Animal Welfare League of Arlington - September 11th!

At the end of last season, a whole bunch of you filled out a vendor questionnaire for the Market. One of the questions you answered was "If we organized a raffle to benefit a local charity, would you be willing to donate a piece of your artwork?"

Well, a whopping 100% of you who completed the poll answered YES to that question. So, we did it in May with Homeward Trails, and now let's make it happen again in September with:

ANIMAL WELFARE LEAUGE OF ARLINGTON

Since 1944, The Animal Welfare League of Arlington has been committed to the humane treatment of animals and to the promotion of animal welfare.

So, whataya say we hold a raffle for Animal Rescue League of Arlington on September 11th? They'll hang out with us, share some information and host a raffle, where all ticket sales will benefit their organization.

Crafty September-sellers: If you would like to donate a small item (no more than $20) to the raffle on September, please contact Jessica@iloveballston.com for more info. This is completely voluntary, folks. But if you decide to donate a little something, I bet the karma critters will bless you from above. And I'll give you a hug.

Thanks everyone!

Happy Heads, DC Big Launch Event!

Looking for something to do this Sunday? From noon - 5:00pm, Happy Heads, DC's first big event will take place at the District's awesome yarn shop, Stitch DC!

Happy Heads, DC works to benefit children served by Safe Shores, the DC Children's Advocacy Center (CAC). Help a child in DC this coming winter by donating a hat, scarf, or other winter garment.

Come to the event to knit with others, or just to learn. They will have crafty chatter, lots of food, giveaways throughout the afternoon and more!

What should you bring in order to participate in the fun? Simple: a donation of needed goods (list to be provided by the CAC soon) OR a small ($5-$10) monetary donation. We also ask that you promise to make a hat for the winter.

Cupcakes & Crafts on September 11th

Oh boy. Do I have some sweet news. Sweetbites Mobile Cafe is always on the move, but on September 11th, they'll be bringing their daily menu of artisanal baked goods, locally roasted coffee and fine teas to the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market.

Moist muffins, luscious cupcakes, sweet buttery cookies, decadent mini-cheesecakes and other confections--made in the European tradition with quality ingredients, no preservatives and loving care will all be at your fingertips.

Cupcakes & crafts. Is their a more perfect combination?

August 14th A&C Market!

In June it felt like August and in August it felt like June. No complaints here though! The weather was beautiful! With the 85-degree day and no humidity, it was literally THE perfect day for a Market.

And the steady stream of visitors seemed to agree! Great weather, great music and, of course, great artists make for a great Market. Thanks again to everyone who participated this month. I said it before and I'll say it again, we have the best vendors and the show would not rock as hard as it does without you.

Here's some photos from yesterday's market!

Polaroid pendants by Jerseymaids

Marisa Molinaro's amazing glassware & more!

My favorite regular, Penelope

The many colors of CHill Woodturning

Narwhale-y goodness by Mint Parcel

Lazy Dog Art captures the exuberance of a Great Dane puppy

Herban Lifestyle is ALL organic

Snakehead Run - our AMAZING jug band!

Greetings from Fast Snail

Our awesome volunteers, Kai-Lan & Emma Rose. Thanks, guys!

Purple. Octopus. Love. Nikdapooh Designs.

So much heavenly lavender by The BumbleBee Studio

Lucia from bLuGrn design busy at work

Fluffy bunnies by FroggyPants Creations

Funky bags by Jen-A-Fusion

See you all at our next market on September 11th!

August 14th is TOMORROW!

August 14th is TOMORROW and you know that that means! It's time for the monthly Ballston Arts & Crafts Market. The weather forecast looks perfect--86 degrees and partly cloudy--the perfect weather for an outside Art show.

So come join us from 10am - 4pm in pretty tree-lined Welburn Square to see a wonderland of handcrafted items by the area's most talented artists, like:

Mint Parcel

Campbell Photography

The BumbleBee Studio

Holland Cox

Jerseymaids

And SO many more! See you tomorrow!

