Crafts & Crepes on April 9th!

Not only will the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market have over 30 artists gathered together in Welburn Square on April 9th, but we'll also have an extra-special guest around to celebrate Opening Day with us!

Arlington's own all-natural, organic mobile creperie, SolarCrepes, will stop by the Market around 9:00 AM to dish out their mouth-watering delicacies. Creating both savory and sweet crepes, this will be the perfect start to a fun-filled day of crafty goodness.

Crafts and crepes: what a perfect combination!

ArlingtonVirginia.com!

Great news! The Ballston Partnership (soon to be the Ballston BID) is excited to announce that we're teaming up with ArlingtonVirginia.com to make our markets even bigger and better this season!

ArlingtonVirginia.com is a Social Media website designed to connect Arlingtonians to their Community, drive awareness to Arlington Businesses, and be the place to get it all especially to Eat. Play. Dine, and Live in Arlington! Special ARL-deals offer discounts so you can try new things or enjoy your favorite place! Check out their monthly contests--You could win something handmade by a Ballston A&C Market artist!

This is yet another way generous local Arlington businesses are helping to promote the arts in Arlington. Can't wait to work with you guys!

2nd Annual Silver Spring Big Cherry Block Party

Just wanted to spread the word about another really cool event happening in Downtown Silver Spring that's open to crafters--The Silver Spring Big Cherry Block Party on April 2nd.


Downtown Silver Spring is proud to celebrate the National Cherry Blossom Festival, it’s history and to be the Maryland host site for this recognized worldwide celebration of culture, friendship exchange, tradition, and environmental recognition between Japan and the United States. The Silver Spring Big Cherry Block Party brings together cultures and traditions of Japan mixed with entertainment, activities for all ages, unique and traditional arts and crafts and more.

Hope to see you there!

And It Begins!

Did your receive your Ballston Arts & Crafts Market Notification in your inbox? If you didn't get any notification on this past Monday or Tuesday, please contact me and let me know.

In order to secure you booth space, remember to mail me your booth fees by Wednesday, March 16th.

And we're off! Here's to another successful Craft Season!

Check Your Inboxes: Acceptance Letters!

Hey everyone! After going through the most applications the Market has EVER received, we have finally made our decisions!

Now, it's time to check those inboxes. I'll be sending out acceptance letters for the 2011 Ballston Arts & Crafts Market starting today! The process may take a little bit of time; so, if you don't get your acceptance email today, please check back in the coming days. I'll be sending them out all week.

Get ready to see your favorite crafty friends and new crafty faces. It's getting closer and closer to Market season. I'm getting kinda excited here!

Vote for the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market

The Ballston Arts & Crafts Market has been nominated for Best Outdoor Venue at the Best of D.C. Reader's Poll!





Won't you cast your vote and help Arlington's best and only 100% handmade Art Market win this year? We really appreciate your support.

Happy Valentine's Day!

We at the Ballston Partnership (soon to be Ballston BID!) wish you and everyone you love a very Happy Valentine's Day!

Now, go eat some chocolate.

Workshops for Working Artists & Crafters: Feb. 26th!

Calling all Artists and Crafters!

Interested in learning the ins and outs of arts and crafts fairs? Want to know where some of the best local shows are? Tips and tricks? Need to put together your artist resume, artist statement, or artist bio?

Jewelry designer and professional artist, Melissa Lew be teaching a series of seminars and workshops at The Soundry in Vienna on February 26th - check it out! Register online. Hurry! Seats are limited :)

For more information, workshop times and more, visit HERE!

It's a Crafty Wonderland!

Crafty Wonderland site

It is indeed a crafty wonderland out there, at least for me! And I wouldn't have it any other way.  :)

The jury just met on Wednesday, so now I'm in the process of setting up the season. I have gotten a few emails from some excited crafters, so I just wanted to give you a quick update to let you know that I will be in touch with you all shortly.

Now, I have some work to do. Happy crafting!

Thanks, Northern Virginia Magazine!

Thanks, Northern Virginia Magazine, for the wonderful write up this week!

Ballston Arts & Crafts Market
Do not lump this arts and crafts markets with other more traditional ones you may have previously visited. The items being sold are particularly fine, creative and modern, such as visionary pottery, stylish and unique wallets and purses, and dramatic photography. 


So nice to hear!

Fun Booth Displays!

