Allow Me to Introduce Myself ...

Hi everyone!

I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Jessica Blaszczak, and I am the new manager for the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market. I can’t express how excited I am to get things rolling this year.

To the existing vendors, I'm psyched to personally meet each and every one of you. Just like Kristina, I will available by email and I will be there every market day to assist you in any way I can. And to the potential vendors, please don’t be shy. Send us your applications! We are always looking for awesome new artists.

I only hope I can live up to Kristina’s great work and dedication, as I plan to make the Ballston Arts & Craft Market more successful (and fun!) with each coming year.

Feel free to email me with questions, concerns, applications or just to talk crafts!

Oh, and here is a preview of the dates for our upcoming markets. Mark your calendars!

May 9
June 13
July 11
August 8
September 12
October 10

Cheers!
Jessica Blaszczak

Ballston Arts & Crafts Market in the press::

It's been a great summer season, and it looks like some other people agree ;)
Here's a roundup of Ballston A&C Market press and blog mentions. Don't forget, the last market of this season is coming up on Sat. 10/11. Last chance to stock up on all of of our awesome gear by local artists!

press mentions:
Baltimore Sun
Sun Gazette
Washington Post: City Guide
Virginia Tourism

If I missed any, hit me up in the comments section. Hope to see you at the market this Sat!

Next Market: Saturday September 13th- Back to Cool edition!

Vacation is over and we're all getting back to the books or our jobs, and getting ready for Fall. Our next market is a sure way to squeeze in one last summery hurrah, and stock up on some not-so-boring supplies for your academic and non-academic needs ;)

Here are some 'Back to Cool' supplies you can find at this month's market

Didn't get the window office? Fake it with a beautiful nature photograph by Allen Pearson:


Brush up on your (fashion) history with these hairpins made from vintage jewelry findings by Historically Inspired Designs:


Don't forget your lunch! We hear sushi is a big hit with the kids these days...now bring that sushi feeling with you around all day with Indeible Jewelry's new sushi charms:

And if you work someplace that requires you to flash a badge, check out the stylish badge holders made by Jillory:

Let's face it: we don't need a 'back to school' excuse to shop local, handmade items that are awesome! For a full list of vendors this month, check out the list of vendors to the right.

And this month's musical guests are: Dan Cunningham & Billy Barr playing a set of classic favorites between 11am-1pm, and Arlington natives, the Constituents between 2-4pm.

Grab lunch at a nearby outdoor cafe and enjoy the free concert.

See you there!

Next Market- Saturday, August 9th! 10am-4pm

This month's show is yet another 'goodie'. With 35 artist/designer vendors and live music all day, if you haven't made it out to the market yet, this is a good one to come and check out!

It's hot outside (dog days of August!) so you may as well step out into the heat, eat some ice cream, and enjoy great music and food while shopping from the vendors on the square.

Items you can find at this month's market include:

decoupaged boxes by Boxboy

unique charm jewelry by Finders Keeper

recycled leather cuffs for men and women by Fisticuffs

bags by Jenafusion

pottery by Nancy Sween

See a full list of vendors to the right. We'll also have a craft activity where for $3 kids and adults alike can try their hand at making a beaded bracelet and wear it home!

And as usual, we will have a fabulous music lineup. This month's music features local musician Dan Cunningham, and an Arlington Legend Speedy Tolliver (and his band). Dan is a favorite at our Friday farmers market (also in the square). And Speedy Tolliver is a local legend who's been mastering the art of the banjo and fiddle since the late 20s!

(Speedy then and now)

See you Saturday!

Next Market this Saturday 7/12! Rock-N-Romp! Bring the kids!

This month's market is not to be missed! We'll have all of our favorite vendors set up selling their amazing handmade wares.

On Saturday, we see the return of Rock-N-Romp, a kid friendly concert series. Crank up the bubble machines, because this month's lineup features the acclaimed DC and Virginia groups: Bellman Barker and Tereu Tereu!

We'll also have face-painting and a kids craft activity (you don't need to be a kid to partake)

Other nearby attractions include the Ellipse Arts Center (last day to see Thread as the Line) and the Arlington Arts Center with their acclaimed show, She's So Articulate.

A great day to come out to Arlington and see a lot of great art, crafts and picnic while listening to live music. Below are some pictures from the last market, and for a full preview of what cool gear is in store for this month, check out the vendor list to the right (only the finest of the area's indie designers!)

