baltimore by hand

Printmaking Classes with Soledad Salamé

2012-02-16T12:41:00.000-08:00

Post courtesy of Jobs Plus:

Artist Soledad Salamé is hosting a series of printmaking workshops for small groups of artists in her Reservoir Hill studio.

Solar Etching and Monoprint
March 2nd-4th and March 16th-18th 10am-4pm

These advanced workshops are for artists who have prior print knowledge. These courses will focus primarily on solar etching and monoprint, where each artist will be encouraged to create a series, or set of prints to compose one strong body of work. We will recycle old plates, so many participants with old plates will not have to produce new plates. This workshop is for every kind of artist interested in building a solid printmaking portfolio of both concept and aesthetic. We will work with you individually to create this portfolio with enough freedom and guidance for you to enhance your creative language and visual identity. $200 per day for 4 artists; $250 for 3.

Solar Etching and Encaustic Wax
March 23rd-25th 10am-4pm

This class is designed for beginners with little or no print experience. The focus of this course will be on solar etching onto Japanese paper, and other papers for the use of encaustic wax processes. The cost is $200 per day for 4 artists; $250 per day for 3 -Includes wax, inks, plus all studio materials -Excludes paper and plates.

To register for any of these workshops, please contact Soledad at 410-462-5365 solsa1@verizon.net or Robin at 443-538-4195 robintalley.page@gmail.com. Sol Print Studios also offers residencies and studio rentals. For more information, please visit our website http://solprintstudios.blogspot.com/

Image courtesy of Soledad Salamé

hand carved love

2012-02-07T16:24:00.000-08:00

Handmade from polymer clay, these original designs by Block Party Press are made with love, for your love. XOXO!

so you wanna be a post apocalyptic steampunk airship captain?

2012-01-23T16:25:00.000-08:00

Some gnarly goggles, handmade by Viktor Graves of Steampunk Wasteland. His inventory of "Steampunk, Post Apocalyptic, Dystopian, Cyber, Gothic, and Victorian" accessories makes want to become a Road Warrior...

rescue a book

2012-01-04T08:23:00.000-08:00

Caitlin Phillips of Rebound Designs rescues old books “from library discards, yard sales, thrift shops, grandmothers’ attics, and the occasional dumpster”, and transforms them into one-of-a-kind Kindle, Nook, and iPad covers. Each cover is lined with foam and fabric to keep your precious devices protected in the prettiest of ways.

All images courtesy of Caitlin Phillips.

a few of my favorite things: refashioned shoes

2012-01-02T23:57:00.000-08:00

In fact, there is no record of Marie Antoinette ever uttering the dismissive phrase,"Qu'ils mangent de la brioche." Nevertheless, what we do know about l'Autruchienne is that she had marvelous taste in shoes and, évidemment, so does Oxford Is Heaven.

All images courtesy of Oxford is Heaven.

Featured Artist: Erin Fitzpatrick {Fitzbomb}

2012-01-02T23:06:00.000-08:00

Tell us about your background.

I grew up outside of Baltimore City, mostly in Catonsville. I went to church schools when I was a kid (due to my mom’s former occupation as a nun) and then Catonsville High School. My high school art teacher, Maralyn Feit, was instrumental in my pursuing art in my upper education. She later became a colleague when I taught high school in Baltimore County. I earned my BFA from The Maryland Institute College of Art and Maryland K-12 art teaching certification from Towson University. I taught high school art for five years before making the jump to try to make art my career. Although teaching is a great goal for some, it would have been a cop out for me, as my real goal has always been to be an artist myself.

Why portraits?

I paint portraits because I like to meet people. I get to interact with people I may never have a connection with otherwise. My subject matter is endless.

How do you go about choosing your subjects? Do you look for a particular quality or characteristic? Does anyone ever request that you do their portrait?

I seek out interesting looks and people who do things in life that I’m impressed by. Sometimes I choose my subjects in direct correlation to the space where I will be exhibiting. When I was asked to show portraits for a Baltimore City Paper event I drew a dozen CP staffers. I only knew one or two of them previously, and now I have a great connection with our free alternative weekly.

People ask me to paint them all the time. Through the grapevine, I’ve heard of friends being offended that I haven’t included them in my project yet, but as my project has picked up pace I just can’t fit everyone in. I really need to be strategic about who I paint.

Tell us about some of your newest endeavors.

Through the holidays I have a ton of commissions to complete. That aside, I collected new material at my residency at the Vermont Studio Center this fall that I can’t wait to dig in to. I photographed and shot video interviews with over 30 artists in residence and I’ll be turning many of these references into future paintings. The video aspect is new. I’m not sure yet how I will be incorporating this facet into my work, but it’ll probably begin to play a roll on my blog, www.fitzbomb.com. I am really interested in exploring the idea of “fame,” and if my subjects desire some type of fame in their own lives.

Other than that, I’m working on applying to other residency programs and getting ready to take my portrait project to NYC.

Describe your process.

How I begin a portrait depends on if I’m working for a client or if I’m making paintings for myself. If I’m working with a client, we discus painting size and format, and sometimes they want me to tell them about myself and my experiences. I then find a place in the setting with directed natural light and shoot many photographs until we have material that we are both happy with. I explain to them what types of photographs will translate best into a painting.

When I’m shooting a subject for myself, I start with an interview. I write some of the questions ahead of time and then some as we go. I ask questions ranging from “Do you want to be famous?” to “What is your end creative goal?” to “Who is your celebrity crush? or "What are your guilty pleasures?” I shoot video of the interview so that I have a record for future reference. After the interview, I shoot the subject in natural light. We often talk through the photo shoot so I can capture my subject when he or she isn’t trying to pose or posture.

I paint in oil on birch panels that I have gessoed and primed with a shade of red (ranging from a maroon to a hot orange). The primed surface sometimes peeks through and adds to the mood of the painting. I think about making the formal elements of painting as much as creating a likeness to my subject. That is, I make decisions regarding how I use shape, color, line and brushstroke to make my pieces successful as paintings regardless of the subject matter. I think if one is just going to copy a photograph, one might as well just stick with the photograph and move on.

Lastly, I also use my blog as a huge part of my art. Since much of the content is based on my life and those of my subjects out in the world (through interviews, candid, and party photography), viewers are able to see more about my subject than just what I offer through a finished painting.

What motivates you to make art?

I’m motivated to make art because that’s all that I want. I don’t want to settle for being mediocre. I can spend 12 hours working in my studio every day and be happy as hell. I don’t like to sit around or sleep too much. That gives me anxiety. If anything, I prefer to be doing at least two things at once. I’m impressed by ambitious and motivated people. I want to be impressive.

Share with us one little quirky tidbit about you that most people don’t know.

I once had a car break down while on a road trip in the south and ended up living in a motel room in Mississippi for a month.

I recently played a cocktail waitress in a film made by Baltimore Raven, Terrell Suggs.

I’m a huge Elvis fan and have been to Graceland twice.

A few years ago I bought a 30 day Greyhound bus pass and travelled around the country, from Baltimore to New Orleans, across the southern boarder of the US and up the west coast to Portland. I had never even been on a Greyhound before.

Anything else: upcoming shows, publications, online shops that carry your work?

In 2011 I was featured in Baltimore Magazine, UK based 7even Shades of Black, BmoreMedia, The Free Agency, The Arlington Examiner, and Biennial Maryland Regional Juried Exhibit by the Maryland State Arts Council.

As far as exhibits go, I pinky swore with my new mentor that I would never again show in a bar, coffee shop, restaurant, etc, so I’m holding out for professional art spaces from here on out. I’ve been talking with new friends from my residency program about coordinating a Baltimore/San Francisco travelling exhibit, Left Coast Right Coast for late 2012 or early 2013.

I have a limited number of paintings and prints for sale on Saatchi, but I prefer interested parties to contact me directly at fitzbomb@yahoo.com. I’m currently booked through early spring, but I’m taking deposits now to reserve spots for late spring, early summer, and early fall of 2012. My site, www.fitzbomb.com, is the source for everything I do.

I’m really excited about the new year. I’m applying for many new opportunities from The National Portrait Gallery’s Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition, to New American Paintings, the Skowhegan Residency, and the Baker Artist Awards. I’m looking forward to finding new opportunities and meeting tons of new people.

All images courtesy of Erin Fitzpatrick.

handmade of old

2012-01-01T11:38:00.000-08:00

My Dad is a big collector of unusual (and mostly old) things. So, this weekend, I went through his collection and picked a few pieces that I found fascinating. Enjoy.

the beauty is in the details

2012-01-01T09:02:00.000-08:00

I cannot say enough about how much I love Specks & Keepings. The attention to every detail in the pieces themselves and beautiful presentation, the descriptions and overall look of the site makes this shop one of my favorites of all time. Below are a few items from the winter line and a sneak peek of some new work by Rebe, which will be available soon!

fear the beard

2011-12-30T22:44:00.000-08:00

Stop! These crocheted beards by Felicia Kulp are functional and funny in the fiercest way possible.

Featured Crafter: Kathryn Myers {Year of the Milliner}

2011-12-30T22:01:00.000-08:00

Why did you choose to pursue hat making?

I have always been fascinated and a little in love with hats. "Hat" was one of my first words. Appropriately, "I'll do it myself was my first sentence." I have always spurned the current trend of ultra-casualness. Why are people wearing their PAJAMAS outside? Up until as late as the 1950's MOST people who were outside of their homes were wearing hats on their heads. I want to see this trend return. I believe that a large part of the unravelling of social interactions is that we don't try to look as though we are making an effort when we meet one another.

What materials do you prefer and why?

Well, my first hats were based around the idea of military garrison caps (AKA "cunt caps"). They are a beautiful and universal form. I would trick these out with all kinds of feathers and trinkets that I had been collecting since I was a teenager. Feathers and Vintage buttons. Veiling and chains.

Then I started to get REALLY into the dead animal stuff...I always had a fascination with the hides, bones and skulls of animals. I found a man who had faces and tails from various animals. I found a tooth dealer. This became my second style. I learned more about hat forms. Currently I am very into fox faces and buckram as the form. I love rhinestones and embroidery floss.

What is your process like?

It isn't always real easy. I spent 8 months traveling an epic journey to find a new home (from Oakland, CA) and a lot of my hats were made in the back of my '87 Subaru station wagon or in my gracious friends' living spaces. A lot of my process is in my head, trying to work it out before I actually use my resources. A lot of times I'll go to sleep with a hat obstacle in my mind and dream the answer. Weird, but true.

What do you hope to achieve with your work (professionally and personally)?

Well, originally I was just trying to make some hats to impress a girl. She was impressed and supportive. We don't talk now, but it got me going. Made me realize how passionate I was about all this. I just want to continue to make pieces that blow my mind; that I am proud to wear and see others wear. I want to to become better at my craft. Millinery is like taxidermy... real hard to find heroes, harder to find mentors. It's a lot of figuring your own game out.

What advice (if any) do you have for other aspiring artists/crafters?

Fuck DIY. DIT (do it together). I think we forget that this is how we keep craft alive. Learn from one another.

Do you consider yourself an "indie artist/crafter"? Why/why not?

Eh, i guess. That means "poor," right?

Are you originally from Baltimore?

Nah, but I love it here. It took a long time traveling to figure out this was the next spot that I would call home, and I am real glad I did.

Some little tidbit about you that most people don't know.

I'm a pretty nice, normal lady. You know, the whole bark vs. bite thing. Um, also I can fit my entire fist in my mouth.

Wanna see more? Visit Year of Milliner on Facebook.

here's to love!

2011-12-28T11:17:00.000-08:00

So I was reading my horoscope in Elle Magazine, and according to astrologist Susan Miller, Jupiter is in Taurus for the first time in a decade, staying until June and marking 2012 the best year to help find or entirely solidify true love. Whoa! Could this be true? Guess we'll see.

Banner by Purple Peony Culture.

wanderlust: yokoo's world

2011-10-02T16:25:00.001-07:00

Handmade Portraits: YOKOO from Etsy on Vimeo.

delicate beauty...

2011-07-19T06:45:00.000-07:00

Items by whichgoose.

wanderlust: milan

2011-07-04T06:44:00.001-07:00

A camera is, perhaps, the greatest accessory ever.

2011-07-04T05:36:00.000-07:00

China Knuckles by Broken Plate Pendant Co. Love 'em!

