Meet Holiday Heap's tigerlillyshop

Allison of tigerlillyshop claims that running her own business closely resembles the life cycle of the perennial tiger lily. Here's what else you can expect of our Holiday Heap vendor!

In three words or less, please tell us about yourself.
urban nature collector

If your work had a theme song, what would it be?
birds singing

It's a typical Wednesday night. Where are you?
fighting sleep on the couch watching "cool tv" videos

If you could create a craft, other than your craft, what craft would you craft?
it's a toss up: lace making or heavy metal fabrication

Grilled or deep fried?
grilled, unless they are pickles.

Meet Holiday Heap's Sweet Pepita!

Everything changed once Sweet Pepita was born. Shannon Kline and her husband have always been environmentally conscious but now Shannon will be the first to tell you that it feels a little more urgent. So here she is, sewing her butt off and keeping our favorite little miss monkey paws out of the trash. Ahhhh... life with Pepita.

In three words or less, please tell us about yourself.
working mom guilt

If your work had a theme song, what would it be? 
I Love Rock N Roll by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts!

It's a typical Wednesday night. Where are you?
On the couch with my husband and dog watching the scary show - unless it's too scary.

If you could create a craft, other than your craft, what craft would you craft?
I'd carve tiny wooden chairs for dioramas.

Grilled or deep fried?
Fried. Always fried.

Meet Holiday Heap's Found Studio!

Found Studio's Kacey Stafford is drawn to vintage fabrics & lace, smelly old book pages, and handwritten letters & notes from 50+ years ago. She ritually visits her favorite thrift shop in hopes of finding goods to repurpose in her art. 

In three words or less, please tell us about yourself.
Squirrely, Squirrely, and more Squirrely.

If your work had a theme song, what would it be?  
Pencil Thin Mustache by Jimmy Buffett

It's a typical Wednesday night. Where are you?
Usually eating dinner with good friends!
 
If you could create a craft, other than your craft, what craft would you craft?
I would really like to sew, but I'm afraid my brain doesn't work that way! Darn it!

Grilled or deep fried?
Is this a question?  DEEP FRIED!!

Meet Holiday Heap's Red Prairie Press!

Red Prairie Press = Original designs, hand screen printed, on comfy clothing. But our favorite Rachel Bone can't be summed up quite as easily. (This is why I'm asking the tough Nancy Grace questions of all our Holiday Heap vendors!) 

In three words or less, please tell us about yourself.
Tone-deaf Singalong Enthusiast

If your work had a theme song, what would it be? 
Sloop John B by the Beach Boys or that MaNAmana song the muppets sing?

It's a typical Wednesday night. Where are you? 
Watching movies and inventing new snacks with Phil.

If you could create a craft, other than your craft, what craft would you craft?
Hand painted signs, or braided rugs. Oh, or cake decorating.
 
Grilled or deep fried?
Grilled.

Meet Holiday Heap's Phampersand Press!

It’s Busy-Busy-Business Time at the Phampersand Press Studio (also lovingly known as Phu's dining table and front corner of her living room) as she prepares for the annual Holiday Heap. I don't know how she keeps the cat off of all her prep supplies but someone she has that little man under control! 

In three words or less, please tell us about yourself. 
Bookish Sass Machine 

If your work had a theme song, what would it be?
 The Sky Lit Up by PJ Harvey 

It's a typical Wednesday night. Where are you? 
At hot yoga, followed by negating the workout with tacos and margaritas with my BFF. 

If you could create a craft, other than your craft, what craft would you craft?
 I would love to learn all about blown glass.

Grilled or deep fried? 
Deep fried. topped with bacon crumbles.

Meet Holiday Heap's Bowerbox Press!

Bowerbox Press is owned and operated by MICA graduate, Val Lucas. Val rescued a 1901 Colt's Armory letterpress from a basement in Baltimore, and after two months of cleaning and restoration... Well, you'll see her masterpieces at Holiday Heap!

In three words or less, please tell us about yourself.
Bird Nerd Printer

If your work had a theme song, what would it be?
It's the song my press sings while I'm working- ka-CHUNK ka-CHUNK ka-CHUNK!

It's a typical Wednesday night. Where are you?
In front of the small press in the living room printing cards, or folding & packaging what's dry from last week.

If you could create a craft, other than your craft, what craft would you craft?
Ceramics. I took a few ceramics courses and loved it!
 
Grilled or deep fried? 
Grilled, unless it's a candy bar!

Meet Holiday Heap's Carlybird Weaves!

If I were to describe my Charm City Craft Mafia friend, Carlybird Weaves, I would say this Amazon indie crafter is a weaving, loud-hymn singing, old-timey listening, hula-hooping rascal. (Actually, I think she may have said it first...)

In three words or less, please tell us about yourself.
Weave.  Sing.  Over-think.