EHL Creations: The Art of Polaroid!

Hey guys! We have so much cool stuff coming up this Saturday, August 14th, at the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market. Not only are we a completely packed house--35 vendors, both returning artists and new--we also a special treat!

EHL Creations will be on hand from 1 – 3 PM to show you the art of Polaroid emulsion transfers. Polaroid image transfers are made by developing Polaroid pull-apart films on non-photographic surfaces, usually wet watercolor paper. The process takes 35mm slide film and then uses an enlarger to print onto Polaroid film. The resulting images have an antique or ethereal quality.

For the first time in Ballston, you can go home with your own unique portrait using a very cool style of photography.

Q&A with Refined Creations

1. The fact that you use PMC (precious metal clay) definitely sets you apart from many other jewelers. Please tell us more about this unique medium.

Precious Metal Clay (PMC) is a revolutionary material invented by Mitsubishi Corporation and is available in pure silver, 24K gold, bronze and copper. In simple terms, PMC is manufactured from very tiny particles of pure silver mixed with water and an organic binder that produces a malleable, clay-like material. After kiln-firing, the clay fuses into a piece of solid silver that is 99.9% pure – more pure than sterling silver which contains elements of copper. Most PMC comes from recycled precious metals.

2. It seems to me you are inspired by nature and nature's elements. Would that be a correct assumption?

Yes, most definitely. PMC has a very rustic, organic look to it anyway which only enhances the natural designs I like to use. I use only molds I make myself, free form it or hand carve it. And many pieces bear words of wisdom or inspiration.

3. Besides PMC, what other “ingredients” do you use to create your jewelry?

I have really gotten into setting natural stones into the PMC. Natural stones can't be fired or they would be destroyed by the heat so it’s more of a challenge to create the setting before firing. Lab created stones can be put into the PMC before firing, but I prefer to use natural stones.

I also use a lot of leather with my PMC. The simplicity of the silver suspended on a piece of ultra soft suede is irresistible and really practical. It’s really important to me to create jewelry that is affordable, practical and, at the same time, a wearable piece of art.

4. What three words would you use to describe your craft?

Just three words? Hmm … Rustic. Organic. Inspirational.

5. Where can we find your PMC jewelry outside the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market?

Currently, my jewelry can be seen and purchased at:

• Two Sister's Boutique in Fredericksburg, VA
• Tides Inn Spa, Irvington, VA
• Details of Occoquan, Occoquan, VA
• You can also visit my new website. My show schedule is also listed on the website.

Find Refined Creations at the August 14th Ballston Arts & Crafts Market in Booth #13.

Arlington County Medical Reserve Corps

So, how well do you wash your hands? Members of the Arlington County Medical Reserve Corps will be on “hand” (tee hee!) at the August 14th Ballston Arts & Crafts Market to help you see if you really get all those nasty germs off!

They will also have materials on emergency preparedness and flu prevention. This is a great way to show kids the importance of washing their hands in and out of Flu season!

Q&A with Love to Create

1). So, what inspired you to become a photographer?

I have always liked taking pictures, and when I upgraded to a DSLR a few years ago, I started taking a stronger interest in it. I took workshops and classes to learn more, and ultimately ended up enrolling for the degree program at NOVA. The Associates in photography should compliment my BS in Graphic Design well. I will finish after this Fall. My part-time hobby has slowly become a second (or maybe third) part-time career.

2). You do multiple types of photography—wedding photography, location shoots, etc. Which type of photography do you enjoy the most and why?

I really don’t have a favorite style of photography. In fact, when people ask what I shoot, I usually say “anything that catches my eye or is interesting.” I think the product categories I have to offer reflect a lot of what I like, though. I have sports shots, nature ones, lighthouses, religious and even a miscellaneous catchall category, too. I do think that I am getting more comfortable taking people’s portraits, and they are some of my favorite shots lately. I try to have enough variety in my work to interest everyone who stops by my booth at art shows, and also know enough about things, like wedding photography to be able to offer that service, as well.