2011-07-03T06:50:00.001-07:00

If you had your pic snapped by Anneka at Pile of Craft, prints are available for order here.

new works by matt muirhead at 13.5 winebar

2011-04-14T03:28:00.000-07:00

Last night, I attended the opening of Matt Muirhead's current exhibition at 13.5 Winebar in Hampden. Up until May 11, the show is a collection of new work and includes some of the largest canvases I've seen yet plus an assortment of small pieces (hanging at the end of the long bar). Since I am not a seasoned art critic, all I can tell you is that my eyes went soft at the sight of these paintings. I lingered in front of each one while folks ate their dinners 'tween faithful fans. Words that came to mind: stirring, offbeat, unearthly, transcendent. Go see for yourself.

oh help! specks & keepings is almost too wonderful for words!!

2011-04-08T12:14:00.001-07:00

When BBH interviewed crafter Hillery Sproatt last August, we asked her what she hoped to achieve with her work. Her answer was certain: to open a store of found and handmade objects. "It is my favorite dream," she said. Well, guess what? Her dream came true and frankly, so did ours.

Specks & Keepings is Hillery's online shop "filled with handmade and collected objects and design." And oh how it is filled to the brim with whimsy and delight! The beautifully rendered images, eloquently written descriptions, and of course the delicate handmade objects themselves (everything from clothing and handbags to mobiles and napkins) are altogether stunning.

bite me

2011-01-30T22:20:00.001-08:00

Okay it's 1am and I am totally craving a live version of this delectable felt pizza, handmade by Felt Playground. Yum!

DIY Tee: Technicolor Tentacles

2011-01-29T06:43:00.001-08:00

Flower child of the sea
Unbridled and swimming free
"I see you, do you see me?"
This is only but a dream...

Threadless works with artists around the world to produce amazing tee shirt designs. The above image is by artist Larisa Diffley and it's one of my personal favorites.

Here's how it works: submit an awesome design using the Threadless Tee Submission Kit and keep your fingers crossed while the public rates and comments on your idea. If your design is selected, you win $2,000 in cash and other goodies (including more moolah each time your design is re-printed).

Does it sound too good to be true? Maybe, but it isn't. Visit the Threadless website to learn more.

DIY Tamboura {Lee Connah style}

2011-01-27T18:31:00.000-08:00

Take a moment and watch Baltimore artist Matt Muirhead's tamboura demonstration. Electrified pizza sauce can wut.

a few of my favorite things: snow day follies

2011-01-27T12:53:00.001-08:00

Question: what's a wonderful way to spend a snow day? Answer: make warm things!

Check out these lovely designs by Bonita Patterns. She's made it super easy for crocheters of any level to master these cool stitches with affordable patterns for hats, gloves, neck warmers and shawls. So go get your yarn and hooks and make something toasty!

wanderlust: brooklyn

2011-01-05T13:25:00.000-08:00

I just ate the most amazing little cookie named Lucia. It came from Brooklyn with other little cookies (Lana, Penelope, Susanna, Juliette, and Sadie) in a lovely brown box adorned with a vintage family photo. One Girl Cookies is what the accompanying tag read. I immediately imagined a girl in an apron, covered in flour and feverishly baking cookie upon cookie in a tiny kitchen somewhere. Turns out I wasn't far off...

Back in 2000, Dawn Casale left the world of retail luxury at Barney’s New York to do something different with her life, though she wasn't sure exactly what at the time. She started thinking about her childhood, which was one of warm kitchens and dazzling flavors; the kind of unforgettable aromas that excite us as kids and comfort us as adults. "My grandmother's kitchen," writes Dawn, "is where I learned about the ritual and significance of food, the sense of happiness and comfort it brought, and the essential elements of quality and care that went into its preparation."

Those memories are what led to One Girl Cookies, which began in Dawn's West Village apartment. She did indeed become the girl who baked cookie upon cookie, naming each one according to their personality. And yes, these cookies have absolutely unforgettable personalities. Like for example, the shortbread, caramel, chocolate three-layer bar named Lucia (my favorite), the orange butter cookie topped with shredded coconut named Sadie, or the spiced oat wafer with crystallized ginger named Susanna. Orders came quickly, and Dawn managed each one from start to finish (with help from friends and family). Two holiday seasons later, she'd rented a larger kitchen space, hired a professional baker, and enrolled in pastry school.

Fast forward ten years and a lot has happened since those first days in Dawn's kitchen. One Girl Cookies is now a full-fledged café in Brooklyn where breakfast, coffee, and sweets of all kinds are served daily. They also offer baking classes, party favors, custom cakes and corporate gifts.

Dawn's story is as sweet and special as her cookies. Most of us have at some point reflected on our career choices and wondered about doing something else; something different. Of course, that's not to say we don't learn and grow while on the way to that something different. Dawn credits Barney's with teaching her about the importance of aesthetic, the power of creativity, and the joy of indulgence. Still, her inspiriting journey from clothing to cookies is a striking reminder to reflect on where our passions reside and what memories or experiences might lead us back to them, if of course we're not there already.

That said, you've gotta taste these cookies for yourself. It's worth going to Brooklyn as soon as possible, but if for some reason you can't, simply order your own box. I promise they'll make your life a lot sweeter!

Images courtesy of One Girl Cookies.

Merry Christmas Baltimore!

2010-12-24T05:56:00.001-08:00

Boxing Rudolph Merry and Bright Holiday Card by FuzzyMug.

wanderlust: san francisco

2010-12-14T19:52:00.000-08:00

To see Lisa Congdon's wall of plates.

Crafting a Meaningful Home - Lisa Congdon from Meg Mateo Ilasco on Vimeo.

To see more of Lisa's work, visit her website.

crafty shopping this weekend

2010-12-10T10:56:00.000-08:00

MICA Art Market, today through 6PM until tomorrow, December 11, 11-6PM at Brown Center's Leidy Atrium, Falvey Hall lobby and Rosenberg Gallery, 1301 W Mount Royal Ave.

SquidFire's 2010 Winter Art Mart, Saturday, December 11, 11-6 PM at the First Unitarian Church (2 W Franklin St).

SKILLED: Part Two {Gloria Garret}

2010-12-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

This is an edited transcript of an interview with Gloria Garret by Hannah Brancato, from September 8, 2010.

"Gloria Garret, also known at the Mother of Make-Up Art, is a self-taught artist who has been drawing and making jewelry all her life. We first met at the 2010 SoWeBo Arts Festival in Southwest Baltimore, when I was selling the Jewelry Project products. Gloria’s energy is truly contagious. It was a real privilege to interview her, and I am so happy to be able to share that."

-Hannah Brancato

Do you want to start introducing yourself?

Hello everyone, my name is Gloria Garret. I’m the mother of makeup art. When I say I’m the mother of makeup art that means I paint beautiful pictures with makeup: lipstick, eye shadow, eyebrow pencil, and I use other household items like ink pens and white out and scissors and rocks and markers, and I draw people doing everyday things. One of my favorite pictures is one I painted of children playing in the playground. Got one of grandmother cooking cookies; I have one of my daughter helping me roll dough to make cupcakes. So I do things that people can enjoy looking at- people doing happy things.

Did you make the jewelry you have on?

Yes. Another thing I’m really passionate about. I’m a recycle artist- that means I take everyday things and make things out of them. The necklace that I have on- can you guess what it’s made of? Yes- it’s made of soda tabs. My earrings, ok? My beautiful earrings. I had a girlfriend who made these; you know what she made these from? Soda cans. Then these are recycled beads. I also make beautiful dolls from bottles, from toilet paper rolls, and I also make earrings from marbles. So I do a lot of things.

What is it that you like about those materials?

Two things: First of all, all the materials I use are recycled. Means that people give them to me instead of throwing them in the trashcan. They give them to me and I make beautiful things out of them. I don’t melt them down, ok? I don’t hoard them. They give them to me and God gave me a special talent, where I can beautify them and they can beautify his world also.

So how did you get started as an artist?

That goes back a while. When I was five years old, my mother used to buy coloring books for my siblings and I. And she would buy me plain paper. And I could look at the coloring book and draw the pictures without tracing, so I didn’t have to share.

Also when I was eight years old I was taught to write poetry. And that was really nice. I performed for my family and they gave me a quarter because I would come up with songs and dances. And I do that now- I am also a performer. But when I really started making things was, I guess I was in my 20’s when I got my poetry copyrighted and I started selling my poetry. That was really special to me. And then I was about 25 years old, I got my hair cut short, I stopped getting perms, and I needed earrings to accent it. So I went to the craft store and I figured out how to make earrings. Then once I made the earrings I said, I want a necklace and bracelet to match. So people came to me and said, “That is really nice.” So they would ask, “Can you make me something?” and I said yes.

Then after that, I wanted to do something with my poetry and children’s books. So I called my mother and I said, “You know what, I want to do children’s books, but I am going to have to hire an illustrator.” And she said, “What you mean you have to hire an illustrator? You’ve been drawing since you were 5 years old. Pick up a pencil and paper and start drawing!” I forgot that I had drawn as a child! So I started drawing and now I have over 100 children books, done in ink pen, black and white.

Five years ago, someone died in my family, and I said, “God, please help me bring beauty back in my life.” Then my mother called and said, “Gloria I have some makeup for you.” And I went picked up the makeup and I said to myself, before I picked it up, “Wait a minute: you paint your eyes with eye shadow, you paint your lips with lipstick, you paint your cheeks with rouge, maybe I can paint a picture with it.”

I take every September off. Like I said I am a performer, I teach line dance, I do history shows, I do craft shows for senior citizens. But every year in September I take off because it gives me a chance to create something new. So that year I took the whole month of September off, and I figured out how to paint with makeup. People ask me what’s the secret, what’s the secret? You know I can’ tell them the secret! [laughs]

That first year I know I painted about 2 or 300 pictures and I just loved it. Loved it. And I had these pictures and I started showing everybody these pictures. Then I went to the office store and I reproduced them and I laminated them. And people started asking me, do you sell them? I said of course! They said how much? And I didn’t know how much to sell them [the prints] for. So I did it for donation. Give me a donation. And I was surprised what kind of donation I got.

So someone told me, go to the American Visionary Art Museum. Go there, call them! Gave me a name, Rebecca Hoffberger, and I called up and she wasn’t there of course so I left a message. The next day, Ted from Sideshow (that’s the gift shop there) called me up, said Rebecca asked me to call you. And this was in November 2005, I had started painting in September 2005. And I brought them down to him. I had prints then, because I had the originals but wasn’t selling them yet. He bought the prints. The he asked me, do you have the originals? I said sure. He said bring the originals down. Then I brought the originals the next day and he’s been buying them ever since.

And I sell my stuff at farmer’s markets, at festivals, at fairs. But I dress the part too. So people come up to me and say did you make your earrings, did you make this? And they come up and then I tell them I’m an artist. Then they say what’s your medium? And I say make-up. So then they will give me a donation for it. And then I know how to price it because I know what people want to give a donation for!

I had a show at Creative Alliance in 2006, and I they sold my originals, and they helped me price them, so I knew how to price the originals. I have a safe that I keep the originals in- but I also sell copies, my husband takes pictures of the originals, 4x6, and we frame them, because I want my artwork to be affordable for everybody. It’s beautiful artwork, the colors are bright, bold and full of energy. I’m an impressionist, I’m not a realist, so you really have to feel this artwork. And I know when a picture is finished because I feel it. It takes a long time, Sometimes it takes 10 or 12 hours, sometimes days or weeks. But when I get finished I have a beautiful picture for the world to see.

You know what’s so nice about it? People donate the things I need! It takes me ten tubes of lipstick to paint a picture. And women from all over donate just bags and bags of it. I have gotten makeup from Pennsylvania. I met a girl in 1997, she contacted me in 1999 and said I haven’t forgotten you, and I am mailing you the makeup. I have women who take tubes of lipstick from their pocketbook they say here you go Gloria. They call up and say, “I’m collecting from my church.” And it’s really touching.

One thing I am trying to figure out is how people get to be an artist for a living, you know, that’s their job? Part of it is that you are really resourceful, but how have you gotten to be an artist as a living? Have you always had other jobs at the same time?

Oh yes, yes. I’m working now! [laughs] I work for Baltimore City Parks and Recreation now. But I teach arts and crafts there, OK? So I come up with these ideas and then I teach them. I’m an exercise teacher, I love to dance, so I teach dance. I love history so I teach history. What’s so special is I work with my husband on these things too. So he’s a musician, he’s a DJ. He plays the records and we put music in with our programs. And I think that’s what makes it so wonderful too, because I can work with my husband, and I can make people smile or laugh.
And the main thing is you have to get out there and you have DO it. And you can’t be afraid. If God gave you a talent, you have to get out there and just share it!

Was there a moment when you decided to just be an artist? Like you might have had another job at the time?

