VOTE: Best Arts & Culture Non Profit

Wouldn't it be AMAZING if we won?



Please help us out and vote for the Ballston A&C Market as the Best Arts & Culture Non Profit in the Best of DC Reader Poll. Thanks!

2012 Calls to Artists!

It’s on! Time to submit your application to the 2012 season of the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market!

The deadline for the first round of jurying is Monday, March 5, 2012. After March 5th, submissions will still be reviewed, but are subject to space availability.  

Please find the submission form and guidelines for the 2012 season on the right side of the blog under " 2012 Submission Form." Please send all submission packets to me at my NEW EMAIL, Jessica@BallstonBID.com.  

For easy emailing, please follow these simple instructions:
1). Save (Save As) submission form to your computer as a pdf.
2). Open using Adobe Reader. If you need to, GET ADOBE READER.
3). Fill in form, then save again.
4). Email to Jessica@BallstonBID.com

If you have any questions in the meantime, please feel free to contact me via email at Jessica@BallstonBID.com or on my cell at 202.536.9714. I hope you are enjoying winter. Can’t believe it’s time to start thinking about the spring!

2012 Downloadable Calendar!

Get psyched! The Ballston A&C Market starts May 12th this season and returns the Second Saturday each month until October. So, now we have a calendar for you to save and print out at home so you can always remember what days the markets fall on.

Go HERE to download your own 2012 Ballston A&C Market Calendar!

We'll be getting some magnets made, too, so hit me up if you want one!

The 2012 Postcard!

Introducing the brand-new 2012 Ballston Arts & Crafts Market design! Don't you love it?

Now on to the 2012 submission form, which should be available by the beginning of next week. Thanks for your patience. Can't wait to see what you got for us!

2012 Ballston A&C Market Update!

Hey everyone! I am proud to announce that the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market will be back in 2012 with a new look, but the same high-quality art that our quirky market is known for. Keep an eye out for the Call to Artists this month--hopefully really soon. 

We're working as hard as we can to get the 2012 submission form into your crafty little hands, so please be patient as we work out a couple of things.

In the meantime, here's sneak peak at our new little friend ... a Ballston Yeti! What shall we call him?

That's All Folks!

Well, that's all folks. The final market of 2011 has come and gone. How bittersweet. And we couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day. Thank you to everyone who has helped create such an amazing handmade scene in Arlington-the artists, the visitors our supporters and The Ballston BID. Here's to an even brighter and bigger 2012.

Check out some photos from the final market on Saturday. I'll be in touch with you all very soon with updates on next season's Ballston A&C Market. Mwah!

Love these earrings by Nikdapooh

Stunning new design came and went by Melissa Lew

Fuzzy goodness by Ela's Fellas

Block-printing at its best by Katharine Watson

Holland Cox does more than just bags. They do colorful throw pillows, too!

Spicy tuna? Glass sushi by WeirdGirl Designs

little blue studio wows me with her flowery pins & jewelry

The flowy sounds of Veronneau perfectly complimented the beautiful day 

Funnelcloud Studios monster likes chicken!

Who? Amy Manson Pottery, of course

April Alayne sure seemed busy!

Ten East Read awesomeness

Interlaken Soak Company is high-quality

FuzzyMug and some fuzzies

See you in May!

The FINAL Ballston A&C Market TODAY - Saturday, October 8th!

Wow. Where did the season go? I can't believe the FINAL Ballston A&C Market is TODAY - Saturday, October 8th. This is your last chance this year to shop all things handmade in Welburn Sqaure. Plus, the weather forecast looks perfect. Can't beat 75 degrees and sunny. So don't miss out!

We'll be at the Square from 10 AM - 4 PM doing what we do best -- delivering unique, handcrafted goodies to the people! And while your here, check out the free hula hoop demos (Booth #25), take a FREE yoga class (avalable noon - 2 PM) and listen to some awesome live music (noon - 2 PM).   

And, of course, don't forget your wallet. There is some SERIOUS shopping to do here! See you later TODAY ...

Exhibitor Map THIS SATURDAY - October 8th!

II can't believe the FINAL Ballston A&C Market is on October 8th. Check out the map and the awesome artisans we have lined up for THIS SATURDAY! See where your favorites will be exhibiting.

