And the Winner is ...

Remember when you filled out those surveys awhile back and the second-to-last question asked you to share with us your favorite vendor from 2009? Well, we have a winner! It was a close count, but ...

CONGRATULATIONS BETTE'S BAGS!

Your fellow artists and crafters voted you as their favorite Ballston Arts & Crafts vendor for 2009! As promised, you will receive a free day at the Market!

Thanks to all who voted. Now, start sending those applications in for 2010! :)

2010 Submission Form!

Did everyone receive their copy of the 2010 Ballston Arts & Crafts Submission Form? If not, please email me at jessica@iloveballston.com for an application.

Oh! And, remember those surveys you guys completed a couple months ago? Well, we have the winner of your Favorite Crafter of 2009. I will announce that talented winner tomorrow!

Hee hee...

We're Back!

Hey everyone!

Happy Holidays!

Long time no blog. Have you been enjoying the busy Holiday season? I hope you have been crafting away and selling tons of stuff at the Holiday Markets. There sure have been a bunch this season.

So, I just wanted to give you guys a head's up. We at the Ballston Partnership are in the process of finalizing the 2010 application. As soon as it is completed, it will be emailed to everyone. So, please be sure to check your inboxes very soon.

Wow. It's only December, and I'm already getting psyched for the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market. This year is gonna rock -- See you in 2010!

Last Market Pictures & Such!

What an amazing season it's been.

It was a little rainy and very (!) windy, but that didn't stop folks from coming out to the Market yesterday. And after the showers subsided, it turned out to be a beautiful, successful day.

Thanks to all of our incredibly talented vendors and everyone who came out to support the Market this year. Here are some pics from Saturday's show. Enjoy!

Craft Mafia's Ninnycat's perfect Autumn knits!

Hee! Hee! Phil Barbato's plushes always makes me giggle!

My favorite painting by Tuesday Tauchen. Oink!

The moon earrings are a mystical new design by lolojane.

You know the ole folktale, The Fox & the Crow, right? bLuGrn designs certainly does!

Inedible Jewelry looks yummier than my school lunches ever did.

Harmonica & guitar! Is there anything singer/songwriter Melissa Branin can't do?

What a pretty, little Koi pendant, Melissa Lew Bradford!

Happy Halloween from Jen-A-Fusion!

Hey Kristina! Lookin' good! ;)

Sparrows and flowers--wonderful work, Christine Krizsa.

It just amazes me how Lazy Dog Art captures all of her muses' personalities.

First-timers Olivos Art Studios--Loves it!

BoxBoy and his cheeky li'l boxes!

I see a trend--Steve Miller Photography is always busy!

Q&A with Phil Barbato!

If you haven't heard of Phil Barbato yet, where have you been? In my humble opinion, he's one of the best plush artists out there and I am so stoked to have him in our little Market! Okay. On with the interview...

1). What can I say, Phil—I’m a huge fan. I love your monster plushies! Where do you find the inspiration?
It's a cyclical thing. The monsters inspire paintings and drawings and then the paintings and drawings inspire monsters. The general design (like the facial features) is some sort of mash-up of all of the cartoons and comics I've absorbed in my life.

Sometimes I find inspiration by setting a challenge or a constraint. For instance, the Whiskerbears started out each being cut from one 9x12 piece of felt (now they're made of fleece, but I stick to that original size). The size and shape constraint allowed me to explore things like color and texture. On the other hand, the cephalopods (especially the ones with horns) are a challenge I set for myself to push my abilities.

Most importantly, my BFF, Oura Sananikone is a huge influence. We've been making art and music together since college and I can't overstate how much he's inspired me.

2). My personal favorite creation of yours are the Little Apes. (I have a Little Ape hanging out in my guest room!) Do you have a favorite critter to design?
My favorites right now are the cephalopods, especially the Viking ones. I'm doing shapes I've never done before and I really love the way they're coming out.

