Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Highlandtown Wine Festival, April 27th



What could be better than wine and feathers! Come see me this weekend at the 11th Annual Highlandtown Wine Festival.

Drink some wine and help celebrate the tradition of home wine making. The wine festival features a homemade wine competition, wine tastings, children's activities, arts and crafts, food, and music.

When: Sunday, April 27, 2014
Time: 1 - 6 pm
Where: Corner of Conkling and Claremont Street

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

The BEST Spring Show Ever! - Featured Vendors




The BEST Spring Show Ever! is coming this Sunday, April 13, from 10-5 at Union Mill in Hampden. Artifact Coffee will be there with their exceptional food and drinks, and the vendors listed below will be supplying a dazzling array of handcrafted goods for you to buy. A great time to spruce up for Spring or look for gifts for Mother's Day or graduations. 




Best Spring Show Ever
 

Monday, March 24, 2014

BEST Spring Show Ever! An Artisan Craft Show at Union Mill

Please join Baltimore’s independent artists and crafters of  BEST (Baltimore Etsy Street Team) to celebrate Spring with local, handmade, high quality, goods in the courtyard at historic Union Mill. BEST’s artists have been sequestered in their studios long enough, by a brutal winter, and are anxious to showcase new works. With everything from prints and sculptures to jewelry and accessories and so much more, the BEST Spring Show Ever! is sure to help melt your cabin fever away.


 For more information, check our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/405315259614302/ or sign up for our newsletter (top right column of the blog).

 We look forward to seeing you there!

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Recipe: Easy Coconut Curry

Baby, it's cold outside... 
so why not warm up with some sweet and spicy Thai curry!  
This recipe is so easy and delicious, you'll want to make it all the time.  The maple syrup adds great flavor, so don't be tempted to omit it!!

Easy Coconut Curry courtesy The Detoxinista
(serves 2-4)

Ingredients:
For the sauce:
1 teaspoon coconut oil
1/2 yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons curry powder
1 (13.5 oz.) can coconut milk
1 tablespoon tamari, or soy sauce
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon salt

To complete the dish:
1 sweet potato, chopped
1 lb. assorted vegetables, chopped (fresh or thawed from frozen)
1 cup jasmine rice, rinsed
2 cups water

To get started, combine the rice and water in a small saucepan over high heat, and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, cover the pot and reduce the heat to low, allowing the rice to cook while you work on the curry sauce.

In the meantime, melt the coconut oil in a 3-quart saute pan over medium heat, and saute the onions and garlic until tender, about 5 minutes. Add in the coconut milk, curry powder, tamari, maple syrup and salt and whisk well to combine. (Since curry powders can vary by brand, start with a smaller amount and add more to suit your tastes.)

Taste and adjust any other flavors as needed, then bring the sauce to a simmer and add in the chopped sweet potatoes. Cover the pan, and allow the sweet potatoes to steam in the sauce for 5 minutes. Finally, add the rest of the vegetables, toss in the sauce to coat, then cover and allow to steam until fork-tender.

Serve warm over jasmine rice.

Recipe and photo courtesy The Detoxinista.


Monday, December 16, 2013

Last Minute Gifts for $30 or Less!

Can you believe it?! Christmas is only a week away!  If you're still looking for last minute gifts to stuff those stockings, here are some great options from the BEST Team!

1- "Smitten" necklace from Block Party Press, 30.00 (free shipping!)
2- Linen and cotton baby sensory ball by NAMOO, 24.50
3- Mason Jar tea towels by Open Eyes Press, 16.00 each
4- Birdy Bird catnip owls by jennyjen42, 15.00 each
5- Love Bikes print by Found Studio, 22.00
6- Hand Candy Sugar and Spice Scrub 
by Becca and Mars, 9.50 each

Find more great gifts by shopping all the BEST Team shops here!

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Random Baltimore Photo-Robert E Lee Park


L

Submitted by Clare Hayes, Fiorella Jewelry

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Holiday Heap is THIS Saturday!

Don't miss one of Baltimore's top indie craft events of the year, Holiday Heap!  See 60+ vendors from Baltimore and beyond offering everything handmade- jewelry, paper goods, ceramics, housewares, apparel, fine art, toys, and more!  It’s free from 10am to 5pm at St. John's Church, 2640 Saint Paul St, Baltimore MD.

