The Last Hurrah- Final Market of the Season 10/13!

Saturday, October 13th will be the final market of the 2007 season...So we decided to do it up right!! This next market will be our most fun-filled yet!

We've joined forces with nearby hot-spots, the Ellipse Arts Center and Grand Cru Wine Store and Vineria to Create an all day arts extravaganza called Discover Arts: Ballston

It's a jam-packed celebration of visual arts, arts and crafts, wine and culinary arts, all centrally located around the arts+ crafts market which will be going on from 10am-4pm. Here's the rundown:

10am-4pm: Ballston Arts + Crafts Market in Welburn Square with over 30 local artists and indie designers (see vendor list to the right), live music and swag bags for the first 100 visitors! Local musician Dan 'the man' Cunningham performs between 11:30am and 1:30pm.

12-2pm: Just Steps away, Ellipse Arts Center hosts an Artist Talk and Reception: featuring YOU ARE HERE artists Dawn Gavin, Julie Jankowski, Renee Van Der Stelt and Karey Kessler. Reception to follow with refreshments including veggies from the Ballston Farmer’s Market and sweets kindly donated by Willow Restaurant. Gallery opens at 11am and it is the last day to see You Are Here: Maps Re-Defined by Mid Atlantic Contemporary Artists. (4350 N. Fairfax Drive )


1-3pm: Across the courtyard, Grand Cru Wine Store and Vineria holds an in-store wine tasting event. Sample their finest wines and discuss wine with the experts! The café opens at 11am and features small plates to accompany their extensive menu of wines by the glass. Shop their collection in their attached wine store. (4401 Wilson Boulevard, across the courtyard from the Ellipse Arts Center)


2-4pm: Local Bluegrass band, Dead Men’s Hollow, performs a free concert at the Arts + Crafts Market at Welburn Square. Sit on the grass and enjoy the music from a band the Washington Post calls One of our area's most talented traditional acts".

We'll be pasting colorful footprints to connect all three locations..so connect the dots and find your way around to all of the fun and festivities.

If you haven't been out to the market yet this year, you won't want to miss our grand finale!!

see you there!

Another Opportunity for Crafters:

Taste of the Pike is an international food festival and street fair in Columbia Pike taking place on Sunday Oct. 21st from noon-7pm.

There will be food vendors, beer+wine, music and dance performances, arts+crafts, community health fair and activities for kids.

The call for arts+crafts vendors is still open and 10'x10' spaces are available for $75 ($100 if reserved after 10/15). Vendors should bring their own tent, tables, display, etc.

This is the first annual Taste of the Pike, and my friends over at the Columba Pike Revitalization Organization are doing an awesome job of organizing and promoting the event.

If you're looking for one last fall festival sign up for a booth! For a vendor application contact Pamela Holcomb at pholcomb@columbiapike.org or 703-892-2776

visit their site here for more info on the event: http://www.columbiapike.org/

Crafty Bastards this weekend!

The 'Crafty Bastards' arts & crafts fair is this Sunday 9/30 from 10am-5pm in Adams Morgan. In it's 4th year, this annual favorite hosted by the Washington Citypaper is an all-day craft extravaganza featuring 100 crafters (national and international!), a series of craft workshops, live music and an annual breakdancing competition!




The festival, which I've participated in over the past 4 years, has a been a huge inspiration to me in the way I've organized Ballston Arts+Crafts Market. They have a fun advertising campaign, great web site and over the years have become known for having the best, newest and coolest crafts in the area. As an artist, it's a way for me to check out the hottest stuff out there- and I'm always inspired to get back into the studio and start coming up with new designs.

You can check out the list of vendors and get directions to the fair here: http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/craftybastards/vendors/

Hope to see you there! and mark your calendars for the next installment of the Ballston A&C Market on Sat. October 13th!

