Happy New Year!

We at the Ballston Partnership (soon to be Ballston BID!) want to wish everyone a very safe and Happy New Year's celebration.

May all of your New Years dreams and resolutions come true. Here's to 2011!

Anastassia Designs

How's this for a New Year's resolution: Promise to surround yourself with beautiful things. 

That's exactly what jewerly designer Anastassia from Anastassia Designs does by creating unique and beautiful jewelry using silver, gold and stones. All of her items are handcrafted using "ingredients" that have been sourced from eco-friendly suppliers whenever possible.
  
I think she's on to something ...

Warped (and Morewarped)!

Ya know, sometimes I just like to post the bios of our participating artists because they give me a chuckle. And, if anyone can describe their craft best, it's the artists themselves, right? So, take it away Jen ...


"Jennifer David lives in Virginia with her husband and two little girls, who gamely put up with late dinners and a messy house, so that she can happily bang away on her loom. She began weaving six years ago at the insistence of her mother-in-law, who is also a weaver. Who would have thought that your mother-in-law could help you find satisfaction?" Her words not mine! :)


Very well, said, Jen! You can get this bee-you-ti-ful bag and choose from many morewarped designs at Warped's etsy shop.

Penelope Designs - ADD at It's Best!

A self-described ADD crafter, Penny Catterall, owner of Penelope Designs, does a little bit of everything. She knits, crochets, needlepoints, and several years ago, she even branched out into jewelry design! Decoupage and any other craft that happens to catch her fancy has also made it to the list. 

If you have some Christmas envelopes lying around, why now reward yourself for a Holiday well-spent and stock up your strawberry, lemon, and blueberry hats!

Happy Holidays!

Just wanted to wish all of you crafters, artists and friends a very Happy Holiday!

artwork by my new (and healthy) obsession, bubbledog

Here's to spiked eggnog and safe merriment. Gawd, I love the holidays. Cheers!

Full Sanction: Simply Brilliant

Ya know, sometimes it's the simple things in life that make me smile--like stickmen, quirky humor and comic books. Combine them all and you get Full Sanction, a simply brilliant comic venture by Rusty Rowley and Joe Mochove.

Little is known about these two mad men, but what I do know is that Rusty owns and operates a skeet shop in Parkville, Maryland where the skeet is actually made from his own recipe of mud and seagul feathers. (Weird, right?) And Joe? Well, Joe likes to sleep in until noon. 

JK! If you want to know more about the boys of Full Sanction and the comic they have been working on for 10 years, just visit their website.

By the way, comics make great last-minute Christmas gifts!

Phil Barbato - Plush Monster Guy

I may be a little biased, (after all, our postcards are designed and illustrated by the guy) but I think everyone needs a little monster in their life. And who better to handcraft one for you than the plush monster guy himself, Phil Barbato?

Phil's plushy creations come in all sizes, colors and creatures--Baby Octopus, Little Ape, Whiskerbear, and more! So, if you know someone who loves plushies, (and who doesn't?!) it's time. Get 'em one.

Hand's down. Best. Plush. Monster. Guy. Ever. 'Nuff said.

Jerseymaids: The Art of a Polaroid Enthusiast

Jerserymaids is a one-woman show lead by artist, Lauren Beacham. A photographer and Polaroid enthusiast, Lauren is also a lover of hot air balloons, which, when you look around her website, you'll see is quite obvious.

In the shop you will find original Polaroids, limited edition prints, cool jewelry, and other unique gifts.

Christmas is right around the corner. Do you have the gifts your friends will love? Jerseymaids does!

Bring It!

Show us what you got, Crafters!

Apply TODAY!

Pocketful of Posy

Pocketful of Posy is the creation of two best friends who met in graduate school. Kelley and Heather started making beautiful creations 10 years ago and have been at it ever since. They create handbags, wallets, zipper pouches and other fun accessories.

Their handmade creations make perfect stocking stuffers--like this adorable mini wallet. It's just the size to fit your credit cards and some Holiday spending cash!

Claytastic Pottery

If you are looking to deepen your spiritual connection with nature, Claytastic Pottery is here to help.

Potter, Laurie Erdman specializes in handmade, one-of-a-kind functional pottery made of, inspired by and connecting you to the earth.