The following BEST members will be there!
 Becca and Mars
Design By Night
Found Studio
 jennyjen42
Jill Popowich Designs in Metal
the littlest bean 
might & mightyPigeon
NAMOO
Open Eyes Press
Sugar Paperie
Tigerlillyshop
The Broken Plate Pendant Co. 
Yummy & Company

HOLIDAY HEAP
Saturday, Dec. 14th, 2014
10am-5pm
St. John's Church
2640 Saint Paul St, Baltimore MD

Photo courtesy the Charm City Craft Mafia.

Monday, December 9, 2013

Random Baltimore Photo--Homeland


submitted by Clare Hayes, Fiorella Jewelry

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Holiday Market at Belvedere Square , Saturday December 7th

Have you heard about the newly renovated Belvedere Market,the opening of Shoo-fly Diner and the re-opening of Senator Theatre? All will be celebrated Saturday Dec 7th at The Holiday Market. Great shopping from local artisans, caroling, Santa,and some wonderful bands will provide entertainment. If you get chilly, head into the market for a cuppa tea, or glass of wine, and then back outside to find that perfect, unique, and locally made gift.



Baltimore Etsy Team member Fiorella Jewelry will be there, as well as other local artisan including Corradetti Glass, Johns Hopkins University Press, Bmore Papercuts, Red Bicycle Studios, Austin Wayne Designs, Tommy Sheldon Photography...and many more.

See you there--submitted By Clare Hayes, Fiorella Jewelry

Monday, December 2, 2013

Holiday Bling

There's no better time than the holidays to add a little bling to your wardrobe. Baltimore Etsy Team can help you out-- check these beautiful options lovingly handmade from local sellers-



sweet bangle from All Wired Up that's sure to become a favorite.



Festive Red Swarovski Crystal Ring from Trinkets N Whatnots.


Gorgeous Labradorite studs from Jill Popowich Designs...dressy enough for New Years, versatile enough for every day.


Classic and sexy crystal dangles from Heavens to Bessie.


Swarovski Crystal Snowflake Necklace from Jersey Girl Design



Don't forget your hair! This feather hair clip from Design by Night will help you make a Gatsby worthy entrance.

Submitted by Clare Hayes, Fiorella Jewelry

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Home for the Holidays with Baltimore Etsy Team

Hosting friends and family at home is one of the best things about the holidays. It always gives me a reason to get those things done around the house that I usually can't find time for, from hanging pictures, cleaning behind the fridge, dusting the moldings--to purchasing those special items that put a personal stamp on the festivities. Why not buy small, buy local, and buy from someone who makes the items they sell with love, care, and attention to detail.

Here are some special items for home from BEST members to help create a holiday atmosphere at your nest.


Welcome all your hons, with this fabulous mat from Damn Good Doormats.




Classically lovely laser cut ornament, from Holler&Whistle.



Let them get comfortable, with this pretty patchwork pillow, from Namoo.



Fill this gorgeous bowl from Wood Art for Living with ornaments, salad, cookies...whatever you choose to put in it will look beautiful.




Hoping to get some help in the kitchen with post-feast cleanup? A cute tea towel couldn't hurt. Here's an adorable retro print from Open Eyes Press.

Submitted by Clare Hayes, Fiorella Jewelry

Monday, November 25, 2013

It's time!
The BEST(see what I did there?) craft show in Baltimore
Merry Mart!
Sunday, December 1, 11am - 5pm
at the Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, MD 21224

As always, full of great hand-made crafts by artists and craftspeople in Maryland, many living right here in Baltimore. Be sure to visit all three rooms (upstairs, main hall and down the ramp)

The Marquee Lounge will be serving brunch from Noon - 3pm (reservations suggested).
New this year - drop off the kids upstairs any time from 12-5 for free, teacher-led art activities.
Also, there is a photo booth, make your own personalized button, and take-away craft tutorials. 