Beltway Ramblings reviews the market:

Local blogger and real estate guru, Mary DeLuca, posted a review of our market on her web site Beltway Ramblings. Click the link below to read about her experience at the market which includes a 'hot-list' of vendors that struck a chord with her, and a bunch of images.

http://www.beltwayramblings.com/2007/08/12/ballston-art-craft-market-support-your-local-artist/

Opportuntiy or Crafters: Capitol Hill's Barracks Row Fest

My friend Stuart over at Barracks Row Festival says there are still spaces available for arts + crafts vendors at the upcoming Barracks Row Fest on Sept. 29th . Here's the info:

Barracks Row Main Street will be hosting its fifth annual street festival on Saturday, September 29.

Last year’s Barracks Row Fest attracted over 6,000 attendees with 80 vendors and musical acts on the stage all day. This year, we hope to increase attendance by partnering with the Capitol Hill Community to bring an Oktoberfest and Military Cook-off to Barracks Row. The Armed Forces Military Cook-off, modeled after the popular Iron Chef television competition, will showcase the culinary skills of the nation’s top military chefs.

This will also be the first year that Barracks Row will feature a beer garden. Popular features from last year’s festival, including a children’s area with a moon bounce and petting zoo, art vendors, and a performance by the Marine Corps’ Silent Drill Team, will also be present at this year’s festival.

We still need vendors. Whether you represent a non-profit group, or wish to sell food, arts, or crafts, we invite you to download the application available at www.barracksrow.org. We hope to make this the biggest festival on Barracks Row yet.

What's in the bag?

Every month you hear us touting 'Goody Bags! Goody Bags!'..so what's the deal? is it worth walking over to the Ballston-Virginia Square booth to pick one up?

YES.

Every month I solicit (okay, stalk) local restaurants, businesses, artisans and other unsuspecting people with the offer to donate a gift or 'goody' to our bags. It's a great chance for cross-promotion. And since we don't offer food at our market, it's nice to have coupons for specials at a few nearby restaurants and cafes.

We make 100 bags for each market and the first 100 people to come by our booth reap the rewards. Each month is a different mix.

What's in this month's bag?
-a coupon for 50% off membership at Curves
-a mini-flashlight/keychain from Advance Car Rental
-herbal tea from Penelope Spa
-a coupon for 10% off from Jillory that can be redeemed at her booth or online
-a coupon for a free sandwich at Chic-fil-A in the nearby Ballston Common Mall
-cool toothbrush from Mai T. Phan dentistry

and more!!

The next market is this Saturday 9/8 10am-4pm, so come by our booth on your way in to get a bag, while supplies last!

See you Saturday!

Ballston A+C Market: Back to School Edition! Saturday, September 8th

The sun is fading, you’ve back from vacation, and the writing’s on the wall: it’s time to go back to school! Or worse yet, the office! But don’t fret, the Ballston Arts and Crafts Market, Back to School Edition will give you one last hurrah before the summer’s through…

Pick up a cool school supplies from our vendors and stand out from the herd! Check out these finds:

Store paperclips, business cards or candy in a one-of-a-kind box by Boxboy like this one from his ‘scary clown’ series:


Survive your morning commute by using Peneleope Spa’s hand sanitizer. Made with natural ingredients, this sanitizer leaves a light, citrus-y scent rather than a strong chemical one and doesn’t leave a sticky residue.


Need a cool bag to carry your books? Find cool totes like this ‘bunny love’ tote by Manatea Party at the DC Craft Mafia Booth.


Get a book for your bag: Arlington Cultural Affairs will be giving out free copies of Rudolfo Anaya’s classic novel, Bless Me, Ultima (while supplies last) as part of their ‘Big Read’ project which is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts. The program distributes free copies of the book in English and in Spanish, and will hold a series of discussions and events throughout the fall.

Between the Hours of 12-2pm, market visitors will be treated to a free performance of alternative world music by The Constituents. Based in Arlington the band members met each other through work, politics and community activism in the Washington metropolitan area.

And as we’ve done in the past, the first 100 visitors to stop by the Ballston-Virginia Square Partnership booth will receive goody bags full of treats and coupons from area businesses and include gifts from Advance Car Rental, Penelope Spa, and a toothbrush from Mai T Phan Dentistry so you can keep your teeth clean, at school or work!

Mark your (newly purchased) calendars, and we'll see you on September 8th!

