Friday Finds- Summer's End Edition

I can't help but feel nostalgic for orange. August blooms, ripe fruits and the light of late summer.


Ginger Lemon and Sage Vegan Deodorant Stick 2oz from our lovely Spa Therapy Works



Screen Print (Gocco) - Stuff No. 1 - Limited Edition from Magic Jelly Emporium



Victorian Ring from new BEST member Trinkets N Whatnots



Dandelion handspun yarn from Nessie Knits



The Birdy Bath from BEST's own JennyJen 42

Craft Off!

In honor of Indie Fixx’s 2nd Anniversary the Indie Fixx blog is having yet another contest!

This contest requires you to craft in order to win! In order to win the Indie Fixx Craft-Off, you must create a crafty item of some sort and that craft must incorporate the number two in some way.

For complete rules and details, see here.

Happy Anniversary, Indie Fixx!

Twenty Things - Christy Zuccarini

Twenty things you didn't know about me, by Christy Zuccarini - blogger at Baltimore by Hand, and crafter at For Queen Victoria.

1. I drink around six cups of coffee every day.
2. When I was a kid I had a crush on Fonzie.
   
3. I can burp the alphabet.
   
4. My last name means “little sugar” in Italian.
   
5. I’m a big fan of ‘Car Talk’ on NPR.
   
6. I have a freezer full of turkey pot pies.
   
7. I once went to London just to see a Bjork concert.
   
8. I have two cats.
   
9. I really want a dog named Brian who drinks martinis.
   
10. I’ve seen the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Texas.
    
11. I always cry at the end of “E.T.”
    
12. I speak fluent French.
    
13. I love key lime pie.
    
14. I listen to Simon and Garfunkel when I feel blue.
    
15. I learned to two-step in Oklahoma with a man named Curly.
    
16. I studied classical piano for ten years.
    
17. I’m allergic to kiwi.
    
18. I was once an extra on Homicide.
19. I have trouble counting
20. I would love to live in France.

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.

Indie-pendent Business - Ma Petite Shoe

Ok, I will admit. I like shoes. A lot. I will also admit that I like most shoe stores. But opening the door of Ma Petite Shoe reduces me to drooling like Homer Simpson at the foot of a the world's largest sprinkle-covered, pink-frosted donut.

Whether you like dainty or clunky, retro or modern, sensible or sexy, vegan or leather, there will be something for you there. Sadly for me, there are always several somethings. (I even tried on shoes when I went to take this photo! I may need help.)

Anyway, check out Ma Petite Shoe in Hampden. They're having a great sale right now. And if you can't find shoes, console yourself with some chocolate.

Mmmm, shoes and chocolate. Now there's a combination.

Because we love local businesses, we will be featuring an independent business twice monthly. If you'd like to suggest your favorite, please email us at baltimoreetsy (at) gmail (dot) com.

How Long Has It Been?

Since you've been to the zoo?



We've learned that feeding a giraffe is good for the soul. And that it just might be 5-10 degrees cooler in Druid Hill Park. Do you really need another reason to go?

Free This Afternoon?

Dana from Green Star Studios will be signing copies of her most recent children's book, The Different Dragon, at Happy Hon Books in Dundalk on Monday, August 4th from 12-3. She'll also have prints and coloring books for sale, so be prepared to take home some goodies!

Sweet Pepita is the Best!

In case we haven't talked about the Best of Baltimore enough, one of our own was given her own special nod in this month's issue.

Baby Greens Shannon Delanoy had a hard time finding sweatshop-free clothing for her daughter Alice. So she started the Sweet Pepita, sweetpepita.etsy.com, baby clothing line last year. The line takes retro T-shirts and blends them with brightly colored, 100-percent organic cotton shipped from New Mexico. Delanoy makes shirts, dresses, scarves, bibs, and hats. She explains that most of the T-shirts that she alters come from thrift stores or friends' closets, so some toddlers get adorned with a Guinness logo or Jimi Hendrix decal. A small price to pay for sustainability.

Go Shannon!!!

Get the entire BOB 2008 list here.

Random Baltimore Photo

for more info, please click on the image

Flickr Finds - Felted Brooches

Felted wool brooch made with green and purple shades adorned with a vintage cream button. From Project Felt's Photostream

Join the Baltimore / Maryland Crafters flickr group, hosted by The Broken Plate, and we may feature you and your work in an upcoming BEST blog. So if you're crafty (and you know you are), and you live in or around Baltimore, look us up. We know you're out there, so show us your stuff!

Friday Fiction Finds

Ode to Scout from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, three 4 x 6 print portraits from elloh



PITY THE FOOL HOODIE from Bambina Mia



Moby Dick Paperback Wallet from Rebound Designs



the log lady from seasprayblue



Alice In Wonderland Drink Me bottle opener 2.25 inches from Flirt Buttons