See the Creative Alliance website for the full list of excellent craftspeople and more information. 
Here are links to the BEST members who will be there:

Hope to see you there.

written by Susan Brandt

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Slow Cooker Spiced Applesauce

Applesauce is hands-down one of my favorite snacks.  If you've ever tasted it homemade, you know it's waaay better than anything you get at the grocery store.  As much as I love the made-from-scratch version, I don't usually have time during the busy holiday season to stand over the stove and stir apples as they cook down- that's where the slow cooker comes in!  Check out this easy recipe for
  Spiced Applesauce in the Slow Cooker by Lana Stuart.  
Peel, core, and quarter 6-8 apples, add lemon peel and spices (cinnamon, brown sugar, etc), and let the slow cooker work it's magic.  Added plus- your house will smell amazing all day!

If you want to try something a little different, take a look at this recipe for Slow Cooked Pears with Lemon and Thyme.

Happy slow cooking!


Photo courtesy Happy Home Fairy.

Random Baltimore Photo


Friday, September 6, 2013

Free Fiber Tasting at Baltimore Threadquarters

 

Visit Baltimore's newest fabric and fiber supply store Baltimore Threadquarters this Saturday 5-7 pm, discover what fiber is all about! If you haven't seen this store yet, this is a great opportunity to get your hands on some great supplies. Alpaca, cotton, wool, wool blends, synthetics... Learn what you do with it in this FREE mini skills workshop. Try your hand at needle felting, crochet, & more in their classroom!


AND as a bonus for this special event,  sample some locally made artisan hummus, spicy, mango-clementine, it's like a party in your mouth! Omg, you have to taste this stuff.
 
Baltimore Threadquarters recently restocked their designer cotton fabrics, Cascade yarns, vintage fat quarters, and charm packs for all you quilters out there. There is ample street parking, plus a free lot behind the building. Let's get those fall projects started, people!


For more info on the special events happening in the
Highlandtown Arts District
this month, check out the Ha! newsletter here

Thursday, September 5, 2013

September Coupon Code!

Back to school shopping? We've got you covered! Throughout this month, participating BEST shops will be offering free shipping on everything in their shops when you enter the coupon code BESTBACKTOSCHOOL2013 at checkout! 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!


Yellow Pencil Necklace by Block Party Press

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Call for Vendors—Merry Mart 2013


Creative Alliance, a non-profit multi-purpose arts center located in Highlandtown, is pleased to announce that vendor applications are now open for its annual holiday craft show, Merry Mart. Merry Mart will take place Sunday, December 1 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and will be held at the Creative Alliance, located at 3134 Eastern Avenue, right in the heart of Highlandtown.
Merry Mart is an annual juried holiday craft show that is looking for high-quality handmade arts and crafts from indie crafters.  Applications can be found online at:


The application process must be completed and submitted no later than 11:59 PM on Tuesday, September 13th, 2013. Vendors will be notified of acceptance by Friday, October 4th. 

For more information visit our facebook page at:

Or email us at MerryMart@creativealliance.org.

Thursday, August 1, 2013

August Coupon Code!

Looking for a little something for that one last trip to the beach this summer? Throughout this month, participating BEST shops will be offering 10% off on everything in their shops when you enter the coupon code BESTAUGUST2013 at checkout! 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!


Seaborne Reliquary Pendant by Sihaya Designs

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Recipe: Mango-Black Bean Dip


An easy recipe for black bean dip with mango; super simple to pull together, perfect for the hot summer months

Mango Black Bean Dip (makes 4 servings)

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 red onion, chopped
1/2 mango, cubed
balsamic vinegar
olive oil
1 tbsp orange, lime, or grapefruit juice
1 tsp cumin
salt & pepper to taste
fresh cilantro (optional)

Add all ingredients to your food processor, and puree until well blended.  Taste to see if you need to add more salt.  Finish blending and place dip into a bowl.  Garnish with fresh cilantro and chopped red onion.  Serve with chips, pita, crackers, or cut vegetables.  Also makes a great spread for sandwiches.


Subtract the mango from the this recipe and you have a basic bean dip base that blends well with hot peppers for a spicy dip (try jalapeños), or avocado for a creamy dip.  A clove of garlic can also be added to boost the flavor.

All photos by Open Eyes Press.

Sunday, July 7, 2013