Yes. For 21 years I had worked for the government, Department of Defense. And the whole time I worked there. See the whole time I had the job I was selling my poetry, I was putting on poetry recitals. They used to call me the poetry lady because I caught the bus and I was selling my poetry on the bus. And when I was 18 I always said, by the time I’m 40, I’m going to quit my job and I’m going to sell my poetry, I’m going to be a performer, because I tell short stories too. And then all of a sudden, I said, I want to do this full time. I can do it. So thirteen years ago I quit my job and I’ve been doing it ever since.

What made you feel like you could do it at that point?

My husband, he retired from his job and he was getting his retirement. And he said, “OK Gloria, you know, we can pay the bills, and you do what you want to do.” And that’s when I quit my job and I’ve been making a living at it. It’s been fun and I’ve been having a good time.

It’s almost like another life…

It’s a whole different life than what I was doing for the first 21 years of my life. So I do this full time and it’s just wonderful. And I love it.

What are some things you’ve learned along the way about how you can really market yourself? Because you’re really good at it.

Enthusiasm. You have to be enthusiastic about yourself and what you do for anyone else to. You have to look the part, you have to be the part. You can’t just walk the walk, you have the talk the talk. You have to look it! You’ve got to look like, yes, I can come up to her, I can approach her, yes I want to do business with her, yes I believe that she is a great artist and she can bring beauty not just to my world but to God’s world, too. So I want to support her. And they get that from my look! And you always, if you’re an artist, have to look the part.

And I’m a self taught artist. You know what that means? It means that I never went to art school, that God gave me this talent. And I believe that God gave me this talent to share with the world. So you have to be out there. You have to be alive, enthusiastic, you have to say “World here I am and I got the best product out there, I’m the greatest artist THERE.” And that’s what you have to believe for them to believe it. And I believe it.

The great artists, they’re not dead! There’s a lot of great artists that are still alive. And the artists have to let people know that, because people have been programmed to believe that all the great art was painted 200, 300 years ago! That is not the case. So the artists of today have to go out and shout that, and say, this is not the case, I have beautiful artwork.

And I think what you do that’s really great is that you are really good at marketing yourself to people who maybe can’t afford expensive paintings, but also good at getting involved with museums and galleries. Are the ways that you talk to different people different or always the same?

You gotta know your clientele. I have something for everyone. That means you gotta have something from five or ten dollars, you understand what I’m saying? And a lot of people, you have to realize, gonna want originals. So you have to always have some originals with you at all times. I learned that. Because I was at Artscape- no Bookfair- and it was a lady from the Young and Restless, she came over to me, and I didn’t have any originals with me. She said, “I don’t want to see anything but originals,” and I didn’t have any. So I gave her my card, but still…

You’ve gotta have something for everybody. Some people just want originals and they willing to pay the price. But some people want to be able to just look at a picture to lift their spirits. And you want them to be able to afford that. That’s why my husband does the prints small, they were bigger at first. He said, “No, I want to do something smaller because I want it to be affordable. Like art for donation.” Most people gave me five dollars for the donation. It just made them feel good. So I always have something for five and I always have my originals too. [laughs]

Do you consider your husband your business partner?

Oh yeah, he’s my business partner, my husband, and we just do everything together. Because I knew I couldn’t do it without him. You know, he said, “Gloria, let’s go for your dream.” And anyone who can say that to you, let’s go for your dream, that’s somebody who’s special.

Do you think people can do it alone?

You know, being alone to me just not fun [laughs]. I’m not sure you have to have a husband per say, but I think if you have good friends and someone can support you, , that’s very important. Then if you have the lord in your life. That’s what this is about, it’s about stepping out on faith! And I just believe that if you have…It could be a mother, a sister, it could be a brother, but somebody to tell you, “I believe in you, you can do this.”

Maybe your husband should be here for this interview! I did notice that he was always with you at the craft fairs.

Yes yes.

Giving you a hand.

It’s not as much fun alone at all. It’s really something special to have someone do it with them. Some people have their children, you just have to have somebody in your corner. It can get, I always say it’s fun but challenging. But you got to take the fun part and run with it. You hold onto that good and you run with it.

And you still enjoy doing it?

I love it, that’s what it’s about.

Do you ever start to feel [negative], when you have to manage the business stuff?

The management part of it- you have to deal with paying taxes. And the retail, so I have to pay retail tax every 3 months, and you just have to do it. You have to fill out schedule c for the business. You just have to do it. My thing is, it’s not my favorite thing t do, but if I don’t do it, you can’t do what you love. Like this year, I’m going to pay someone to do it [laughs].

Did you ever take any classes about taxes for artists?

No classes! I am not one for school. I’m older, now, and what I had to do was, figure out, I knew from my other businesses (from selling my poetry) that you have to do these things, because I always had a business, and I always did them because I didn’t want to pay anyone to do it. This year I am breaking down.

Because you’re doing more business?

I have to tell you the truth- I like to be on time with things and my taxes have been late. So this year ima get someone to do it on time. Because that takes away the good feeling a bit! [laughs]

So some of the business stuff drags on you. But you do a lot of business in terms of networking and making contacts, would you say you enjoy that?

I enjoy meeting people, I love meeting people- that’s the best part. Because people just fascinating. You hear about the bad in the world and you hear about the good. There is so much good that people are doing, there is so much talent out there. If you just sitting behind a TV, you won’t know about it because they not going to tell you. And then you see it. You have to go outside, feel the healing power in the trees, the beautiful people saying hello and hi, then your car break down and they give you a jump. And the people I meet in the art world, they are so wonderful.

So, and you got into the Visionary.

I just called them up. They’ve been buying my work for five years on a monthly basis. Oh, I am having a show at the AVAM, they are giving me a show! They are. I don’t know when, sometime next year. I’m really excited about that, because they the number one museum. I am just really proud of that.

And they promote outsider artists, or visionary artists, and that’s what I am. That means that I come up with new things, and I haven’t had any training. All this is from the Lord. I want to say thank you Lord and thank you world.

The visionary, was that the first big..

Creative Alliance was the first show. I got into that.

How did you get that show?

That’s another good story! I met this girl named Ashley. You know I perform for Parks and Rec, for senior homes. It was a senior home, she was there through MICA, she was there teaching art. I was doing a craft project, and I told her what I do. She said, “Gloria you know what, I work at Creative Alliance part time, I have to tell them about you.” So, I guess about two months later she calls me, and she said, “Gloria, Jed is going to be calling you!” He’s the program coordinator. Sure enough, he calls and says, “Gloria we want to give you a show!”

That was 2006, that was my first show. It was called Junteenth. Juneteenth is when the slaves in Texas didn’t find out until 1865 they were free. Abraham Lincoln freed them in 1863, and they didn’t find out because someone didn’t tell them. So I did that in artwork, the story of Juneteenth. It was really good. I still have some of those works. Yea, some are on my website.

What are some other markers of your success?

Two things- Waverly Farmers Market. I was up there, people around there were wonderful. It was great. I did it once a week. From that, I sold three or four originals, I know I sold hundreds of prints, I sold a lot of my other creations. So it was wonderful. I’m still benefiting from being up there. I met these people who buy my work. And I do the Charles Village Festival too.

How did you get this show?

Oh yes, let me tell you how my artwork got to be at Maxie’s Pizza Bar and Grill. I guess it was maybe about four weeks ago, I was next door and I came in here to wait for my husband and I got me a soda, and someone came up and said, “I sell coffee, would you like to taste my coffee?” So I said sure and I listened to his spiel. And I said, “Well, can you listen to what I do?” He said sure. So I pulled my book out. He said, let me introduce you to chef Mike. So he [Mike] said, “It’s really nice, give me a card, when the owner comes in I’ll tell him about you.”

I thought that would be two or three days later- it was two minutes! So I meet Luigi, he says fine, he says, you paint big? I said mhm! [laughs]. He said you have frames? I said yes. So let me tell you what happened. He says when can you put the pictures up? I said next week.

Now, my girlfriend has just given me- she moving to VA- she has just given me these great big frames, I didn’t know what to do with them, but I took them. And I had big canvas home already. So you know what I did next? I started painting on big canvas!! And my husband framed them. And there are seven or eight here, they are wonderful. I am very proud because it’s the first time I painted big, they inspired me to paint big. I’m selling my artwork here, it’s for sale. So Maxie’s inspired me to paint big! I’m letting the whole world know.

So I think it’s a really good point, it’s all about taking advantage of the opportunity.

It really is. They didn’t have anything on their walls!

I create something every day, just a bracelet or necklace at least, but I don’t paint every day. I did a couple of new things recently, one is shadow art, like silhouettes. I just started that in July, that’s my new project. Then I just painted big. We are here at Maxies Bar and Pizza Grille and I got my artwork here. Everyone come down and look at it, 31st and Charles, Gloria Garret, mother of makeup art.

Gloria's artwork is currently on display at Maxie's Pizza Bar and Grille, 3003 North Charles St; and it is part of the American Visionary Art Museum's current exhibition, What Makes Us Smile?, which will be on view until September 2011.

Finally, check out this video of Gloria talking about enthusiasm:

kinky & crafty

2010-12-07T10:37:00.000-08:00

Yes, yes, yes! What better way to prepare for the holidays than to make some kinky crafts? I'd venture to say that a pair of pipe cleaner panties is the perfect stocking stuffer!

Gather your supplies - yarn, paper, glue, scissors, fabric, beads (ahem) - and head over to Sugar on Tuesday, December 14th from 6-8 PM for their Kinky Kraft Night. It's free and sure to be fun.

For more details, visit www.sugartheshop.com.

Image courtesy of Knitty.

a few of my favorite things: nautical tie clips

2010-11-17T18:14:00.000-08:00

There's some serious talent running rampant in this family. Artist Brett Lojzim (married to Allison Fomich of Tigerlilly fame) started out as a painter, but metalsmithing (as many of us know) can be highly contagious. These badass tie clips have a recurring theme: ships. Yep, ships. There's a bit of sea life thrown into the mix too. Each clip is carefully crafted and supremely cool. Kinda makes me wish I wore a tie to work.

To see more of Brett's work, visit Dreadnought Workshop on Etsy.

Images courtesy of Brett Lojzim.

dope style: abdu ali eaton

2010-10-25T11:02:00.000-07:00

Abdu Ali Eaton is making his own mark on Baltimore’s cultural scene. A style aficionado and fervent writer, Eaton conceived the blog EatOn This as a platform for both local and worldwide talent in art, music, and fashion. With an eye for the underground and a penchant for the cutting-edge, Eaton reports on just about everything you won’t see in conventional fashion rags and, if he does delve into the mainstream, it’s only for “dope stylish shit.”

Lucky for us, Eaton is channeling his modish wisdom into Style Advocates, an ongoing project (due out in November) that celebrates some of Baltimore’s key fashion players through a series of photographic portraits. BBH recently caught up with Eaton to suss out the details of DIY media and unconventional fashion know-how:

What led to the creation of EatOn This?

I've been contributing to other publications but didn't find fulfillment in that because I had so many ideas that just weren't getting out of there. I wanted to do my own thing on my own terms. I guess I like being the boss or, better yet, the driver of my own craft.

What is your process like? For example, how do you identify your subject matter and what tends to catch your eye the most?

It's simply anything that inspires me whether it's a fashion collection, shoes, or a person. I often write about people more than anything. I love people and culture itself. I have a lot of muses, all the Edie Sedgwicks of the world. LOL. I tell people that my blog isn't a news or picture blog - it's an inspiration blog and I want anyone that views EatOn This to be inspired by what's on there.

EatOn This has a particular focus on “the underground players” of fashion, music, and art. How do you see independent crafters as being part of that realm?

Someone who creates under their own terms, with original ideas, and who really produces good shit is an underground playa! I like artists who do what they love because they love it and not for any type of profit but for more a personal benefit. I have a thing for the underdogs anyway because I've always felt like the underdog. Those people do not get enough credit as they should and that's what I want to do.

When does something cross the line from being underground to mainstream?

Artists whose art has an unselfish purpose and contributes to society in a progressive way. Mainstream lacks fabulous ideas, original thought, and creativity; it's supported by a general large mass instead of unique individuals.

Who are some of your favorite indie designers in Baltimore?

I rarely have favorites because I am so indecisive but I do love Bishme Cromartie, Natty Paint, and CULT apparel.

Tell us about your upcoming project, Style Advocates.

Baltimore is not really considered a "Fashion City" but there is a life of fashion here and a lot of people do not see that - not even the people who live here. I always think about the people who love fashion and are fashionable in Baltimore that I come across and how they are never recognized. That's why I wanted to do an editorial that reveals the secret society of fashion lovers in Baltimore.

How, in your opinion, does an artist, designer, or musician make his or her mark on the world?