3). What three words would you use to describe your craft?
warm fuzzy love

4). I noticed you are also a musician. Please tell us a little bit about your band, Now Sleepyhead.
Now Sleepyhead is a group of friends I've been playing music with for a few years now. (I've been playing music with two of the guys in various projects for 15 years.) We've managed to squeeze out one album (which is amazing, if I do say so) despite our glacial songwriting pace. And, there are a couple of single tracks on Benefit Records from Exotic Fever Records in DC. We're all multi-instrumentalists and we all sing. It's lots of fun.

5). Where can we find your craft outside the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market?
My wife, Meghan, and I have been traveling all up and down the East Coast this year trying out different markets and fairs. I'll be at the DC Craft Mafia's Holiday Heist on November 21. I've also applied to Charm City's Holiday Heap on December 5 and the Richmond Craft Mafia's Handmade Holiday on the 12th, but I haven't been accepted to those yet.

On the first Friday of every month (except January) I'm out at the First Fridays Market in Richmond, VA, next to Quirk Gallery.

My stuff is for sale inside Quirk's gift shop as well as the gift shop at Art Adventures in Midlothian, VA, and Hello Bluebird in West Reading, PA. I'm on the lookout for more shops to do wholesale or consignment sales with.

Extra-geeky question: Quick! What’s in your pockets right now?
The key to the garage (I was out there prepping blocks of wood for paintings) and my wallet, which is handmade by the amazing Caitlin Phillips of Rebound Designs from an Isaac Asimov paperback.

Visit Phil Barbato at the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market October 10th (tomorrow!) at Booth #2!

Hey everyone! Don't let the weather forecast freak you out. We may get a few little showers in the a.m., but according to the reports it's gonna clear up by noon. Hopefully sooner! So, get psyched for the last show of the season! Below is the lay of the land ...See you tomorrow!

Print Your Own T-Shirt!

One of the coolest things about Kristina Bilonick Studios, is not only does Kristina have a whole slew of kick-ass T-shirts, she will teach you how to easily print your own kick-ass T-shirt.
Swing by Kristina's booth (#20) this Saturday, and for only $10 you can print your own tee at her "Print Your Own" station.

Kick ass!!

Ballston A&C Market - This Saturday!

Can you believe it’s October already? Me neither … Well, you know what that means: The last market of the season! And, I can’t think of a better way to get a jump on the Holiday shopping than with a trip to Welburn Square for the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market this Saturday.
This month, we have a large, colorful ad running in the print edition of the City Paper and an online ad running all week on the City Paper Online. Plus, we have event listings in Yelp, Yahoo Upcoming Events, and online community calendars all over the place! In the meantime, be sure to keep sending those emails and newsletters to all of your lists, posting about the Market on your sites/blogs and distributing the postcards and posters.

And, remember, we have also created a public Facebook event page, so all you Facebook-users, feel free to 'invite-away' using that, too. Copy and paste: http://www.facebook.com/photo_search.php?oid=154391126011&view=user#/event.php?eid=154391126011

Tweet me at the Market!

No Need to Think Outside the BoxBoy

Have you guys heard of Thrillist? It's this really cool newsletter that features the best of the best in DC. Basically, if you made it onto Thrillist, you've made it. So, it looks like another one of our super-talented artists has made it. Congratulations BoxBoy!

Check out BoxBoy Demented Decoupage's article: http://www.thrillist.com/capitol-hill/boxboy.

Then check his boxes in person at the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market on October 10th! BoxBoy, himself, will be at his usual spot, Booth #19.

Weekend of Crafts!

It's like a crafty wonderland on October 3rd! So many options!

Check out Art on the Avenue in Del Ray Alexandria! Art on the Avenue is a festival celebrating the community’s diversity through the arts in the Potomac West area. Over 300 vendors and 40,000 visitors attend. (And that's where I'll be selling my little piggy banks!)

Over in DC, check out Crafty Bastards! Crafty Bastards is an exhibition and sale of handmade alternative arts and crafts from independent artists presented by the Washington City Paper.

And in Maryland, we have The Fenton Street Market, a new outdoor market in downtown Silver Spring, to celebrate the eclectic community.

All these events are rain or shine! Come get your craft on. Oh, but save some money for the Ballston A&C Market next week!

