Linda Blackbourn Jewelry - June 9th

"I get as excited today as I did when I was a little girl, when I see a beautiful, sparkly  rock." -- Jewelry Designer, Linda Blackbourn.

So do we, Linda! And your excitement for beautiful sparklies comes through brilliantly with your own designs. Whether Linda is creating jewelry for trunk shows or parties, or working on a custom order, the DC designer takes pride in her work and simply is dedicated to making her customers happy ... and not with plastic stuff, but with the real, genuine rocks!

Visit Linda Blackbourn Jewelry at the Ballston A&C Market on Saturday, June 9th and see for yourself what makes her jewelry so special.

Willie's Po' Boy - June 9th!

If the best art in the area isn't enough to entice you to visit the Ballston A&C Market on June 9th, how about delicious po' boys sandwiches?

Willie's Po' Boys food truck offers the finest New Orleans style po' boys in Arlington. And their menu is always evolving!

Catch the purple truck and all of the goodies inside at the Market on Saturday, June 9th!

Laughing Moon Artwork is Famous - June 9th!

So, this is really cool.

Team Cul de Sac Charity Art Auction is now open, craft-lovers! All proceeds will be donated to Team Fox, the foundation set up by actor Michael J. Fox, for research into finding a cure for Parkinson’s Disease. Original art from Bill Watterson (Calvin & Hobbes), the creators of Cathy, Zits, Beetle Bailey, Pearls Before Swine, B.C., Mutts and wait for it ... Annie Lunsford from Laughing Moon Artwork - one of the amazing artists in the June 9th Market! 

All to honor Richard Thompson, creator of Cul de Sac, who has Parkinson’s. Artist were asked to create art with their take on the Cul de Sac characters. Richard also has a piece in the auction. Please visit this site and check out tons of awesome artwork. A book with most of the auction art will also be available for sale. A copy signed by Michael J. Fox is part of the art auction.

Annie's piece (shown above) is a homage to Winsor McCay's Little Nemo strip, "Hang in There Nemo."

Catch Laughing Moon Artwork at the Ballston A&C Market on Saturday, June 9th!

Drew Smith Photography - June 9th!

Local photographer, Drew Smith is back in Ballston and we couldn't be more excited! Why? Well, Drew is an award-winning Northern Virginia-based photographer experienced in nature, wildlife, travel, wedding, event, location and fine art impressionistic photography. His work has been exhibited throughout the United States and can be found in private collections.

Drew also has extensive editorial experience, having served as Executive Editor of Nature's Best Photography magazine.  Drew's images have been published by Audubon, Nature's Best Photography, Washington Post, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Traverse Magazine, the National Wildlife Federation, the North American Nature Photography Association and many more.  Need I go on?

And now you can see (and purchase!) Drew's photography for yourself at the next Ballston Arts & Crafts Market on Saturday, June 9th.

Babus Toys - June 9th!

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 Eco Plus wool from Cascade. 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.

This is the last time Babus Toys will be at the market this season, so get your baby chain at the next Ballston A&C Market on Saturday, June 9th! 

Claymonster Potter - June 9th

Ain't no secret. I got a thing for monsters. Big monsters. Small monsters. Paper monsters. Plush monsters. And, of corse, clay monsters. So, I guess it goes without saying, I love Claymonster Pottery.

I mean, how can you not? Extremely well-made pottery in the shape of cute and cuddly (well, some of them perhaps not!) monsters, each with their own personality.

Find one that speaks to you at the next Ballston Arts & Crafts Market on Saturday, June 9th!

Noctiluna - June 9th!

Chitra Sharma is Noctiluna. And Noctiluna is labor of love.

Artist and educator, Chitra, has combined these elements together beautifully to influence her artwork.  Her main goal is to create and sell beautiful things, and help more people become interested and involved in Art and Design. Especially children.

Check out Noctiluna's creative artwork in the next Ballston A&C Market on Saturday, June 9th!

Lanyapi Designs - June 9th!