And she also makes pretty mugs to put hot cocoa in while its snowing. :)

Custom Dog Jackets

Baby, it's cold outside! Don't forget that short-haired breeds, like Pugs, Boston Terriers, Chihuahuas, Rotties, Bulldogs and other fuzzy babies need protection from these ridiculous temperatures.

Custom Dog Jackets offers many handcrafted looks for your best four-legged friend. The site, itself, features items in standard sizes, but if you like a design they have, and need a different size, just let them know! They do custom work all the time.

Plus, 10% of proceeds are donated to the Humane Society of Calvert County, Maryland. What a great holiday gift for your dog!

Ballston BID Press Release

Announcing the Ballston Business Improvement District

The Ballston Partnership just celebrated it's 25th Anniversary at the October Annual Meeting. Now the Partnership has something else to celebrate this year.

On Saturday, the Arlington County Board unanimously approved the establishment of the Ballston Business Improvement District (BID) effective January 1, 2011. The BID is a public/private partnership in which property and business owners contribute to the maintenance, development and promotion of a commercial district.

The BID will ensure that Ballston property owners have additional resources to keep Ballston competitive, attractive and sustainable in an increasingly competitive commercial real estate environment.

"The reality of a Ballston BID is a huge success that was only possible due to a great Steering Committee, community input and a lot of hard work," said Kelly Shooshan, Vice President of Development of The Shooshan Company. "As President of the Ballston Partnership for the past three years, it has been a challenge to accomplish our vision with limited funding but with Pamela Kahn's leadership of the Partnership she has shown our Board and Community what can be accomplished with minimal staff and budget so I am excited to see what she will be able to accomplish as the Ballston BID."

The Ballston BID's primary focus will be to move the perception of Ballston from a "good place" to a "great place", enhance and communicate Ballston's commercial advantages in an increasingly competitive County/region, increase and protect private and public investment in Ballston's commercial properties, create, manage and sustain Ballston as the premier mixed-use urban environment in the County, and promote Ballston's brand as an internationally recognized hub for science and technology.

Activities will include marketing, branding and promotion, community events, minor physical enhancements such as banners and wayfinding and beautification and transportation enhancements including bike racks, shelters and more.

The Ballston BID includes 119 commercial properties, approximately 8.3 million square feet of development, and more than 118 acres.

The Ballston BID has been Approved!

Good news! The Ballston BID has been approved! This means more funding for the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market & Farmers Market.

We don't officially get BID funding until 2012, but count on slightly bigger budget for the markets this season. Great things are happening in Ballston!

Steven L. Miller Words and Images

Unique photography is an absolute joy to come across. That's why Steven L. Miller Words & Images is such a well-known photographer in the DC/NOVA area.

As Steven expresses in his website: Consider the power of a black-and-white image. Without color, black-and-white images must succeed because of content. Moments, frozen in time, that can change hearts and minds as well as travel photography and nature. At Steven L. Miller Words and Images, Steve is commited to making distinctive photographs that reflect the human condition. Maybe that's why nine of Miller's images are in the permanent collection of The Smithsonian Museum!

Couldn't have said it better myself. The Ballston A&C Market is proud to have Steve as one of its regular showing artists.

Purple Skirt Press - Handmade Christmas Stockings!

Typically specializing in unique, handcrafted books and wedding albums, Purple Skirt Press is branching out Holiday this season!

If you want to add some charm to your fireplace this Christmas, order a custom Christmas stocking from Purple Skirt Press. Each stocking will vary slightly since they are all made by hand.

There are a few options to choose from: Snowman, Santa or a Christmas Tree.

Special requests are available for Rudolph too! Plus, the words on the top are yours to choose. PSP will be happy to do a name, or your favorite holiday cheer (Peace, Merry, Let it Snow or Believe).

Have a very Crafty Christmas!

Creative Art and Soul - A Pendant for Everybody!

Looking for something unique for everyone on your Holiday list? Look no further than Creative Art and Soul.

Creative Art and Soul's Kristian McIntyre creates unique and colorful engraved semi-precious stone and glass pendants. She uses a process known as sandcarving (sandblasting) to create hip, cultural and expressive jewelry that's fun to wear. Whether you choose a traditional symbol for your conservative uncle or a contemporary design for your artsy best friend, Kristian's pendants are created with heart and soul in mind.

Pick up a couple for the Holidays and you can't go wrong.

Mary Ellen Larkin's 7th Annual Holiday Home Show

Hey CraftStars!

