Happy Holidays from the Charm City Craft Mafia!

Yes, I'm blogging on Christmas.
I just wanted to take a moment to wish all of our friends, families and fans a splendid holiday season. Peace and joy to you and yours.
Love,
The Mafia

Holiday Booty Mart DC THIS SATURDAY!!!!

tina seamonster

the littlest bean
Here it is, folks! Your last weekend to buy something from your favorite crafters in person in 2009. Everything from our president fighting zombies on a tshirt to these sweet felt flower brooches.
Come visit 20 of our favorite crafty pals and our friends The Craft Mutiny at the Design Within Reach store in DC on Saturday from 10-5. As if Design Within Reach wasn't a cool enough store to shop in for holiday gifts - now it's also going to be chock full of hand-makers of soap, jewelry, apparel, scarves, toys and papergoods. Oh...and did we mention baked goods? There will be free holiday treats too. Name one good reason NOT to come! We dare you!!


Holiday Booty Market
Saturday, December 19 from 10am-5pm
Design Within Reach store
1838 Columbia Rd. NW
Washington, DC

Phampersand Press Giveaway!

Looking for a new day planner for 2010? Enter to win one from Phampersand Press! Details, over at Phu's blog.

Craft Month Galore!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
to all who came out to shop, sell, gawk & support at Holiday Heap this weekend. We are truly a lucky little bunch to have such a supportive city around us, full of such talented folks. We had an absolute blast - from a punchy & hilarious 5am setup - through seven hours of glorious shopping indoors while it snowed outside - right up to our celebratory hot toddy's after 6pm cleanup. We had the best crowds to date, and the most fun to date. We're so glad you're all here to share this fine city with us!

Miss Holiday Heap on Saturday?
NO SWEAT! Here's a list of some upcoming fairs our members are taking part in:

Squidfire's Holiday Art Mart
Saturday, December 12 - 11-6pm
Dubruns Arena
1301 S Ellwood Ave
Baltimore

Binge
Saturday, December 12 - 12-8pm
Gilah Press
3506 Ash Street
Baltimore, MD 21211

Handmade Arcade
Saturday, December 12 - 11-8pm
Hunt Armory
324 Emerson Street
Pittsburgh

holiday gift bazaar in Hampden
Sunday, December 13, 2009 - 9 - 3pm
623 W. 34th St.
Baltimore

MICA Art Market
December 9th thru 12th - 11-6pm
MD Institute College of Art
Brown Center
Mt Royal Ave
Baltimore

last minute maul
December 13th - 10am-5pm
School 33 Art Center
1427 Light St.
Baltimore

Holiday Booty Mart
Saturday, December 19 - 10-5pm
Design Within Reach
1838 Columbia Rd NW
Washington, DC

Craftland Holiday Shop
December (all month) - open 10am-6pm
7 days a week
Porvidence, RI

One of a Kind Show & Sale
Friday, Dec. 11th
Saturday, Dec. 12th
Sunday, Dec. 13th
Pier 19
12th Avenue & 55th
New York, NY

(have a local DIY fair we didn't list? email us! charmcitycraftmafia@gmail.com)

Holiday Heap Vendor - JennyJen42

"Jennyjen42 is a unique line of handmade gifts that are fresh, practical and have a fun sense of spirit and nostalgia to them. Featuring narrative pillows and tote bags inspired by the bird parties that are frequently held around JennyJen’s bird feeder in her back yard in Baltimore. Jennyjen products accessorize wardrobe and home in a fun range of campy to classic at affordable prices.
When she isn't teaching high school kiddies, on her bike, working on the yard, or hanging out being lazy, jennyjen can be found in her sweat shop!"
It is no secret I love Jenny's work. My living room is full of her pillows, and my etsy favorites keep even more of them in good company. I love the lightheartedness of her illustrations and the whimsy in her colors & subject matter, and the fact that she's also the full time head of a high school art department is truly inspiring to me. I don't know where her energy comes from, but I'm glad she's managed to sustain it. Can't wait to see what she'll be showing this weekend!

HOLIDAY HEAP IS TOMORROW??????!!!!!!!
SEE YOU THERE!

Holiday Heap Vendor- Pick of the Litter

Traditional-style walnut banjos 2009 Constructed from a damaged piece of antique furniture.

First time Holiday Heap vendor Lee Connah's hand made instruments are meant to be played. They are as functional as they are beautiful, and their eco-minded construction means that they are each unique.


Scotch Tape Travel Banjo 2007 The neck of this instrument is made from discarded Jotoba flooring. The resonator is an old Scotch Tape can.

How often do you get to play your art?

Holiday Heap Vendor: Betz White

Betz White can only be described as a super crafty super star. You may recognize her name from one of her books. There's Warm Fuzzies: 30 Sweet Felted Projects and Sewing Green: 25 Projects Made with Repurposed & Organic Materials. Or maybe you saw her on Martha Stewart.

This author, designer and maker of the most delicious felted knit cupcakes you ever wanted to eat (but please don't eat them!) is new to Maryland and a first time Holiday Heap vendor. I can't wait to see her eco-friendly confections in person... I have just a little bit of a sweet tooth.

Holiday Heap Vendor - Yummy & Company

I'm enjoying the simplicity of color & form in the work of Baltimore based Yummy & Company.
She makes teensie little planters, all sizes of necklace, rings, cufflinks & more out of clay. I feel like they could be dressy or casual, and even somewhere in between. Black clay is the new pearl necklace? Maybe not quite... but these are still awesome. Yummy & company also makes Apparel & papergoods!