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

Last 1st Friday in Annapolis this weekend!

This weekend is the last First Sunday Arts Festival in downtown Annapolis and I will be there! I have been working away like crazy in the studio and will have TONS of new hand stamped pieces as well as some other fun things.

If you have never been down to the First Sunday Arts Festival, you really should go down. It is a great show with fantastic vendors in 3 different area. Of course it being in downtown Annapolis is a fantastic plus!

The festival is this Sunday, and is the last one until next May. It opens at 12:00 and goes until 5pm. You can find all the information you need at  http://firstsundayarts.com/

                                                     Come down. Say hi. Have fun!

Ready for the Election?

You can get your own "Team Donkey" necklace here

 

 

~or your own "Team Elephant" necklace here

 written by Sara of Heavens to Bessie

This Weekend, Too! Merry Mart

Merry Mart is a unique craft show featuring a diverse mix of art and craft from Baltimore and beyond. BEST's own Jen Menkhaus of The Littlest Bean and Allison Fomich of Tigerlillyshop helped to organize and run the event again this year!

This is a warm and fuzzy indoor show that showcases local Baltimore talent with unique handmade work. Shoppers will find one of a kind gifts, clothing, handbags, plushies, felt accessories, ceramics, soaps, kids toys, mixed media, amazing jewelry, and great art! If you are looking for unique items that will be remembered and appreciated for years to come, don’t miss this show. Shop local and expect to find great gifts at this handmade marketplace this holiday season!

You can find the vendor list and preview here: http://merrymartbaltimore.blogspot.com/

As always, it will be held at the Creative Alliance at the Patterson on December 4th, 2011, from 11am-5pm.

Homespun Yarn Party!

About the Homespun Yarn Party

Check out the Blog for interviews and information: http://homespunyarnparty.blogspot.com/

What: Yarn Party! Check out local yarn vendors, sit and knit, meet new people!

Who: All your favorite local yarn dyers and spinners, plus some extra crafty goodness! And all our knitting/crocheting/spinning friends (you!) of course!!

Where: from 2009-2011: Historic Savage Mill 8600 Foundry Street, Savage, MD 20763 | Just off I-95, plenty of parking! - - check the main page for this year's date and time

When: March 27th, 12 PM to 5 PM

Why: Who needs an excuse to get together and craft?! We wanted to get together and spread some fiber love!

In addition to some great crafty vendors, we also have:

• free lessons on knitting, crochet, spinning, and maybe more
• fabulous door prizes to be given away throughout the event
• weather-permitting, a sit and spin/crochet/knit area out on the deck

And we collect knitted and crocheted items for local charities!

Admission is FREE!

About the Homespun Yarn Party

Check out the Blog for interviews and information: http://homespunyarnparty.blogspot.com/

What: Yarn Party! Check out local yarn vendors, sit and knit, meet new people!

Who: All your favorite local yarn dyers and spinners, plus some extra crafty goodness! And all our knitting/crocheting/spinning friends (you!) of course!!

Where: from 2009-2011: Historic Savage Mill 8600 Foundry Street, Savage, MD 20763 | Just off I-95, plenty of parking! - - check the main page for this year's date and time

When: March 27th, 12 PM to 5 PM

Why: Who needs an excuse to get together and craft?! We wanted to get together and spread some fiber love!

In addition to some great crafty vendors, we also have:

• free lessons on knitting, crochet, spinning, and maybe more
• fabulous door prizes to be given away throughout the event
• weather-permitting, a sit and spin/crochet/knit area out on the deck

And we collect knitted and crocheted items for local charities!

Admission is FREE!