If your work had a theme song, what would it be? 
This is impossible (see above--I over-think everything)....but maybe North Salem, a lovely fire and brimstone shape-note tune written in 1799.

It's a typical Wednesday night. Where are you?
Drinking a beer, trying to figure out how to organize my time and space.

If you could create a craft, other than your craft, what craft would you craft? 
Books.  I love handmade books!

Grilled or deep fried?
Grilled (cheese).

Meet Holiday Heap's HVM Designs!

HVM Designs is a one-woman crafting factory, powered by Charm City Craft Mafia member, Heather von Marko. In business since August 1st, 2005, operations have taken over the third bedroom of the family's small row house! 

In three words or less, please tell us about yourself.
Wears many hats.

If your work had a theme song, what would it be?
"If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out" by Cat Stevens.

It's a typical Wednesday night. Where are you?
Home, next to kids, yarn in hand, slippers on feet.

If you could create a craft, other than your craft, what craft would you craft?
POTTERY OMG. 

Grilled or deep fried?
Grilled.

Meet Holiday Heap's El Jefe Design!

Simply put: El Jefe always delivers heavy-weight design.

In three words or less, please tell us about yourself.
Failed rock star.

If your work had a theme song, what would it be?
Rollins Band's Hotter and Hotter.

It's a typical Wednesday night. Where are you?
Either putting my two boys to sleep, wrapping posters for shipping, or catching a concert.

If you could create a craft, other than your craft, what craft would you craft?
I think my wife would appreciate it if I started making jewelry.

Grilled or deep fried?
Sigh. Deep fried.

Meet Holiday Heap's littlest bean!

When Jen (aka the littlest bean) was a child, one of her favorite things was opening a brand new box of crayons – 64 glorious colors hidden in a little cardboard box. She loved the limitless variations that were possible. As she got older, even though her wardrobe began to consist of mostly black, she still gravitated toward colorful bits like a raven. Buttons, yarn, fabric, beads, even glass rod… She would take it all home.

In three words or less, please tell us about yourself.
Loud, loving spaz.

If your work had a theme song, what would it be?  
Hmmm, my work?  I'm not sure... but the song that's in my head most often while I'm working is "No Sleep 'til Brooklyn."

It's a typical Wednesday night. Where are you?
Sitting in the living room, watching movies and cutting felt.

If you could create a craft, other than your craft, what craft would you craft?  
I love installation work. I could dream up installations forever and ever.

Grilled or deep fried?
Grilled.

Meet Holiday Heap's jennyjen42!

JennyJen... The name given to her new life... 42. The age where she became a kid again. This painter-turned-seamstress has a mission to create a unique line of handmade gifts that are fresh, practical and have a fun sense of spirit and nostalgia to them. Her narrative pillows and tote bags are inspired by the bird parties that are frequently held around JennyJen’s bird feeder in her Baltimore backyard.

In three words or less, please tell us about yourself. 
flexible work-a-holic

If your work had a theme song, what would it be? 
Let me think... Bluebird by Buffalo Springfield.

It's a typical Wednesday night. Where are you? 
Dinner, sweat shopping, and relaxing with my English fellow.

If you could create a craft, other than your craft, what craft would you craft? 
Making plushies!

Grilled or deep fried? 
Grilled.

Meet Holiday Heap's Elisa Shere Jewelry!

Elisa Shere Jewelry is all about rustic sterling silver jewelry made from recycled materials. The jewelry is carefully handcrafted from scratch using recycled, non-mined sterling silver that was processed in an earth friendly refinery. How cool is it that she has also eliminated most chemicals from the studio?!

First things first. Congratulations to our new Holiday Heap Mom!


In three words or less, please tell us about yourself. 
Super woman.

If your work had a theme song, what would it be?
I've given this some thought and I think my work would have more of a soundtrack than just one song. My work varies based on my love of color/feminine themes and my love of organic/geometic themes. So, I would say my soundtrack would be "The Royal Tenenbaums". Lots of interludes, energetic sounds, more introspective songs. It makes sense.

It's a typical Wednesday night. Where are you?
Right now, either snuggling my new baby or trying to get a few minutes up in my studio making beautiful jewelry for Holiday Heap.

If you could create a craft, other than your craft, what craft would you craft?
I wish I could sew or knit. I've always been terrible at these, but would love to learn.

Grilled or deep fried?
If I had to choose just one, I would say deep fried.

Meet Holiday Heap's Tasha McKelvey!

When googling "Tasha McKelvey," you'll find her listed under "handmade clay goodness." Her woodland and garden-inspired pottery is sure to be a huge Holiday Heap hit.

In three words or less, please tell us about yourself.
Pottery Making Fool

If your work had a theme song, what would it be?
The Beatles' "Blackbird"

It's a typical Wednesday night. Where are you?
Hanging out or in the studio working - if I'm lucky I might get to have a beer.

If you could create a craft, other than your craft, what craft would you craft?
Quilting, I just love quilts and patchwork!

