St. Coletta of Greater Washington

In July, the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market will have a special guest joining us for the day: St. Coletta of Greater Washington! The mission of St. Coletta is to serve childrenand adults with cognitive disabilities and to support their families.

St. Coletta Shops offer a variety of crafts by artisans with intellectual disabilities. Won't you stop by and help us support this wonderful organization?

Find St. Coletta in Booth #25 at the July 10th Ballston Arts & Crafts Market!

Welcome Back Bette's Bags

After a loooooong wait, the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market is happy to announce the return of Market regular, Bette's Bags!

If you're looking for a one-of-a-kind handbag, purse, tote, yoga bag, diaper bag (or any other kind of bag!) look no further than Bette's Bags! Each of their bags are made individually from start to finish. They make one bag at a time so you can be assured that they put quality and care into every stitch.

Welcome back Betty, Maggie & family. The Market is not the same without you!

Find Bette's Bags in their regular spot, Booth #30 at the July 10th Ballston Arts & Crafts Market.

Thanks to The Arlington Weekly News

I just wanted to thank Rich Massabny for giving our Arts & Crafts Market (and Farmers Market!) a great shout out on his TV show, Arlington Weekly News.

Check it out on YouTube!

Q&A with Tuesday Tauchen

1). Your paintings are so colorful and happy. What inspires you when painting?

Thank you! For me, painting is a time when I can relax and let my thoughts and energy flow freely. Music is sooo important too … sometimes I find myself thoughtlessly dancing my brush around on the canvas to the sounds of some of my new favorite tunes.

I have always loved bright, bold colors and whimsical free-flowing designs, so these seem to sneak their way infectiously into my paintings until they dominate the entire idea!

Life can be demanding, and for me, art provides a sense of relief from that. I find inspiration in knowing that seeing my art might lift someone else’s spirits in the same way that painting it lifted mine.

2). I see from your website, you’re from Mississippi. How does the DC art scene compare to the scene down South?

The art scene is definitely different! You know, it seems with any larger city more opportunities, not only to display art, but to see a wide variety of art exist. The art museums in DC are AMAZING. I remember when I first moved here I just sat in the portrait gallery for about 30 minutes staring in awe at Peter Hurd’s Evening in the Sierra Buttes. Talk about breathtaking! So yeah, we don’t really have as many works like that in Jackson.

But in the South, we artists pride ourselves in having museums that honor the likes of George E. Ohr and Walter Inglis Anderson! In my opinion, we might not have the same amount of exposure to diverse art forms, but for the native area artists that we do have, a much deeper rooted and more personal appreciation seems to exist.

3). What three words describe your art?

Light. Free. Vivid.

4). What other interests do you have (besides painting!)?

Well, I moved to the VA/DC area to pursue my doctorate in clinical psychology. I have one more year of coursework for that! I also love to run (leisurely jogs to full-on marathons) and I’ve also taken up white water kayaking.

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

I do have a two-piece showing at Mitre Corporation in Tyson’s Corner throughout the summer ... and at my house! Maybe when my ship comes in I'll have a spot at the Torpedo factory. ;)

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

Haha! A zip drive, a bottle cap and the inevitable FUZZ!!!

Find Tuesday Tauchen and her wonderful acrylic masterpieces at the Ballston A&C Market July 10, September 11 & October 9.

June 12th Arts & Crafts Market!

The World Cup may have kept a lot of folks inside, but we kept the Square happening with tons of wonderful artwork from the area's most talented artisans. Thank you to all of the wonderful artists and visitors who made the June 12th Ballston Arts & Crafts Market so much fun! It was a hot day, but it was still beautiful and breezy in Welburn Square. Check out some photos of the show below.

Holland Cox wowwed us with her faboo fabric designs just in time for summer.

Grumpy Haters' version of The Who.

The picture doesn't do Purple Skirt Press' style of bookbinding any justice. The stitching is gorgeous!

Space Moderne's wine cozies.

Nikdapooh's booth display is stunning, as is her artwork.

Clean Slates pottery belongs in a gallery all her own!

Tuesday Tauchen colorful acrylic painting brightened up an already sunny day.

Sweet and Light makes the most adorable pins!

Phil Barbato's Whiskerbear madness!

Moonlight Bindery's famous LEGO notebooks!

Pocketful of Posy delighted everyone with sweet and bright bags of all shapes and sizes

.

Marissa Molinaro's handcrafted glassware was a huge hit!