1). Herban Lifestyle
2). FuzzyMug
3). Nikdapooh Designs
4). lolojane
5). Amy Manson Pottery
6). Funnelcloud
7). Jillory
8). Ten East Read
9). Love to Create
10). Jen-A-Fusion
11). Interlaken Soak Company
12). Yinibini Baby
13). Brighter Day Beads
14). Steven L. Miller Photography
15). April Alayne
16). Holland Cox
17). Katharine Watson
18). Jewelry Link
19). BoxBoy
20). MurderMitten Creations
21). MOTHERBORED
22). SharpShirter
23). Ela's Fellas
24). Denise's Knits
25). pretty.hot.hoops
26). WeirdGirl Designs
27). XX
28). Jean-Louis Monfraix
29). little blue studio
30). Bette's Bags
31). Mary Ellen Larkins
32). Hope Augustini
33). Melissa Lew
34). jerseymaids

Love to Create - October 8th!

Stacy Rausch is an artist. By trade, she's a graphic designer for a local newspaper. She is also a freelance designer creating logos and brochures. But, what really caught my eye is Stacy's beautiful photography.

As Love to Create, you'll find Stacy shooting weddings, parties and anything else that may catch her eye in and about the District and beyond.

Visit Stacy and her amazing eye for what's awesome in her usual spot, Booth #9, at the FINAL Ballston A&C Market on Saturday, October 8th!

Funnelcloud - October 8th!

Straight outta Falls Church comes Funnelcloud with their bold artwork and intrinsic designs. Artist, Rachel Roellke, does it all - screenprinting, lino printing, graphic design, along with plenty of painting and sketching.

We got dodos, ostriches in cowboy boots, big fish and much more. Check out Rachel's work on her blog, then visit Funnelcloud in person (in Booth #6) on Saturday, October 8th at the FINAL Ballston A&C Market of the season.

Don't MIss the Last Market of the Season THIS Saturday!

Saturday, October 8th is the FINAL Ballston A&C Market of the season, so don't miss out on your last chance to shop 100% handmade in Ballston! If you don't visit us, look what you'll miss out on:

Bright Day Beads

Claytastic

Jean-Louis Monfraix

Nikdapooh Designs

April Alayne

Funnelcloud Studio

pretty.hot.hoops.

Desnie's Knits

So, come out and support your local artists. Hope to see you THIS Saturday, October 8th!!

Ela's Fellas - THIS Saturday, October 8th!

Ela's Fellas was sick last month, but she's all better now and excited to participate in her first Ballston A&C Market THIS Saturday. Let's all give a warm Ballston welcome, to this awesome newbie!

Ela's Fellas offer eco-friendly, fine art-and-crafts inspired by creatures and products of nature in ornament form.

Playful Fellas look great all year long hanging from a windowsill or door knobs. Plus, custom mobiles, Christmas chandeliers and individual Fellas are available upon request.

And all of Ela's collages are original multi-media pieces of affordable fine art. Say hello to all of the Fellas at the FINAL Ballston A&C Market of the season THIS Saturday, October 8th!

pretty.hot.hoops Offers FREE Hula Hoop Demos October 8th!

Are you a hula-hoop enthusiast? Or maybe you have always wanted to learn how to spin a hoop, but no one was around to show you how. Well, I have some great news for you!  Hula-hoop designers and masters, pretty.hot.hoops. will be hanging out at the Market all day Saturday, October 8th, with their handmade Kaleidoscopic hoops.

Plus, they will be holding FREE hoop demos throughout the day, too, so people can walk away with some tips and tricks.

The FINAL Ballston A&C Market is on Saturday, October 8th. Don't miss your last opportunity this season to shop 100% handmade!

WeirdGirl Designs - October 8th

Melissa Yates Tomlinson is WeirdGirl Designs. And just for the record, I've met Melissa and have seen her designs, and I don't think she or her creations are "weird." Unique. Cool. Modern --Sure! But weird? Well, okay ... maybe a little. But, that's what makes her fused glass artwork so special!

Melissa has been perfecting the art of fused glass for a little over four years now and she also has been teaching the medium for three.  Check out her handmade plates, bowls, jewelry, wine racks, and more at the FINAL Ballston A&C Market of the season on Saturday, October 8th!

Jen-A-Fusion is Back on October 8th!

Bags, bags and more bags. I love bags!  Jen-A-Fusion Fashion Accessories are a collection of original items made from mostly recycled, reclaimed, vintage and new material.

Full-time artist and designer, Jen Athanas, stitches all of her handcrafted and completely one-of-a-kind pieces from her own local studio. Her line includes unique purses, little bags, scarves, hats and other surprises.

Meet the talented gal behind Jen-A-Fusion and her colorful fabric creations at the final Ballston A&C Market on Saturday, October 8th. Don't miss it!