Great news, everyone! Lanyapi Designs will be back with her charming jewelry at the June 9th Ballston A&C Market!

Lanyapi Designs creates new and re-pursposed vintage jewelry inspired by nature, travel and romance.  Artist/Designer, Daisy, believes everyone deserves a little something extra, so come inside her etsy shop or browse her blog. Discover what makes Lanyapi unique.

Lots of new surprises and baubles always popping up! Catch Daisy at the next Market on June 9th!

DC Craft Mafia Spring Thing - TOMORROW!

It's another big day for crafts shows, tomorrow!

The second annual Spring Thing craft show, put on by Washington DC’s Craft Mafia, is TOMORROW - May 19th from  11:00 AM - 5:30 PM! 

This year’s show will feature over 40 local vendors showing off their creative DIY house wears, baby goods, jewelry, hula hoops, art and more.  Local charity Lucky Dog Rescue will be there for furry love and adoptions, and live music by Dave Tieff will be provided early on in the show.

So come out and pick up some unique crafts while enjoying the Spring weather!  And, the first 250 visitors will receive a gift tote courtesy of the Yelp! tent.

See you tomorrow, craft-lovers!

Aw, Applesauce! - June 9th!

Flappers, silent stars, old-time cartoons and that indescribable feeling of trying to connect with what is gone. That's Aw, Applesauce!

Super-cool, right? Decide whether you are Team Chaplin, Team Lloyd or Team Keaton at the next Ballston A&C Market on Saturday, June 9th!

Dos Borreguitas - June 9

I love things that are cool and unique. That's why when I saw Dos Borreguitas' baby tees and onesies, I had to invite them to participate the Ballston A&C Market!

Dos Borreguitas (Two Little Lambs) offers traditional bilingual and bicultural goodies for babies and kids. Their aim is to provide a complete collection of unique and traditional Latino gifts, including onesies in Spanish and toddler t-shirts.

In addition to cute Latino baby clothes, they also offer other great Spanish gifts with Latino flavor. Dos Borreguitas loves to celebrate culture and Spanglish style and share it with others.

And now they will share their designs with Ballston on Saturday, June 9th!

Opening Day Wrap Up - What Fun!

Whew! What a day it was. Beautiful weather, incredible crafts, awesome music and the best shoppers. What more can we ask for?

Opening Day of the Ballston A&C Market was a HUGE success thanks to YOU, the talented artists and the wonderful visitors. And we have to thank the Mother Nature, too, for blessing us with the most gorgeous day, blue skies and all.

Check out some pics from our celebration. And, don't forget, we do this the SECOND SATURDAY of every month in the summer. See you soon -- June 9th!

Claymonster coolness - wow!

New designs by Melissa Lew

Herban Lifestyle's well-known (bright!) fuzzy soap

David Jenkin's Papercutting was getting a lot of buzz

DC pride by Fast Snail

Octopi? Ocutopusses? Babus Toys, help us out!

Perfect music by René Moffatt complimented this perfect day

Jon Wye's booth making the famous belts!

How could you pass up this cute little guy by Red & Main?

LOVE Kosmoceratop's photography!

More plushy goodness by RedStar East

Goin' bananas with Brighter Day Beads

Hook, line and sinker! Sarah Cecilia's pretty jewelry!

Somewhere in the crowd is artist, April Alayne

Color by Warped!

Lanyapi Designs for Mother's Day

Bows, bows & more bows from Froggy Pants Creations

Spreading positive energy with Sukyo Mahikari

See you at the next Ballston A&C Market on Saturday, June 9th!

Opening Day is TODAY!

WooHoo! Yippee! Hooray!

