Babies, Babies Everywhere

Is it me, or is everybody pregnant all of a sudden? There are babies, both actualized and in potentia, everywhere in my life these days (including a constantly rotating roster of BEST mommies!). If you’re like me, it seems like you’re always on the lookout for baby gifts, whether for showers or to send after the birth announcement has come out. Here are a few great suggestions!
You absolutely can’t go wrong with a baby hat, and this adorable pixie number from BEST’s own Sweet Pepita is a sure-fire hit. Insider tip: keep an eye out for the occasional collaboration with The Littlest Bean , when these great hats are embellished with darling felt flowers that up the cute factor by at least ten.

The trick to giving a useful gift at a baby shower is to be thoughtful without being presumptuous. Beautiful burp cloths like these from TrulyBella are a can’t-miss idea – everybody needs them, you can’t have too many, and handmade with style? They’re perfect.

Sure, baby showers are generally about the baby gifts – but don’t forget about Mama! Pamper her with a thoughtful gift like this luxury spa set for those sore pregnant footsies from BEST’s own Spa Therapy Works. And if you’re at a co-ed shower, with both parents present, why not give them a gift certificate to a nice restaurant, to help them take time out together for themselves in their remaining time before baby?

Finally, if you’re sending a baby gift to a far-away friend or relative, one of my favorite indie business success stories will be sure to impress. Baby Bunch offers beautiful bouquets made of baby gear! Each bouquet includes a variety of useful baby items, like onesies, burp cloths, and socks, and they come in blue, pink, and neutral yellow. They even offer an organic bouquet.

Written by Jamaila of Anapurna

Inspirations: Music in the Studio

photo by Jeff Martin, courtesy of the dcist

Like many others, music has always been a source of inspiration for me. It takes me to that happy place where the world around me disappears and I can immerse myself into my craft for hours at a time. Recently, I was able to see the indie-folk rock band, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes. This ten piece band (or twelve, depending on the day) from LA has a cult following, myself included. Their hippie love enables them to become one with the audience, as they invite the crowd into their sometimes dark but also happily naive world through their lyrics. The energy felt in the club that night was like no other. Young and old, hipsters, hippies, and yuppies alike, all brought together by the force of music and a band that wears it's heart on it's sleeve. Next time they're in town, I just may hop on their bus and head out to the commune. At least in my studio daydreams....

written by sugar paperie

Random Baltimore Photo

photo by djkamar101; click here for more information

Tutorial - Repurposed Gift Box

A few weeks ago I picked up this nifty onesie from Greenstar Studio for my niece who's due to arrive right around Labor Day (how fitting!)

I'm a fan of reusing packaging whenever possible, but giving my pregnant sister-in-law a truffle box that doesn't contain truffles would have me banned (quite deservedly) from Thanksgiving dinner. The solution - use that box that's just the right size, but dress it up a bit.

With a small box like this, you can get away with using a single fat quarter - available at every good fabric shop and quite a few of the chain craft stores (Michael's, A.C. Moore) these days. It needs to be a good quality sturdy box, not one that's collapsible. You'll also need glue, scissors and either pinking shears or a sewing machine.
Let's get started! Measure the top of the box - you'll need fabric to cover the outside, the inside depth and a little bit across the top/bottom. Cut the right size, tack down the corners with glue for a few minutes and then glue down the sides.

Measure across the width and length on the outside of the top and bottom and, if you're using a sewing machine, add 1/2 inch to each dimension. If you're using pinking shears, just cut it along the dimensions. If you're sewing, press in 1/4 inch on each edge, then stitch 1/8 inch.

Finally, glue down the interior top/bottom pieces. Don't use too much glue, because it can come up through the fabric. Just use a little and use binder clips to hold the fabric in place while the glue dries.

The finished result - an excellent reusable box that doesn't look like what it used to be and is lovely and useful enough to be regifted many, many times!

Written by tarabu

Friday Finds: Steampunk

The steampunk movement combines the best of Victorian style with classic industrial themes (gears! cogs! leather! brass!). And nowhere can you find more creative, beautiful steampunk pieces than on Etsy.
Musical lyre necklace by edmdesigns.

Brass goggles by ErihMann, perfect for airship pilots.

Eliza hair accent by Rapture Designs.

Written by Jamaila of Anapurna

My Three Things

Baby season is around the corner for me; there are six people in my life expecting this fall! Here are a few of my very favorite eco-conscious baby things I've found on Etsy.
Little Lamb Hat by SweetPeaToadTots

Future Engineer Shirt by Sweet Pepita

Little Rocker Organic Felt Baby Shoes by Franny & June

Written by Kathy of The Garbologist's Wife

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

What I'm Working On: Sugar Paperie

I love collecting old things. But also the not so old objects that get tossed aside much too hastily. So in an effort to rescue some discarded children's books, pulled from my school's media center and area thrift stores, I have developed the "Storybook Collection". Alice, Waldo, and Sam-I-Am have been given a new chance at life in the form of hip, yet nostalgic stationery. They have proved to be popular with kids and adults alike!

written by sugar paperie

Favorite Etsy Shop: engrained

My husband is a photographer, and whenever I find a cool handmade camera, I can't wait to tell him about it. And let me just say... pinhole cameras plus hardback books is just super awesome! These one of a kind cameras from engrained are enough to make any experimental photographer swoon.


Pinhole Camera - Handmade from a hardback book


Hardback Book Pinhole Camera

Random Baltimore Photo

photo by TrevinP; click here for more information.