See you Saturday!

Next Market: Sat. June 14th 10am-4pm : Great Fathers Day Finds!

Don't forget! Fathers day is Sunday, the 15th, and the market is a great place to find a gift.

Here are some ideas, a don't feel guilty if you also get yourself a little somethin' somethin'!

Fathers day gift finds include: framed photos by Allen Pearson or Johhn Macready, recycled leather men's bracelets by Fisticuffs, Steak-on-a-plate cuff links by Indedible Jewelry, cool tree trunk mugs by mad hatter ceramics, and natural hand-crafted soap in cool cucumber by Penelope Spa.

Besides cool gifts, you'll also find awesome handmade designs for your home, your pets and your wardrobe! For a list of all of the June Vendors, check out the list to the right -->

This month, we are also pleased to continue our free concert series between the hours of noon and 2pm. On June 14th, we present you with David LaFleur, a local acoustic roots musician(http://www.davidlafleurmusic.com/).

Don't miss it!

May Market a Huge Sucess!

Despite the crazy weather, our opening day was amazing! The rain stopped just in time for our vendors to set up, and the sun came out in the afternoon for our awesome Rock-n-Romp concert series! Thanks to everyone who came out. We hope to see you at the next market on June 14th!

Here are some pictures from our big opening day:

earlybird shoppers brave the chilly/drizzly morning

local artist Steve Frost visited the market to pick up some cool gear

a crowd gathers to hear the bands

hooray for the bubble machine!!

J & J cornhole boards set up on the sidewalk for people to play

Rock-n-Romp!

new to the market this year: Bette's Bags!

lovely facepainting was provided at the Rock-n-Romp booth :)

Exit Clov closed out the show with an awesome performance.

See you all again on June 14th!

Awesome Music Lineup!

This year, we have a great schedule of bands lined up to play at our events (see the music lineup under the vendor links to the right). For our big May 'kickoff' market on May 10th, we're thrilled to be working with Rock-n-Romp !!

Rock-n-Romp is a local concert series that invites local rock bands to put on kid-friendly concerts. In her own words Rock-n-Romp organizer, Debbie describes the shows as:

...a family friendly concert series that showcases fantastic local musicians and bands. Shows are held during the day in a relaxed, kid-safe environment, and while the volume is lower than a typical concert, the music still ROCKS. You may hear a kiddie song every once in a while, but these shows are about the kind of music you listened to BEFORE YOU HAD KIDS.

fun!!!

Our featured Musicians on opening day (5/10) are Carol Bui, Gist and Exit Clov!! We are extatic.
Come out and see the free show between noon and 4pm, while checking out all of our awesome vendors on the square (Market hours are 10am-4pm)
See you there!

(poster design by the famous/infamous Ben Claassen III)

Two weeks to go before opening day!

Well, two and a half, but you get the point! Below is a press release for our opening day market which takes place as part of Arlington's Neighborhood Day Festivities!:

The 2008 season of the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market Kicks Off! Saturday, May 10th, 10am - 4pm
part of Arlington's Neighborhood Day Festivities

The Ballston-Virginia Square Partnership is pleased to present the Opening Day of the 2008 Ballston Arts + Crafts Market on Saturday, May 10, 2008 from 10am-4pm. Sponsored by the Ballston- Virginia Square Partnership, The Ballston Arts + Crafts Market runs Second Saturdays from May to October in Welburn Square, at N. Fairfax and Stuart Street, across from the Ballston Metro station. It is conveniently located near the Ballston Common Mall, the Ellipse Arts Center, and a wide array of restaurants, cafés and shops. Visitors coming from DC can ride metro to Ballston (orange) or take the 38B bus from Farragut Square.

Now in its fifth year, the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market is pleased to present visitors with the best of the best of the area's local artists, artisans and independent designers. It is truly a unique shopping experience where you can peruse an array of handmade items sold by the artists who make them. Artists are selected by a jury from a large pool of submissions to ensure a quality market with items for men, women, adults and kids alike! Items you will find at the market on May 10th include silkscreened men's and women's tees by Fresh Produce, artisan jewelry from vendors like Dandelion Bleu and Inedible Jewelry, recycled glass bottle cheeseboards by Mary Ellen Larkins, handmade soaps by Penelope Spa, and your very own backyard cornhole set by J & J Cornhole Boards! For a full list of market vendors, check out the vendor list on the right ->

This year we are pleased to continue our free concert series between the hours of noon and 4pm. On May 10th, we present you with Rock-n-Romp!! A family friendly rock concert featuring local indie rock bands playing music that is both kid and adult friendly! This Month's headliner is a DC favorite, Exit Clov (http://www.exitclov.com/) During the show, kids can also visit the Rock-n-Romp booth to get their face painted or a temporary tattoo!