Opening Day is TODAY! I can't believe it. Now, I know the first rule in market weather is not talk about market weather, but it looks like its going to be a beautiful, warm and sunny day, perfect for some outdoor shopping.  Check it out yourself:

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/arlington-va/22201/hourly-weather-forecast/9204_pc?day=2   

So get on over to the Ballston A&C Market's Opening Day celebration for 10am - 4 pm TODAY! We'll have:

• FREE tote bags full of awesome swag from Luri & Wilma 
• FREE water bottles from Taste of Arlington 
• FREE live music from noon - 2pm 
• Italian Ices - Yum! 
• gorgeous weather 
• Griffin baby smiles 

And let's see ... what else. Oh, yah. Only the best local art around - 35 artisans all in one place displaying and selling their hand-crafted goodies.

So, get your Mom something different and special this Mother's Day, and while your at it, pick up something cool for yourself at the FIRST Ballston A&C Market of the season, TODAY, SATURDAY, MAY 12th.

Sukyo Mahikari Spreading Positive Energy - TOMORROW!

Ya know what? I almost forgot to mention something pretty cool about tomorrow. Sukyo Mahikari will be at the Market tomorrow to spread positive energy -- literally!

Transform yourself.  Transform the world. Sukyo Mahikari is a subtle energy practice through which you can receive a positive, relaxing and spiritual energy called, "Light" that is transmitted from the hand of practitioner.

Experience shows that by receiving Light you can revitalize your spirit, mind and body.  By giving Light and practicing principles of harmonious  living, you can profoundly transform your life.

Members of the Washington DC center will demonstrating the Light at the Ballston A&C Market's Opening Day celebration, TOMORROW, May 12th for anyone who would like to receive it.

If you have questions please contact the Center at (202) 328-5903 or wdccenter@yahoo.com.

Opening Day TOMORROW, Saturday, May 12th!

WooHoo! Opening Day is TOMORROW! I can't believe it. Now, I know the first rule in market weather is not talk about market weather, but it looks like its going to be a beautiful, warm and sunny day tomorrow, perfect for some outdoor shopping. Check it out yourself:

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/arlington-va/22201/hourly-weather-forecast/9204_pc?day=2 

So get on over to the Ballston A&C Market's Opening Day celebration. We'll have:

• FREE tote bags full of awesome swag from Luri & Wilma
• FREE water bottles from Taste of Arlington
• FREE live music from noon - 2pm
• Italian Ices - Yum!
• gorgeous weather
• Griffin baby smiles

And let's see ... what else. Oh, yah. Only the best local art around - 35 artisans all in one place displaying and selling their hand-crafted goodies. 

So, get you Mom something different and special this Mother's Day, and while your at it, pick up something cool for yourself at the FIRST Ballston A&C Market of the season, TOMORROW, SATURDAY, MAY 12th.

René Moffatt - Live Music THIS SATURDAY, May 12th!

Not only will we have the BEST art in the area for you to check out, we'll also have the best music, too. Local favorite, singer/songwriter, René Moffatt, joins the Market for our Opening Day celebration on May 12th.

René writes poignant lyrics, memorable melodies and plays soulful, acoustic folk-rock in the realm of Ben Harper, Jack Johnson and Jackson Browne. This DC-based songster just released his debut EP "Here And Now Is Home" and is destined to continue making waves in the region's music scene.

See him in person, live, THIS SATURDAY at the Ballston A&C Market from 12noon - 2pm.

Exhibitor Map for Opening Day - Saturday, May 12th!

Yippee! Yay! Hooray! Woot!

Holy cow. I can't believe the Ballston A&C Market's Opening Day celebration is on THIS SATURDAY! Check out the map for the awesome artisans we have lined up for May 12th! See where your favorites will be exhibiting.

1). Herban Lifestyle
2). Fast Snail
3). RedStar East
4). Lanyapi Designs
5). Kosmoceratops - Art Squared
6). Red & Main
7). Jillory
8). YarnChef Creations
9). David Jenkins Papercutting
10). Jules' Jewels
11). Claymonster Pottery
12). Itty Bitty Press
13). WanderAround
14). Steven L. Miller
15). Sarah Cecilia
16). April Alayne
17). Jon Wye
18). Tsai-fi
19). Babus Toys
20). Freund 'n; Friends
21). Laurie Elyse Design
22). FroggyPants Creations
23). Pocketful of Posy
24). MOTHERBORED
25). LLS Team in Training
26). Brighter Day Beads
27). Maple Creek Designs
28). EHL Creations
29). U.S. Wood Toys
30). Bette's Bags
31). Mary Ellen Larkins
32). Hope Augustini
33). Melissa Lew
34). Warped
35). Ashleybug Organics

FREE EHL Creations GIVEAWAY!!

