Bette's Bags is Back August 13th!

Bette's Bags is Back!

Okay. Here it is. If you're looking for a one-of-a-kind handbag, purse, tote, yoga bag, diaper bag (or any other kind of bag really) look no further than Bette's Bags. Each of designer, Betty Mudd's bags are made individually handcrafted from start to finish. She makes one bag at a time so you can be assured that she put quality care and love into every stitch.

Yep. You guessed it. Find Bette's Bags at the next Ballston A&C Market next Saturday, August 13th.

Musician Gary Smallwood - August 13th!

Get ready for some seriously good music on August 13th when the Ballston A&C Market welcomes professional rocker/blues guy, Gary Smallwood!

Gary's style of music consists of classic rock, soulful blues rock or just "flat out guitar rock.  With a great appreciation for all types of music, Gary will sometimes incorporate soul, R&B, funk, country and 'show tunes' into his playing.

Gary also gives back to the community by playing shows for numerous benefits and charities throughout the region. He is a well-respected and hard-working musician, playing 300+ shows a year and Ballston -- we're is lucky to have him!

Check out Gary's acoustic, solo performance at the Ballston A&C Market on Saturday, August 13th from noon - 2:00 right in the heart of Welburn Square (aka The Ballston Circle).  

Yinibini Baby is Back on August 13th!

Yinibini Baby is back! And artist/designer, Soyini George is bringing all of her adorable baby items with her to the August 13th Ballston Arts & Crafts Market.

All of Yinibini Baby's pieces are made with the comfort of baby and the ease for parents in mind. The bibs have a waffle shaped chenille fabric side that catches all of baby's surprises and a stylish cotton side that looks cute and stylish on baby. Some of the clothing and accessories are reversible, so you get two great looks in one item. Be sure to check out the easy to put on Pinafore top, that can be worn either inside or out! Two great looks in one cute top!

See you Saturday, August 13th for the hottest fashion trends in baby ware!

Kaylala's Organic Apothecary Returns August 13th!

Kaylala returns to the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market August 13th!

Yummy enough to eat (but please don't!) Kaylala's Organic Apothecary products nourish your skin without harming your body or the environment. They firmly believe that if you can’t eat it, you shouldn’t put it on YOUR SKIN!

They also package their products primarily in recyclable/reusable glass and aluminum, not just for sake of the environment, but also because plastics can leach phthalates and other plasticizers into skin care products and into your skin, disrupting the endocrine system -- not so yummy, eh?

At Kaylala, they are fastidious (great word, right?!) about all aspects of skin care, whether it's the ingredients and how they were farmed, the packaging and how it reacts with the product, or even the aromatherapy effect on your mood from the natural fragrance of the essential oils.

Find Kaylala at the next Ballston A&C Market on August 13th.

Q&A with Tsai-Fi

1). I LOVE your artwork. I’ve had an etsy crush on you for a long time! LOL! Where do you find your inspiration? 
I find my inspiration in many places, but I mostly look to fantasy movies and different Asian cultures for my inspiration. I am also very inspired by nature too.  

2). Your Birds & Butterflies necklace is absolutely stunning. And those Dust Bunnies figures are so cool! Do you have a favorite piece or design that you created? 
Thanks for the love! Yes, I definitely have a favorite. My Last Call design is my absolute fave because there is nothing more fun than a drunk mermaid in a martini glass. I have painted this design and created a vector design of it.  

3). What three words would you use to describe your craft?   
Art, Design and Illustration!

4). Please tell us a little bit about your background. Have you always been an artist? Is this a full-time gig for you?  
My background is in Toy Design. I have worked in the toy industry for 11 years.  Designing toys is my full-time gig. Tsai-fi is my creative outlet to express my personal passion for design.  

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

• www.tsai-fi.com
•  http://www.etsy.com/shop/tsaifi.

Random Bonus Question: Who would win in a fight--a yeti or a ninja panda? 
A ninja panda of course. The Yeti is just a plain old Yeti not a ninja Yeti.

See Kim's awesome artwork in person at the next Ballston A&C Market on Saturday, August 13th!

Artologica Returns August 13th!

There's one word that I think of when I see Artologica's bacteria-based artwork: neat-o-rama. Yah, that's right. I said it ... I'm bringing it back!

Artologica creates original paintings that explore the intriguing beauty of natural phenomena. Artist, Michele Banks, uses an old, traditional medium, watercolor, to create pieces that are anything but old-fashioned.  All of her pieces are one-of-a-kind, hand-painted originals. So far, Michele hasn't made prints of her work. She just prefers to paint another one!

Catch the incredibly unique artwork of Artologica at the next Ballston A&C Market on Saturday, August 13th! 

Ashley Buchanan's Hand-Cut Designs Returns!

Great news, craft and jewelry lovers! Ashley Buchanan returns to the next Ballston A&C Market on Saturday, August 13th!

What makes Ashley's jewelry stand out from the crowd? Well, all you have to do is check out her designs and see for yourself! Ashley hand-cuts all of her stunning jewelry from brass or sterling silver sheet metal and powder coat most pieces. The end result is ultra-feminine works of wearable art.

Well, I know I'll be buying a bunch of Ashley's pieces when she visits ... and I have feeling you may, too! ;)

Wunder Around - August 13th!

The imagery in Wunder Around‘s jewelry and art incorporates original photography of unexpected or off-the-beaten-path bits of nature and Americana.

Artist, Beth Hess’ free-form, blown glass features fluid, functional pieces for home, office or gifting.