The Craft Mafia Table. Hey, those piggies look familiar. ;)

Penelope Designs has a little bit of of everything, but her antique button designs were my favorite.

Well, hello there Liz from Fast Snail. Love your greeting cards!

Contemporary Fabric Designs' pretty fabric bowls

See you July 10th!

The June Market is TOMORROW!

Holy Craft--The June Market is tomorrow! Awesome. Swing by Welburn Square from 10:00am - 4:00pm to meet brand-new artists, like Moonlight Bindery, Glynt Pottery, Holland Cox, Yinibini, Space Moderne and popidiot.

And say, "hi," to your favorite returners, Melissa Lew, Steven L. Miller Words & Images, Phil Barbato, BoxBoy Demented Decoupage and many more.

The talent's off the charts. And that's just a taste who's joining us in Ballston tomorrow. It's gonna be a gorgeous day, so stroll through the Square. We'll have tons of crafts, demos, and froyo (Sweetflow Mobile!). A good time is practically guaranteed.

June 12th Vendor Map!

Hey everyone! Just wanted to post the Vendor Map for June 12th for all to see. If you have any questions about where your favorite artist will be setting up, just email me, Jess, at Jessica@iloveballston.com.

Or, simply just take a relaxing stroll through Welburn Square this Saturday. That way, you'll be sure to find the artist your looking for plus new favorites.

Well, this is just cool. Drawing most of her inspiration from her collection of old Sears catalogs and toy catalogs, artist Lisa Dietrich, from FatDog Jewelry, hand illustrates and designs all of her unique pendants and earrings.

Reminiscent of the images from the early 1900s, get your own FatDog work of art at the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market, THIS Saturday, June 12th. FatDog will be in Booth #16 with fellow Baltimore artist, Purple Skirt Press.

Crochet in the Summer!

Now that is June (!) and the warm weather has descended upon the District, tees & shorts are in full effect! It made me think about where the area's most talented crocheters fit in during the hotter summer months. Well, if you ask me, they fit in perfectly.

Modern crochet isn't all about scarves, socks and gloves--although there's nothing wrong with that at all! In fact, I have the cutest crocheted hat & scarf set. Anyway, modern crocheters know that the 85-degree+ days mean it's time to break out the hand-crocheted accessories.

Just ask crochet artist, Ninnycat. Not only does she crochet beautiful lightweight hats, she also creates crocheted earrings, umbrella cozies, tissue holders, and yoga bags. So, as you see, the heat will never knock a good crocheter out of a Market. They come prepared.

We have two wonderful crochet artists at the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market on June 12th. Check out Ninnycat Crochet in her usual spot, Booth #1 and YarnChef Creations in Booth #16.

Q&A with Moonlight Bindery

1). The first time I saw your LEGO-based books I was completely delighted. How cool! Do you find that your fan base for these books is younger or does it mainly consist of folks who enjoy the nostalgia (like me!)?

It is a combination of both of those groups. I have young kids who want to grab them and start playing with them right away and older people who feel a nostalgia for the LEGO of their youth. There is also a subset of older fans who still actively play with LEGO!

2). Which type of books do you enjoy making the most?

The LEGO-based books are the most fun. The Coptic sewing style is time consuming but more interesting and challenging than some of the other binding styles I make. On the other hand, I enjoy pairing unique paper and cloth to make my case bound books. The photo albums I have started making with inset Verkade cards are a nice combination of case bound but with the extra detail of the inset art on the cover. I guess I like it all!

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

Exacting, Tactile, Fun!

4). Please tell us about your other shop on etsy, NotNewShop. Are vintage treasures another passion of yours?

The vintage interest stems from my youth following my mother to estate sales, antique stores and flea markets. It was her passion, but after a while it became mine too. I started out collecting inkwells and antique pens. It just sort of took off from there!

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

I have an Etsy shop MoonlightBindery.com. I have also show at regional yearly craft fairs like Arts Star Craft Bazaar and Crafty Bastards.

Bonus question: So, ninja pandas or a yeti. Who would win?

Definitely yeti!

Check out Moonlight Bindery at Booth #11 at the June 12th Ballston Arts & Crafts Market.

Wild Hare Fiber Studio

Bright colors and soft textures. That's what Wild Hare Fiber Studio is all about. Hand-spun and colored, the yarn from this artisan can't be beat.

You have to see it in person to experience the cozy feel and vibrant colors owner, Melissa Yoder Ricks creates. Good thing the Studio will be not only selling original fibers and handcrafted items at the June 12th Market, she will also be spinning on location!