Pictures from our August market:

Here are some pics from last weekend's market.
The weather was beautiful, the vendors were fabulous and the music of the Lovejoy Group provided a great backdrop for shopping and lunching on the square.

Erika of Had Matter Art


visitors rounding the square


Kristina and Ellen in the BVSP booth
(note: Kristina is donning a tee by market vendor Fort Cloudy)


Jillory fights off a crowd in her jewelry booth


musical stylings by the Lovejoy Group

Donna Estin of Advance Car Rental and Julie Mangis, director of the BVSP man the booth, otherwise known as 'goody bag central'


Ellen checks out the paintings and prints in Mark Cottman's booth


a Sunday Eastern Market fave, Boxboy, joins us for our Saturday markets

Round Three! Return of the Craft Champions: Saturday 8/11 10am-4pm

The first two markets this season knocked the socks off of local residents and DC-area visitors alike. With a lineup of over 30 indie craft vendors and live music at lunchtime, our recent July market had our biggest turnout to date!

If you haven’t been to the market yet, be sure to come by on August 11th to see what the buzz is about. All of our favorite vendors will be there with their newest goods, and some new vendors will be dropping in to add some fierce competition in the ring.

For a glimpse at some of our heavyweight defenders, check out our recent interview with regular market vendors, DC Craft Mafia below. Other returning champs in August include Fort Cloudy from Baltimore with her hand-sewn stylings (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=83323 ) and Boxboy (http://www.boxboyboxes.com/ ) with his off-beat decoupage boxes and accessories.

New to the market this month are Erika Rubel of Hadmatter Art, who constructs mailboxes and key hangers from recycled aluminum and other materials (http://www.hadmatterart.com/ ) and Penelope’s Spa with her line of all natural bath & body products (http://penelopespa.net/ ).

From noon-2pm, market visitors will be treated to a free concert from The Lovejoy Group, a local jazz ensemble and winner of the Takoma Jazz Festivals’ 2006 Jazz Jammie Award! (http://www.dcbebop.com/tlg/thelovejoygroup.asp )

And as we’ve done in the past, the first 100 visitors to stop by the Ballston-Virginia Square Partnership booth will receive goody bags full of treats and coupons from area businesses including I love Thai, Natural Body Spa and Grand Cru Wine shop.

See you Saturday!

Vendor Spotlight: DC Craft Mafia

The DC Craft Mafia is a local craft collective that is participating in all 5 of our markets this season. I recently chatted with them via email to find out more about them and their eclectic mix of crafts.

(Members Michael, Erica and Chandi at the July Market )

KB: What is the DC Craft Mafia, and how did you start it?

The DC Craft Mafia is a group of diverse indie artisans who endeavor to bring craftiness to the nation's capital. Our chapter is officially connected to a worldwide organization of crafty creatives, started by Austin Craft Mafia.

KB: Who are the members and what do they make?

Michael Auger (aka Arty4ever) - Offbeat Paintings, Prints and more
Erica Burns (aka Erica Burns Designs) - Wildly, Wearable Jewelry
Leah Huete (aka Curious Zoo) - kids' prints, softies and more
Chandi Kelley (aka Manatea Party) - pillows, totes, repurposed neckties
Shayne Rioux & Chris Radz (aka Novelty Kitten) - cards, buttons, novelties,kittens
Regina X. Jiron (aka BeadJewelryShopgirl) – artisan jewelry for the artistic soul

KB: What are some benefits of being in a craft collective?

Having a sense of community is really nice. It is also helpful to have people to bounce your ideas off of rather than going it alone. As a collective we are able to do art shows together rather than having to drag a friend or spouse along!

KB: How did you all meet?

We recruit new members through our website.

KB: What is your favorite item in your collection right now?

Erica Burns of Erica Burns Designs says, "My favorite item right now is my Octopussy necklace. It makes me smile whenever I look at it because it is so unexpected!"


Arty4ever's Michael Auger likes his States and Capitals cards best. "They're my big seller."


Leah Huete of Curious Zoo started an entire line of prints based on her flying bear.


