Indie-pendent Biz: The Gift Cellar

The Gift Cellar is a charming shop located in Historic Lauraville/Hamilton in North-East Baltimore City. They showcase handmade items by more than 30 local Maryland artist and crafts people including quite a few BEST members. Featuring jewelry, housewares, accessories and much more...there is a little something for everyone!

The Gift Cellar is Located at 4337 Harford Rd. Baltimore, MD 21214 just follow the stairs down to explore their wide range of gifts for any occasion.

For a list of all the current vendors visit their website thegiftcellarmaryland.com.

Independent Baltimore Business: Marigan H. O'Malley-Posada Photography

Marigan H. O'Malley-Posada is a Baltimore-based freelance photographer
with a focus on fine art, portraiture, and travel.  After working for
many years as the visuals coordinator for a global design firm
headquartered here in Baltimore, O'Malley-Posada launched her own
freelance photography business, where she has distinguished herself
with her unique aesthetic.  Whether she is documenting a wedding on
the Bay or a street market in Thailand, her ability to capture the
essence of a person or place sets her work apart.

Families looking for a photographer who brings a non-traditional
flavor to the shoot will appreciate O'Malley-Posada's mix of carefully
composed shots and fun, dynamic candids.

Visit Marigan H. O'Malley-Posada on Facebook or at her website.

Written by Brita of Beeps' Peeps

Emporium Collagia, Fells Point Indie-pendant Business

Emporium Collagia, Fells Point Indie-pendant Business

In the spirit of Small Business Saturday, I thought I would post about one of my favorite small shops in Historic Fells Point, Emporium Collagia. The owner is an artist with a distinct eye for the unique. She has been a fan of my electroformed pieces for a while and always has a nice array of necklaces to choose from! This holiday season, I am so very excited that she is offering her shoppers my new bronze collection!


Proprietor and Aritst Luana Kaufmann has a beautiful little shop at 1732 Thames Street along the waterfront strip in Fells Point. Her unique collage art prints are on display and for sale tucked in amongst an exquisite collection of hand picked interesting home goods and gifts from everywhere! Her store is a collage, in it's own right, it's always fun to see what new items she has to offer.


If you are looking for a special item, you can find a great selection in her tiny storefront. There are super fun surprises in every nook. I am happy to encourage you to support Luana and her eclectic adventure. Shop locally, pop in and see what special gift you leave with!

Indie-pendent Biz: Broom's Bloom Dairy

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

Indie-pendent Business: Hamilton Bakery

If you happen to be driving down Harford Road through Hamilton, do yourself a favor and stop at Hamilton Bakery located on at 5414 Harford Road. Hamilton Bakery offers a wide variety of tasty treats and hearty breads that are made with quality ingredients including organic flours and sugars. They do not use any preservatives, dyes, or artificial extenders in their products, only real butter, eggs, vanilla, and other all-natural ingredients.


Hamilton Bakery offers a wide variety of baked goods including, bread, scones, muffins, quiches, pies, cakes and much much more. They are located at 5414 Harford Road in Hamilton. Hamilton Bakery is hours are Monday - Thursday 7 am to 7 pm, Friday & Saturday 7 am to 9 pm and Sunday 9 am to 5 pm. Stop by for a visit soon, your taste buds will thank you (but maybe not your scale)!

Indie-pendent Business: The Family Game Store

If you're heading down to Savage Mill, the historic mill-turned-shopping-center, make sure to stop by a local favorite! The Family Game Store offers a huge array of games, from the familiar classics you played around the table with your family to the most exciting new arrivals on the market. They carry a wide variety of games and puzzles for children, as well as all sorts of games for adults - including games that can be hard to find elsewhere, and some you may not even have heard of yet! The staff knows their inventory and is happy to help you find what you need - this family-run store is owned by people who truly love games.

In addition to their sales storefront, the Family Game Store also offers space for gamers to play games whenever they'd like - they can bring their own or try a new game from the store's ample library of playable games. The Family Game Store recently moved into a new, larger space in historic Savage Mill, so there's even more room for games and people to play them!

