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

Drumroll, please...

The list is in! check out our ongoing list of vendors to the right to get a sneak-peek at the work you'll be seeing at our market this summer.

We held the first round of jurying last week at Arlington Arts Center with a panel of Arlington and DC-area artists, art collectors, crafters and craft-connoisseurs. After all was said and done, we selected the 'cream of the crop' from our submissions, hoping to have a wide range of variety with something for everyone at each market date.

I am super-excited about some of the people that came out of the woodworks and applied, and I'm also thankful for the already solid group of vendors that have been here since the market opened 4 years ago. 2007 is gonna rock! (and my bank account will definitely suffer...do I get a discount for working here?)

see you at the market!! -kristina

it's not too late!..

As our April 1st deadline for artists approaches, I just wanted to send a final shout-out to those of you who are still thinking about applying. The application process is simple, and there is no fee to apply. Just send a statement about your work, the submission form, and up to seven images (including one of your booth/display) to ballstonvasquare@aol.com

you can download the submission form/brochure here: www.ballstonvasquare.org

If you'd rather go the snail mail route, send your apps to: (but hurry!)

Ballston Virginia Square Partnership
2807 North Glebe Road
Suite 515
Arlington, Virginia 22207

feel free to contact me with any questions at: kbilonick@earthlink.net
we'd love to see you at the market!!
-kristina

the cat's out- goody bags for first 100 visitors

We've decided this year to create gift bags for the first 100 market visitors each market day. These bags will be chock-full of coupons and gifts from nearby restaurants and business. Attendees will be able to enjoy special discounts at restuarants such as Willow, I love Thai and Chick-fil-a (something for everyone!)...goodies from Curves of Arlington and Advance Car Rental have also come in. First come first serve! The bags will be distributed from the Ballston Virginia Square partnership booth where you can also pick up a map of Ballston area businesses.

Call For Musicians:

The applications for artists are rolling in, and we're now looking to secure more local talent in the form of live music! We've got two great bands signed up already (see links to the right), and we have a few more slots open. We provide a tent to play under, electricity, a stipend,and publicity through our site and in our press materials.

Solo musicians and all types of musical groups are invited to apply. If you're interested, send us an email with information about your music and a link to your web site if you have one.

artists: don't forget to send your applications by 4/1 for the first round of jurying and first dibs on market dates! For the dowloadable application visit: www.ballstonvasquare.org

email me with any questions..
-kristina

Call for Artists and Crafters:

Welcome to the Ballston Arts + Crafts Market Blog! The Ballston Arts+Crafts Market is held every second Saturday from June-October and is located at the Ballston Metro in Arlington, VA. The Arts+ Crafts Market is a wonderful way for Ballston and DC-area residents to spend the day! Our market features original arts and crafts, presented by the artists who make them. Live music and food demos by nearby restaurants round out the event. We are now accepting applications for vendors for our June-October 2007 season (details/info below).
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The Ballston-Virginia Square Partnership is pleased to announce plans for the Ballston Arts + Crafts Market in 2007. The Market will be held on the second Saturday of every month from June through October (June 9, July 14, August 11, September 8, and October 13). Market hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Ballston Arts + Crafts Market is held in Welburn Square, at 9th and N. Stuart Streets, across from the Ballston Metro station. It is conveniently located near the Ballston Common Mall and a multitude of restaurants, cafes, shops and condominiums. In its three years of operation, the juried Market has gained a reputation for quality works at affordable prices.

The Ballston-Virginia Square Partnership is now accepting applications for 2007 vendors. All fine craft and art media are acceptable including, but not limited to: clay, fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, paper, wood, original painting, drawing, photography, prints, sculpture, fiber art, digital, and mixed media.

The deadline for the first round of jurying is April 1, 2007 (applications received after 4/1 will be reviewed on a rolling basis and are subject to availability)

For more information and a downloadable application go to: www.ballstonvasquare.org