Big Hands, Little Hands

Are you looking for a fun way to get your kids involved in arts and crafts? If you and your little ones aren't afraid to dig in and get your hands dirty we might have just the class for you! Check out the Big Hands, Little Hands workshop at Baltimore Clayworks Mt. Washington Studio.

This one-day workshop will explore the possibilities of clay for the pre-school age group. Adults will be paired with their young ones as they push, pinch, roll, squish and play with the clay. Process and product will be emphasized in this unique sensory experience, while the children build skills as well as a wonderful ceramic work of art! This class is for children ages 3 through 5, and adults of all ages. Class includes all materials and firing.

Saturday, April 16th 2:00 – 4:00pm

Members $60, Non-Members $85, addt'l participants $25

www.baltimoreclayworks.org

Free Quilting Workshop – Registration Open!

We will be holding another BEST-led workshop on Tuesday, April 5th!

In this workshop, Insung Kim of Namoo will be discussing and demonstrating contemporary quilting design and traditional quilting techniques.

Attendees should bring their own fabric scraps, basic sewing supplies, and a pair of scissors if they would like to participate. Or just bring yourself if you are just interested in seeing the demo for a contemporary quilt and Japanese patchwork workshop!

A little bit about Insung: She is a contemporary quilter. Many of her quilts feature fresh and bold modern designer fabrics and Japanese import. She enjoys quilting in her sewing room or walking with dogs in the park.

The workshop will be held at the MICA Fox Building, room 218. There are only 20 spaces available, so reserve your spot now!

**Please note the room location has changed from our previous workshop.

April 2nd - Crafts on the Hill

A unique shopping experience in Historical Capital Hill featuring, artists, designers, and handmade crafts from across the country. Crafts on the Hill is a family friendly event with a Kid's Corner for little ones, plus live music from young, local musicians and henna tattoos.

BEST member, Stacey Phinney of studio G will be there selling her fused glass and hand turned pens. If you are in the D.C. area stop by!


April, 02, 2011
Hours: 10am-4pm

Location: North Hall Eastern Market, Washington, DC 225 7th St. SE

Admission is free. First 100 guests will receive a gift bag.

Website: http://www.craftsonthehill.com/home.html


Written by Stacey of studio G

Seeing Now at the BMA

February 20, 2011 - May 15, 2011 All Day

Baltimore Museum of Art
10 Art Museum Drive
Baltimore, MD 21218

More than 200 compelling images showcase photography's extraordinary development since 1960 in this gripping exhibition. Seeing Now offers a striking snapshot of the world around us as seen through the eyes of more than 60 photographers—including Diane Arbus, William Eggleston, Garry Winogrand, and Cindy Sherman.

This exhibition reveals the astonishing breadth and depth of the BMA's outstanding photography collection and presents many recent acquisitions being shown at the museum for the first time. Works include single photographs, series, film, and video. Examine sub-cultures and expressions of the human form; natural and man-made environments; ephemeral performances and artistic projects; and the role of light and time in photography.

Time-based installations highlight Kota Ezawa’s creative interpretations of recorded archival footage (using computer drawing software) and Joan Jonas’ intriguing video and film self-portraits—created 30 years apart.

(Photo by Diane Arbus)

What I'm Working on - TheBrokenPlate

I am always looking for new ways to use my plates (and to break the monotony of making so many pendants.) I came up with these porcelain knuckles as a joke, but I get such a laugh out of them, I think I will have to make some more.

Favorite Etsy Shop: Patrick Ober, The Armourer

My current favorite Etsy shop is that of local artist Patrick Ober,
chain mail and metal artist. My husband and I have taken a couple of classes provided by Patrick, who has been a student of chain mail and metalworking for fully half his lifetime. His careful study of the techniques of many cultures and eras has inspired wonderful, wearable modern designs for men and women. Patrick also makes entire shirts and suits of chain mail like
the ones they wore in 1066. Those aren't available in his Etsy shop. I've learned a lot from Patrick and have been inspired after the classes to begin making some simple pieces of my own.