By being them and finding a social medium through their art, design, or music. You have to be gutsy and that usually is to be yourself, offering something fresh.

Do you define yourself as an independent artist? If so, how is EatOnThis an extension of your art?

I am more of a messenger and advocate for artists but I guess my vision for my site and what goes into it classifies me as an artist. I love to write so writing is my art. So yea I guess I am an independent artist.

DIY light box

2010-10-22T06:46:00.001-07:00

Most of us have probably figured out that when photographing our work, using natural light is the simplest way to achieve the best exposure. But sometimes, available light simply isn't available, especially as the days grow shorter (and cloudier).

In the case of cloudy days or late nights, a back-up option is a good thing to have. Suggested solution: a light box. Sure, they're available for sale and chances are that for a decent kit, you'll pay at least 50 bucks. So why not build your own? For about 20 bucks (tops) you can easily make one and here's all you need:

1 big plastic storage container
2 clip lamps (you can improvise with other lighting if you don't have these on hand)
1 large piece of poster board, paper, or fabric
Enough fabric interfacing to cover the outside of the container

For the full tutorial, go here. Also, keep in mind that if you don't have daylight bulbs on hand, you'll most likely have to experiment with your camera's exposure value (EV) and white balance or be prepared to do some post-shoot touching up in Photoshop.

Image courtesy of Uncommon Eye.

a few of my favorite things: soulful screenprints

2010-10-21T11:50:00.000-07:00

Local artist Samantha Cimino's whimsical screenprints are full to the brim with emotion. Just the color alone makes me grin from ear to ear. Turns out that Samantha won't be local for long though: she's headed west to make a go of Portland's art world. In the meantime, check out her Etsy shop where you can purchase some very special pieces and maybe help fund her trip 'cross country.

Baltimore Print Studios Grand Opening on 10/17

2010-10-12T09:34:00.000-07:00

Baltimore Print Studios will host its inaugural Grand Opening on Sunday October 17th, from 3pm - 7pm. Hands-on printmaking demos in both letterpress and screenprinting will be offered. Information on upcoming workshops and studio access will be available too!

So swing by - it's free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

Baltimore Print Studios is located at 18 W. North Avenue.

For more information visit http://baltimoreprintstudios.com/ or, visit their Facebook event page.

Image courtesy of Baltimore Print Studios

watch and learn: halloween blood spatter

2010-10-12T09:28:00.000-07:00

Featured Crafters: Ursula Minervini and Jon Poliszuk {Pellinore Press}

2010-10-01T09:38:00.000-07:00

What led you to pursue design?

Ursula & Jon: We are always working toward earning a living creating art of some sort. With Pellinore Press, all aspects of production and distribution are under our control, which we find satisfying. This also impels us to hold ourselves to a higher standard of quality. We feel more a part of the world and our community by producing art that is made by hand but is still affordable.

What materials do you prefer and why?

Ursula & Jon: Our printing press is a 1957 Vandercook 15-21. We do letterpress printing from handset type and our own woodcuts.

The restrictions of working with the limited number of fonts in our collection of lead type, and the relative slowness of setting type by hand push us to be more attentive to our typesetting and design work.

One of our favorite woods to carve and print is cherry, for its crisp detail and the tactile pleasure in carving it. For larger prints we use shina plywood.

What is your process like?

Ursula: Working as a printmaker combines creativity, technical problem solving, and slow, careful, delightfully tedious craftsmanship. Some of our prints, such as the Exquisite Corpse Postcards and Exquisite Landscapes are created collaboratively. At other times we share the studio but work on independent projects.

Jon: I usually have a pretty clear idea of what I want any given piece to be. From there I’ll hone it with sketches until I feel comfortable enough to draw directly on the block. Since woodcuts tend to be very graphic, pencil is difficult to translate into carving, so I’ll use a brush and ink to finalize the image. When carving the block, I try to preserve the lively feel of the brush strokes.

What do you hope to achieve with your work (professionally and personally)?

Ursula: Professionally, we hope to continue selling our work directly through venues such as craft fairs and Etsy, as well as growing the number of independent retailers carrying our work. We hope Pellinore Press will develop a reputation for taking on unusual and challenging custom printing assignments.

Personally, it’s important to maintain the balance between work that is commercially viable and having the freedom to take artistic risks.

Jon: I hope to utilize the benefits and original purpose of printing (multiple copies produced fairly quickly and easily) to support causes I care about, by creating posters and the like.

What advice do you have for other aspiring designers?

Ursula: Write lots of to-do lists. I tend to feel better about working and to be more productive when I have a set schedule and know what my goals are.

Jon: Make sure your to-do lists are reasonable in terms of the time available, or it can be discouraging.

Do you consider yourselves independent artists?

Ursula & Jon: Not particularly. We’re working outside of today’s commercial mainstream, but at the same time our work has very traditional roots and draws on ideas and processes that are much older than we are.

Tell us some little tidbit about you that most people don't know.

Ursula: I abhor ladybugs.

Jon: I spend far too much time tinkering with my bicycle.

To read more about Pellinore, visit their website at www.pellinorepress.com or Etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/PellinorePress.

wanderlust: istanbul

2010-10-01T07:54:00.000-07:00

Travel to Hampden tonight for Traditions in Turkey: A Trunk Show. Hosted by Earth Alley, the show will feature crafts that were handpicked by the store's owners during their recent wanderings through the markets of Istanbul. Also enjoy live music and locally made treats. 6pm - 8pm. For more details, visit www.earthalley.com.

flickr favs

2010-09-22T08:22:00.000-07:00

The Baltimore by Hand Flickr group is dedicated to showcasing local craft. Here are a few recent pics from group contributors:

The Broken Plate Pendant Company

Pinkkiss Pottery

Jennyjen 42

Featured Crafter: Ono Mangano {Sew Ono}

2010-09-20T05:47:00.001-07:00

What led you to pursue design?

When I was starting college, a department chair asked me what I wanted to major in and I responded “phys ed” at which he looked me over, grinned, and said “no you don’t.” Since I was apparently really bad at hiding who I was I became an artist.

What materials do you prefer and why?

I will work with most textiles and found objects as long as they have all been pre-loved. My pieces are recycled right down to the buttons, trims and zippers. When I can obtain quality salvaged thread I will use it but mostly I buy that new, I don’t want a garment to fall apart on a customer because of dry-rotting thread. I have always preferred used materials. There is so much stuff out there and I believe we should be using all of our local resources to provide what we need.

What is your process like?

My process is very similar to what it was when I was a sculptor creating found object assemblages. I find used clothes or rickrack or buttons that appeal to me and I take them home and hope to fit them with other pieces that I have found. It’s amazing to discover that a new acquisition is the exact dye color of a vintage trim craft swapped the year before.

What do you hope to achieve with your work (professionally and personally)?

What I would most like to achieve is a common societal understanding and respect of the sustainable clothing movement. So many people are now coming on board to eat natural and buy local but their sustainable living doesn’t necessarily carry over into what they wear. No one is questioning why the standard mall chains are so cheap or care when the clothes fall apart. When that happens it is a new season anyway and time to buy the newest trends and pitch the old.

What advice would you give to other aspiring designers?

The best advice I can give is to make what you believe in. Don’t create based on fashion or social trends, you won’t be satisfied with what you make or yourself. Others will recognize and be more responsive to your passion and therefore your work.

Do you consider yourself an "indie designer"?

YES. I make recycled one-of-a-kind clothes from used out-of-style ones, by hand, in a studio/guest bedroom/office in my house. You won’t find the fashion industry lurking anywhere near me.

Tell us something that most people don't know about you.

Hmmmm, since Fall is upon us, I will admit to loving football and engaging in the highly unfashionable act of wearing a jersey, in public, on game day.

You can see more of Ono's work on her website or at Crafty Bastards on October 2nd, 2010.

All images courtesy of Ono Mangano.

a few of my favorite things: nifty claywork

2010-09-16T10:33:00.001-07:00

These delectable jewels are made entirely by hand from polymer clay by local crafter Erin McManness. The sushi and cookies look good enough to eat! Check out more of Erin's work in her Etsy shop, Miri-love's Little Bird.

DIY Fest 2010

2010-09-16T07:48:00.001-07:00

Mark your calendars for the fourth annual DIY Fest, scheduled for October 24th at St. John's Church from noon until 6pm. The event is free (donations are greatly appreciated) and is open to anyone wanting to learn a new skill, teach or present one of their skills/hobbies. Workshops include home brewing with MD Home Brew, roadside repair with Baltimore Bicycle Works, Zines & the Art of Self-Publishing with Eric Nelson, Reusing Yarn Fiber for Knitting/Crocheting, and Urban Composting with Baltimore Free Farm. To learn more, visit www.diyfest.org.

Image courtesy of Baltimore DIY.

Drop in, make, and take

2010-09-16T07:26:00.001-07:00

Something you should know about (if you don't already) - drop-in art activities at the Walters Art Museum. Every Saturday and Sunday from 10am - 3pm join museum educators as they help families create artful projects related to the collection, special exhibitions, and family programs. There's no registration required and it's free - simply drop in, make, and take a fantastic piece of art home with you!

October's theme is picture puzzles and images of illusion found in the special exhibition Walter Wick: Games, Gizmos and Toys in the Attic. Each weekend families will create their own mysterious mazes, picture games and tricky collages. So mark your calendars for the following:

10/2-10/3 – Mixed-up Mazes
10/9-10/10 –Two in One paintings
10/16-10/17 – Pop-up Pictures
10/23 – Free Family Festival of Wonders
10/24 – 3-D Illusions
10/30-10/31 – Tricks & Mirrors

Image courtesy of “Frabjous Mirrors!” from Games Magazine.

Featured Crafter: Matt Muirhead

2010-09-15T05:54:00.000-07:00

Describe your art and what led you to this particular medium.

I'm primarily a painter, but now that I'm screen printing (the last 3 years), I'm expanding into clothing, etc. It's nothing I can describe except that it's constantly evolving and expanding. As soon as I'm able to pin it down, it wriggles out of my definition. Painting seemed pretty intuitive for me, and when I looked at my future I couldn't see myself working for anybody else, so I thought, "Maybe I could tolerate being an artist in the long term."

What materials do you prefer and why?

I was a picture framer up until this past February. I make a lot of paintings on museum mat board. I get all the scraps I want from the place I used to work. It's great for printing on - so smooth. I also must admit to a bit of a paper fetish. I paint with acrylics, and I love ink and a dropper. I've also developed an addiction to spray paint and fluorescent pink paint. I also use Masonite (so smooth, gessoed with a squeegee). I use a squeegee to create a lot of the painting effects in my work. So much bandwidth in the striations. I build all my own screens in a friend's wood shop, as well as my own light box for exposing my screens.

What is your process like?

Chaotic. I work on a lot of pieces simultaneously. I have about 120 screens. The images are varied - old photographs, ads, blocks of text from old books, my own drawings, friends' poetry, and photographs I've taken. I have so many styles in my repertoire which I use to create whatever I want. I rely on a lot of accidents to take me in new directions.

I lay out maybe 20-30 boards and just start layering images and creating narratives within each piece. Now that I'm making clothing, I have a similar process - lay out all the articles I've decided to print on and begin placing images on them. They all come out unique and interesting, and if they don't, I just keep layering until something is happening. The result is a phenomenal output. The mixing of so many images gives me an exponentially increasing amount of possible paintings and design/narrative possibilities. It's so exciting to see an image I created a year ago be printed and read in the context of something I just made last night. I couldn't have intended the combination, yet there it is.

I spent a significant amount of time living in Tokyo, and just loved the freshness of the contextual blindness in the fashion's of Harajuku: "Let's dress in a traditional Victorian era gown and mix it with a Rolling Stones t-shirt." I love non sequitur. I love the absurd. I love that all the images I use have some sort of significance for me, whether a cultural affinity, or political/philosophical alignment. With them at my disposal, they become a language I can use to illustrate a multiplicity of ideas quickly.

Do you consider yourself an "indie" artist?

Yeah. Voted Best of Baltimore last year as the place to buy art, the self-representing artist is by definition independent. I think the proliferation of social media, and the grassrootsy zeitgeist of this moment in history means that it's never been easier to forge a path that avoids all the traditional venues for the thing I'm doing.

What advice would you give to other aspiring independent artists/crafters?

I don't know. I did what worked for me. I kept on working and making things and getting them out there. I've surrounded myself with loving and supportive people. The most dreaded phrase for me has got to be "You know what you should do." I've got an unorthodox approach. As a photography major in school, I took some basic painting classes, but am pretty much self-taught.

Share something about yourself that most people don't know.

