Gunpowder River Artfest 2013

Come visit BEST members at Artfest 2013!

Nelly's Echo, contestant of the reality television program, The Voice, Midlife Crisis, and Ruut will play music this year.

New food vendors include: Groovy Girl Cupcakes, Prigel's locally owned and organically farmed creamery will offer hand dipped ice cream, Food by Fire will supply the main fare, and of course, Brickers Famous French Fries will again serve up plentiful helpings of fresh, hand cut fries.

This year all wine tastings will include a gifted wine glass! Make art matter in Maryland and come to the show!

For more information, visit www.nbcaf.com/artfest.html

When: Saturday, June 1, 2013 

Time: noon-7pm 

Where: Boordy Vineyard (rain or shine).

Universoul Circus

Lions, Tigers, and Bears Elephants -  OH MY!

That's right - you can see them all at the Universoul Circus just outside of the city, in Woodlawn, Baltimore County.

Apparently this is the only African American-owned and -operated circus in the country!

Universoul CircUS

What began as a variety show has transformed into a hip-hop spectacular under the big top tent. High wire and trapeze artists are just the start of this amazing show. Great for the whole family, get your tickets now as the show ends June 2nd! WEBSITE (click on schedule and then scroll down to TURNT UP! for the Baltimore show listing.

Post written by Janice Fowler of Doxallo Designs and Doxallo Studio

RAW artists showcase -June 6

RAW artists is an organization that features local creative talent in a dynamic setting.I am honored to be included in their next "happening", called Kaleidoscope, Thursday June 6, at Tatu nightclub here in Baltimore. Would you like to browse the work of local artists, photograhers and jewelry designers, then see a fashion show while sipping cocktails and being entertained by local djs? If this sounds good, please join us!

Warm weather & cement - a FINE combination!

With warm weather upon us, it's only garden time, but quite possibly 

DIY time for many of us. 

How about combining the two and DIYing some stepping stones for your garden or yard?

 If your garden is a relaxing, natural, zen oasis - try this leaf patterned stone:

Tutorial here

 

Bling-y garden? How about a stepping stone with glass marbles and china shards?

tutorial here

or, maybe my favorite - a mixture of both.....organic with pebbles 

and a touch of bling with marbles. 

Tutorial here

OR - take to the Pinterest to find a variety that suits you! 

DIY STEPPING STONES

Post written by Janice Fowler of Doxallo Studio and Doxallo Designs

THE best summer recipe & SO versatile!

Seriously, if you have never made this, you NEED to.

We are coming in to local Strawberry season and they go GREAT on this!

On what?

Well, fruit pizza of course!

Think crunchy/chewy cookie crust, a sweetened cream cheese layer, and then an array of fruit.....
mmmmmmmmm, what could be better!? This is truly THE best summer recipe. It's cool and light and refreshing. :)

There are many ways to make this. But all of them start with sugar cookie, the refridgerator/frozen kind. Have a pizza tray or stone ready, then slice the cookies as you normally would. Starting at the center of the pizza tray, arrange the slices so they are barely touching. (there will be gaps, that's ok - they will fill in as the cookies bake and spread.) Go ahead and put that into a 350 oven and bake until the edges are nice and golden.

While that is cooking you can make the 'sauce' which is really a cream cheese spread. And THIS is where the variations begin.

 

Photo by By gotshoo on flickr

I make mine with one block of cream cheese (slightly softened) mixed with one container cool whip. Others use a block of cream cheese and a 1/4 cup sugar. Some add a splash of orange juice to it. You can do any of those, and if you are cutting back on sugar I am sure you could omit that and it would still be lovely as the cookie crust is very sweet.

After removing the cookie crust from the oven you want to let it cool completely. While you are waiting on that you can get your fruit cut up. And that is, of course, the next variable. You can add whatever fruits you want! Some faves: banana, kiwi, strawberry, raspberries, blueberries. But you can add any that you like, just make sure the 'wetter' fruits (like pineapple) are drained very well.

Once the cookie is cool you are ready to put it all together! Spread your cream cheese mixture over the cookie crust, getting up near the edges, then top with the fruit.

More variations
 - you can warm some preserves if you'd like and drizzle it over the top.
 - drizzle chocolate over the top
 - create individual serving sizes rather than one large 'pie'
 - sprinkle coconut over top
 - cook in a rectangle shape and use red and blue fruit as a flag for July 4th!

However you make it - ENJOY!!!!

Post by Janice Fowler of Doxallo Studio and Doxallo Designs

Random Baltimore Photo

Otter at the The Maryland Zoo

Photo by Open Eyes Press

Spotlight on Baltimore

Tomorrow is one of Baltimore's big days!

It's the 138th Preakness! 

 

With it's long history, there are some interesting stories surrounding Preakness.