Like I mentioned last week, I received a bunch of awesome applications this season and while gearing up for the jury process, many shined for various reasons. One thing that's nice to see are fun booth shots. Of course, if your a craft market newbie, I don't expect you to have great booth pictures ... yet!

But, if you've done the circuit for awhile, it's always a good idea to take good photos of your booth to share with market managers and juries. Below are some booth photos that I really enjoyed!

Keep up the great work, guys. You make my job so much fun!

A Little Note from from Jessica

Wow. What can I say? Thank you, Crafters. My head is spinning from all of the awesome applications we received.



What a rewarding feeling. Every year, we receive more and more submissions from the best local artists around. And, I am happy to say, the talent this season is off the charts! So many unique artisans, so little space. The jury is going to be challenged, that's for sure.


So, please understand that cuts have to be made, and know that it does NOT reflect on your work. It's just that we have 35 spaces per show and many applicants this year. We'll try our best to accommodate, but if you don't make the cut or have days cut from your checked days, we hope you understand. This is a juried show, after all. That's one of the aspects that makes it so exciting!


You will hear back from me by the first week of March (or earlier!). In the meantime, feel free to contact me with any questions.  


Thanks again. This is going to be an amazing season!


Jess

Application Deadline is TODAY

I can't believe it, but the day has come. Today, Wednesday, February 2nd, is the deadline for submission packets to the Ballston A&C Market. Thanks to everyone who emailed me their apps already! If you plan to email me your applications, please do so by 5 PM today to qualify for the jury process. 


After 5 PM, submissions will still be reviewed, but are subject to space availability. 
Don't be left out this season! Send me your applications TODAY to get in on Arlington's only 100% handmade art market!


To download (then email me) your submission form, click HERE. 

1). Save submission form to your computer
2). Open using Adobe Reader. If you need to, GET ADOBE READER.
3). Fill in form, then save again
4). Email to Jessica@iloveballston.com

If you have any questions in the meantime, please feel free to contact me via email at Jessica@iloveballston.com or on my cell at 202.536.9714.

Handmade Valentine's Day Gift Ideas!

It's February. And everyone knows that February means -- Valentine's Day! So, don't spend hours at the crowed mall on the hunt for a generic present for your sweetie. Choose one of these handmade love-themed, Valentine's gifts straight from your favorite local artists.

They all have "heart."

It's For You by Fast Snail 

Valentine's Day Bath Bonbons by Herban Lifestyle

Envelope Necklace with Secret Note by Lanyapi Designs

Sensual Botanical Body Oil by The BumbleBee Studio

A Hunka Hunka Burning Love by Creative Art and Soul

I Heart Hearts by This Little Piggy

Heart Print by Jerseymaids

XOXO

Q&A with The BumbleBee Studio

An oldie but a goodie interview from 2010. Thanks, Julie!

1). The Bumble Bee Studio is such a cute name. Is there a story behind it or, simply a love of bumblebees?

The bumblebee is very symbolic. According to 20th century folklore,the laws of aerodynamics prove that they should be incapable of flying, yet they do it anyway! So, for me, the bumblebee represents the notion we can accomplish anything that we set our minds to, even that which we are told is impossible!

2). So, what’s with all the lavender? Explain to us the benefits.

Known as a balancing herb, lavender provides relaxation and melts away stress. It can be used as a spiritual pick-up to help chase away the blues. Its beautiful scent is thought to enhance romantic desire, ease the symptoms of irritability, tension, fatigue and anxiety. Lavender can also relax, calm and ease pain in the body and the spirit.

3). What three words describe your craft?

Soothing, Renewing, Balancing and Pampering. Ooops … that is not three!

4). You were asked to be one of the exclusive boutique vendors to hand out swag at the Oscars. Tell us what that experience was like.

It was surreal. Very overwhelming, expensive, over-stimulating and tiring … but so worth it! I met some lovely people, made some great contacts, had a lot of laughs and was hugged three times by Sheila E. It was a good day.

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

My products can be found on line by visiting me at TheBumbleBeeStudio.com orTheBumbleBeeStudio.Etsy.com, at the Artful Gift Shop in Vienna, Virginia, Spa 29 in Atlanta, Georgia and as far as Impact Gallerie in Montreal, Canada. (Just in case you happen to be in Canada or feel like traveling there to see the full line of BEE products!)

Bonus question: Quick! What’s in your pockets right now?

LAVENDER … I never go anywhere without it! Actually, I am still putzing around the house in my PJs … no pockets. (So great to work from home!)

Buzzzzz~~!!