew up in

14.graduated from parsons school of design in 2002 but my diploma says 2003

15. my artwork has traveled the world and the furthest I’ve been is D.C.

16. i'm a space cadet who can quote nietzsche

17. i think my H. S. teacher hit on me when i was teaching art there.....weird

18. i am amazing with tools i can teach ya how to build a house or do it myself

19. i have chronic endometriosis...

20. i was born Summer of Sam in the city that never sleeps, my mom dyed her hair blond and cut it short, was 9 months pregnant with me when the infamous blackout of 77 happened.... true story.

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.

My Three Things

Anyone who lived in the D.C. area during the '80s and '90s remembers the great old radio station WHFS and Weasel the DJ. Weasel had a daily feature called "My Three Songs"; in this game, he would present three songs that had a common thread, theme, or leitmotif, and the object was for the listeners to guess what it was.

Here are three items by Etsy artists. What do they have in common? Give your answer in the comments below!

First, we have this cute clutch by Divine Arts.



London Underground Map Clutch

Next, there's Swiss Chard 5 Colors Seed--gorgeous colors and good for you too!


From the Bear Foot Shaman

Finally, check out this pouch by Symbiosis by Julia.



Small Pouch-Happy Mole

So what do they have in common, hmmm?

CraftWeek DC

The first annual CraftWeek DC takes place April 22 – 26, 2009. A citywide celebration of crafts in our Nation’s capital, each day offers activities focused on every craft medium from ceramics, fiber, glass, metal to wood, and includes exhibits, artist demonstrations, gallery receptions, lectures, plus other activities. Two nationally recognized studio craft events will also take place – the prestigious juried Smithsonian Craft Show and the James Renwick Alliance Spring Craft Weekend, including the Masters of the Medium symposium featuring the five master artists.

CraftWeek DC is a unique opportunity to see studio crafts at their best and meet the makers, from internationally recognized artists to up-and-coming artists exhibiting for the first time at the Smithsonian Craft Show. Events celebrate as well, the growing community of artists and galleries in the Washington, DC area involved in creating and showing sculptural and functional objects.

Many events are free and open to the public, including:

Demonstrations of technique and work by DC area art jewelry, ceramics and glass artists at Red Dirt Studios, Flux Studios, Blue Fire Studios, DC Glassworks and Sculpture Studios, and Washington Glass School, Gateway Arts Community, Mt Rainier, MD. Work by the ceramics and jewelry faculty at Corcoran College of Art + Design and Studio 4903 will also be on display at Blue Fire Studios and Flux Studios.

In Georgetown, Maurine Littleton Gallery is showing work by noted glass artists Richard Marquis, a Master of the Medium, and Dante Marioni. Jewelry by metalsmith/jeweler Mielle Harvey is at Jewelers’werk Galerie. A ceramic cup invitational showing the work of many artists is a fun event at Cross MacKenzie Gallery. In Potomac, Artists Circle Fine Arts is showing work by John Garrett, an experimental artist who applies textile technologies and imagery to various materials.

Near Dupont Circle, Foundry Gallery will show kiln cast and lampworked glass by instructors and students from the Washington Glass School. On Capital Hill, five Washington-based artists will show work in ceramic, glass, metal and mixed media at Capital Hill Art & Frame. Shows at the Target, Scope and Enamelist galleries at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, will feature local artists working with reclaimed material, ceramics and enameled metal.

At KORUS House, Embassy of Korea, a special event highlights the artistry of contemporary Korean and Korean-American metalsmiths and makers of art jewelry.

On Saturday morning, April 25, the James Renwick Alliance and the Smithsonian American Art Museum host a symposium at which artists honored by the Alliance’s Master of the Medium award will speak on their life in craft. The panel is moderated by Michael Monroe, Director of Curatorial Affairs, Bellevue Arts Museum, Bellevue, Washington, and former curator-in-charge, Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum. The honorees are: Warren Mackenzie, an influential ceramics educator from Minneapolis, Minnesota; Richard Marquis, a pioneer in the American studio glass movement and one of the first to incorporate Venetian glass techniques into contemporary studio glass; Norma Minkowitz, a fiber artist and pioneer in turning the feminine art of crochet into a medium for sculpture; June Schwarcz, noted for her exquisite skill with enamel and metalwork; and David Ellsworth, a leading figure in the American turned wood movement.

