Fall Giveaway

Don't forget about our fall gift certificate giveaway, worth $200! All you have to do is join our mailing list (if you have not done some already) AND visit a participating artists' shop and leave a comment on the original post about your favorite item(s). Winner will be chosen at random on Thanksgiving Day - just in time for Cyber Monday! Good Luck!

(image by dandelionblu)

Renegade

Featured Seller: Little Llama

I found little llama on Flickr and immediately fell in love with her nature-inspired jewelry, which is set off by beautiful photography.

The piece I covet the most is this necklace. I love the way the natural look of the wood contrasts with the shape of the bead.


little llama says of her work, “Often I tend to make jewelry that’s simple and sober, yet striking. Other times I feel like making more colorful and bold jewelry, so you’re sure to find some variety. Nature and all sorts of photographs form a real inspiration source to me.”

A good example of this natural inspiration can be seen in this necklace—a very natural shape in a striking color and setting.


Finally, check out the amazing texture of these earrings. I bet they would catch the light beautifully.


Post written by bennyandheidi

Random Baltimore Photo

For more information, please click on the image.

Tutorial: How to Make Earwires

Handmade earwires are one of those things that add an extra personal touch to your jewelry. When I first became a metalsmith, I learned all these fantastic techniques, but would still purchase my earwires. I decided to take it upon myself to learn how to make my own earwires and as it turns out, they are pretty easy to make. Below are some easy instructions for some simple, sterling silver earwires.

Materials you will need for this project: 20 gauge Sterling Silver wire, ruler, round nose and flat nose plyers, wire cutters, pen, leather or plastic hammer, anvil, jewelry file and sand paper

Step 1: Cut 1.5" lengths of wire. You can adjust the length of wire you need according to the type of earwire you are planning to make.

Step 2: Make a small loop at the end of the piece of wire with your round nose plyers. Consider making a mark on the plyers to remember your spot - so your loops will be the same size.

Step 3: Holding the loop in place with one of your fingers, wrap the wire length around the pen (mandel). Repeat for all lengths of wire, and check to be sure that your pieces are the same size.

Step 4: Use your round nose (or flat) plyers to make a curve towards the bottom of the earwire. Repeat for all pieces, checking to be sure you are curving all pieces in the same place. Trim earwires as neccessary (and to your liking).

Step 5: Harden the earwires by placing them on your anvil and tapping with a plastic or leather hammer. You want to use a plastic/leather hammer so you don't mark up the metal.

Step 6: File the bottom of the earwires until they are smooth. You may also use a cup attachment for your flex shaft/drummel to round the bottom of the earwires. Run the earwires over some sandpaper, if necessary.

Voila! You now have made your very own handcrafted earwires. You can make many pairs at the same time, so you'll be all stocked up. Have fun crafting!

Benefit for the Gaffney's

The thing about this crafty scene is that it brings people together who otherwise may just be stuck in the house. OK. Maybe it's just me who would be stuck in the house. It brings us together and we become part of the greater community. We have all formed relationships, not just with fellow crafters, but with folks who support us, who come out to just see what it is that we do.

I met my friend Marie at Pile of Craft this spring. We'd met in passing a handful of times (this is Baltimore), but when the two of us made the connection that we'd crossed paths before, and realized that we have sooo much in common, we became quick friends.

Not long afterward, she told me that her good friends, The Gaffneys (Alana and Matt and their 3 kids, including newborn Jimmy) recently lost everything in a house fire in Lauraville (If you read City Paper, you might have seen Jimmy featured on the cover in the article on homebirth). No one was hurt, but they were, and are, still in need of help.


A group of friends and supporters is holding a benefit and silent auction to raise money for the family. You can visit the database in the group they've set up online to bid on items before the event. Please keep in mind that every dollar raised will go to directly to the Gaffneys to help them get back on their feet and begin to replace some of the things they've lost. The auction will end on Wednesday October 8th at a pot-luck benefit to be held in Lauraville/Hamilton, at the Faith Community United Methodist church on the corner of Gibbons and Harford Rd at 6:00pm.