Grilled or deep fried?
Deep Fried!

Meet Holiday Heap's City Sparrow!

All City Sparrow items are hand made in her Baltimore City row home. Production is overseen by City Sparrow's nosey cat, Gizmo.



In three words or less, please tell us about yourself.
fabric plants bicycles

If your work had a theme song, what would it be?
that's a really hard question. i love music and listen to it all the time, especially while i'm sewing. maybe something by frank sinatra would be appropriate.

It's a typical Wednesday night. Where are you?
cooking dinner and sewing while friends are in the basement making music. i love the sounds and smells of productivity.

If you could create a craft, other than your craft, what craft would you craft?
i would paint or draw. i'm really terrible at both.

Grilled or deep fried?
deep fried all the way.

Meet Holiday Heap's pidge pidge!

pidge pidge is run out of a cozy third floor apartment in upstate NY with a grumpy cat, Pigeon. The old floor loom and pidge pidge are sandwiched between a sewing machine and a giant stack of fibers in a tiny red room.



In three words or less, please tell us about yourself.
fibers freak!

If your work had a theme song, what would it be?
David Bowie's "Sound and Vision"

It's a typical Wednesday night. Where are you?
I've got off from the day job on Thursdays! I'm cooking a lazy dinner and then weaving late into the night, listening to reruns of Car Talk and This American Life... Maybe a little internet as well.

If you could create a craft, other than your craft, what craft would you craft?
I loved the pottery class I took in college. All of my bowls and cups were lumpy and weighed a ton, but if I had a little natural talent...

Grilled or deep fried?
Roasted :)

Meet Holiday Heap's The Broken Plate!

The Broken Plate Pendant Co. is where boxed up, unloved, dishes from Grandma come alive and are given a renewed purpose.

In three words or less, please tell us about yourself. 
I Break Plates.

If your work had a theme song, what would it be? 
Breaking Dishes by Rhianna

It's a typical Wednesday night. Where are you? 
Watching Modern Family.

If you could create a craft, other than your craft, what craft would you craft? 
I wish I could sew!

Grilled or deep fried? 
I want to say grilled, but we all know it would be deep fried.

Meet Holiday Heap's 2 hawks 2 fishes!

2 hawks 2 fishes comes with a disclaimer: 2 hawks 2 fishes is not responsible for any magical effects these hand made goods may have. We can't wait to see her at Holiday Heap this year!

In three words or less, please tell us about yourself.
walker, not talker

If your work had a theme song, what would it be?
At My Window by Townes Van Zandt

It's a typical Wednesday night. Where are you?

Home, playing my guitar for my 2 cats.

If you could create a craft, other than your craft, what craft would you craft?

Songs.

Grilled or deep fried? 
Grilled, definitely.

Meet Holiday Heap's motobus!

Holiday Heap's vendor, motobus, is really interested in 'zakka' - the things that make people feel happy. so she draws! she make lots of buttons. and when she has more time she makes other things too!  

In three words or less, please tell us about yourself.
me make cute.

If your work had a theme song, what would it be?
"doo do doo doo ..."

It's a typical Wednesday night. Where are you?
Honey, I'm home!

If you could create a craft, other than your craft, what craft would you craft?
I'd like to be more industrial and make more usable things or be magical at baking.

Grilled or deep fried?
Both.  I'm from Texas, they're both on the plate and the plate is BIG.

Meet Holiday Heap's Sew Ono eco apparel!

"Recycling is love." Sew Ono is sustainable fashion. Made from reconstructed thrift store finds and friends and family discards. Not part of the fashion industry, part of the eco fashion movement.

In three words or less, please tell us about yourself.
I Heart Recycling 

If your work had a theme song, what would it be?
Strutter by KISS

It's a typical Wednesday night. Where are you?
On the couch hand sewing buttons.

If you could create a craft, other than your craft, what craft would you craft?
Screened t-shirts with ambiguous phrases.

Grilled or deep fried?
Grilled. Unless it's a Snickers!

Meet Holiday Heap's Cutesy but not Cutesy!

Diane Koss carried around stuffed animals throughout her childhood. Today, she makes one-of-a-kind monsters for her shop, Cutesy but not Cutesy.

In three words or less, please tell us about yourself.
Fluffbeast Connoisseur

If your work had a theme song, what would it be?
REM's Furry Happy Monsters. Hands down. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwfMstI3bpA

It's a typical Wednesday night. Where are you?
I'm on my living room floor surrounded by fluff, laptop by my side chatting with some of my favorite fellow business owners, listening to Pandora radio, and possibly eating a cupcake of sorts.

If you could create a craft, other than your craft, what craft would you craft?
In college I was a jewelry designer for a little while and I miss working with metals sometimes.  But I also have always been interested in printing (screen, letterpress, etc) and bookmaking.  So maybe that, since it's something I've never really done for an extended period of time before.

Grilled or deep fried?
Grilled.