For event dates, times and locations, and events requiring admission fees, see http://craftweekdc.com

Via Cut the Craft.

Highlandtown Wine Festival April 26, 2009

Di Pasquale's Italian Market sponsor the sixth annual Highlandtown Wine Festival celebrating the tradition of home winemaking. The event, held at Our Lady of Pompei Convent Garden, features a Homemade Wine Competition, Wine Tastings, Bocce Tournament, food and music by Cold-Cold Heartbreakers.

This year the Highlandtown Wine Festival has invited over 25 vendors, merchants, and organizations to round out an already great afternoon! Browse local artisan crafts such as Mark Supik's wood turning, JersyGirlDesigns's bright springtime accessories, Monica Broere's ceramics, or chat with author Gary Helton about his books highlighting local Baltimore color in Highlandtown and beyond. This venue will not disappoint!

Sunday April 26th, 1-6pm.
Our Lady of Pompei Convent Garden on Father Petti Lane
(around the corner from Claremont & Conkling Streets)
Admission $25 ($20 in advance) includes a souvenir wine glass and five wine tastings.

For more information and tickets go to the official web site at www.HighlandtownWineFest.com.

Happy Earth Day!

Doing a little something eco-friendly every day can make a big difference. To celebrate Earth Day, here are some finds from eco-conscious Etsy sellers.

Ditch the plastic sandwich bags and get some of these washable sandwich "saks" from WasteNotSaks.

Say "no thank you" to paper or plastic with these recycled tshirt market bags from zJayne.

There's no reason not to be stylish and green - especially when you wear this necklace made from recycled skate board decks. By 2ReVert.

Green your clean with natural soaps by AlchemicMuse, a member of the Etsy Clean and Green Guild.

Save a tee from the landfill when you dress your little one in stylish tees from our own sweetpepita.

Even your dog can be green with this leash from anniessweatshop. Annie will give you a rebate when you recycle your old leash with her.

Have a great earth day, everyone!

Favorite Handmade Possession

I worked in Guatemala for a little while and got to visit the old capital city of Antigua, where there's a shop that sells old, used huipils (a traditional blouse for women in Guatemala). I bought a few, but now wish I had stocked up while I was there!



One of the huipils I bought has a really colorful pattern of birds and flowers embroidered on it, and you can tell it's been worn, which makes me like it all the more. I wonder about the life of the woman it belonged to. I have it hanging up in my kitchen where it cheers me up on the dreariest day with its bright colors.



I love what La Chapina does with her used huipils, like using them to surround this mirror.

If you're heading to Guatemala anytime soon, make sure to pick some up!

Favorite Shop: Estate Sale

One of the great things about wearing handmade is that you don't find yourself wearing the same thing everyone else got at the mall. Great vintage finds can add to your unique look, too, and I like checking out Etsy sellers for vintage.

One of my favorite vintage clothes shops is Estate Sale.

I can see myself in so many of her tops, skirts, and shoes. I am currently eyeing this top, which would make me feel like I was getting ready to pose for my 8th grade school picture, but in a good way.



I also love this pleated skirt. I can picture wearing it out at night with sandals, or with a t-shirt and flip flops to the Farmer's Market.



Anja, the one behind Estate Sale writes, "I truly love vintage items and have been addicted to going to thrift stores, flea markets, estate sales and garage sales for years, ever since I was a kid. This shop was set up to find homes for some of these neat treasures, because not everyone has the time or patience to seek out these goods."

Finally, I am crazy about these shoes, which make me think of jelly shoes. They would be great for work for the hot days of summer.