Chandi Kelley of Manatea Party's favorite right now is her High Society totebag


Novelty Kitten's Shayne Rioux is in love with her new "Periodic Table ofMonsters" cards right now.

and Bead Jewelry by Shopgirl’s Regina Jiron loves her Leilah Necklace, she says “It’s my ‘omigosh’ piece. When I tell people I wove itty bitty seed beads to decorate a wooden bead, it never fails to amaze!”


Come see the DC Craft Mafia in action at the next market Sat, 8/11!

Photos from Bastille Day Market 7/14!

Thanks to everyone who came out to our Bastille Day event!..and a big thanks goes out to our awesome lineup of vendors, live music and nearby cafe, Grand Cru, for their food demo!

click on the link to see the slideshow of photos:

http://s184.photobucket.com/albums/x5/BallstonArts/?action=view&current=b8f1d3c8.pbw

the next market is Sat. August 11th..see you there!

Ballston A+C Market in the Press

Here are some links to various articles and press mentions, including a cool video blog-isode taken by the Washington Citypaper Crafty Blog!

Falls Church News, July 12
Arlington Connection, July 4
Washington Citypaper Crafty Blog Video Spotlight, June 14
Washington Citypaper Crafty Blog, June 7
DCist, June 7
What's Up Arlington, June 7
Falls Church News, June 7

Sat. July 14th Market: Bastille Day Celebration!!

Get your berets out and your shopping shoes on for an awesome day of French-inspired fashion, food, music and activities at this month's Arts+Crafts Fair.

At noon, the chef from Grand Cru, a nearby wine boutique and cafe will be doing a cooking demo on the square..At 2pm visitors will be treated to a free concert by local band Bette Noir. We have over 30 vendors this month selling handmade wearables, artwork, jewlery, ceramics and more!!

Stroll over to Grand Cru Wine Shope and Cafe during the event for an in-store wine tasting with great deals on imported wines.

The first 100 visitors to swing by the Ballston - VA Square Partnership booth (market sponsor) will receive a goody bag with coupons for nearby restaurants including the nearby hotspot Willow!

À bientôt!

Opening Day 6/9!

I've finally recovered from all the fun and festivities of opening day.. Thanks again to all of the awesome vendors who set up. Also a big shout-out to Omegaband and Indigo Son for rocking out on the plaza, and to all of the visitors who came by to check it out!

Here are some photos from the event..more to follow!

booth shot: Tina Dale handbags, Craft Mutiny and Ron Leibfried photography

a few lovely members of DC's craft collective 'Craft Mutiny' : Tina the Seamonster, Woolarina, and Rania Hassan of Goshdarnknit

Our super-intern Ellen and Wendy Rahm of the Arlington Arts Commission man the partnership booth...

psst- insider tip: goody bags are given out to the first 100 attendees who visit the partnership booth! don't forget to visit next time..The partnership booth also serves as the info booth for visitors and vendors and has loads of info about other area news and events.

More photos and recapping to follow.. the next event is July 14th, Bastille Day..mark your calendars!!

2 Days To Go!...

..anticipation is in the air!.. Saturday 6/9 is our big opening day, and it's gonna be a blast! We're slated for great weather and we have two awesome bands playing in the afternoon (see band list to the right) and an AMAzing lineup of vendors! check out the vendor's sites to the right so you can start envisioning that new artwork in your apt. or cool clothes in your summer wardrobe!

Make a day of it- the first 100 visitors to visit the Ballston Va-Square Partnership booth will get a goody bag full of treats and coupons to nearby shops and restaurants. Have you always been wanting to try Willow Restaurant? there's a coupon in our bag for 1/2 price burgers! and they have a fabulous outdoor terrace right across the street from the market. There are coupons for lots of other nearby places, so if you live in the neighborhood you can use them up over the course of a couple weeks..and then use the discount at 'Curves' to work it off! ;)

The market runs from 10am-4pm on Saturday and the free concert starts between 12-1 and runs 2 hours.

If you're coming from DC, take the orange line to Ballston and cross N. Stuart Street. You can also take the 38B which starts at Farragut Sq. and travels through Georgetown and over the Key Bridge, ending at Ballston Metro.

See you Saturday!! -kristina