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

Different perspective (that’s two words, I know!). Fun and Colorful.

4). If you could photograph any place in the world, where would it be?

Probably Italy or some tropical island. Actually, anywhere in Europe would be amazing.

5). Where can we find your photography outside the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market?

• You can visit my website for my market schedule or to contact me.
• A Show of Hands in Del Ray (I just gave them about 60-70 new pieces.)


• The First Saturday Alexandria Art Market (September 4th from 10am - 4pm.)
• Etsy: I don’t have all of my work up yet, but it’s a work in progress. Also, if someone sees something they love, but I don’t have that size at a show, I can put it up on etsy within 24 hours.
• My Facebook page

Bonus question: So, ninja pandas or a yeti. Who would win?

Ninja pandas for sure. They are so stealthy and can use nun chucks and swords … The Yeti doesn’t stand a chance.

Find Love to Create in their usual spot, Booth #9, at the August 14th Ballston Arts & Crafts Market.

Get Excited for the August 14th A&C Market!

I can't wait for the August 14th Market! Check out some of the new and returning artists who will be joining us this month.

LazyDog Art

Karma Krafts by Kimberley

Nikdapooh Designs

Herban Lifestyle

Melissa Lew

Holland Cox

bLuGrn designs

The BumbleBee Studio

Mint Parce

l

Jerseymaids

See you August 14th!

Q&A with Monica Fiorella Jewelry

1). Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your craft. What sets you apart from other jewelers?

Yes, there are a lot of jewelers out there, so it’s important to me to have a unique style. I primarily create wire-wrapped jewelry. This means I bend, twist and s

hape metal wire with stones and crystals. I make scroll and spiral designs with the wires then use these to create patterns with symmetry. I consider my designs wearable art. At first it seemed funny to me to think of myself as an artist since I majored in mathematics and engineerin

g in college. But almost as soon as I picked up that pair of pliers, I knew I had found my calling. The right side of my brain wakes up when I pick up these jewelry tools, bringing a balance and joy to my life, which shows in my creations. Making jewelry calls to the artist portion of my soul. In the magic of inspiration, colors come alive, wires dance, stones shine and lustrous pearls seem to smile. I hope that my customers find as much joy in the wearing as I find in bringing the piece to life.

2). You work with a lot of beautiful precious stones, like blue onyx, rainbow jasper and yellow turquoise. Do you have a favorite?

There are so many pretty gemstones, it’s hard to choose just one! Three of my favorites are blue onyx, leopard jasper and ametrine stones. Blue onyx is a fantastically brilliant indigo stone. It really stands out and I use this stone to make a piece really pop out and capture your attention. I like leopard jasper for it’s cool patterns. Its marks look like a leopard’s spots. It’s very cool to look at! Finally, ametrine is pretty cool because it is a natural stone that is a mix of amethyst and citrine. So it’s partly violet from the amethyst and partly yellow from the citrine.

3). What inspires you when you are designing?

I take inspiration from so many things. I like to travel, so the cultures, places and things I see in my trips are inspirations. I love bright colors and flowers. I mix and match the colors of gemstones such that they remind me of the flower gardens or bouquets. I use these inspirations and my imagination to find the potential of the materials, of the stones and the wire in order to create a beautiful piece.

4). What three (or four!) words would you use to describe your craft?

Wearable Art. My pieces are unique with the artistry of blending colors, patterns and textures such that they accentuate the grace of a lady’s body.

Charming. I try to make every piece attractive, enchanting and eye-catching.

Feminine. I’m uncovering more of my femininity through the process of creating. My jewelry is made for the confident woman who wants to show she’s feminine.

5). Where can we find your jewelry outside the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market?

I also sell on etsy. Also, one Sunday a month, I have a booth at Eastern Market in Washington, DC.

Bonus question: So, ninja pandas or a yeti. Who would win?

Definitely ninja pandas!

Check out Monica Fiorella Jewelry at the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market August 14th!