Random Baltimore Photo

Keys to an old printing press in the Baltimore Museum of Industry

Dolls for Charity: The Uthando Project

The Uthando Project is about making simple handmade dolls for Zulu children in South Africa that are HIV positive. It was brought to my attention by the nurse at my children's school. It seems like a perfect fit for some of us. The website offers basic patterns for a few different dolls to knit or sew from leftover yarn and fabric, but you are free to make a doll however you like, with whatever you like. I know it's no surprise to any of us that most of these children have heart wrenching stories that include whole families wiped out by the AIDS virus. I will arrange to have any dolls we make sent (this includes any blog readers that would like to contribute, too).You can contact me at www.shellydaly.etsy.com.



From their website:

KwaZulu Natal (KZN) is home to one quarter of South Africa’s children. Two in every three of them live in poverty and 1.5 million are younger than six. The HIV and AIDS pandemic affects everyone, and the ravages of the pandemic increase the vulnerability of all children. Children need the loving care of at least one adult for optimal growth and development. When one in five children has already lost one or both parents to the AIDS, the care-giving capacity of families is stretched and at times overwhelmed. While nutritious food, clean water, shelter and education are essential for a child’s wellbeing, so is play.

Play enables children to develop physically, intellectually, emotionally, socially and spiritually in a more robust way. Through play children have the opportunity to experience delight and to unleash their imagination. They may also express their grief and loss, and come to better understand things that trouble or confuse them. One grandmother may have up to a dozen children in her care, and some children live in child-headed households. Tired, grieving and overburdened caregivers sometimes need help to find a place in their day to day lives to support and join in their children’s play.

To support this process, dollmakers around the world, provide handmade dolls, sewn or knitted, for the caregivers to give their children.



Could YOU make a doll for a child who has never had one?
If you can sew, knit, or crochet . . . we have the patterns. You can be as creative as you like - all we ask is that your doll be sturdy, cuddly and colourful with brown skin.

Where are the dolls going?
To children living in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, where two thirds of children live in poverty. All have been affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic and one in five children grieves the loss of one or both parents.

Dolls are distributed through the agency TREE (Training Resources in Early Education).

Who makes the dolls?
Anyone! This is a grassroots project. Craft groups, individuals, school children, seniors, church groups . . . all want to send something made with their own hands, to show children and families living midst the pandemic that they are not forgotten by the rest of the world.

How did the project begin?
In 2004, Dr Julie Stone, an infant, child & family psychiatrist visited South Africa. She witnessed the stark situation and invited people to respond by making dolls. Since then, many have. Uthando means 'love' in the Zulu language.

How many dolls have been sent?
Dolls have arrived in KwaZulu-Natal from all over the world. 20,000 dolls have been sent, including 18,000 from Perth. KwaZulu-Natal has 1.5 million children under the age of 6, and each one would love a doll of their own.

How are the dolls used?
The dolls are an invitation to play. They will bring delight to the children and their carers. This play may help the child with grief and loss. To own and play with their own doll encourages a child's development in all spheres: physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual.

Written by Shelly Daly of A Stone's Throw

Weekend Deals

Enjoy this super special deal this weekend only (April 17-19) at both of our shops- worndress + seagrapesoap!

Buy 2 items and receive free shipping.

Buy 3 or more items and receive free shipping and 15% off your entire purchase.

Type in "BEST" in the message to seller box at checkout and you will be refunded the appropriate amount via paypal.

Don't miss this opportunity to stock up on handmade goodies!

Friday Finds - Get Out & Garden!

It's going to be sunny tomorrow! And I'm hoping to get out into the garden and get my hands dirty. Here are some things from Etsy I just might need.

Since carrots are the one vegetable I can usually count on my daughter eating, I definitely am going to plant a lot this year... and these look yummy. Heirloom Chantenay Carrot Seeds from myvictorygarden.

These are so cute for growing herbs indoors, or starting your seeds - and you'll always know what's in the pot since the black part is a chalkboard. Genius. By moxiesisters.