Don't miss the regular events, either - from open gaming nights to tournaments to regular group gaming sessions, this store has something for everybody, and a wide community of local gamers stop by regularly.

The Family Game Store is in Historic Savage Mill, at 8600 Foundry Street, Savage, MD 20763.

Post by Jamaila of Zebrink Studio

Indie-Pendent Businesses: Crimson & Clover

One of my favorite summer activities is decorating my house with fresh flowers. For the past eight years, Amy Epstein of Crimson and Clover Designs has been providing the greater Baltimore area with inspired arrangements using locally grown organic flowers as well as selections from all over the world. Recognized both locally and nationally, Amy has won several awards for her atypical floral selections and style that looks perfectly effortless.

Crimson and Clover Designs specializes in weddings and events, but maintains a wide selection of flowers, house plants, home decor items, and unique gift items. Be sure to check out Friday Flower Happy Hour every Friday from 4-6, featuring 1/2 off all cut stems!

Crimson and Clover is located in Roland Park. For more details, go to www.crimsonandcloverdesigns.com

Written by Dana of whoop.

Indie-pendant business - Lovely Yarns

There's a tree in Hampden sporting a fancy handmade sweater. It sits right in front of Lovelyarns, where my latest addiction was born. Yes, my name is Brooke, and I am a knitting addict.

If you have ever wanted to learn how to knit, crochet or make a pair of mittens, this is the place to be. It's cozy, inviting and filled with friendly faces and gorgeous, locally-made yarn.

 

Friends and I took the 'Learn to Knit' class and our fabulous instructor, Mary, taught us how to cast on, knit, purl and read a knitting pattern in under 4 hours. We loved it so much, we went back a week later for 'Knit your First MITTENS!' You can also pop in for free Stitch and Bitch sessions every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. A great way to meet fellow crafters and chat while you work on your latest project.

Oh, and once you've mastered the knitting basics, you can take part in 'The Mother Bear Project' and knit a bear for a child in South Africa. Lovelyarns provides the pattern and materials and you get to knit your own unique bear for some really special kids.

Lovelyarns is located at 846 W. 36th Street in Hampden - just look for the well dressed tree!

Written by Brooke,  of FuzzyMug

Indie-Pendent Business: Greenberries

Good for kids. Good for you. Good for earth. Greenberries consignment boutique in Columbia promises just that. And they deliver. Offering gently used children clothing and maternity wear, Greenberries also has an array of lovely brand new organic and handmade gifts. Practical, economical, and stylish - perfect for any eco-chic mom out there.

Written by Sugar Paperie

(Indie)Pendent Business: Big Style for Little People!

Locally owned and operated website UrbanBabyRunway.com is expanding and bringing it's sense of style from the vast interwebs to the streets of Baltimore. Opening in Hampden Sept. 17th, Urban Baby is the brick and mortar children's store owned by Baltimore mama Cara Shrock. The website has been operating since 2006 shortly after Cara's son turned 1. She decided to open the webstore first as a way of starting a business and continue to stay at home with her child.
"I wasn't willing to sacrifice some of the parenting choices I would have had to in order to run a store." Since her son started school full time this fall she has had more time to dedicate to running and expanding the business.
"I figured it was now or never. Plus, I have really been itching to get out of the house. Working from home for the last 4 years and mothering in the spare time around that, I was starting to feel a bit isolated. My mind needed more stimulation and new challenges. And so far this has been quite a challenge!"

The lines and designers Urban Baby carries are all carefully chosen by Cara, many are local or were started by other stay at home mom's. The collections are definitely on the edgier side of fashion for kids and appeal to urban hip parents.
"I've tried to focus on small lines that aren't oversaturing the online market. I've gotten to know most of the companies I work with pretty well. Almost all of them are moms just like me so I like knowing my money (and my customers' money) is going to support another family."
Knuckleheads, one of Cara's favorite brands for boys, features fedora's for infants, skateboard inspired onesies, and button down shirts with a Rockabilly flavor.
"They are a bit bigger than most of the brands I carry but the quality is good, always stylish season after season and it's a reputable brand customers know. Having a strong, well known brand balances out the smaller lines. A brand like Knuckleheads draws in the customers which gives me an opportunity to introduce lines they may not have heard of otherwise."