I have a piece of sculpture in a park in China. It's a large, copper ship/Nautilus-shaped piece. I created it for an NGO in Japan that I was affiliated with. I built it in my kitchen, then, I got to go to China to unveil it. Pretty amazing experience.

Matt's gallery HEADSPACE is located at 720 W. 36th St. and is open Thursdays and Fridays, 4pm-8pm, Saturdays and Sundays, 2pm-9pm or by appointment. Call or text 443.791.6670 or email mattmuirhead@gmail.com.

You can also see current work at Metta Integrative Wellness Center in Hampden (located above HEADSPACE), Joe Squared at North and Howard, The Rowhouse at 1400 Light St., and JOJOSouth Records at 2011 N. Charles St.

Finally, check out some of Matt's videography on his YouTube channel (be sure not to miss the short film To Warm the Bones - one of my personal favorites).

All images courtesy of Matt Muirhead.

SKILLED: Part One {Biggs and Featherbelle}

2010-09-13T17:34:00.000-07:00

This is an edited transcript from an interview by Hannah Brancato with Kasey and Kelly Evick, June 29, 2010.

I met Kasey and Kelly Evick during donation-only yoga classes taught by Chris Leicht. The sisters offer their aromatic studio - home of their natural body works company Biggs and Featherbelle - for yoga instruction every Tuesday night.

As the first interview for SKILLED: Art, Labor, and Business in Baltimore, the Evick’s story reflects the commitment that it takes to start a new business. Hearing the pair finish one another’s sentences reminded me of the important of having a partner: to share the journey, provide support, and manage the myriad of responsibilities in making, marketing, and selling products.

HB: So if you want to begin with how you got started?

Kasey: Well, we started, what seven? How many years ago?

Kelly: It’s been seven years

Kasey: Seven and a half years ago, we were just making Christmas gifts. We were sitting around the couch at our mom’s house, we both happened to be living there at the time--

Kelly: --we were broke.

Kasey: --we were broke, we were like what are we going to make for people this year? And we were reading a Martha Stewart magazine, and said, “Look at those soaps!” They were so cute, we saved the article, and we decided to make soaps. We both love the whole packaging side of it, making the names. We made body butter bars and lip balm too, and we gave it to probably ten different people, friends and all the girls in our family.

We started thinking about it more, and we did a lot of research and started thinking, “OK, we can learn more about soap making, about making products.” This also comes from us being interested in the natural health side of it. We really wanted to make soaps that were purposeful and weren’t just about scent- to help people. Kel did most of the research. Sort of developed a line and it sold. It was a real slow and organic process.

HB: Did you have other jobs when you started this?

Kelly: We had other jobs, we had to! Because it was impossible…She had a full time job as a web designer, and I was walking dogs. And then, she couldn’t handle her full time job anymore because there is that transition, where you eventually have to put more time into the business.

HB: But you aren’t necessarily making the money yet…(laughs)

Kelly: Yeah, I don’t think you ever make the money, I don’t know…

Kasey: I am still wondering when that will happen (laughs)

Kelly: Yeah, so we had to keep part time jobs. Then we waitressed, same restaurant actually, so that we were able to do the business at night and on weekends and waitress during the day. A LOT of time. Because you have to put full time into the business but you also have to pay for living, you have to make money for your living expenses.

HB: Right- and pay for the start up of the business. Did you do start up loans?

Kasey: Since I had saved up a little money from my job we used that, and then my credit card, pretty much maxed that out, used all the savings that I had. We have gotten some small loans, SBA backed loans, 10 and 15 thousand, nothing crazy-we’ve never gotten a huge sum. And then we had to borrow from our parents so we owed them money (laughs). Just little bits here and there. And then got a business credit card, maxed that out...

Kelly: Everyone we’ve ever talked to that has owned a small business says the same thing: you have to go into complete debt in order to ever make it. And it takes YEARS to even turn a profit, so I think that is where a lot of businesses fail, unfortunately, and right now its very rare for a small business to be able to get financing. NOOObody is. How many banks have we gone to?

Kasey: We’ve tried six different places and they say, “No, we aren’t doing those kind of loans anymore.” It’s just nothing.

HB: You said you got an SBA loan. So have you worked with any other business bureaus?

Kasey: We took a class through Women Entrepreneurs of Baltimore, we took that class on writing a business plan--

HB: When you were starting off?

Kelly: No about three years into the business--

Kasey: --we were about three years into our business. It’s helped us write a 30-page business plan, helped us realize things and get a little more official. But it didn’t lead to much help now. I still feel like we’re on our own. There is never that clarity about what to do. When we go to look for loans, I don’t know where to look, besides searching online- you could just spend all day and you’re on one hokey site. It’s tricky. We never found that person to answer those financial questions we have, and business stuff....

Kelly: Because we didn’t come to it from a business background, we came from an art and design background, wanting to develop a product, develop and design it. It wasn’t that we came at it strategically business minded. That has been an interesting challenge along the way. Learning all the business and the finances and bookkeeping and accounting.

HB: So, I know you have started to divide up your responsibilities. How has that worked out?

Kasey: Eventually we need to get her out of the kitchen, into the office- eventually our roles need to shift again, you become more of a manager as the years go on, you’re just managing the business. We both have to start removing ourselves from daily tasks.

Kelly: We’re managing different things. We both manage but we also do the grunt work. She’s basically the operations and business end of the whole business. Fielding all the emailing, the orders, the liaison with all the stores, she’s the business part. And we do the graphic work together--

Kasey: Yeah I do all the website updates, all the design work, we decide on stuff together but I do the nitty gritty design stuff.

Kelly: You kind of keep the business organized. And I make sure that we have products. So I have someone who works with me part time as a sub contractor. He works most of the time but since he’s a subcontractor he can come and go- like right now he’s touring with Phish for two weeks.

HB: And that flexibility probably works for you too…

Kelly: It does, because sometimes we have more work and sometimes we have less. But I’m in there making products too, so that’s what’s hard because I know Kasey needs help with the business end but I’m still in there making products.

HB: So there might be a shift where you aren’t making the money yet but if you’re both managing then you might make more money…

Kasey: Yeah, it’s always a fine line. You’re always just getting by.

Kelly: Absolutely, it is a fine line.

Kasey: You can’t always quite take that jump, you slowly transition into it.

HB: So I’m sure there have been some markers where you feel like now you have this together, another thing is settled, you’ve had success in one area…

Kasey: Getting into Whole Foods was one. Because that keeps our business afloat. Moving into this warehouse space.

Kelly: Getting Melissa to do bookkeeping, that was a huge one.

Kasey: Yeah we have a friend who helps, she works three days a week, and she’s handled all the bookkeeping now. I used to do all that and always had a stack of papers that I couldn’t get to. So that was huge.

Kelly: And then sales reps.

Kasey: And sales reps, which we just started with.

Kelly: They work independently like independent brokers and we just pay them commission on sales. They’re in territories, so we have a Mid Atlantic sales rep, we have a Midwest region sales rep (she has like six people under her), Texas, and New England. They basically try to get us new sales. So instead of us trying to get out there and knock on doors--

HB: And how did you find these people, is there an organization?

Kelly: Word of mouth.

Kasey: We found them-- One guy here we know from doing demos in stores, he was doing demos for a company he was repping, and we would see him and talk to him. Networking, I guess. We eventually decided that if we had a rep we wanted him to do it, and he knew someone in the Midwest and she knew someone in Texas.

Kelly: They are all in the natural products industry. All of our reps have close relationships with buyers from Whole Foods. That’s our main market, and that’s what we were looking for: people who already had an in with the buyers of Whole Foods because they have a really complex set up. Although they run as one big corporation they try to run on a regional and local level as much as possible, so you are actually dealing with each store, not just the big corporation.

HB: Talk more about the process of getting into Whole Foods.

Kelly: How it typically happens with Whole Foods is that they have ten regions and unless you are some huge big dog, how it usually works is that you have to get accepted in each individual region by the regional buyer and you have to pass certain standards. Once you get accepted into that region, you have to go to every single store and get your products on the shelf. That’s where we needed sales reps because it’s just impossible to do that. Because they try to let each store make all their own decisions- so that’s where it’s hard as a vendor, because your not shipping to one direct place and it gets distributed to all the stores.

HB: So you first got into the Whole Foods in Baltimore?

Kelly: No actually, Annapolis. We were really fortunate: most companies have to knock on every Whole Foods store in one region and do it many times. But (Whole Foods) had just started a local producers initiative. And in body care there really wasn’t anything, and so the manager of the body care dept in Annapolis was in other health food stores sourcing out and saw our stuff and contacted us. We were really lucky.

So we met with her in Annapolis, she took all our stuff to regional and got it accepted, then it was kind of a snowball effect- then all the other stores heard that we were local.

HB: So what are some of your sales tactics- or do you even do direct sales/craft fairs anymore?

Kasey: Yeah we do a ton. That’s how we’ve grown a lot, we’ve met a lot of people and stores. You get good feedback, really understand your products and have customers relate to it. We just did Pile Of Craft last weekend. We travel a lot for fairs.

Kelly: We are starting to slow that down a bit now.

Kasey: Yeah because of the time they take up.

HB: And do you tend to sell a lot of product or more networking?

Kelly: We sell a lot of product, but it depends on the show; there’s good and bad ones. But we’ve done enough now we try to stick to the good ones. You can sell a lot.

HB: And your product is more unique than, say, jewelry.

Kelly: Jewelry is a tough market.

Kasey: I think the most important thing with selling is having a story attached to it. People love that. We don’t always think we have a story but people say we have one- that we’re two sisters. With every product, it would just sell 20 times more to have a story with the product.

HB: So for people who make and sell their own stuff and are trying to have that balance between doing something creative and the business side of things, what do you feel like you’ve learned?

Kelly: It’s hard to keep that balance. Anyone I know who’s created a full time business out of doing something creative, you come to learn that the actual creative part dwindles more and more and more. You spend less and less time doing the part you love and more time running it as a business.

HB: And you end up hiring other people for the creative part.

Kelly: Oh yeah totally. And I know a lot of crafty people would say the same thing- you are making the same design and the same product over and over and you are tired of it but you can’t be, because that’s what you’ve been working to develop and build and sell. I know we see crafters who constantly try to change their product but you kind of have to stick with it, even though you’re tired of it.

HB: Like when you get tired of it that’s when people start paying attention?

Kasey and Kelly: EXACTLY

HB: What’s your dream for the next seven years will bring?

Kelly: Oh um financial stability maybe? Because one thing is that…oh gosh, we didn’t realize how long and how much it takes to develop a business. We are still doing it, and even though we’re doing really great in Baltimore and such, it’s not enough to really make a living. We don’t even have a salary yet after seven and a half years. We want hopefully within seven more years for the business to have its own financing and for us to not be freaking out every day. It’s stressful when you have so much invested in a company both emotionally and financially, and our whole lives invested in it. We are so deep into it that you just gotta keep going, there is just no turning back. We wouldn’t turn back though, ever…

Kasey: No!

Kelly: But at the same time you aren’t seeing the real rewards. And that’s what’s interesting- people who I just meet, they think I’m rich. I’m BROKE. It’s nothing to do with getting rich, absolutely nothing. Unless you are going to be a real estate tycoon…I mean it is to make a living, but you’ve gotta have such a passion for it and love it so much. Don’t you agree?

Kasey: Mhm. Its weird how much you start focusing on the money part of it, and we didn't start the business focusing on the money, I mean some people do start businesses like that. But we were never like, “We want to make lots of money, what can we do?” And you get to a point in
business where you’re like, “OK how can we make money now with this?” And you feel bad that that is your focus. But once you’ve established a product you know that the business won’t run and you won’t be able to make the product if it doesn’t sell. But still then trying to keep the balance of focusing on the product too.

Kelly: And then the balance of your own personal life and your business life is difficult. We are finally starting to get to that point. For the first five years of our business we worked seven days a week all day and all night. Either had to waitress and then work at night or do it all weekend. You become so immersed in it, there is no line, we ARE our business, it never leaves you. I could be away on vacation, well we don’t really go on vacation… (laughs) but I will never leave it. First day I would be calling and ordering. Because it’s like a child, that is always the analogy I use. It is something you are always responsible for no matter where you are and what you are doing. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.

HB: Could you imagine doing anything else?

Kasey: Not at this point.

Kelly: I could never work for someone else ever again.

Kasey: I think if I did anything else it would be to--

Kelly: --start up a new business!

Kasey: --yeah start another business, something else we want to do.

HB: What are the benefits of working for yourself?

Kelly: The flexibility . It’s good and bad, because you have to be so much more structured and organized yourself. And the pride.

Kasey: Yeah, the pride, you feel like you get such a reward for what your doing.

