The A&C Market at Taste of Arlington

Taste of Arlington was a HUGE success. And best of all, it opened the door to a lot of new visitors to the A&C Market. Amazing weather, creative crafts, delicious food, great music and awesome people. What a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Thanks everyone! Check out some pics from yesterday's show.

Laughing Moon Artworks charming creations.

Herban Lifestyle's Fuzzy Soap. I bought the one in front!

Jewelry Link's unique woven metal necklace. First I've seen of its kind.

Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty!

We draw the crowds!

EHL Creations beautiful ceramic tiles.

Bette's Bags (and felt brooches!).

Yellin Moon's hand-crafted children's dresses.

LazyDog Art and an active muse.

Quite possibly the cutest little hat I've ever seen, Ninnycat Crochet.

The photo doesn't do justice to how Melissa Lew's Moonrock piece absolutely glows.

Taste of Arlington may have had yummy food, but we had free candy courtesy of Love to Create!

The Green Leaves is my favorite Creative Art & Soul pendant.

I have to thank the raccoon in BoxBox's attic for inspiring my fav BoxBoy box.

Reinvented Elegance her her new broken plate hewelry. Fantastic!

The Ballston Arts & Crafts Market will be back in Welburn Square Saturday, June 12th with many new vendors joining us that month.

Taste of Arlington--TOMORROW!

Oh, boy. I can't believe Taste of Arlington is tomorrow. Time really flies, doesn't it?

Personally, I can't wait to feed my face full of the best food Arlington has to offer--and that's A LOT of good stuff. Ah, music, sunshine, tasty treats and, oh yah--let's not forget about all of the talented artist artists who will be struttin' their jewelry, tees, children's fashion, decoupage, paintings and more in Welburn Square tomorrow. Yep, we'll be there in our usual spot, with all sorts of handmade goodies.

Swing buy and pick up something handcrafted and completely awesome from local faves like ...

Laughing Moon Artworks

Jen-A-Fusion

Herban Lifestyles

BoxBoy Demented Decoupage

Artsy Fartsy

Sunday. May 16th. Welburn Square. See you there.

Lyon Park Spring Fair Today!

If you live in the Lyon Park community of Clarendon, stop by the Community House for the Annual Spring Fair TODAY!

Starting at 11am and ending at 3pm, bring the kiddos, play some games, eat a hot dog, snag a cupcake, shop some crafts and even ride a pony. Yep, there will be ponies! So, come by and support your neighborhood is a fun way. I'll be there helping out for the majority of the day, so pop by and say, "Hi."

Did I mention the ponies?

Get a Taste of Art at Taste of Arlington

Are you curious about just who will be the artists making cameos this Sunday (May 16th) at Taste of Arlington? Well, here's a ... ahem ... taste:

Lazy Dog Art

Gloria Freund 'n' Friends Photos

Creative Art & Soul

Bette's Bags

bLuGrn design

See you Sunday!

Q&A with Fast Snail

1). I like the name of your company, “Fast Snail.” It makes me smile. What's the story behind it?

I'm glad that it makes you smile, because that is one of the main reason that I do what I do! The informal motto at Fast Snail is "speed is relative." "Fast Snail®" is because we are moving forward, maybe seeming slow to others, but always forward.

2). I noticed on your website you have a lot of Washington D.C.-themed items. What I like about these items is that although they are all about D.C., they are not your typical touristy stuff. They are original and fun! Do you find visitors of the District enjoy these the most?

Interestingly, I sell most of these to people who live in the D.C. area. If not for themselves, many people buy the Washington-themed items as gifts for friends, relatives, and colleagues who have lived, visited, studied or worked in D.C. at some point or who are still in the area.

Like the Eiffel Tower and Paris, everyone has a great story about their connection to D.C. or affection for particular monuments. I love hearing them when I meet customers in person.

3). So Paris or D.C.?

Paris hands-down, but j'adore D.C.!

4). What three words would you use to describe your craft?

Thoughtful, fun, original.

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

• 24-7 on my website, www.fastsnail.com

In several stores in the D.C. area:

• A Show of Hands

• Après Peau

• The Artful Gift Shop

• Crème de la Crème

• Embellishments

• inkthis

• Name Droppers

• The Picket Fence

• Politics & Prose

• PULP DC and later this summer, P-Town PULP in Massachusetts.

• The Madeira School

I participate in several other fairs and markets during the year, and those are listed at fastsnail.com.

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

My phone and my glasses

Taste of Arlington!

Attention foodies AND crafties! Have you ever been to Taste of Arlington? Taste of Arlington is an annual event that transforms the Ballston area into a lively street festival, complete with local entertainment, lively sponsors, children's activities, and lots of noteworthy restaurants. Over 40 restaurants participate in this spectacular community event, which draws an average

of 15,000 people each year who live in the greater Washington, D.C. area.

And this year, the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market will be joining the fun. One street down from the festival, we'll be setting up shop in our regular spot, Welburn Square, to celebrate the festival vibe.

So, when your belly gets full, walk it off a bit and stroll through the A&C Market to purchase some awesome handmade crafts by local faves, like Ninnycat Crochet, Artsy Fartsy, Herban Lifestyles, bLuGrn designs, Laughing Moon Artworks, Bette's Bags and so many more. You know, the Market regulars!

