Day of the Dead

Day of the Dead Coloring Book by clowndollcurio.

The Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico can be traced back to the indigenous Olmec, Zapotec, Mixtec, Mexican or Aztec, Maya, P'urhépecha, and Totonac. Rituals celebrating the deaths of ancestors have been observed by these civilizations perhaps for as long as 2500–3000 years. In the pre-Hispanic era, it was common to keep skulls as trophies and display them during the rituals to symbolize death and rebirth.*


A traditional sugar skull designed and hand-embroidered by Jen Menkaus.
In keeping with the tradition, but, eliminating the the gore, I thought it would be appropriate to feature work celebrating this holiday.

* Info courtesy of Wikipedia!

Let's Go Out!

What I'd wear to lunch on a rainy day...

This rain coat from Hogethog.

This dress by Carolhannah

This necklace by Bakerswife

These sandals from Jessjamesjake

With one of my new cocktail rings!

Written by: Jen of Yummy and Company

Twenty Things - Jenygwen

1. i live/love to eat and have specific ways of eating almost everything...it borders on OCD.
2. i enjoy moving and have done so 16 times.
3. my favorite number is 22.
4. i 've wanted to be an artist since the third grade, i never considered another career option.
5. if my inner child isn't apparent, it is always bubbling just below the surface waiting for an excuse to come out.
6. i have jumped out of a plane
7. i am in a bocce ball league...i secretly yearn to win the bocce ball trophy at the end of our season.
8. i have fantastic inlaws (my bocce ball partner is my father inlaw).
9. dolls tend to creep me out.
10. one of my favorite things to do is sing... i give my husband free concerts when we are in the car.
11. my husband and i were friends for 12 years before we started dating.
12. my favorite color has changed..it used to be yellow, now it is pink.
13. i love bugs, i once gave one CPR...really.
14. i love old things...except dolls!
15. i am obsessed with my garden and have an ongoing (nonviolent) feud with a neighborhood cat who thinks it is his litterbox!
16. i like driving in NYC.
17. my least favorite food is suckatash but it is one of my favorite words.
18. when i get old enough to retire i want to run a bed & breakfast.
19. i love being in water.
20. i have very vivid dreams and frequently remember them when i wake up.

Would you like to be featured? Email your twenty things (keep it clean, please!) to baltimoreetsy (at) gmail (dot) com. Be sure to include your name and URL.

Wedding Day!

Congrats, jen - hope you have a wonderful day!

Get your art on...while getting your hair done!

Need an art fix?
Need a cut and color...are your eyebrows trying to unite as one?
No problem! Stop by the Edge on Central Salon and kill two or three birds with one stone!

While getting your tresses clipped and your out-ards addressed, satisfy your innards with the art of BEST artist Jennifer Wilfong! Her large scale oils are on display throughout the salon.


For hours, location and services offered check out the Edge on Central's website

Post written by JennyGwen

Hmmmm.... What to do this weekend...

Join BEST members JenyGwen, JenMenkhaus, Miscelena and SweetPepita at the EcoFestival in Druid Hill Park! We'll be celebrating Baltimore Green Week and selling eco-friendly goodies for you and your family. Prepare yourself to fall in love with our park on a guided hiking or biking tour, discover how delicious and extraordinary vegan meals can be with fare from Yabba Pot, and just relax! Listen to music, enjoy art displayed in green space and maybe even learn a little something about how to take better care of your world.


And if that's not enough, this Sunday, April 27th, Bowerbox Press will be at the Day of the Book Festival in Kensington, MD. The fair is from 12 to 5, rain or shine. There will be authors, publishers, book artists, craftspeople, musicians and more!

Information is available at dayofthebook.com

Sew New... by jenygwen!

After having a little fight with the sewing machine one day, I decide to retaliate by shoving some paper in, instead of the silk I was working on... next thing I knew I was addicted to sewing on paper! Sometimes I paint/draw on the paper first and then sew it, other times I sew first and let the sewing dictate the design. Typically, I take the resulting design and create stationery and other fun papergoodness! Here are some of my most recent designs...




Post written by jenygwen