A loop in loop bracelet made of fused fine silver rings

A European chainmail bracelet made of titanium with handmade lobster clasp


Delicate sterling silver earrings made of Byzantine chain

Written by Anne of AtelierAdornments

Random Baltimore Photo

photo by: cizauska

Recycled Scarf Vendor Apron Tutorial

Just like Batman, a super crafter needs a great (and stylish) utility belt. In the craft world a good apron can be that utility belt! If you are going to work a craft show, bake sale or yard sale in the near future wouldn't it be great to have scissors, tape, pen, paper and change all at hand?

If you have an old scarf and 30 minutes Mad About Pink's Vendor Apron tutorial can help you make a useful vendor apron with great panache! So go down to the bat cave, take out that sewing machine and get to crafting!

To view the full tutorial click here.

Friday FInds: In a Pickle

To me pickles are the perfect food. Low in calorie, crunchy and oohhh so good. So it is no surprise to me that this bumpy green food has been the inspiration for some great handmade items.



Stressed out? Take the advice of Design Dude and Keep Calm And Eat A Pickle.



Not only can pickles be a comfort food, they can me a cuddly friend when you buy this Plush Dill Pickle from Jacki G. of Plushoff




Show your passion for pickles with this Polymer Clay Funky Green Dill Pickle Ring by Roscata

Written by Kolleen Kilduff of Design by Night

Homespun Yarn Party!

About the Homespun Yarn Party

Check out the Blog for interviews and information: http://homespunyarnparty.blogspot.com/

What: Yarn Party! Check out local yarn vendors, sit and knit, meet new people!

Who: All your favorite local yarn dyers and spinners, plus some extra crafty goodness! And all our knitting/crocheting/spinning friends (you!) of course!!

Where: from 2009-2011: Historic Savage Mill 8600 Foundry Street, Savage, MD 20763 | Just off I-95, plenty of parking! - - check the main page for this year's date and time

When: March 27th, 12 PM to 5 PM

Why: Who needs an excuse to get together and craft?! We wanted to get together and spread some fiber love!

In addition to some great crafty vendors, we also have:

• free lessons on knitting, crochet, spinning, and maybe more
• fabulous door prizes to be given away throughout the event
• weather-permitting, a sit and spin/crochet/knit area out on the deck

And we collect knitted and crocheted items for local charities!

Admission is FREE!

About the Homespun Yarn Party

Check out the Blog for interviews and information: http://homespunyarnparty.blogspot.com/

What: Yarn Party! Check out local yarn vendors, sit and knit, meet new people!

Who: All your favorite local yarn dyers and spinners, plus some extra crafty goodness! And all our knitting/crocheting/spinning friends (you!) of course!!

Where: from 2009-2011: Historic Savage Mill 8600 Foundry Street, Savage, MD 20763 | Just off I-95, plenty of parking! - - check the main page for this year's date and time

When: March 27th, 12 PM to 5 PM

Why: Who needs an excuse to get together and craft?! We wanted to get together and spread some fiber love!

In addition to some great crafty vendors, we also have:

• free lessons on knitting, crochet, spinning, and maybe more
• fabulous door prizes to be given away throughout the event
• weather-permitting, a sit and spin/crochet/knit area out on the deck

And we collect knitted and crocheted items for local charities!

Admission is FREE!

2011 Vendors

• Alpacas of Md at Peace Hollow Farm And Alpaca Yarn Arts
• Alpacas of Windswept Farm
• Ashton Studio Arts
• Avalon Springs Farm
• Biggs & Featherbelle
• Cat's Pajamas
• CompassioKnit
• Cosy Knits (Literally)
• Dancing Leaf Farm
• Dragonfly Fiber Designs
• Farmgirl Chic
• Feederbrook Farm
• Flying Goat Farm
• Folktale Fibers
• Gnomegarden
• Jump Sheep
• Kate's Cauldron
• Knitterly Things
• Loop
• Misty Mountain Farm
• Neighborhood Fiber Co.
• Persimmon Tree Farm
• Rock Creek Yarn
• Shelby B's Designs
• Sirona Science
• Snallygaster Fibers
• Space Cadet Creations
• Spirit Trail
• The Crooked Elm
• The Sanguine Gryphon
• Wild Hare Fiber Studio
• Wolles Yarn Creations
• Woolarina
• Wullenstudio

-- Written by gnomegarden
Written by Dawn of gnomegarden

What I'm Working On: TLane

I've started adding sets of place mats and pairs of towels to my shop this year. Also, I'm working with some new
colors and I've been designing new tea set themed flour sack tea towels.