Our birds are back, and I love giving them little homes around the backyard. By birdhouseaccents.

These will look sweet in your garden until the real flowers grow. By mountainiron.

Alright, this is just for me. It's stylish and holds all the tools you need. By Junienone.

Happy gardening!

Ladew Gardens Dollar Days

Located just 30 minutes from Baltimore, Ladew Topiary Gardens is known around the world for its topiary and flower gardens. The Ladew Manor House is also open for guided tours.

The Nature Walk at Ladew opened in 1999 and is a 1.5 mile trail through the woods and fields of the Ladew property. In addition to educational stations along the trail, there is a short boardwalk through wetland forest and marsh. Tours are self-guided, aided by a printed map and descriptions of each station.

It's Dollar Days Weekend April 18 & 19

From their website:

Visit Ladew for only $1.00 per person: adult, child, senior and student, from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to enjoy the 10,000 blooming bulbs beginning their flamboyant spring display! Great deals on memberships! Bring friends, family and all the folks who always tell us, “I’ve been driving by Ladew Gardens for years but have never visited” to Ladew’s world class gardens, historic house and nature walk. Remember to reserve a space to see the house when you arrive for an additional $5.00—tours fill up fast! Stroll the nature walk, and visit the café for lunch. Come rain or shine!

It supposed to be a nice weekend--get outside!

My Three Things

Anyone who lived in the D.C. area during the '80s and '90s remembers the great old radio station WHFS and Weasel the DJ. Weasel had a daily feature called "My Three Songs"; in this game, he would present three songs that had a common thread, theme, or leitmotif, and the object was for the listeners to guess what it was.

Here are three items by Etsy artists. What do they have in common? Give your answer in the comments below!

First we have this cute box for stashing little things.



Zakka Box by Craftpudding

Next, check out this gorgeous card from BEST's own Baker's Wife.



Acadia Card

And finally, we have this gorgeous necklace by Elisa Shere, also of BEST.



Vintage Amber Necklace in Brass

So what do they have in common, hmmm?

Indie-Pendant Business - Bear's Paw Fabrics

I found Bear's Paw Fabrics in a search for the biggest purchase I've made since buying my car. I walked into the shop excited, albeit a little nauseous, but Pat quickly calmed my rickety nerves.

I am not an impulse buyer and I can talk myself out of damn near anything (unless it has sugar on it). And I will admit to you, that I typically research a big purchase for weeks... first online, and then in person, before even considering laying out the money for it. My search for the perfect serger was no exception.

What led me into Bear's Paw Fabrics was their Bernina stock. The shop is a Bernina of America dealer and they carry it all.. sewing machines, embroidery machines, sergers, coverstitch machines. And while they must be a quilter's dream, what with their huge selection of printed fabrics and beautiful batiks, I bet the incredible wealth of knowledge that each of the shopkeepers hold is just as important to their customers.

I spent 1 1/2 hours at the shop on my first visit. I called my mom. "Mama, they're really nice here, it's a local shop, they'll give me classes and make sure I'll know how to use it and I think it's a really good price." And she agreed, it sounded good. "Berninas are good machines, too," she said.

So I bought two. Yeah, I did!

Favorite Handmade Possession: Zetta

My favorite handmade item was given to me by my boyfriend on my 21st birthday. We celebrated by spending the day at I Made This!, a paint-your-own pottery studio in downtown Frederick, where I made a heart-shaped jewelry box. Completely unbeknownst to me, he’d bought this handmade flying heart necklace as my gift weeks before—so by pure coincidence, it ended up matching the jewelry box perfectly! Now I wear it almost every day.

The pendant is molded from PMC, a mixture of fine silver and organic binders that, when fired, leaves only solid silver behind. I wish I could remember the name of the designer--I know that the necklace was bought through Shanalogic, but the designer has since stopped selling there (which is too bad, because I remember her/him having a lot of great PMC pieces). The initials “J.K.” have been signed on the back, which is the only clue I have to go on—if anyone recognizes it, I’d love to know!

written by Zetta