If you're in the Vienna neighborhood this weekend, swing by Ballston A&C Market's own, Mary Ellen Larkin's 7th Annual Holiday Home Show.

This year is the biggest yet, spanning TWO weekends at TWO different locations. So, this year, it will be twice as easy to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list.

Location #1

317 Church Street. NE

Vienna, VA 22180

December 10: noon - 6 PM

December 11: 10 AM - 5 PM

December 12: noon - 4 PM

Location #2

2108 Carrhill Rd.

Vienna, VA 22181

December 17: noon - 6 PM

December 18: 10 AM - 5 PM

December 19: noon - 4 PM

Any questions? Call (703) 281-7847 or (703) 281-4352

Babus Toys' Baby Chains

Looking for something cool for those little nuggets in your life? Check out Babus Toys' hand-felted teething rings.

Dubbed, The Baby Chain, the yarn used is Vermont O-Wool, dyed with low-impact dye. No chemical processing takes place and the dye uses far less rinse water than standard commercial yarn dyes. Sumptuously soft. It can be looped around a wooden teething ring or other toys with a wide ring. Then slip it off when it's time for washing.

They make perfect stocking stuffers!

2011 Ballston A&C Market Call to Artists!

It's on! Officially.

The Ballston Arts & Crafts Market is looking for all of you new and returning artists to apply to the upcoming 2011 season. Starting one month earlier in April, The A&C Market wants to see those applications roll in. To download your submission form, simply click HERE or look to the right side of this blog, scroll down a bit and click on "Download it here!" And you're off! Just email the submission form, 3 images of your work and a artist statement to me, Jessica, at Jessica@iloveballston.com.

So, if you haven't sent your application to me yet, what are you waiting for? Now's the perfect time. The deadline is February 2nd and the jury meets in mid-February. Hope to see your application in the mix!

The 2010 Ballston Holiday Artist Market Success!

Wow. Just wow. Thanks to everyone who visited & participated in the 2010 Ballston Holiday Artist Boutique. And special thanks to the Ballston Patch for the great articles and Tasting Table, Bisnow & the Washington Post for some awesome shout outs.

What a great show! Big hugs to everyone who made it happen. And, as always, here's some pics from Thursday's Boutique.

It's show time!

These fabric organizers by Bette's Bags make perfect gifts

As do these magnets by EHL Creations

The BumbleBee Studio makes shopping easy for the men in your life

Little bites of whoopie pie heaven by B. Hall, Baker

Holiday greetings from Fast Snail

Light up the room with a Holiday platter by Mary Ellen Larkins

Another stunning piece by Melissa Lew

Hustle & bustle of a Holiday show

Cool urban holsters by Udacha

Reinvented Elegance's pretty mosiac frames

Puppy-inspired jewelry & more by bLuGrn design

Two Belles Southern Pound Cakes hard at work

So many colorful bags by Jen-A-Fusion

Plastic brooches at their best with Artsy Fartsy

We hope to work with the NSF again to make this an annual event. Now, on the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market, which starts in April this season. To a great 2011!

TODAY's the Day!

It's show day!!

Today is the Ballston Holiday Artist Boutique! Swing by the National Science Foundation and shop 100% handmade! We'll be in the first-floor (lobby) atrium from from 11 AM - 6 PM, so you can expect to get your holiday shopping on all day!

We'll have jewelry, organic bath & body products for men & women, upcylced children's accessories, Holiday-themed goodies, cards, bags & purses, photography and more!

Remeber, NSF Visitoris: For easy access to the Boutique TODAY, please use the Stafford Place Entrance on N. Stuart Street. (The one with the water fountain.) This leads directly to the atrium.

Come share a glass of sparkling apple cider with us and toast to the Holiday season. Hope to see you there!

The Ballston Holiday Artist Boutique is TOMORROW!

OMG! December already? That means the Ballston Holiday Artist Boutique is TOMORROW! Swing by the National Science Foundation and shop 100% handmade! We'll be in the first-floor (lobby) atrium from from 11 AM - 6 PM, so you can expect to get your holiday shopping on all day!

NSF visitors: visitors: For easy access to the Boutique tomorrow, please use the Stafford Place Entrance on N. Stuart Street. (The one with the water fountain.) This leads directly to the atrium!

See you tomorrow! P.S. Bring your credit card. ;)