Lazy Dog Art

I just wanted to introduce you guys to a new vendor who will be joining the Market in October--Lazy Dog Art!

I met the artist, Susie, her sister, Kathy and Brian (their doggy muse!) at Clarendon Day. Needless to say, I fell in love with Susie's acrylic creations. Susie really does capture each dog's individual personality in every painting.

So, enjoy their blog and visit Lazy Dog Art in person at the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market October 10th. Inquire about your own personal pet portrait at Booth #18!

Q&A with lolojane!

1). Lolojane is such a cool, catchy name. Please tell us the story behind it.
My full name is Laurel Jane Lydecker. When my little sister was a baby, she could not say Laurel, so she called me lolo instead. So, my parents thought it was cute, and started calling me lolo or lolojane. Friends heard this and caught on, calling me lolo, so it just became my nickname. When I started my jewelry line, I wanted to name it something other than my proper name, but still have it be a part of me.

2). What I love about your pieces, is that if I saw someone on the street wearing a bracelet you designed, I would know right away that it’s a lolojane. Where do you find your inspiration?
The designs stem from nature. I've always loved being outside. I feel it kind of came to me one day, I started to play with wire, cutting pieces and forming them, when I realized what I was making reminded me of veins in a leaf, or a tree branch ... I just kept going in that direction until I liked what I saw, then soldered the pieces together.

3). You live in Baltimore. (I graduated from Towson, too!) How do you think the craft scene in DC rivals with the craft scene in Baltimore?
I think DC obviously has a lot to offer crafters and artists alike, which is why I wanted to come to the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market. I love Baltimore! We have a lot of great shows, festivals and very talented people up here. Every year I meet new people and make more connections. It just keeps getting better :)

4). What three words would you use to describe your craft?
clean, modern, elegant

5). I read on your website that you actually studied jewelry and metalsmithing. Do you have a full-time job in the jewelry industry?
I've worked the past six years in the fine jewelry industry. I started as an intern, working as a bench jeweler. After I graduated, I became a jeweler full time. I learned how to work with gold and platinum, create custom pieces, and repair jewelry as well. It was a great experience, as a student I was very intimidated by gold and precious stones, working at the bench has given me more confidence as a jeweler. I found I love working in gold and I'd love to create my own 18kt line!

Extra-geeky bonus question: Quick! What’s in your pockets right now?
Oh no--I'm wearing yoga pants! :) I will tell you I usually have a Chapstick or lip gloss close at hand. It's silly but I hate chapped lips.

Check out lolojane's beautiful jewelry collection in person on October 10th at Booth #3!

Inedible Jewelry's Cookbook!

Our congrats go out to Jessica & Susan Partain from Inedible Jewelry. Did you know that not only are these gals super-talented artists, they are now super-talented authors, too?

Their brand-new Random House book, Polymer Clay Cookbook: Tiny Food Jewelry to Whip Up and Wear, hits the shelves October 20th, but we'll have them before that all day at the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market, October 10th!

Chat with them about their awesome new book, buy some cool Inedible Jewelry, and then, hang around because at 2:30 the gals will hold a free demo on How to Make Candy Corn Earrings--just in time for Halloween.

Remember, this is the last Market of the season, so get some Holiday shopping done early!

Clarendon Day is finally here! Yah! Come out and support the Clizzle-Dizzle! I'll be there with my piggies. And a bunch of different artists from the Ballston A&C Market will be there, too--like BluGrn Designs, Yellin' Moon, Debra Kasunic and many more super-talented folks.

Plus, there will be music, kid's activites and plenty of yummy food. It's kinda a big deal around here.

Back to Autumn

Florida was very nice, but it's great to be back home where we actually have seasons. And speaking of seasons, Autumn is my favorite. So, I hope you guys are looking forward to all of the Fall crafts shows this year, especially the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market on October 10th!

Our last show of the season (sniff! sniff!) will feature some of the best of the best, including Poppi, Phil Barbato, lolojane, Melissa Lew Bradford, Inedible Jewelry, bLuGrn Designs, Waylan House, and that's just the beginning.