The market's opening day also coincides with Arlington County's Neighborhood Day which is a day devoted to what each neighborhood in Arlington has to offer. So, if you're a Ballston resident, take the time to check out what's going on where you live! Shop the cool handmade items (don't forget Mother's Day!), listen to some great music, and pick up a picnic lunch from any of the nearby cafe's and restaurants.

Hope to see you there!

Crafty Resource: the Crafty Bastards Blog!

Hey, all you crafters and craft-aficionados!

You may or may not know that the organizers of the Citypaper's famous (or infamous!) Crafty Bastards Arts & Crafts Fair have a blog that is updated regularly with stories about local craft events, the business of crafting, craft ideas, show opportunities and more!

The articles are written by a rotating crew of local craft artists, and they are really fun and inspiring to read!

Recently, I've had the honor of 'guest blogging' on the site, and have posted two stories (including one about the awesome vendor lineup we have here at the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market):

• KB the Car-free Crafter presents: Getting to your next craft show- without owning a car!
• In Search of: Vendors!…a guide to finding vendors for your upcoming indie craft event
  

The Crafty Bastards team has also recently posted information on how to apply to their upcoming fairs. Yes, I said 'fairs' plural-- this year the Citypaper will be holding TWO major craft events this year- one in June, and another one in September. More opportunities for area crafters! All of the information for applying to the shows can be found on the the Crafty Bastards Main Page.

Hooray for the DC-Metropolitan Area craft community! Be sure to check into the Crafty Blog often for cool crafty-news stories!!

Drumroll, Please...2008 Market Vendors!

It was a rigorous process, but we've made our vendor selections for this year's Arts & Crafts market!

Here's a sneak peek at the artists and designers we'll be featuring this year. (note: Now might be a good time to ask for that raise at work...there is so much great stuff!)

For a complete list of vendors check the 2008 vendor list to the right, and get ready for opening day on Saturday, May 10th 10am-4pm!!

vendor preview ::

dandelion blu

carol holmes

inedible jewelry

jules' jewels

fresh produce threads

magpie dc

acolloquist

madd hatter ceramics

this chickadee

AH Jewelry

Stitchberry

nancy sween pottery

i like seamonsters

bette's bags

Entries Are In!

The submissions for this year's market are in and we're getting ready to select this season's lineup of market vendors.

Submissions have come from near and far- We've received applications from a lot of Arlington and DC Metro area artists, as well as submissions from as far as Richmond, West Virginia, New Jersey and North Carolina! We're sure to have a fun, eclectic mix at every show with something for everyone.

Stay tuned to the blog in early April for the list of this year's artists.

*and if you've missed this year's deadline, you can still send applications to be considered on a space-available basis (jewelry is closed)

Citypaper Blog Post ::

Our friend Tina the Seamonster recently wrote about the Ballston A&C Market on the Citypaper's Crafty blog 'Cut the Craft'.

Read it here

And keep those applications coming in! The deadline is approaching- March 3rd.
To download the application click here

If you have any questions along the way feel free to contact me at: ballstonvasquare@gmail.com or by calling 703-528-3527

Call for Artists and Crafters!

Happy New Year! Although it seems like we just wrapped up last season, the time has come to start planning the 2008 Arts & Crafts Market.

The Ballston-Virginia Square Partnership is pleased to post this call to Artists and Crafters for our 2008 Market Season which runs second Saturdays starting May 10th and running through October 11th, 2008:

To apply to sell your items at our market, please download our 2008 Arts+Crafts Market application here, and be sure to note our guidelines and eligibility before applying. There is no application fee, and applications can be sent via mail or email as outlined on the application.

This year's deadline for the first round of jurying is March 3, 2008. Applications received after 3/3 will be reviewed on a space-available basis

If you would prefer the application in Word format, would like a hard copy via regular mail, or have any questions, contact Kristina at: ballstonvasquare@gmail.com or by calling (703) 528-3527