Long Stone StoneWear Bracelet by Shelly Daly, Spot-On Dottie Dress by Sweet Pepita, Upcycled Sketchbook by Of Machines.

A few months ago, you may have come across an issue of Craft magazine that focused on crafting green. It was chock full of tutorials, crafts, crafters, and thoughtful articles that featured what the writers at Craft call “embracing the green ethos.”

Well guess what folks? Baltimore by Hand is following suit. After today, BBH will be absorbed into B’More Green – a larger blog that explores green living in Baltimore and beyond. This is being done in part to expose the local handmade movement to a wider audience. It’s also because crafting is and has always been the perfect medium for integrating sustainable methods and materials.

Of course, crafting green doesn’t mean that every material must be reclaimed or recycled. For some of us, it may simply mean that our vision is informed by nature or that we use earth friendly power glue in place of something toxic. Using handcrafted tools, ethically mined jewelry findings or soy-based inks and dyes are only a few of the many examples of how crafters apply eco-friendly practices to their work. The possibilities are endless.

With that in mind, please stay tuned. In the coming weeks, B’More Green will feature green minded craft tutorials, products, crafters, shops and helpful hints on how to be green in creative, thoughtful and surprising ways. And as always, if you have a craft to share – something that exemplifies embracing the green – send it my way!

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 1:18 PM | Permalink
                       

Don’t miss this weekend’s annual Sowebohemian Arts & Music Festival at Hollins Market. There will be three stages of live music, street performers, DIY street art activities, a kid’s art fashion parade, puppet shows and, best of all, arts and crafts exhibitors. More information on music, food and craft vendors is on the Sowebo Arts web site – seriously, this festival is going to be jam packed with fun things to do and it’s free!

Festivities begin at noon and end around 9 p.m.

(Image courtesy of Sowebo Arts)

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 10:37 AM in Events | Permalink
                       

If you have a free moment today, be sure to swing by the Charlestown Retirement Community for their 19th Annual Resident Visual Art Show & Sale. The show will include paintings, photographs, three-dimensional design, wood art and works on paper (charcoal, pastels, and collage). Jeff Getek, who helped promote the show, says, “Our residents are extremely talented, and many of them have been involved with art professionally through their careers.”

Take for example Cecilia Staub, who began teaching art in her home in 1960 (see her painting above). Still an active artist, Ms. Staub pursues her passion for art through her Catonsville-based family business, Staub Art Studio. According to Jeff, “Ms. Staub’s experience highlights the idea that the love of art is timeless and retirement is not an end to pursuing fresh interests, but a beginning.”

The exhibit will be open from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. today at the Charlestown Retirement Community Erickson Conference Center, located 719 Maiden Choice Lane in Catonsville. For more information, contact Jeff Getek at 410-456-9809.

(Images courtesy of Charlestown Retirement Community)

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 10:07 AM in Events | Permalink | Comments (2)
                       

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve received inquiries from a couple of Baltimore by Hand readers who are in search of certain local vendors/shops. They wrote to me in the hopes that their fellow readers might be able to help them out. So, if you happen to have answers to the following two questions, please post your response below.

Hi Christy,

I was hoping you or one of your readers might be able to help me remember the name of this tiny little store in Canton where you could design your own purse. It used to be located on one of the off streets, closer to Patterson Park, and then moved into Canton Square briefly. I saw on my last pass-by that they were closing their store in the Square, but I was hoping that they might still be running their business somewhere else. The store was very, very pink and had pre-made designs and tons and tons of options for your own personal bags. If anyone knows the store I’m thinking of, and could point me in the right direction, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks!
Kate

And Annette is looking for this unique jewelry designer:

Hi,

Thanks,
Annette

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 12:00 PM in Shopping | Permalink | Comments (3)
                       

Lark Books is seeking 25 original designs for their upcoming book Knitting Capelets, Cowls & Collars. They want to include a range of beautiful designs that are distinctive and eye-catching with thoughtful details. The book will be geared toward beginner/intermediate knitters. Accepted designs will receive between $100 and $200.

To submit a project proposal, visit the Lark Books web site and download a proposal form – you can submit as many as you want. They also require a digital photo of your design on a model.

The deadline for submission is June 12. Read more about the project here.

(Photo by me)

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 11:04 AM | Permalink
                       

The Philadelphia Designer’s Market, an independent fashion marketplace geared toward wearable art, is seeking vendors. The market will feature 30+ designers.