Urban Baby is located 3608 Falls Road, Baltimore MD 21211.

Indie-pendent Business: Atwater's

I love artisan bread. The kind that has that dense, crusty outside and chewy interior. When I'm feeling like a 70's housewife (and perhaps a bit thrifty), I'll pop on some Joni Mitchell and open up my cookbook, Artisan Bread In Five Minutes A Day. I'm no expert, but it's pretty good bread, I must say.

However, there are many occasions that I am feeling just plan lazy. That's when I am grateful to have Atwater's down the street. Not only do they have bread that's to die for (may I suggest the rosemary rolls?), but they also carry pastries to satisfy any sweet tooth, along with fresh produce, meat, milk and cheese sourced from local farmers and dairies. Gourmet and responsible one-stop shopping - what are you waiting for?!

For Atwater's locations, click here. You can also find them around town at area farmer's markets.

Written by Sugar Paperie.

Indie-pendent Business: Home Anthology

One of my best kept secrets is no more, but I'm okay with it. You see, one of my favorite sources for home furnishings and groovy sculptural objects was featured in the Baltimore Magazine's Best of Baltimore.

Years before we were homeowners, I stumbled upon a mecca of mid-century home goods. The shop was Home Anthology and it began in a gorgeous loft space in Oella Mill. Time has passed, the mill has filled with fancy condominiums, and Home Anthology has moved closer to that house of mine that I always dreamed of filling with a mix of mid-century & traditional wares.
photo courtesy of Home Anthology

Tucked back in an unassuming warehouse-esque strip mall, Home Anthology is located in Catonsville. Opened only on weekends, the shop owners spend the rest of their week scouring estate sales and yard sales all over the country. Sounds to me like the perfect life to lead!

I have a history here, as the quiet girl who comes in to browse, measure furniture, and dream. Once, I spotted a 12 piece place setting of the famed Eva Zeisel Hallcraft for a song. Being the sensible person that I am (a white lie when it comes to antiques, I'm afraid), I went home to 'think about it' and called my mom to tell her that I found the perfect wedding gift for her to purchase for my husband and I. I got the a-ok and frankly, my heart stopped until the collection was in my hands. Ironically, that wedding day was 4 years ago today!

Home Anthology is filled with clean mid-century designs, from furniture and lamps to art objects. If you can't make it into the store, check out their website. It's filled with beautiful things, just promise to leave me a few of them!

written by sugar paperie

Indie-pendent Businesses: Grilled Cheese & Co.

Grilled cheese. Yum! Inspired by childhood memories of grilled cheese, Matt Lancelotta and Vic Corbi set out to create a fast casual concept offering premium grilled cheese sandwiches. At the Catonsville restaurant, Grilled Cheese & Co., one can revive their own childhood fondness of the comfort food. Who says grilled cheese can't be for grownups? Gourmet, even creative?

Imagine a 'BCT' grilled cheese....delicious layers of aged cheddar, crumbled smoked bacon & freshly diced tomatoes. Have a sweet tooth? Try the 'Sweetest Thing', a foodie's delight including brie cheese, raspberry flavored marscapone & chocolate chips. For the purists out there, indulge in the 'Original', mom's famous recipe made with American cheese & grilled to perfection. Catonsville is delighted to have the Grilled Cheese & Co join the neighborhood!

First Friday at Indie-pendent Plus Size Shop: K Staton Boutique

I love First Friday on The Avenue in Hampden here in Baltimore. All of the indie shops get together, throw little parties and have some big ole sales. K Staton Boutique will be having a major Customer Appreciation Sale. The whole store will be up to 50% off!
What? You don't know K Staton yet?! It's a new independent womens clothing shop dedicated to plus sizes. It's a great spot for ladies sized 12-30 to find lots of brands you can usually only find online or in stores far, far from Charm City. I've shopped here several times already and adore this place. They have great selection of jeans, dresses, tops, skirts and accessories.