Hey everyone! We have another awesome artist giveaway for you to enter! And, this time it's is from our favorite Polaroid photographer, EHL Creations.

Enter to win an EHL Wine-Theme Gift Pack, which sells for $49 and includes:

- a writing journal
- an original tile with Polaroid emulsion lift (comes with spring back to hang on the wall) 
- a pack of six wine & grape greeting cards w/ envelopes

You can WIN all of this! All you have to do is hop online to facebook and "like" the EHL Creations page. Then, go ahead and comment on this post and tell me what you are looking forward to the most about the 2012 season of the Ballston A&C Market! (Contestants must have a USA shipping address to be eligible for entry.)

Remember, "liking" EHL Creations on Facebook is an eligibility requirement for anyone entering this giveaway.   

So, what are you waiting for? ENTER for your chance to win an amazing, original gift pack by EHL Creations. We'll randomly pick the winner on Friday, May 111th. Then, you can pick your prize up at EHL Creations' booth (#28) at Opening Day of the Ballston A&C Market on Saturday, May 12th!

April Alanye - May 12th

Looking for a Mother's Day gift for the Mom who has everything? Look no further than April Alayne.

Whether you're looking for clever jewelry designs, original pen-and- ink illustrations, handsewn pillows with personality (Slumberjacks!) or stunning canvas art, April Alayne has the perfect gift for a mom who appreciates hand-crafted artwork at its best!

Pick up an original April Alyane at Booth #16 THIS SATURDAY, MAY 12th at the Ballston A&C Market Opening Day celebration!

Opening Day THIS SATURDAY, MAY 12!

Opening Day is almost here! Get ready to score some of the best indie art around when you visit the Ballston A&C Market THIS SATURDAY, May 12th. Here's a sampling of the exhibitors we have in store for you! And remember, Mother's Day is the next day, so this is the perfect opportunity for completely unique and handcrafted gifts.

Bring your credit card--you're gonna need it! ;)

Tsai-fi

April Alayne

Claymonster Pottery

Sarah Cecelia

David Jenkins Papercutting

Jon Wye

RedStar East

Kosmoceratops - Art Squared

'

Red & Main

Melissa Lew

FroggyPants Creations

Itty Bitty Press

See you at Opening Day, THIS SATURDAY, MAY 12th! 

Freund 'n' Friends (&Manatees!) - May 12th!

If baby smiles, free swag and an artist raffle aren't enough to entice you to spend the day before Mother's Day with us on May 12th, maybe manatees are enough to get your attention!

Yep. On May 12th, we'll will have MANATEES ... well, awesome photographs of manatees by Freund 'n' Friends, anyway.

Gloria Freund travels the world in search of cool encounters with critters big and small. And through her adventures, she captures these animals doing what they do best ... living peacefully among us.

Visit the cows, blowfish, farm cats and, of corse, manatees, all happily living under one booth -- Freund 'n' Friends -- at the Ballston A&C Market Opening Day celebration on Saturday, May 12th!

FREE Swag Bags on May 12th!

Want even more incentive to visit the Ballston A&C Market's Opening Day celebration on Saturday, May 12th? How about a FREE kick-ass swag bag, from our partners in craft, Luri & Wilma?!

These FREE totes are packed with fun freebies, brochures, cards and cool samples Mom will love for Mother's Day!

The market starts at 10:00am and runs until 4:00pm, so get there early if you want your FREE TOTE BAG stuffed with awesome giveaways ... all from Luri & Wilma.