Wunder Around – Where glass addict meets photo nerd!  Meet the "photo nerd" herself at the next Ballston A&C Market on Saturday, August 13th!

Q&A with FuzzyMug

1). I am a HUGE animal-lover, too! Maybe that’s part of the reason I am so drawn to your work. Tell us a little bit about how you started FuzzyMug and why. 
I don't know. I've just always been an "animal person." We grew up with lots of pets and I have always felt a special bond to them. When I graduated from college, I started volunteering for The Maryland SPCA in Baltimore and now have three rescue dogs and three cats of my own. FuzzyMug really started when I made a set of note cards for my friend for Christmas 2009. I had taken a really great photo of her dog and wanted to do something special with it and sort of figured out the portrait process I use right there. Once other people saw the note cards, and it just sort of took off and orders started coming in. Most of my friends have pets, too, so it wasn't hard to find my audience.

2). What has been your biggest crafting achievement, so far?
I really love being able to give back and help shelters across the U.S. I send out a lot of Custom Portrait gift certificates for silent auctions and raffles to raise money for animals in need. It's pretty rewarding to be able to help so many different organizations who are doing their best to help animals in need. I am also pretty proud of the DIY screen printing set up I have going in my garage. I took screen printing in college but had to turn to YouTube for a refresher when I decided to take it up again last spring. It's amazing what you can learn by searching YouTube!

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

4). Who are your favorite crafters?
I'm a member of Baltimore Etsy Street Team (BEST) and have to say that it is really a talented bunch. I am a sucker for beautiful design and the great attention to detail that's exhibited in Jill Popowich's jewelry designs. I also love the soft colors, geometric patterns and gorgeous craftsmanship in NAMOO's work. I can't make jewelry or sew, so I am fascinated by what they are able to create since I really have no idea how they do it!

5). Where can we find your craft outside the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market?  
We love Fenton Street Market in Silver Spring and are there quite a few times a year and always have FuzzyMug stuff available on Etsy and at Marlow, McCrystle & Jones Florist in Lutherville, MD.  

Random Bonus Question: Who would win in a fight--a yeti or a ninja panda?  
Going to have to go with Yeti. Seems like he could move a little faster.

August 13th Sneak Peak!

Only a couple weeks to go before the August 13th market and, boy, do we have some serious artistic talent line up for you! Here's a sneak peak at what's in store ... can't wait!

Kaylala Organic Apothecary

Red & Main

NAMOO

Sharp Shirter

Tsai-Fi

Fuzzy Mug

Autrefois Designs

Wunder Around

And that's just a sampling! Visit the Ballston A&C Market on Saturday, August 13th to see tons more authentic, handmade artwork by the area's best artists!

Alternate Histories - August 13th!

Artist, Matthew Buchholz, takes classic images and puts a sci-fi spin on them. It's like he is remaking history … with monsters and robots!

Realistic and humorous, Alternate Histories uses entirely digital sources to refashions archival images to include monsters and science-fiction elements, drawing the viewer’s eye to search for the anachronism. Matthew has long been fascinated with the quality of vintage illustrations and photographs, as well as the wealth of inspiration from low-budget science fiction films. He uses a variety of archives and computer programs to complete the work.

Personally, I can't get enough of this stuff. And, you won't be able t0o, either--trust me. Check out Alternate Histories truly unique creations at the next Ballston A&C Market on Saturday, August 13th!

Scrap DC - August 13

SCRAP (School & Community Reuse Action Project) is a non-profit organization that inspires creative reuse and environmentally sustainable behavior by providing education programs and affordable materials to the community.

The SCRAP Creative Reuse Center combines a retail shop offering an ever-changing variety of materials suitable for art, craft and school use with a public workshop room, inspirational ideas and instruction. Re:Vision Gallery presents fine art made from at least 75% reused/reclaimed material.

 Check out SCRAP DC for yourself at the next Ballston A&C Market on Saturday, August 13th!

Nikdapooh Designs Returns August 13th!

Yah! Ballston A&C Market favorite Nikdapooh Designs returns to Welburn Square August 13th with  new and amazing ornaments, sculptures and jewelry!

Artist, Monique Roberson Langley is an urban mother of two creating unique whimsical artwork of fun creatures and colorful clay sculptures using a mixture of repurposed materials. Monique designs and sculpts without molds and bakes in a little oven all from her Baltimore basement studio.

Say hello to Monique and her creative creature creations and more at the next market on Saturday, August 13th!

Hot Days of Summer

Hi there everyone. I have decided to get my Mom on a little early and write a little something about the hot weather this weekend.

For all of you who have shows this Saturday, did you know it's going to be hitting 100 degrees in the DC Metro area? Yikes. 100 degrees! Okay, okay. Some places only 98 degrees, but still ... that's really hot!

So, please remember to bring the appropriate necessities on these hots days. Keep in mind, not all shows offer free water, so bring plenty of bottled liquids AND ice with you.

Oh! And, have you seen these portable, battery operated fans? Inexpensive and pretty cool, they may be helpful in a heat wave, too!

Just play it safe folks and the heat will be more manageable.

Katharine Watson - August 13th

Meet artist, Katharine Watson!

All of her intricately created items are hand block-printed with original designs carved from linoleum blocks. Katharine finds her inspiration in textiles, stone carvings, Indian architecture and patterns all around her.

Each piece is individually hand-printed, so not one tea towel, greeting card, coin purse or journal is alike.

Want a Kathatine Watson original for yourself? Then, visit the Ballston A&C Market's next show on Saturday, August 13th and see what all of the fuss is about.