Everything is better when it goes together.

Written by Tricia of TLane

Making a Difference...

The tragic event that struck Japan have gathered people around the globe to help people who suffer from the earthquake, tsunami and now the radiation leak. Since the day I heard the news, I couldn’t stop thinking about how to help, just like so many others.

I always find craft communities are very responsive to the needs of the world at large. Here I would like to feature what some of our Baltimore Etsy Street Team members are doing to be a little help.


In NAMOO’s blog, there is an auction going on this week to support Global Giving’s Japan Relief Fund. A winner will receive a package of handmade items as below!

* Namoo’s handmade hexagon pillow that consists of linen fabrics from Japan and textured linen pillow
* Tarabu’s Bento Buddies that are custom made for the auction thinking about the basic comforts of a good meal
* A beautiful bangle watch from AtelierAdornments
* Sugar and Spice Massage Oil and Blend Set to treat yourself to a sweet, spicy and exotic bath from Becca & Mars.

Please visit NAMOO’s blog to check out the awesome package and help spread the word! The auction ends on March 26th, 2011.

Also, go check out BeepPeeps’s bag made of Japanese Designer Etsuko Fruya’s gorgeous Echino Patchwork — 100% of the proceeds from the sale of this item will be donated to Doctors Without Borders and their relief efforts in Japan!

Written by Insung at NAMOO

Shop Local - Love & Glitter

The sign on the outside of the door says it all: "Come in and see the sparkly"how could you not go in??

This shop is one of my favorites, because everything you find inside is handmade by local artists!  There are many one of a kind pieces inside, and everywhere you look, something is glimmering, beckoning you to it's table!  Along with the hot pink walls, this shop is just tons of fun to browse through, and pick up some great gifts for a loved one- or even yourself!

 

Love & Glitter is owned and run by Leslie Putman, who also contributes work to the shops inventory!  You can find them at 8132 Main Street in Ellicott City- a new location they've recently expanded into.  Open from Wednesday through Sunday (for hours visit their web page) you won't be disappointed you stopped in and took in the sparkly goodness!!

Getting "Stuffed": greenstarstudio

Did you happen to see the Winter 2011 issue of 'Stuffed' Magazine? If you did, then you already know that my OoAKies got a nice bit of press between its pages. 'Stuffed' is a fantastic publication for plush artists & plush enthusiasts alike. I'm honored to be included, once again.

Favorite Etsy Shop: BeadsOfPassion

I am a fused glass artist and have always loved lampworked beads. Well, when I saw the beads at beadsofpassion, I just had to pause andtake a look. The beauty of these beads is that they don't even look like glass, they look like ceramic. I have never seen lampworked beadslike this before and am itching to buy some to make some special something for myslef to showcase these.





These beads definitely stand out in the crowd from the flameworked beads that people are used to seeing. I think these would make a really interesting necklace or bracelet. I just bought some thin leather that might work well with these.

Written by Stacey of staceygrab

Random Baltimore Photo

Photo by Alan Barr

Pom Pom Package Topper Tutorial

Being a child of the 70's insured two things… 1. I had white roller skates that I used every Friday night at Skateland and 2. those white roller skates were accessorized with handmade pom poms. I made pom poms in every color imaginable to match my outfit. What a Skateland fashionista right?

So you can imagine my joy when recently I received a present topped with a trio of wonderful handmade pom poms in lieu of the traditional bow! How freaking clever of my wonderful Secret Santa, Kristen to wrap such a cute present and put to good use the long forgotten (at least to me) craft of pom pom making. Not to mention her fore site to take an adolescent craft and make it all grown up.

Needless to say, I ran home, whipped out some left over yarn and resurrected my pom pom making skills. With Kristen's blessings I would like to share this clever gift topper idea with you.