Stay tuned!

Boca! Boca!

Guess where I'm at? I'm visiting my Dad and his girlfriend in Boca Raton, Florida--where the tans may be real, but everything else is fake. Oh, I kid. Kind of.

I'll be back Monday or Tuesday with some updates!

Found Glasses

A pair of really cute glasses were turned into me on Saturday. If anyone thinks they may be theirs, please email me at jblaszczak@ballstonvasquare.org. I would love to find their owners! Thanks!

September Market Pics!

Another great show under our crafty belts. I know there was a lot going on in the District last Saturday, so thanks goes out to everyone who made it down to the square. Wanna see some Market shots? Of course you do. Ch... ch... check em out!

Just beautiful imoM

High-end jewelry at its best by Jule's Jewels

This is my personal fave, Bette's Bags

Pendants for every personality, right Creative Art & Soul?

Are you ready for Fall? Ninnycat's crochet hats are!

Kitchen Table Studios cleaned up this month with their clever (and cool!) vintage rings

This was Owen's first market! This was Meghan's (Sydney Hale) fourth!

Laughing Moon Artwork most original coasters

Gaze into Reinvented Elegance's Mosaic ball--I dare you

Dogs, bears, sloths-in-a-box

Natural Beauty Bijoux's creative and colorful creations

Just ducky, Arden Jewelry Design

Adam's Morgan Day!

Ah, another great market under our belts. Thanks for everyone who came out to say hi and buy some really special artwork. But, don't let your craft shopping stop here. It's a beautiful day out! Spend some more time outside at Adams Morgan Day.

And, while you're there, be sure to stop by our friend's booth, Kristina Bilonick Studios. (Your Washingtonian aticle didn't get by us!) She creates amazing screenprined tees and blazers. Her stuff is outstanding! And she'll be at the Ballston A&C Market October 10th, too.

Hope yesterday's dreariness didn't scare you. Today's forecast: Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. High near 75F. Cant' beat that ...

Come visit us at the Market!

Q&A with Arden Jewelry Design!

1). Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your craft. What sets you apart from other jewelry-makers?
Basically, what sets Arden Jewelry Design apart is how we balance cost, quality, artistry and fashion. I want you to be able to wear a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry that is classic, will last you a while, and won't break the bank in buying it.

2). I notice you use a lot of natural stones in your designs, such as jade, quartz and onyx. Is there a particular stone you enjoy working with the best?
Wow, that is a hard question. I really like the look of carnelian, but I've had a lot of fun making pieces for my own use. I guess if I had to choose, I would say quartz, because of its texture and the different looks it can take depending on the cut and the stones it is paired with. My favorite pieces are definitely those that combine different chips together. It's so much fun creating pairings and the overall impact these necklaces make is amazing!

3). What three words would you use to describe your craft?
Only three words ... Seriously, I'd have to say unique, fun, and craftsmanship.

4). What inspires you when you are designing?
I find so much inspiration in the stones themselves. A new color combination will strike my eye, or I'll find a particular shape or faceting interesting. Versatility is important to me personally in jewelry, so I stride to design pieces that work well with different outfits and in different settings. My quartz necklaces are fabulous like this; I wear mine all the time with jeans or with a simple dress, but I've also worn it to black-tie events! It looks amazing in both ways.

5). Where can we find your craft outside the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market?
You can always find me at my Esty shop, ardenjewelrydesign.etsy.com, or my website, ardenjewelrydesign.com. You can also become a fan on Facebook. In person, you can find me next at First Sunday Annapolis on October 4th. I'm currently working on our winter and holiday shows, which will be posted on our site and on Facebook once they are finalized. I'm based here in NoVa, so most of our shows are in the DC area.

Extra-bonus question: Quick! What’s in your pockets right now?
I'm wearing a skirt without pockets, so nothing! And if I tell you everything that's in my purse we'll be here forever. I am a bit of a gadget freak though, so I'm never far from my cell phone or my iPod.

Find Arden Jewelry Design at the Ballston A&C Market tomorrow at Booth #29!