Local shops, restaurants, massage therapists and acupuncturists have pulled together to auction their goods and services in order to help and members from The Charm City Craft Mafia and the Baltimore Etsy Street Team are busily combining talents and compiling one fabulous basket of craft just for this event. If you've been wanting to begin your collection of craft, there is no better reason to start than with this. And like I said, every dollar raised will go to directly to the Gaffneys.

Please join the Gaffneys and their friends for a pot-luck dinner and last chance bidding. Winners will be announced at the benefit on Wednesday, October 8th.

The pot-luck benefit and silent auction will be held at the Faith Community United Methodist church on the corner of Gibbons and Harford Rd at 6:00pm.

Please R.S.V.P. by voting in the poll at the Gaffney Auction group's homepage

Friday FInds - Favorite Fellas

For today's Friday Finds i went into my favorites to compile a grouping of my favorite little fella's. Being an avid birdy bird lover as well as a sucker for the plushies, I had to make this collection with a big smile on my face! Hope this brightens your Friday too!

Hootie Who- Owl Plushie by Stichface

Owl Buddy with zig zag print by Stelabird

little boy owl dude by hitree

Stewart the Owl Vintage Inspired Wool Felt Decorative Doll Pillow by Cuore

BEST's own greenstarstudio's newest invention:

red bird knitimal MASK

Vote Kitty!

More info at the Creative Alliance.

Twenty Things - Jill Popowich

1. I had REALLY BIG Jersey Girl hair in the 80's.
2. I don’t like tomatoes but I feel compelled to grow them.
3. I'm a pack rat (aka “collector”). If I have two of something I must have more.
4. I have two spunky Pulik (Puli).
5. I love reptiles. I've had all sorts of reptiles over the years including a 4 1/2 foot iguana and a boa constrictor.
6. I’ve zipped through the streets of London on the back of a motorcycle.
7. My husband and I are currently restoring a 1968 Karmann Ghia convertible. My dream car, not so much his.
8. We name all of our houseplants.
9. I get to travel for work and have had the opportunity to go to France, Italy, Poland, Russia, Korea, India, Spain, England, Bahrain, Dubai and Portugal. Oddly I still haven’t been to Ft. McHenry.
10. I can't sing or dance.... really, it's bad.
11. I HATE having my picture taken.
12. I love hydrangeas.
13. I watch Miss Congeniality every time it is on TV even though I have it on DVD still in the wrapper.
14. I secretly love Liverwurst and Swiss cheese sandwiches
15. Canned tuna fish grosses me out.
16. It took me a year to finish the last Harry Potter book.
17. I can't watch a movie without falling asleep
18. I’m kind of a speed freak; I love roller coasters and driving fast.
19. I've always wanted a penguin but my husband won't let me have one.
20. I've seen Neil Diamond in concert. He rocks.

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 photo, name and URL.

Indie-pendent Business - Peter's Inn

Last week, my husband and I were looking for a tasty dinner and we were determined to try someplace new rather than a predictable standby. On a friend’s recommendation, we headed to Peter’s Inn in Fell's Point. It turns out this gem of a restaurant has been around for years and is the quintessential Baltimore tavern.

Peter’s is quaint (read tiny,) but that gave us plenty of reason to cozy up to the bar while we perused the chalkboard menu that changes weekly. From the lip-smacking cocktail to the indulgent pesto garlic bread, every moment leading up to our meal was tantalizing! Once my seared scallops with spinach, potato and a pernod cream sauce arrived, I was truly in heaven! Just like enjoying a meal at my mom’s house, Peter’s Inn filled me with warmth, a delectable entrée, and a dose of practicality. Check out their bathroom and you’ll know what I mean. Who else thinks of having a bottle of Scope available for public use?!

Post written by sugarpaperie.