Kelly: You’re working for yourself.

Kasey: And you feel satisfied, we would have such a hard time working for someone else unless it was something I really cared about and wanted to help and feel a part of.

Kelly: You don’t mind working.

Kasey: You feel- I always feel lucky because you hear people say, “I just want to do something I love, something I’m passionate about.” That’s what I’m doing.

Kelly: There is not a single day that I wake up and think- I just don’t want to go to work today.

HB: So, what’s your advice to people who are starting off and trying to market their stuff and make their stuff and trying to juggle all those things?

Kelly: Really define your look, define it and stick to it. Define it and refine it. Go with that and you’ve got to stand out.

Kasey: Really create an identity, don’t be all over the place. You just want to tighten everything and fine-tune it.

Kelly: We set guidelines early on and certain criteria of what we wanted and we’ve stuck to it and its really helped up because you want people to identify you quickly. Competition is tough for everything.

You don’t have to go and look for something that’s never been done, because that is almost impossible for anyone at this point- but stick to one look.

To read more about Biggs and Featherbelle, visit their website http://www.biggsandfeather.com/.

For more info about the “Lather Lab” yoga class email chrisleicht@gmail.com.

a few of my favorite things: symbolic hankies

2010-09-13T07:26:00.000-07:00

Piercer, fucker, spanker, hustler...the list goes on and on of what these colored hankies indicate to those in the know. In its heydey, the Hanky Code functioned as a color coded system for communicating illegal or stigmatized sexual desires. The hankies you see here have been recontextualized to "promote and acknowledge that identity can be claimed more assertively."

Each one is indivudally silkscreened with exceptionally detailed and humorous illustrations - so even if you're not privy to the color code itself, you'll most certainly recognize the wearer's preferences once you look at what's on the hanky. To read more, visit Hanky Code on Etsy.

Hampdenfest is today!

2010-09-11T07:56:00.000-07:00

Food, music, entertainment and lots and lots of CRAFTS! Be there today, September 11th, 11am until 7pm on the Avenue!!

DIY Kick-Ass cot

2010-09-08T13:15:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love craft diva Vickie Howell? She's a DIY aficionado, best-selling author, and the visionary behind the community-driven website Craft Corps.

I found this Kick-Ass cot tutorial on Vickie's website, and while it's a few years old, let's be honest: fun and funky never really go out of style.

To make your own Kick-Ass cot, you will need the following:

MC-1 ball Sport Weight Cotton
CC-Scraps of Fingering Weight Mohair Blend
US Size 8 Needles
US Size 3 Needles
Tapestry Needles

For the full tutorial, go here.

Merry Mart Applications are UP!

2010-09-08T12:41:00.000-07:00

Attention crafters: Merry Mart applications are available now through October 11th!

Hosted annually at the Creative Alliance, this "warm and fuzzy" indoor show will take place on Sunday, December 5th and feature local handmade goodness of all kinds including clothing, jewelry, ceramics, bath and beauty, toys, and...well, you get the idea.

This year's event will be coordinated by BEST members Jen Menkhaus and Allison Fomich. Also this year, Merry Mart will have an online presence and juried vendor selection.

Vendors may apply online at http://merrymartbaltimore.blogspot.com/p/home.html.

Shoppers, mark you calendars ASAP!

Featured Crafter: Julie Bent {LOT201}

2010-09-07T10:55:00.001-07:00

What led you to pursue clothing design?

I often see things that I like and think to myself "I could figure out how to make that." I am a natural problem solver and I love finding my own answers. Art is concept and execution, and I enjoy both challenges.

What is your process like?

People watching is my current muse. I love to see what kind of garments flatter the shape of people's bodies. Body shape is so unique from person to person, which is one challenge all clothing designers face. I am inspired by the interplay between garment and body and I pursue balance in all my designs.

From a more "nuts and bolts" perspective, my design process usually evolves from sketching ideas (both abstract and more technical drawings) to fabric sourcing. Once I find the perfect fabric, I begin building the garment much as an architect goes about designing a structure. A garment is developed on paper and tested in fabric. These fabric prototypes are marked for fit changes. These changes are then applied back to the paper pattern. The final paper pattern is graded out into different sizes and acts as a map that will eventually guide the garment through production.

What materials do you prefer to use?

I like to work with high quality cottons and silk...soft but crisp cotton holds its shape and still feels nice against the body. Silk is a really diverse material that creates a very distinct visual effect (color, reflection, texture, etc.). I like mixing different silks into one garment.

Do you consider yourself an "indie" artist?

Yes. Being independent from a team of designers, marketers, PR staff, and laborers means I do it all myself or find collaborators. Indie artists have no choice but to create their own opportunities.

For example, my fall collection - a collaboration with Form Boutique owner Aimee Bracken - started as an impromptu conversation about a private collection for Form. At the time, I didn't really know Aimee, but I admired her selection of garments at Form and thought that our pooled skills and resources could help our chances for success.

It turned out that an in-house line for Form was one of Aimee's original inspirations for opening the boutique. The garments that have resulted from our creative partnership are quite different than the garments I have designed solo, and I am excited to present our work to the public and especially to Form's established clientele.

What advice to you have for other aspiring independent designers?

There are definitely financial and logistical obstacles that I face as an independent designer. Therefore, working together with other people is important. I look for people who have the same standards for quality and attention to detail as myself. This way we won't have to manage each other.

The Form Clothing Label will debut on September 25th at the In Good Fashion Show Charity Event. To see more of Julie's designs, visit her website at www.LOT201.com.

Top image courtesy of Bmore Media.

a few of my favorite things: vintage-inspired handbags

2010-09-07T10:43:00.000-07:00

These gorgeous handbags by Pistol Designs are vintage-inspired with a decidedly modern twist. Each handle is individually designed and then cut, sanded, and varnished by hand. Fabrics are vintage or from scavenged ends of drapery and upholstery bolts. In a word: darling.

Holiday Heap Applications are UP!

2010-09-02T10:47:00.001-07:00

Hey there crafters, it's that time of year! Applications are open for Holiday Heap 2010 - one of Baltimore's favorite indie craft holiday shopping events!

This year's Heap will be held on December 4th from 10am-5pm at 2640 St. Paul Street (St. John's Church) and will feature over 40 juried vendors from across the nation. Also included will be crafty demos from area crafters, a burrito truck, photos, and lots and lots of holiday cheer.

Deadline to apply is October 8th at midnight. Apply here now!

Featured Crafter: Kacey Stafford {Found Studio}

2010-09-02T07:43:00.001-07:00

What led you to pursue this particular craft?

Hmmmm...I think it chose me!! I've naturally been drawn to painting and designing since I was small. I've tried every type of media/crafting technique there is (almost) - and I kept coming back to painting. In college, I majored in Art Education which required me to take all types of art classes - printmaking, photography, ceramics, painting, sculpture. Each class enhanced my painting and gave me new ways of looking at and defining my process.

What materials do you use?

I prefer to work with paint and various collage materials. I love using vintage or discarded fabrics, papers, old letters, etc. Not only do I enjoy how these materials look, but it also feels good to know that I am re-purposing and re-using!!

Describe your process.

I am constantly looking for inspiration from nature, vintage items in antique/thrift stores, magazines - I love tearing out images that inspire me - I keep a notebook of them.

I work in layers. Normally, I start creating a textured collaged and painted background. On top of that collage I paint an image. I keep adding layers until it "feels right."

What do you hope to achieve with your work (professionally and personally)?

I hope to continue making work that inspires me and others. I'm thankful that I'm energized by my work; that it doesn't feel like a chore at this point. When it starts to feel like a chore, I will re-evaluate what I am doing!

Do you consider yourself an "indie artist"?

Yes, I am an "indie artist." I am my own designer, promoter, shipper, bookkeeper, etc. I must give my husband, Scott, some credit here. He often designs displays for me, helps me at shows, and is constantly coming up with clever and efficient suggestions. I have always had such a respect for "indie" artists. I smile to think that now I can consider myself one of them!!

What advice do you have for aspiring independent artists/crafters?

Don't be afraid to just START SOMEWHERE!!! Experiment and play with designs. Once you feel good about your product, then promote it...start and Etsy site, apply for a show. Remember, if you are not confident about your designs, no one else will be!! Be your own biggest fan and advocate. Also, set up a spreadsheet early and make it a habit of keeping up with your expenses...even if you only consider this a hobby. I am not always the best at this but it's the smart thing to do. You will be thankful to be organized come tax season AND this will help you know if you are making any money!

Share something that most people don't know about you.

I create silly things like ceramic bacon and mustaches because I love to see people's reactions to them!! They can make even the most somber customer smile and most folks downright giggle when they see them. It's always good for me to create something that is lighthearted and playful.

To see more work by Found Studio, visit Kacey's Etsy shop at www.foundstudio.etsy.com.

buy and/or sell crafts in patterson park

2010-08-27T12:15:00.000-07:00

Mark you calendars for the Patterson Park Flea Market & Craft Fair, on September 11th , 9am to 3pm. Location is on Lombard Street at Patterson Park Ave.

Want to sell your crafts? Spaces are only $25 (or $30 on the day of the market). Email bhfleamarket@yahoo.com or call 410.675.0148 for more information.

a few of my favorite things: badass crochet

2010-08-27T11:10:00.000-07:00

Spoken word poet turned designer Hone Gryn Eyz of HGE Designs has crafted one wicked badass collection of crochet couture. Check it out:

Photos by Daria Johnson.

Featured Crafter: Hillery Sproatt

2010-08-25T09:51:00.000-07:00

What led you to pursue crafting?

I always loved making things. I don't think it was so much a choice as it chose me. It seemed to be what I was best at.

What materials do you prefer and why?

I use mostly National Geographics from the 1950's-1980's when making collages. I think I prefer those years in part because of the imagery but also because the colors are so wonderful. The ink on the page is less saturated, it is more like hints of color. I also love to paint with gouache because it is very delicate.

I use lots of 100% natural linen, vintage cutting room scraps, and 100% wool felt that I order from Japan to make my embroidered objects. My mom is a woman's apparel designer; her company is called Rebe. I use lots of her fabric scraps as well to make my dolls and mobiles. She sources beautiful fabrics from all over the world. You can visit her site at www.myrebe.com.

What is your process like?

I am an intuitive maker. I don't often go into making with a plan. I try to look carefully at what I am making as I make it. I respond to what is happening in the work and go from there. I find it more fun that way and sometimes I end up somewhere I never imagined I'd be. I play.

What do you hope to achieve with your work (professionally and personally)?

I would love to have a store of found and handmade objects. It is my favorite dream. I hope to always be making things and support myself entirely by my handmade goods.

What advice do you have for other aspiring crafters?

Always be making even when it's not going well. Have fun. I often struggle with both of these things, but I've found that I make my favorite things when I remember them!

Do you consider yourself an "indie" crafter?

I am not sure I know what that means. I just think I am a maker of things.

Tell us something most people don't know about you.

I cry much too hard at movies - even the bad ones.

Visit Hillery's website at www.hilleryrs.com to read more about her work. She also has an Etsy shop and will be selling her work (along with her mother) at the Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago on September 11th-12th.

Images courtesy of Hillery Sproatt. Profile picture taken by Matthew Yake.

wanderlust: nashville

2010-08-25T08:53:00.001-07:00

Currently on exhibit at Nashville's Frist Center for the Visual Arts is The Golden Age of Couture: Paris and London 1947-1957, featuring the most glamorous fashion houses of Paris and London in the years following WWII.

This"golden age" of haute couture began with the launch of Christian Dior's couture house in 1947, which is still considered to be "the most successful fashion business model of the 20th century." The period ended with Dior's death in 1957.

The exhibition also includes work by Balenciaga, Givenchy, and Balmain, and photographs by Cecil Beaton, Richard Avedon, and Irving Penn.

What sounds very exciting, is their section on handcraft and techniques with undergarments and the insides of dresses on display.

How about hopping a plane to Nashville? The exhibition ends on September 12th.

Image courtesy of Sanford Myers for Nashville Lifestyles.

fine handworks festival

2010-08-25T06:12:00.001-07:00

On Saturday, September 25th, from noon until 5:00 pm, the First Unitarian Church of Baltimore will host its first annual Fine Handworks Festival, in the newly refurbished Enoch Pratt Parish Hall (North Charles between West Franklin and Hamilton Streets).

The festival will feature local artisans, a large used book sale, and food/drinks will be available for purchase. Admission is free.

