Ballston A+C Market: Back to School Edition! Saturday, September 8th

The sun is fading, you’ve back from vacation, and the writing’s on the wall: it’s time to go back to school! Or worse yet, the office! But don’t fret, the Ballston Arts and Crafts Market, Back to School Edition will give you one last hurrah before the summer’s through…

Pick up a cool school supplies from our vendors and stand out from the herd! Check out these finds:

Store paperclips, business cards or candy in a one-of-a-kind box by Boxboy like this one from his ‘scary clown’ series:


Survive your morning commute by using Peneleope Spa’s hand sanitizer. Made with natural ingredients, this sanitizer leaves a light, citrus-y scent rather than a strong chemical one and doesn’t leave a sticky residue.


Need a cool bag to carry your books? Find cool totes like this ‘bunny love’ tote by Manatea Party at the DC Craft Mafia Booth.


Get a book for your bag: Arlington Cultural Affairs will be giving out free copies of Rudolfo Anaya’s classic novel, Bless Me, Ultima (while supplies last) as part of their ‘Big Read’ project which is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts. The program distributes free copies of the book in English and in Spanish, and will hold a series of discussions and events throughout the fall.

Between the Hours of 12-2pm, market visitors will be treated to a free performance of alternative world music by The Constituents. Based in Arlington the band members met each other through work, politics and community activism in the Washington metropolitan area.

And as we’ve done in the past, the first 100 visitors to stop by the Ballston-Virginia Square Partnership booth will receive goody bags full of treats and coupons from area businesses and include gifts from Advance Car Rental, Penelope Spa, and a toothbrush from Mai T Phan Dentistry so you can keep your teeth clean, at school or work!

Mark your (newly purchased) calendars, and we'll see you on September 8th!

Pictures from our August market:

Here are some pics from last weekend's market.
The weather was beautiful, the vendors were fabulous and the music of the Lovejoy Group provided a great backdrop for shopping and lunching on the square.

Erika of Had Matter Art


visitors rounding the square


Kristina and Ellen in the BVSP booth
(note: Kristina is donning a tee by market vendor Fort Cloudy)


Jillory fights off a crowd in her jewelry booth


musical stylings by the Lovejoy Group

Donna Estin of Advance Car Rental and Julie Mangis, director of the BVSP man the booth, otherwise known as 'goody bag central'


Ellen checks out the paintings and prints in Mark Cottman's booth


a Sunday Eastern Market fave, Boxboy, joins us for our Saturday markets

Round Three! Return of the Craft Champions: Saturday 8/11 10am-4pm

The first two markets this season knocked the socks off of local residents and DC-area visitors alike. With a lineup of over 30 indie craft vendors and live music at lunchtime, our recent July market had our biggest turnout to date!

If you haven’t been to the market yet, be sure to come by on August 11th to see what the buzz is about. All of our favorite vendors will be there with their newest goods, and some new vendors will be dropping in to add some fierce competition in the ring.

For a glimpse at some of our heavyweight defenders, check out our recent interview with regular market vendors, DC Craft Mafia below. Other returning champs in August include Fort Cloudy from Baltimore with her hand-sewn stylings (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=83323 ) and Boxboy (http://www.boxboyboxes.com/ ) with his off-beat decoupage boxes and accessories.

New to the market this month are Erika Rubel of Hadmatter Art, who constructs mailboxes and key hangers from recycled aluminum and other materials (http://www.hadmatterart.com/ ) and Penelope’s Spa with her line of all natural bath & body products (http://penelopespa.net/ ).

From noon-2pm, market visitors will be treated to a free concert from The Lovejoy Group, a local jazz ensemble and winner of the Takoma Jazz Festivals’ 2006 Jazz Jammie Award! (http://www.dcbebop.com/tlg/thelovejoygroup.asp )

And as we’ve done in the past, the first 100 visitors to stop by the Ballston-Virginia Square Partnership booth will receive goody bags full of treats and coupons from area businesses including I love Thai, Natural Body Spa and Grand Cru Wine shop.

See you Saturday!