2011 Vendors

• Alpacas of Md at Peace Hollow Farm And Alpaca Yarn Arts
• Alpacas of Windswept Farm
• Ashton Studio Arts
• Avalon Springs Farm
• Biggs & Featherbelle
• Cat's Pajamas
• CompassioKnit
• Cosy Knits (Literally)
• Dancing Leaf Farm
• Dragonfly Fiber Designs
• Farmgirl Chic
• Feederbrook Farm
• Flying Goat Farm
• Folktale Fibers
• Gnomegarden
• Jump Sheep
• Kate's Cauldron
• Knitterly Things
• Loop
• Misty Mountain Farm
• Neighborhood Fiber Co.
• Persimmon Tree Farm
• Rock Creek Yarn
• Shelby B's Designs
• Sirona Science
• Snallygaster Fibers
• Space Cadet Creations
• Spirit Trail
• The Crooked Elm
• The Sanguine Gryphon
• Wild Hare Fiber Studio
• Wolles Yarn Creations
• Woolarina
• Wullenstudio

-- Written by gnomegarden
Written by Dawn of gnomegarden

Merry Mart 2010 Call for Entries!

It's that time of year again where we all look forward to the signs of the winter show season!

We are pleased to announce BEST Baltimore Craft members Jen Menkhaus of Littlest Bean and Allison Fomich of Tigerlillyshop will be coordinating Merry Mart this year! This annual holiday show will be held Sunday December 5th at the Creative Alliance, located at 3134 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD

Merry Mart is now accepting vendor applications through October 11^th. Vendors can find the easy online application process here: http://merrymartbaltimore.blogspot.com/p/home.html

This is and warm and fuzzy indoor show that showcases local Baltimore talent with unique handmade work. Shoppers will find one of a kind gifts, clothing, handbags, plushies, felt accessories, ceramics, soaps, kids toys, mixed media, amazing jewelry, and great art! If you are looking for unique items that will be remembered and appreciated for years to come, don’t miss this show. Shop local and expect to find great gifts at this handmade marketplace this holiday season!

New this year Merry Mart will have an online presence and a juried vendor selection! We are looking for high-quality, handmade work in a variety of media. Inquiries and questions: merrymartbaltimore@gmail.com

Ok artists and crafters, show us what you’ve got!

BMA Print Fair

The Baltimore Museum of Art will hold its biennial fair this month, March 27 and 28. The Baltimore Fair for Contemporary Prints and New Editions will showcase new works and print editions from a huge variety of artists and printmakers. Students and alumni from the Maryland Institute College of Art will also be exhibiting- they stole the show last year with an impressive showing of incredible prints!

BEST member Val Lucas of Bowerbox Press will be showing with the MICA table- come see her alphabet bird prints, woodcuts, and The Raven!

Not sure where to start? Enjoy an informative tour of dealers, presses, and galleries with Associate Curator of Prints, Drawings & Photographs Rena Hoisington. Saturday, March 27, Noon & 3 p.m, FREE with admission to the Print Fair.

For more information see the BMA's website.

written by Val of Bowerbox Press

Crofton Town Club Craft Fair

The Crofton Town Club twice-annual Craft Fair is coming around again!

Take a quick dip out to the burbs to see Sugar Paperie, tarabu, and more! Only a few miles south of Baltimore (what a great excuse to head to Annapolis for a late lunch!) the Crofton Town Club, is conveniently located on Crofton Parkway (I-97, to MD-3, to there!)
Whether you need to stock up on Holiday Cards - it's getting to be that time already, or pick up a quilt for the new baby in your life, the BEST suburban voyagers have you covered.

September 26, Saturday, 10am - 4pm
Address is 1691 Crofton Parkway, Crofton, MD 21114

Stone Fence Gardens Annual Arts & Crafts Festival

It's a busy weekend for BEST members, and seems to be turning in to the unofficial start to the fall season.

If you heed the call to 'Go West, young woman', tarabu invites you to head out to Stone Fence Gardens in Thurmont, MD this weekend for the annual fall Arts & Crafts Festival.

Located forty-five miles west of downtown Baltimore (take I-70 out of town, turn north at Frederick), Thurmont, MD is home to excellent leaf-peeping and apple cider. Stone Fence Gardens is home to camping, living history events, a native american gift shop, and year round music.

This weekend's event will include local artists, food and drink, live music from 11-5 on Saturday and 1-4 on Sunday, and free pony rides. And there's no admission! So fill half your gas tank, pack the mad money and come out for the fabulous weather, the music and the shopping - It's going to be a beautiful day!

September 19-20; Saturday and Sunday, 10am - 5pm each day
Address is 6610 Mountaindale Road, Thurmont, MD 21788