Featured crafters include:

Brooke Behnken: custom pet portraits and prints
Lauren Brownlie: note cards, bookmarks, magnets and more
Betty Dabney: photographic prints and cards
Danamarie Hosler: soft sculpture
Laura Laing: sewn accessories
Pattie Lamberton: upcycled, vintage knitting needle jewelry
Ursula Marcum: decorative and functional art glass
Jen Menkhaus: hand-sewn felt accessories
Joyce Scott: beaded, sculptural jewelry

Image of beaded, sculptural jewelry by Joyce Scott, courtesy of Mobilia Gallery.

Featured Crafter: Jeffrey Everett {El Jefe Design}

2010-08-24T08:36:00.001-07:00

What led you to pursue design?

I didn't really choose to become a designer or artist, I just kinda was. I can't really ever see doing something different. I can not play music, I am horrible with math and science, and besides building IKEA furniture, I am not technically inclined.

I did choose to be a designer instead of a "fine" artist and I am happy I did.

What materials do you prefer and why?

I use bond paper, my sketch book, and my swank Prismacolor Lead Holder to do all initial sketching before transferring it to the computer to finish it off, add type, etc. I am still using Adobe CS 3 - Illustrator mostly - to work the art to finish. I purchase all my fonts and so should you. I use French Paper because the quality is outstanding.

What is your process like?

For concert posters, I listen to the band a lot. I pick up lyrics and imagery to get inspired on what to draw. Little details and references go a long way to appeal to fans and make the posters mean more to buyers. People can tell if you don't know the music.

Some bands, like The Gaslight Anthem, are rich with poetry and make it easy to draw out imagery to use. Other bands are more about feelings and intent so you have to do more interpreting. Neither way is better though I will say I have around 100+ unused sketches for Gaslight Anthem that may never be made into a final product.

What do you hope to achieve with your work (professionally and personally)?

I would like to eventually support myself full-time by doing posters and illustration. Right now, I do fun things like logos, websites, and other things to help pay the bills, which isn't bad but there is nothing like doing large scale illustration for people you respect.

Do you consider yourself an "indie" artist?

I do. Mainly because I fell I work outside of the "fine" art world (though my work has occasionally been shown in galleries) and my work is not seen as important as "real" design jobs like annual reports and logos (though my work has been shown in many design magazines and books). What I do, i feel, straddles the line between "art" and "design" and thus is neither. Some people feel concert posters are about advertising the band, while others will buy a poster regardless of who it is for - they just like the art.

I get a lot of "that would be fun to do" by designers and artists who don't know how hard it is to do this.

What advice would you give to other aspiring artists/designers?

Learn how to talk about your work and don't be shy. Don't wait for people to give you assignments - be your own client - create things to do. Get a lawyer and accountant to help you build and protect your business. Pay your taxes!

Tell us something that most people don't know about you.

My son Max can draw better than me.

Visit El Jefe Design to learn more or purchase work. Jeffrey has posters for The Bouncing Souls, The Budos Band, New Medicine, Wovenhand, and The Gaslight Anthem coming out soon. Stay in touch and sign up for his e-newsletter at http://www.eljefedesign.com/ or become a fan on Facebook. You can also check out the El Jefe Design Etsy shop to purchase his new line of tees, or visit him in person at Crafty Bastards in Washington D.C. on October 2nd.

don't forget those crafty bastards

2010-08-23T10:41:00.001-07:00

Just a little reminder to mark your calendars (if you have not done so already) for Crafty Bastards 2010 on Saturday, October 2nd. The fair will take place from 10am - 5pm on the grounds of the Marie Reed Learning Center in Adams Morgan, Washington D.C.

Read more here.

Image by 2hawks2fishes.

Featured Crafter: Elizabeth Voss {Raw Olive}

2010-08-23T08:14:00.000-07:00

What led you to this particular craft?

Raw Olive was born out of a desire to find pure, natural body products for my family. I was shocked to learn that a lot of the "natural" products offered at health food stores still included potentially harmful ingredients such as parabens, sodium laurel sulfate, and petroleum. I started experimenting in my kitchen with natural ingredients that were already in my cabinets such as cold-pressed olive oil, raw sugar and raw honey, to name a few. Soon enough, friends and family were hooked on some of our yummy creations.

Raw Olive has become a perfect marriage between my love for cooking and all things natural.

What is your process like?

The creative process is what I enjoy most. With three girls, 7, 9, and 12, I am constantly trying to create products that I feel comfortable with them using. Once I have an idea, I experiment in the kitchen until I am happy with the final product. Once complete, I test the new product on my family and audacious friends and hope it's a hit.

What do hope to achieve with your work (professionally and personally)?

With Raw Olive, I am devoted to educating people about the dangers of chemical-laden body products and providing a pure, natural alternative. I strive to provide products with as many food-grade and organic ingredients as possible. My mission is to create handcrafted, natural body products that are safe for the consumer and the environment. If I do this, I have succeeded both professionally and personally.

What advice do you have for other aspiring crafters?

Do what you love and offer a quality product. Whatever you are trying to sell has a little piece of you in it, so you need to be proud of your products. I'm also a big fan of Etsy. I started my shop a few months ago and absolutely love the forum for selling. Etsy crafters are incredibly creative and inspiring.

Do you consider yourself an "indie crafter"?

I am totally an indie crafter. I love the freedom of owning my own business and having total control from beginning to end. Sadly enough, the corporate giants have compromised their quality with cheap, and potentially dangerous ingredients in order to greedily make money. I don't subscribe to that. We need more environmentally and socially responsible companies to step forward and lead the beauty industry.

Tell us something that not many people know about you.

I sometimes race mountain bikes and don't like to lose!

In Good Fashion

2010-08-22T03:49:00.000-07:00

Get your tickets for the In Good Fashion Fashion Show Charity Event on September 25th, from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Clipper Mill Pool.

Produced by Form Boutique and Urbanite Magazine, the show will feature exclusive fall fashions from Form and debut the new Form clothing label by shop owner Aimee Bracken and local designer Julie Bent (the creative force behind LOT 201).

In Good Fashion will benefit House of Ruth Maryland, and all guests are asked to bring at least one item of women's clothing in good condition to donate to Ruth's Closet.

Pre-show offerings include a silent auction, swag bag, and the oppportunity to shop Eye Candy, No Worries Cosmetics, and Rebecca Myers Jewelry.

Light fare and cocktails will be provided by Zia's Cafe and Woodberry Kitchen.

Space is limited and tickets must be purchased prior to September 8th. Tickets are $80 (VIP) and $55 (general). Contact Aimee Bracken at Form Boutique for more information: aimee@formtheboutique.com or 410-889-3116.

lovely news from lovelyarns

2010-08-20T20:07:00.000-07:00

Check it out: new yarns, fall classes, hats and mittens for Hampden Elementary School, and a big 'ole Trunk Show on September 12th! That's just some of the most recent lovely news from Lovely Yarns. For details, visit their website or just head over to Hampden for some of the most droolworthy yarns in town.

Image courtesy of ArtYarn.

buy bye natty paint

2010-08-18T07:19:00.000-07:00

The time has come to bid farewell to one of Baltimore's most beloved indie designers: Emily Li Mandri of Natty Paint, who will soon be heading north to get her MBA at NYU. In celebration of her departure, Emily will host a final summer sale at her house/Natty Paint headquarters in Hampden, this Sunday from 2PM - 8PM. All tees and tanks will be going for $10, and all vintage will be $20. 812 Powers Street. Stop by, say bye, and buy some stuff. We'll miss you Natty Paint. Good luck!

Stay in touch with Natty Paint: visit her website, blog, and Facebook page.

raw olive+resonates=yum

2010-08-16T12:23:00.000-07:00

Local crafters Raw Olive and Resonates have a sweet thing going: they promote each other's work on Etsy. Both sellers have a shop section called "Our Etsy Friends," where they list one another's products. So, while browsing for sugar scrubs and body butter, you might very well stumble across a pretty resin pendant, or vice versa. And, for a limited time, Resonates is offering free shipping AND a free Raw Olive lip balm with any order of 2 necklaces. Yum.

Images courtesy of Raw Olive and Resonates.

SKILLED: Art, Labor, and Business in Baltimore

2010-08-10T10:38:00.001-07:00

"Baltimore is a place where artists can build their own economies: rather than coming to or staying in Baltimore to fill a job, creative people in this city make them," says artist Hannah Brancato, whose current project SKILLED: Art, Labor, and Business in Baltimore, documents how artists build business and contribute to their local economy through a creatively driven practice.

As an MFA candidate in MICA's Community Art program, Hannah recently served as a full-time Artist-in-Residence at House Of Ruth Maryland, where she taught women to create and sell jewelry in support of the shelter's art program. The empowering effect of using labor to both help oneself and to give back in some way led Hannah to think about how and why people make crafts in general, and how, purposefully or not, making and selling things helps to improve a person's surroundings. This experience, combined with her hypothesis that "people need a feeling of empowerment and control over their work in order to feel valuable" led to SKILLED.

Presented as a collection of conversations with artisans who have made their craft into their work, SKILLED will mark the beginnings of Hannah's research into the impact that small, creative business has on personal and collective happiness. The project will also provide advice, tools, and resources about how to start and maintain a small business in Baltimore.

AND (drum roll) I am so excited to announce that on September 13th, SKILLED will make its debut right here on Baltimore by Hand, with an interview profiling Kasey and Kelly Evick of Biggs and Featherbelle - a company that makes, markets, packages, and distributes health conscious body care products (pictured above).

"In documenting these businesses and individuals, SKILLED will help form a network of artists who are working from the ground up to shape Baltimore's future," says Hannah, whose lineup of forthcoming interviews includes some of Baltimore's best artisans.

So please mark your calendar and don't miss this ongoing series of engaging conversations about craft, creativity, and collective happiness. See you in September!

Image courtesy of Hannah Brancato.

cover story

2010-07-28T10:07:00.000-07:00

Props to Natty Paint for getting an awesome feature story and cover page in today's City Paper! Read the full article here.

Image courtesy of the Baltimore City Paper.

would you wear this?

2010-07-27T14:20:00.001-07:00

What is it exactly? A Pocket Vulva. Yep. That's what it is. And it's available in any color you want.

Hand knitted by local crafter NYMG, it's officially a brooch and also (less officially but perhaps not) quite the crafty way for you to "show off your fabulous [feminist] side."

Actually I remember purchasing a crocheted vagina change purse years ago at a local craft show here in Baltimore. My mother of all people was so captivated by it that she begged me to make her one for Christmas. So, I figured out how to make a personalized version with extra furry yellow yarn for the lining (my mother is blonde). That's probably TMI, but who cares? I'm in a TMI kind of mood after seeing The Pocket Vulva for the first time.

So, what do you think? Would you wear it? Leave your answer below.

Image courtesy of artist.

new natty paint

2010-06-11T07:38:00.000-07:00

Really loving the new collection at Natty Paint. For one week only, she's offering a free tote with any purchase. Hurry up.

Be there

2010-05-04T08:14:00.001-07:00

'nuff said.

A new degree for artists and crafters

2010-05-04T07:13:00.000-07:00

While browsing The Storque this morning, I came across an article about MICA's new Master of Professional Studies in the Business of Art and Design (MPSBAD). David Gracyalny, dean of the School for Professional and Continuing Studies at MICA, talks about the program, which is slated to launch in the summer of 2011. He says, "The curriculum emphasizes the skills and knowledge needed - whether you hope to start, grow, or sustain an art or design related business - by combining online instruction, independent study, and brief residencies at MICA."

MICA is working collaboratively with Etsy to "clarify the goals of the MPSBAD and to create short-term programming focused on business skills for artists and designers..." A short survey was developed in an effort to gather input from folks like you and to ensure that the curriculum is fully realized and comprehensive. Read the full article here.

Image courtesy of buygollymissmolly.

Handmade, Fair Trade and the Artisanal Production of Clothes tonight at MICA

2010-04-22T09:08:00.000-07:00

Who designed your clothes? Where were they made? And who made them? Join members of the Baltimore craft and design community for a conversation with artists and designers whose projects address those question and look at how our clothes are made tonight, 5-6:30 PM, at the Brown Center, Room 320.

Featuring:

Kevin Sherry and Jean-Baptiste Regnard, Squidfire, Baltimore
Squidfire is a silkscreen studio that creates a variety of apparel using the studio's original art. Squidfire uses a manual press to print all items, making each piece unique. The company has a retail store in Hampden, operates a series of Art Marts featuring locally made crafts, and sells apparel through an online shop and stores internationally.

Travis Boyer, artist, Brooklyn, NYC
Distinguished as a textile art innovator, Boyer is at the center of several fashion projects including silk-painting duo Donnie & Travis and craft-action yarn happening Pon-a-Thon with Abby Walton. He helped launch Flex Your Textiles and J'APPROVE, a performance-oriented fashion line with K8 Hardy for JF & Son, where he works as a curator. J'APPROVE is one of a series of artist designed textile and fashion multiples produced in Delhi, India at the JF & Son production studio for Boyer's MFT* (my favorite things).