The weather will be beautiful, so see you Sunday, May 16th!

Windy City!

I don't have an anemometer, but I think there may have been a hurricane in Welburn Square yesterday! :)

Although the wind gusts must have reached over 40mph, Opening Day of the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market was a windy, yet fun adventure. To those of you who weathered the wind, major props (and great sales!). For those who just could not risk their inventory, I completely understand. Maybe we can get a "wind" date. I'll see what I can do and keep ya'll in the loop.

The day, itself, was beautiful. Thanks to the vendors, the supporters, the many visitors and everyone else who made Saturday's Market a success. Here are some cool shots from Opening Day!

Artsy Fartsy's colorful flower brooches.

The wind didn't scare the visitors. They kept coming!

Bright, vivid pottery makes me happy, Clean Slates.

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I wish Marissa Molinaro could have stayed longer. Stoopid wind. See you in June!

Homeward Trails Artsit Raffle raised $200 for animal welfare!

bLuGrn design's booth was busy ALL day.

The unique handcrafted pens were a hit.

Brighter Day Beads' fantastical ocean friends line.

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Wild Hare Fiber Studio hard at work.

Nice shot Sharp Shirter.

Bags, bags & more beautiful bags by Warped.

Words cannot discribe how awesome Grumpy Hater & her pluses are. See you next month!

SweetFlow Mobile graced us with their delicious & healthy frozen yogurt.

BoxBoy's Day of the Dead work. Loves it.

BellaMei Designs's stunning pieces.

See everyone again June 12th!

Tomorrow's Market!

I am so excited for tomorrow's market! Are you? Now, I know the forecast is calling for some rain in the early am, but I really think that we'll be fine and rained out by 10:00am. It's going to be a beautiful day.

Check it out!

BelleMie Designs

Melissa Lew

Grumpy Haters

FSall Selection

Wild Hare Fiber Studio

See you all tomorrow!

Tweeting at the Market

The Ballston Arts & Crafts Market has decided to step into the Twitterverse! (Finally, I know.) I'll be tweeting about the Market all day on May 8th, so if you have a special message you'd like me to send out to The BallstonMarkets followers, let me know.

For example, if you'd like to alert our 300+ followers to a sale you'd like to run, I can tweet something like, "Visit EHL Creations at Booth #5 from 2:00-3:00 and receive a 20% discount off all magnets."

Skies the limit--well, 140 characters, actually. But, I'll be strolling the Market ALL day, so just holla and I'll tweet.

Artsy Fartsy Recycled Plastic Jewelry!

You won't believe it's plastic ... but it is! Artsty Fartsy's unbelievably colorful jewelry is made from genuine recycled plastic that artist, Susi Dupris, finds everywhere, from detergent bottles to credit cards.

Artsy Fartsy creates earrings, necklaces, bracelets and even flower-shaped plastic brooches, all prettier than the next.

Artsy Fartsy just wants us all to "Make your statement by wearing "BLING" that's GREEN!"

Catch her green, artful jewelry at the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market on May 8th, Opening Day, at Booth #2, inside the circle.

Sign Up for Your OWN Unflattering Portriat

I just think this is the coolest thing. Like mentioned before The Misanthrope Specialty Company's own Reverend Aitor will be minding the Company table. He has graciously agreed to make himself available to bring out the ugly in four lucky Virginians. (This is a tough job, people! Arlington's HOT!) Just follow this link and sign up for your own portrait session. Only four slots are available, so don't dillydally!

The Misanthrope Specialty Co. & Sweetie Pie Press

I'm so excited. On May 8th, we'll have two extremely talented artists in one booth space! Specializing in "Unflattering Portraits" (oh, you know you want one!) The Misanthrope Specialty Co. is sharing a booth with Sweetie Pie Press who will have plenty of colorful buttons to add you your collection.

Thanks for stopping by on your way across the country, guys! Seriously, you don't miss these fabulous artists on Opening Day. Check 'em both out in Booth #30.

EHL Creations

What happened to good ole Polaroid pictures? Well, EHL Creations is bringing the art of Poloroid transfers into the mainstream. Check out the amazing images, foils & tile lifts, greeting card designs and brand-new magnets collection--all made from the art of Poloroid transfers.

So, what is Poloroid transfers? Well, stop by the Market on May 8th, to ask the artist herself! EHL Creations' own, Emily, will be at Booth #5 all day to chat all things Poloroid.

This Saturday!

O.M.G. I cant believe the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market is this Saturday. Opening Day. Are you psyched? Okay, here's the vendor map. Check out your location and if you have any questions, just gimme a call. I'm always here. Rain or shine. Just like the Market. :)

See you soon!

I Love Grumpy Haters

If there is one thing folks know about me, is that I love handmade plushes. I can't get enough of 'em! So, if you're a plush artist and I see you at a show, get ready for an automatic fan. Now, if you are a plush artist who specializes in monsters, well, get ready for an automatic sale.

That's why I was so excited when plush artist, Grumpy Haters signed on with the Market. Cute, clever and sarcastic, her quirky monster plushes are right up my weirdo alley.

Check out Grumpy Haters at the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market on May 8th at Booth #29. Then, swing by in June, July, September & October to stock up on your own minions.