The big sale at K Staton is Friday, February 5th from 6-8pm at 817 West 36th Street, Baltimore, MD 21211. I will see you all there for sure!

Written by Kathy of The Garbologist's Wife

Indie-Pendent Business- Charmington

Combine 'Charles Village' and 'Remington' and you get Charmington, a spot for locally grown food and organic coffee brought to us by the folks from the Café at bluehouse.


Mustache Tea Cups by The Secret 'Stache

Charmington is expected to open in the spring of 2010 at 2601 North Howard Street in Baltimore, MD. We can't wait!

Indie-Pendent Business: Emily's Cafe & Desserts

Have you heard about the new vegan restaurant that opened up in Baltimore a few months back?! Emily's Cafe & Desserts is cheerful little place in Mt. Washington where you can find animal and gluten-free yumminess! It's a great spot to stop by at lunchtime for soup and sandwiches and the most important course of a meal... dessert! There is a case filled with decadent cupcakes, donuts and cakes. They even have a whole line of special order vegan baked goods, including wedding cakes.

Find them at 4901 Springarden Drive, online at http://www.emilysdesserts.com/ and even become a Facebook fan.

Written by The Garbologist's Wife

Indie-Pendent Business- Walk The Dog

It is well known that us crafters and artists put in long hours in our studios toiling away for our beloved craft. With set up and break down for shows, we are often away from home for 10+ hours. And then there are the 2 day shows, the out of town shows, the weekend conferences, and the workshops. With all this time dedicated to the making, selling and educating about craft, who's taking care of Fido??? To help out, why not hire a dog walker or pet sitter to care for your furry friends while you are away? Baltimore's Best, Walk The Dog is your answer! Owned and operated since 2002 by Kelly Zimmerman, Walk The Dog is ready to take care of all your pets needs. Does Fido need a mid day walk while you are working on that giant wholesale order? While you are away at that out of town holiday show let Walk The Dog feed your cat, give it's medication, water your plants and bring in the mail! Bonded and insured, Walk The dog is staffed by pet care professionals and highly recommended by area veterinarians.

Does Kelly look familiar to you? You may have seen her walking several happy canines at once in your neighborhood, or supervising a doggy play date in the park. More likely you have seen her at your booth at any one of the local shows- Kelly is huge "patron" of craft and even dabbles in silk screening fanciful t-shirts with hubby T.J.

Need a little extra income in between shows or in the "slow season" for craft? Dog walking is the perfect job for crafters, artists, grad students, musicians, virtually anyone who needs a flexible schedule. I've been known to grab a few leashes and tennis balls in order to supplement my craft income. Just ask artist Annie from Imogene what she is doing when not in the studio! Want to know what a typical dog walking day is like? Listen to this podcast on NPR with employee Matt Fisher. So support a local independent business AND the local craft scene the next time your dog needs a walk!

Indie-Pendence: Jack and Immy Children's Consignment

There is a brand new eco-friendly place to shop in Southeast Baltimore. For gently used name brand kids clothes and high quality gear, Jack and Immy Children's Consignment is the new store to visit in Fells Point.

Portia Romond and Pintet Halasan saw an opportunity and made it happen. Both are local moms with young children and know first hand the challenges of juggling all of the "stuff" that goes along with having children. For those of us residing in the city, efficient row house living requires families to purge clothes and baby gear as kids grow every season. The consignment shop is a great option for recouping a bit of money as your kids outgrow their gently used items in these hard times.It is an environmentally conscious shopping and selling experience right here in our community. These ladies are committed to offering affordable clothing as well as providing a creative resource for families to consign. They named the shop by using each of their youngest child's names, Jack and Imogene. And of course, the store is kid friendly with an area to color and play while parents shop -always a bonus.
Jack and Immy's is located at 2108 Fleet St. in Fells Point.
Open Tues. -Sat., 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and can be reached at 410-732-0195.
See their website for terms.


Post written by: Tigerlillyshop

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

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!