Kelly Cobb, artist and professor, Department of Fashion & Apparel Studies, The University of Delaware
Cobb is a Philadelphia based creative designer. Currently, she is applying concepts utilized in current agricultural sustainability initiatives such as the slow/local food movement and community supported agriculture to textile and apparel production by focusing on slow and local production of an heirloom product via artisanal methods.

This even is sponsored by the MICA Fiber Department and Alumni Relations

Press release and image courtesy of MICA.

Craft for a cause

2010-04-11T07:47:00.001-07:00

Mark your calendar for the Jubilee Arts & Community Arts Fair & Reflections Art Show on April 24th at the Harris-Marcus Center, where items from The House of Ruth Jewelry Projects will be on display and available for purchase.

Part of the Art + Craft Program at the House of Ruth, the Jewelry Project is led by community artist Hannah Brancato, who works with shelter residents to design and make jewelry. 100% of the proceeds from the Jewelry Project are given to House of Ruth's Art + Craft Program, which facilitates proejcts that promote awareness about domestic violence.

To read more, visit Hannah's blog. To purchase jewelry online, visit The Jewelry Project.

Images courtesy of Hannah Brancato.

Happy Birthday Shine Collective!

2010-04-09T11:09:00.000-07:00

Since their first days on Hampden's Avenue, Shine Collective has been a champion of indie design and local art. Join them in celebration of their 8th birthday, this evening at their brand new space in The Foundry at Clipper Mill.

Awesome sales, new items, and vintage goods will be plentiful. Light refreshments will be served. Festivities begin at 7 pm.

Shine is located at 2010 Clipper Park Road, #105. For more information, visit their website or call 410.366.6100.

Current Read: Handmade Nation

2010-03-13T07:26:00.000-08:00

Roller Queen by Jenny Hart.

Jenny Hart of Sublime Stitching definitively makes the claim that "crafting is better than drugs, alcohol, or therapy." It's one of my favorite quotes from the documentary film Handmade Nation: The Rise of DIY, Art, Craft, and Design, which screened in MICA's Falvey Hall on February 25th. Those privileged enough to attend were privy to a discussion with the film's producer and director, Faythe Levine, who I'm pretty sure inspired everyone in that auditorium with her laid back wisdom about following dreams.

Faythe first encountered the indie craft scene as a vendor at the Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago in 2003. One year later, she founded the Art vs. Craft fair in her hometown of Milwaukee. Faythe continued to run her own crafy business, Flying Fish Design, and also opened Paper Boat Boutique & Gallery. Three years passed and DIY wouldn't die. In the book Handmade Nation (a companion to the film), Faythe explains how the craft scene was growing exponentially, "It reached out virtually through websites, blogs, and online stores, while brick-and-mortar boutiques, studios, galleries, and craft fairs connected the greater public regionally." She felt a sense of urgency to document this burgeoning movement before things changed too fast.

In 2006, Faythe traveled 19,000 miles and interviewed more than 80 independent artists and designers. Their stories, which are told one after the other in the film, are amusing, enlightening, and downright inspirational. If ever you think that knitting, painting, stitching, or beading won't amount to much more than a hobby - think again. These folks are committed to their craft, and while they concede that business isn't always booming, their underlying message, as expressed by the author herself, is a compelling one: "I am making my own destiny with what I create, whether it is with the materials I pick, the colors I choose, or the words I write."

The film, Handmade Nation: The Rise of DIY, Art, Craft, and Design is available at Buy Olympia. The book is available at Amazon.

Oh Yeah Silkscreen Poster by J W & Melissa Buchanan.

Swans latch-hook rug by Whitney Lee.

Cover page of Handmade Nation.

Spruce up your space.

2010-03-12T08:59:00.000-08:00

Spring cleaning always leaves me with the impulse to refashion my surroundings. The above collection of images is a salute to fresh colors, vintage details, and handmade goodness - all local and available on Etsy.

Radica pillow, Lana Kole wall decal, Uncommon Eye dessert glasses, Vintage Aimee suncatcher, Bluebell desk lamp.

A handmade hello to springtime.

2010-03-12T06:38:00.001-08:00

Cool colors, floral prints, soft linen, and a touch of whimsy. What are you waiting for? Get dressed.

Floral Kimono Top by Lot201

Twiggy Wire Vine Crown by whichgoose

Vixen in Linen Dress by Kathy Vales: The Garbologist's Wife

Vintage Peacock Floral Onesie by Natty Paint

Call for donations!

2010-02-21T08:30:00.000-08:00

House of Ruth Maryland's Art+Craft Program is in search of crochet hooks of all sizes, and yarns of all colors and materials, for their Advocate Through Art workshop series. Workshop participants will create a series of crocheted creations to be displayed as part of a public art installation in June 2010.

Advocate Through Art teaches domestic violence survivors and their children to create public artworks about their experiences. An exhibition of recent work is currently on display at Jubilee Arts, 1947 Pennsylvania Ave, with a closing reception scheduled for February 27th from 3:30 - 5:30.

The Art+Craft Program at House of Ruth Maryland's emergency shelter was founded in 2008. Its mission is to use crafting to help domestic violence survivors heal and regain confidence. In fall 2009, the Advocate Through Art workshops were launched with the intent to educate the public about domestic violence, and the myriad of issues and warning signs connected with abusive relationships. These workshops simultaneously provide an outlet for women and their children who are living in House of Ruth's temporary shelter. By telling their stories, domestic violence survivors gain the power to break the cycle of violence, create awareness, and instigate action.

Please contact Hannah Brancato, hbrancato@hruthmd.org, to arrange a pick-up or drop-off time!

Tonight at Station North Art Cafe Gallery

2010-02-19T10:00:00.001-08:00

Come and see local artist Laura Kindseth's collection of vibrant color photographs, captured during her time in the American Southwest. Last summer, during an extended stay in Santa Fe, Laura embarked on what she calls "an expose of the Southwest." Laura's images are an exploration of smaller details, rather than larger landscapes. "Instead of depicting scenes or panoramas," she says, "I wanted to capture the feeling of close up and behind walls and gates, without being too nosey!"

And while most of the images on exhibit were taken in Santa Fe, a few are from another recent trip through southwestern Colorado and the historic mining town of Crested Butte.

The reception will run from 5pm until 7pm. Station North Art Cafe Gallery is located at 1816 North Charles Street.

DIY block printing

2010-02-13T06:31:00.000-08:00

Looking for something creative to do this afternoon? I know it's a little last minute, but think of it as a mini adventure through the snowy streets of Baltimore to the Woman's Industrial Exchange where from 12pm - 3pm, you can learn single-color block printing.

Free of charge, this hands-on DIY workshop will explore how to create block prints on paper. Other methods of DIY block printing, such as linocutting, will also be discussed. Materials are provided. Simply call 410.685.4388 or email wiedirector@gmail.com to reserve a space in advance.

Of course if you're like me, and have not yet managed to dig your car out of the second round of snow but would still like to try your hand at block printing, check out this awesome tutorial by Lizzy House.

Image courtesy of dailyartmasomenos.

Faythe Levine comes to MICA

2010-02-11T14:28:00.000-08:00

On Thursday, February 25th at 7 pm, the Maryland Institute College of Art will host Faythe Levine, director and producer of Handmade Nation: The Rise of DIY, Art, Craft, and Design to present a free screening of the 2009 documentary film and discuss the contemporary craft movement with guests.

Dubbed "the ambassador of handmade" by the New York Times, Levine traveled to 15 cities in 2006, where she interviewed more than 80 indepedents artists and designers about their growing community. Handmade Nation has since been shown at hundreds of museums, festivals, colleges, and universities around the country. There's also a corresponding book with the same title.

The screening and talk will be held in the Brown Center's Falvey Hall. For a sneak peek of the film, visit http://www.handmadenationmovie.com/.

Seriously people, do whatever you must to re-arrange your schedules and go see this film and its founder in the flesh. You won't regret it.

Image courtesy of the New York Times.

Indulge in BOCAGE

2010-02-09T16:11:00.000-08:00

At the risk of sounding selfish, I should preface this post by admitting that I haven't written about BOCAGE New York before now because I covet everything they sell. Somewhere in my feverish brain, I've convinced myself that one day I'll buy everything on their site...but that's ridiculous...or is it?

BOCAGE is a wonderful website that caters to the hunter in you. They carry oodles of handpicked beads, bobbles, chains, buttons, feathers, ribbons, findings, trimmings, paint, paper, stamps, and embellishments - almost all of which are out of circulation or vintage. Founder Stephanie Kheder Bodine developed BOCAGE to "share her lifetime passion for vintage materials and accessories with people just as obsessed with the constant hunt for special, hard to find treasures that make life more beautiful." The best part: Stephanie has killer taste.

So while you're navigating the delightful maze of treasures on BOCAGE, I'm going to sweep up a few of my favorite things before they're all gone. Happy hunting!

Handmade gets hot for Valentine's Day

2010-01-28T08:27:00.000-08:00

Looking for a hot, sweaty, and potentially dirty way to celebrate Valentine's Day this year? Why not enroll in a glass blowing mini-workshop at Corradetti Glassblowing Studio? Put on your sexiest pair of rough-and-tumble jeans and head over to their Clipper Mill location, where you'll learn to tranform molten glass into a 3" floating heart solid paperweight.

Choose between two workshops (multiple one-hour time slots are scheduled througout each day):

Saturday, February 6th - open to ages 8 and up. Cost is $55.

Wednesday, February 10th - for adults only, this workshop includes wine and cheese from Woodberry Kitchen. Cost is $65.

Spaces are filling quickly, so register online today!

Indie Fixx Haiti Relief Fundraiser

2010-01-26T07:26:00.001-08:00

It's Day 9/10 of the Indie Fixx Haiti Relief Fundraiser - an online silent auction of items donated by indie crafters, designers and artists. 100% of the proceeds raised will be given to the Red Cross International Response Fund, in support of those who survived the earthquake in Port au Prince. Local crafters Yummy and Company, Block Party Press and Sweet Pepita are participating in the auction.

Bid now at Indie Fixx while there's still time left!

This year's picks for AltCraft

2010-01-25T09:06:00.000-08:00

Seven local indie artists have been selected (from hundreds of applicants, mind you) to present their work at the 34th annual American Craft Council Show on February 25-28 at the Baltimore Convention Center.

Juliet Ames (The Broken Plate Pendant Company), Danamarie Hosler (Greenstarstudio), Val Lucas (Bowerbox Press), Shawna Pincus (Pinkkiss Pottery), Elisa Shere (Elisa Shere Jewelry), Sherry Insley (Dandelion Blu), and Velina Glass Studio will join other indie artists from around the country in representing the AltCraft category of this massive event, where over 700 of the nation's top contemporary craft artists present their work each year.

What used to be a small category with a handful of indie artists, AltCraft has expanded to feature 20 crafters whose work demonstrates DIY techniques and/or utilizes sustainable, eco-friendly materials and methods.

Congratulations ladies, for navigating a rigorous jury process and strutting your stuff at one of the world's most prestigious craft shows. We'll see you there!

Image courtesy of Bowerbox Press.

Baltimore by Hand revived

2010-01-25T03:44:00.000-08:00

I am thrilled to be re-launching Baltimore by Hand: a blog about the indie craft community in and around Baltimore.

I first began Baltimore by Hand in August '08 as a daily blog at baltimoresun.com. After a year, it was absorbed into B'More Green, where I now blog about green living alongside Sun reporters Meredith Cohen and Tim Wheeler.

While I love contributing to B'More Green (and will continue to do so), I've missed writing exclusively about the local handmade movement and ALL that it encompasses. This blog will feature local artists, crafters and designers, DIY projects, upcoming events, places to shop, and other handmade happenings.

Here's how you can get involved in Baltimore by Hand:

Help spread the word! Add (or update) the link to Baltimore by Hand on your website or blog: http://baltimorebyhand.blogspot.com/
Become a fan of Baltimore by Hand on Facebook
Follow Baltimore by Hand on Twitter
Join the Baltimore by Hand group on Flickr
Write to me at baltimorebyhand@gmail.com if you'd like to be featured or know someone who would!

I hope that each and every one of you will take part in making Baltimore by Hand an entertaining and inspiring read. Your thoughts and ideas are always welcome so please don't hesitate to share your world with us. It's a blog - there's room for everyone!

2010-01-06T19:34:00.000-08:00

Coming soon!