For instance, did you know that the Woodlawn Vase (the winner's trophy) used to be passed on to each winner's owner but in 1953 that tradition ended when the owner's wife didn't want to be responsible for safekeeping of the vase. Since then, the winner has received a $30,000 silver replica. Still sounds like a lot, right? Well, in 1983 the original was valued at $1million. The original now stands on display at the The Baltimore Museum of Art and shows on race day accompanied by guards! In addition, the original vase was buried underground during the Civil War to prevent it from being melted for shot. Who knew? (find more fun facts here)

If you decide to head out to Preakness, be sure to dress the part! While the fashion may not rival the huge hats at the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness  has it's own fashion sense. From more casual at the InfieldFest to chic attire in the Terrace Dining Room.

This hairclip from Kolleen of Design by Night would be perferct for Preakness!

Preakness is a great time whether you decide to party on the infield, dine in the Terrace Dining Room, or watch from the stands. The racing is exciting and the people watching is superb. :)

So head on out to Preakness and enjoy the Black Eyed Susans and do a little people watching. :)

Post written by Janice Fowler of Doxallo Designs and Doxallo Studio

Garden Help from BEST

Everyone has garden fever at this time of year. The lilacs have just got done perfuming the air, and peonies and garden roses are getting ready to open and grace us with their beauty. If you love to get outside and get your hands dirty, here are a few items from BEST members that may help you enjoy the garden even more.




One of the pleasures of gardening is being outside, soaking up the sun and enjoying the breezes, but if you end the day with a little windburn or perhaps too much sun, this luscious face balm from BEST member Raw Olive might be just the thing to soothe your skin.




This sweet smelling but all natural soap from Baltimore Bumble Craft will make getting the dirt out a pleasure.




A tea towel from Fuzzy Mug is the perfect way to dry your hands when the gardening is done, and also remind you how cute those devilish bunnies that like to eat our plants can be.





Find your garden has produced a bumper crop? here's a great way to store your bounty, or perhaps share it with friends. Set of 6 produce bags from Glow Girl.

And finally, if you don't have a green thumb, but love flowers anyway, here's a bouquet you can wear in your hair from Design by Night, and it will always be blooming.



Submitted by Clare Hayes, Fiorella Jewelry

DC Craft Mafia's Spring Thing Event

This Saturday, May 11th, the 3rd Annual "Spring Thing" is back! This year's show, sponsored by the DC Craft Mafia, will feature over 40 local, indie and alternative artists.  Included are BEST's own, Nikdapooh Designs, Design by Night, Jill Popowich Designs, Becca & Mars, Beeps' Peeps, Block Party Press, Jennyjen42, Open Eyes Press,  The Littlest Bean and Jersey Girl Designs.

Come support Baltimore artists and find a fantastic selection of Mother's Day gifts! For more information visit http://www.craftmafiadc.com/

Written by Erica, Becca & Mars

Random Baltimore Photo

Daffodils at the Rawlings Conservatory

Photo by Open Eyes Press

Random Baltimore Photo

Submitted by Clare Hayes, Fiorella Jewelry

Shop Local! HERE. a Pop-up Shop

Shop Local this weekend in Annapolis at :

Featuring the following BEST members along with many other local artists:

Block Party Press & Prints

Charm City Company

Designs by Leslie

Wood Art for Living 

May 3rd-12th
40 Randall St.
(corner of Prince George St.)
Downtown, Baby!
Annapolis, MD 21401

Hours:  
May 3: 10-8 *
* Opening Party 6-8 pm
May 4: 10-6 *
* SPECIAL EVENT Saturday May 4th! 
A portion of our sales from 12-3pm will benefit
local non-profit Warrior Events, 12-3pm
May 5: 10-6 *
* Sunday Fiesta Funday ~ all day for Cinco de Mayo
May 6: 10-5
May 7: 10-5
May 8: 10-5
Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday:
 Open for PRIVATE SHOPS these nights ... no fee, 
no obligation, just a good time for 
GNO, Book Club, Mom's group...
Call us to book Monday or Tuesday!
 May 9: 10-6
May 10: 10-8 *
* Sip. Shop. Sample with makemine 
Bodycare products!
Owners Kim & Terri will be HERE. 
sampling their freshly-blended, 
all natural, line of beauty oils, 
salt scrubs and body balms  
made locally in small batches, 6-8pm
May 11: 10-6
May 12: 10-3 *
* Be sure to pop-in with your MOM for a Mother's Day "cheers"!

Follow HERE. A pop-up shop on Facebook for future shops! 

 

May Coupon Code!

Fathers' Day is in early June - so you've got the whole month of May to shop for the perfect gift, and BEST is here to help! Throughout the month, participating BEST shops will be offering free shipping on everything in their shops when you enter the coupon code BESTDAD2013 at checkout!

Daddy-O Card by FuzzyMug

Stay tuned next month for a new code with a different deal!  Follow this link or put  "baltimoreetsyteam" in the Etsy search bar to find items from all of our talented members!

Flower Mart!

Come out, come out to Flower Mart! 

Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4, 11am-8pm

BEST members Open Eyes Press, Tigerlillyshop, Yummy and Company, Charms City Company and Susan Brandt will be there as well as... 

 

         Flowers!

                  

           Entertainment!

Ladies in hats!

 Lemon sticks!

Something for everyone!