Supplies:

• Cardboard (can be from the recycled bin, old soda 12-pack or cereal boxes work great)
• 21 yards worsted weight yarn
• Scissors

1. Download pompom.jpg and print it out full size (a scale has been placed on each jpg to help with printing at the correct proportions).
   
   
2. You will need two circles for the pom pom maker. Trace the circle template onto a piece of cardboard twice and cut them out.
   
   
   
   
3. Cut the wool yarn into ten 6 ft. lengths and one 3 ft. length.
   
   
4. Place the two rings together and take a length of the yarn. Holding one end of the yarn on the outside of the ring feed the other end through the center, round the back and though the front again. Keep wrapping the length of yarn until the entire piece is wrapped around the cardboard donut.
   
   
   
5. Repeat step 4 with the remaining pieces of yarn until the cardboard donut is covered.
   
   Note: As you use the additional pieces of yarn you do not need to tie them together, simply make sure the ends of the yarn start and finish on the outside edge (trim the ends of the yarn if necessary).
   
   
   
   
6. When you are finished wrapping the yarn, carefully cut around the edges of the donut layer at a time. Your scissors should be cutting between the two pieces of cardboard eventually.
   
   Note: Make sure to hold the donut of yarn firmly with one hand in the center so the yarn does not slide off.
   
   
   
   
7. Take the last length of 3 ft. yarn and slip it between the two pieces of card board, around all the strands of yarn and tie it together. Make sure the pom pom is firmly tied together.
   
   
   
8. Take your scissors and carefully cut a slit in the two cardboard rings avoiding any yarn. Remove the cardboard rings.
   
   
   
9. Trim the pom pom as necessary.
   
   

Written by Kolleen Kilduff from Design by Night

Friday Finds - Irish Eyes are Smiling

susantique

MuseOverload

LingGlass

BlackBaroque

Estilopronta

Let's Go Out: Sweet Home Chicago

Life is too interesting to be written about in drugstore notebooks.
Here's some first-class jotting material with a terrific study of the
Loop by TCaponePhoto. It should be in my purse.



This time of year in Chicago, you want your head AND your ears covered. This delightfully wearable newsboy cap by Terry Graziano would help anyone overcome fear of hat-hair. And it's lined with silk!



Elegant, understated...cuff links by dikdesigns for the man who's proud to profess his loyalty.



Written by Anne Madison of AtelierAdornments

Call for Artists! Bromo Seltzer Quilt

Maryland artists are needed to create a 9" x 9" quilt block to
commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Bromo Seltzer Tower in
Baltimore.
The quilt will be revealed during the anniversary celebration on June 2, 2011.

Deadline for submission is March 31, 2011.

Visit this site for more information.

Written by Stacey Phinney of staceygrab

Spring Fever?

Its beginning to feel like Spring.

We're having more rain, and I've seen some buds on trees, so I am confident that warmer weather is on its way! I don't know about you - but about this time, I begin getting a serious case of Spring Fever and for me, that means Spring cleaning.

I love to begin putting away the heavy darker colored decorations and furnishings and pulling out lighter gentler fabrics and tones. Since I don't have a degree in decorating, I am always on the lookout for ideas. New home accessories and ways to deal with clutter. . . . . remodeling ideas, etc.

If you are like me, and need some inspiration then you may want to check out the Home, Condo & Garden Show running March 18 - March 20, 2011 at the convention center in Ocean City.

Find fresh ideas on decorating, remodeling, accessorizing or building your home - all under one roof.

This is an opportunity to see what's new, compare products & find bargains at your leisure!

Admission includes the Home, Condo & Garden Art & Craft Fair.

Friday March 18th 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday March 19th 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday March 20th 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

More information: http://www.oceanpromotions.info/

See you there!

Favorite Etsy Shop: KathrynWhyte

Last holiday season, I searched for stationary shops on Etsy and came across kathrynwhyte on Etsy. Her simple illustration with a quick but straight-to-the-point message grabbed my attention.





Feeling like sending a little card to invite a friend over...

Written by: Insung of Namoo