Vendor spaces are 7x5’ including a 6’ table and chair. Garment racks are available for $5. Registration is $100. Each participant will also receive 10 event postcards plus web graphics. Space assignment is on a first come first serve basis.

Date: July 18
Address: The Broad Street Ministry, 315 S. Broad Street
Time: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

For applications, visit the Philadelphia Designer’s Market web site.

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 2:54 PM in Events | Permalink
                       

Exotic fabrics, funky prints, and lots and lots of lavender are what I found this morning while browsing local crafter Radica’s online shop. Her pillows and napkins are bursting with fun (I’d like a stack of each) and her overall presentation is exquisite. So, if you’re looking to de-stress, consider one of her sachets made with organic lavender. And, there’s always a good reason to buy reusable napkins – why not get some that make you smile?

(Images courtesy of Radica)

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 11:55 AM in Local crafters, Local crafters, Shopping | Permalink
                       

This weekend, the Station North Arts and Entertainment District will offer a series of studio tours at the Metro Gallery, VIBEZ Gallery, Windup Space, Westnorth Studio, Joe Squared and Jordan Faye Contemporary.

Here’s the scoop:

Metro Gallery, 1700 N.Charles St.
Videopolis Sunday 2-5 p.m.
Videopolis showcases local fringe film and video work. The exhibit includes video installations by Matt Fischel, Kristen Anchor, Guy Werner and various other artists.

VIBEZ Gallery 2318 N. Charles St.
Saturday Noon - 5 p.m.
Sunday 2-5 p.m.
One Show: One Goal featuring Sulaymaan and Simone Gray
www.oneartconnection.net

Windup Space 12 W. North Ave.
Sunday 3-6 p.m.
Mixed media, an exhibition celebrating its first year of operation.
Artists: Lisa Krause, E. Liz Downing, Brandon Bacon, John Bohl, Lou Joesph, Andrew Liang, Matt Bovie, Eamon Espey.

Wesnorth Studio 106 W.North Ave.
Sunday 2-7 p.m.
Women on Paper Project Celebrates women in the arts with a collection of small works that include drawings photographs, prints, paintings, short stories and poems. Contributors : Carol Hayman, Celeste Bateman, Deb King, Grace Graupe Pillard, Helen Elliott, Karly Hansen, Renee Stout, Rosae Reeder, Robbye Apperson, Miriam Brumer, Valerie W. Wesley, Vivian Mc Duffie. Also on view : roycrosse recent works and works in progress.

Joe Squared 133 W.North Ave.
Sunday 2 p.m.-2 a.m.
The Anatomy of Brady Starr, a media Exhibition.
7 p.m. Todd Marcus Open Jam Jazz Session

Load of Fun Arts Center/ Jordan Faye Contemporary & Oriet's Fine Art. 120 W.North Ave.
Saturday noon-5 p.m. and 7-10 p.m.; 2-5 p.m. Sunday
Variety, showcasing more than 30 American artists in three floors of gallery space.
www.jordanfayecontemporary.com

For more information, call 410-962-1475 or email joe@josquared.com

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 2:31 PM in Events | Permalink
                       

Beginning June 2, Hamilton Lauraville Main Street will host a weekly market at 4500 Harford Road – a formerly abandoned filling station across the street from the Safeway supermarket. Tuesday Market Connection will continue every Tuesday, from 4 -8 p.m. through October, and feature local food vendors, native plants, crafts, live music and more. To promote the market, vendor spaces will cost $5 for the first two weeks. After that, the cost per space will range between $15 and $25.

Coordinators will meet today to implement plans for beautifying the space. For more information or to receive a vendor application, contact Adam Fisher at tuesdaymarket@hamiltonlauravillemainstreet.org.

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 12:25 PM in Events | Permalink | Comments (4)
                       

On May 31, the first ever Handmade Mart will be held in downtown Silver Spring. More than 50 independent artisans and crafters will showcase their wares. The show will also include workshops, demonstrations and live entertainment.

Volunteers are needed to help vendors set up and run the booths. For more details, visit the Handmade Mart blog or contact handmademart@gmail.com with VOLUNTEER in the subject line.

By the way, if you do end up volunteering at Handmade Mart, you will be invited to attend the exclusive Vendor Party, where you can screen a Handmade Mart T-shirt and tote bag - all for free. Also, if you happen to be a crafter, you’ll be entered into a raffle for a free booth space at next year’s Handmade Mart.

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 11:18 AM in Events | Permalink