What I'm Working On - Susan Brandt

A Recent Commission

A gentleman, after buying a couple of my scarves at the Women's Industrial Exchange, called me and wondered if he could commission something special for friend of his. The trouble was, it was so different from my other work, he wasn't sure I could do it. His friend had just completed her Biology degree and during her studies they had both seen a animated video illustrating cellular functions. Could I pull some of those images and paint them onto a scarf? "Of course", I said.

He showed me the video, called The Inner Life of the Cell, by XVIVO for Harvard University. I was completely blown away by this amazing video. The gentleman knew what all the processes were and explained it all to me. Fortunately I didn't have to understand it all to be able to paint it! He told me what images his friend had particularly liked and I got to work. Here are the results. His friend loved her scarf and I enjoyed it so much I may have found another direction to take my work.

Written by Susan Brandt

Random Baltimore Photo

photo by Clare of Fiorella Jewelry

Baltimore Life - Broom's Bloom Diary

Want to eat the best ice cream ever created? Visit the Broom's Bloom Dairy stall at the Saturday Waverly Farmers' Market. They bring several of their available flavors already packed and ready to go. They don't really have signage with their name, but tend to be on the northwest portion of the market. They also sell other products, such as cheese, at their stall which I'm sure are amazing, but I just go for the ice cream. "Dirt" is our favorite, lots of chunky, chocolately goodness.


Tempted? As good as their ice cream is out of the Waverly market, it tastes even better if you buy it right on their farm. An easy drive up 95 to exit 80, you take MD543 four miles and look on your left. There is a nice place to eat inside during inclement weather, but I recommend sitting outside. Basically your view is fields, woods and the barns where the cows live and do their thing. There are rocking chairs and picnic tables and a little grassy area for kids to play around in. (Pets are not allowed.) Service is invariably friendly, sometimes local young people, sometimes older folks. I've met the owner working behind the counter. Prices are reasonable. They also sell products from other local farms as well as sandwiches, salads and quiche. They have many flavors of ice cream to choose from but not the same flavors every time and can run out so no guarantee that "dirt" will be there when you go. The good thing is that any flavor is good and you'd have a built in excuse to go again.

written by Susan of Susan Brandt

picture credits:
Broom's sign: granovapoultry.com
Building: scoopadventures.com

Favorite Etsy Shop - The Nestat Windy Corner

One of my favorite Etsy Shops is The Nestat Windy Corner.  I think these handcarved eggs are unbelievable and so beautiful. I was really surprised to find out how she makes them. She uses a high speed drill, which I would have thought would crack the eggs in an instant!

Written by Stacey of Studio G 

Tutorial: Brown Bag Envelopes

I love the utilitarian look, and tactile feel, of kraft paper. Not to mention the fact that it's a 100% natural, biodegradable product, which can be fully absorbed back into the earth with no adverse impact on nature or human health (source)- very important! Here is a super awesome tutorial on how to make your own upcycled mailing envelopes using a brown kraft grocery bag. What a great way to create packaging that really stands out to your customers, while also being earth friendly. You could even omit the upcycled plastic bag lining entirely, use 100% cotton thread, and you have a completely biodegradable mailing envelope that can be directly tossed into the compost bin! It doesn't get any better than that. : )



Written by Rachael of Open Eyes Press

Photos courtesy The Gunny Sack

My Three Things

Start 2012 out right and get organized with these 3 things:


Salvaged Shutter- Mail and Organization Center Green Window Shutter
with Burlap Pouch By We Who Wander.

 

31x25 Calendar Organization Chalk Month Vinyl Decor Wall Lettering
Words Quotes Decals Art Custom Willow Creek Signs by Willow CreekSigns. 

 

2012 Weekly Planner By Nico Paper Goods. 

 

Written by Abby of Abigail Leigh Handbags

Print by Print at the BMA

After taking the time to rest and reorganize this month, wander over to the Baltimore Museum of Art and check out the Print by Print exhibit, going on now through March 25th, 2012. More than 350 prints from the museum's permanent collection- one of the largest in the country- will be on display, including works by Marcel Duchamp, Roy Lichtenstein (pictured), Albrecht Durer, and many others. The exhibit is free and open to the public during museum hours. What a great opportunity to see so many amazing prints right in our own backyard!



Written by Rachael of Open Eyes Press

Random Baltimore Photo

by Rebecca of Backbone Jewelry

Friday Finds: Beyond Candy and Flowers

How often have you gone visiting friends and brought your host or hostess candy or flowers? And you know that the flowers will wilt and the candy will be eaten and forgotten in a week or so.

Why not bring something that they will use over and over again, and that will add beauty and the warmth of handmade to their lives. Consider some of these from BEST members instead:

Tea towels from Fuzzy Mug.

A welcome mat like this Zen Happiness one from DamnGoodDoormats.

A wood salad or serving bowl from Wood Art for Living.

Search the sites shown here, or type baltimoreetsyteam or shopbaltimore10 into the Etsy search bar and find something your host or hostess will treasure!

Submitted by Marcia of Wood Art for Living

Happy Birthday JerseyGirlDesign

Happy Birthday to Lauren of JerseyGirlDesign...another year of glittery goodness!

Favorite Etsy Shop - KnitKnit

I love KnitKnit's little creations. Full of characters and lots of details make perfect knitted and felted accessories in her shop. The owner chooses her materials very carefully with “green” in mind so it makes her creations even more special!

Written by Insung of NAMOO

No Sew Felt Flower Headband Tutorial

Here is a simple little project by Design by Night that does not require sewing abilities. So unholster that glue gun and get to crafting.

Supplies
5" square piece of felt for flower
3" square piece of green felt for leaves and backer
Headband
Hot glue gun
Scissors
Printer

1. Print out the pattern below. (Use the scale to make sure the print out is the correct size).
2. Using the large scalloped pattern, cut the shape out of your felt for the flower. Note: You can use the pattern more as a guide. You do not have to be precise when cutting the pattern, if you look at the picture below you will notice that I rounded out the "corners".
   
   
3. Cut a scalloped spiral (see fig. 3) in the circle trying to keep the thickness of the piece somewhat uniform. Keep in mind the circle doesn't have to be perfect.
   
   
4. Wrap the center upon itself to create a roll and dab a little hot glue on it to keep it in place. Continue to wrap the felt around the center.
   
   
5. Cut out the small circle and 2-leaf patterns using the green felt.
   
   
6. Glue the leaves onto the small circle backer.
   
   
   
   
7. Glue the backer with the leaves onto the back side of the headband.
   
   
8. Glue the flower on top of the backer making sure that the headband is sandwiched in between.
   
   

My Three Things

January is National Get Organized Month, and what better way to do it then with these stylish finds:





Written by Dana of whoop http://www.whoop.etsy.com

MAGFest January 5-8

MAGFest is an annual music and gaming festival held once a year. This year the festival takes place in National Harbor, Maryland at the beginning of January. The festival is 4 days of non-stop games, concerts and shopping. Guests this year include: Nobuo Uematsu and his band EARTHBOUND PAPAS whose musical success includes music from the Final Fantasy Series, voice actor Wes Johnson from games such as Fallout 3 and the Elder Scroll Series, and James Rolfe creator of The Angry Video Game Nerd, just to name a few.

MAGFest is a registered event so you must register in advance by visiting http://magfest.org The event takes place January 5-8, 2012 at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center.

Written By: Kelly of Kelly's Keychains (http://egyptianruin.etsy.com)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Welcome 2012! May it be a year filled with happiness and craft!