So, watch Melissa in action in Booth #27 at the Ballston A&C Market.

Cool, New Artists at the June 12th Market

There are so many cool, new artists joining the Market on June 12th, I get all giddy just thinking about it. Here, take a look ...

Moonlight Bindery

Space Moderne

Holland Cox

FatDog Jewelry

Glynt Pottery

See? Told ya.

Q&A with Nikdapooh Designs

1). Well, I gotta ask. What’s the story behind the name of your business, Nikdapooh Designs?

Nikdapooh is one of my favorite nicknames that I was given as a little girl by my mom and uncle. Nikdapooh is a mix of Nikki (my nick name from Monique ) and Winni the Pooh (the cute bear). I'm gonna say it means very cute, friendly and makes you smile. (I'm still like that, of course!) Not to mention very pooh-like. I use Nikdapooh Designs as my business name now because I want my work to bring out that happy inner child that some of us adults forget about in our everday lives.

2). From the doe-eyed "Fish Out of Water" to the sweet Orioles Wall Hanging, I love how each piece seems to evoke a darling personality. Is there a favorite "character" you like to create?

I love to create fun characters that make my 9-year-old say, "I want that one, Mom!" with a big smile on her face. That means I did something right in my book.

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

Three words I would describe my craft as would have to be ...

Eco-Inspired because I love upcycling materials for my craft and having my friends involved in saving things that I can repurpose into art.

Family Friendly because Nikdapooh

Designs is all about family interaction, conserving and fun crafts for

everyone.

Unique because I work from the heart and my imagination. I really want to share all those random artsy ideas that run through my mind all day untill the middle of the night.

4). I have seen a surge of amazing talent emerge from Baltimore in the past few years. How would you describe the Baltimore craft scene?

The Baltimore craft scene is one big melting pot family. I've meet many crafters in shows over the years and when I see them again we embrace each other like a family reunion. I have been inspired, schooled and put in my place by my family of artist/crafters here in Baltimore and mostly because they walk different paths in life and come from all over the world.

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

You can enjoy Nikdapooh Designs crafts on my Etsy shop. And, if you like blogs, check out my blog.

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

Nothing, I'm wearing a house dress. (Can't believe I just told you that!)

Visit Nikdapooh Designs and her beautiful mixed media creations on June 12th Market at Booth #5.

Lanyapi Designs' Hidden Treasures

The locket is a classic piece of jewelry. What I especially love about this charming staple piece is that it always opens up to find something special inside. It hides a treasured secret. Now, jewelry like that has always captured my imagination, therefore my attention. Perhaps that's why I am so drawn to the Lanyapi Designs.

According to her blog, Lanyapi Designs', owner Daisy Bandera, "love(s) making jewelry with little secret compartments. I adore designing necklaces with secret love letters and lockets with unique storage space."

Well, how perfect--I love buying them! Check out Lanyapi Designs' compartment and vintage jewelry at Booth #20 at the June 12th Ballston Arts & Crafts Market.

Q&A with Clean Slates

1). So, please tell us how you came up with the name of your business, “Clean Slates.”

I came up with the name for my pottery, "Clean Slates," because I use this phrase a lot! Whenever I needed to solve a conflict with my darling offspring (four kids!), I would stress the importance of accepting responsibility, apologizing and then moving on -- learning from the lesson -- a fresh start. A clean slate. The pottery is actually clean slates!

2). I love the bright, vivid colors you use in your pieces. When did you decide to become a potter?

I decided to become a potter the first time I touched clay! I got a summer job with the City of Fairfax in the art workshop many moons ago. A very talented art teacher worked there and introduced me to the wheel. I just loved it! I worked there for five summers. I put this love on the back burner for 20 years to raise my children. In 2002, I got back into and was lucky enough to get my own kiln.

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

earthy, functional, unique

4). What inspires you when you are designing?

[My inspiration comes] mostly through food! I love to create pieces that are functional and great for entertaining. I love the bright colors for a "Cinco de Mayo" party! I also get inspired by the ocean. I make the shells that have soft, peaceful colors; or blues to represent waves.

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

At this time I just participate in local shows, such at the City of Fairfax in the fall or the Middleburg Holiday show. I do not have a website at this time.

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

A hole is burning with all the money I make selling pottery. I can still dream!

Catch Clean Slates and her magnificent pottery at Booth #12 at the June 12th Market!