Vendor Spotlight: Yummy & Company

List your shop name and give a brief description of your work and process.
Yummy & Company;  I create one of a kind and limited edition handmade jewelry.  My designs are inspired by lots of things... cyanotypes, textiles, the outdoors,  and architecture to name a few.  A lot of my time is spent sketching and dreaming up ideas for motifs.  Ironically, though, when I get into the studio, I try to begin each piece organically and without a predetermined idea of what the outcome will be.   I've found this to be the best way for me to work!

What type of music do you listen to when you're hard at work? 
Music is a big part of my work.  I love how in an instant it can change the emotional landscape and trajectory of my work.  Right now I'm a little smitten with Willam Fitzsimmons, his work is dreamy, full of melancholy and he has a kick ass beard!  I listen to Tosca when I want to get lost in my work,  and Rodrigo & Gabriella is great when I want to just be overwhelmed by guitar awesomeness!

What is your favorite summer ritual?
I love summer and the arrival of fresh tomatoes and spinach.  I start my garden each year with the anticipation of a yummy harvest!  I also look forward to the first Margherita of the season!   Celebrating any sort of occasion and getting together with family and friends is my idea of fun! 

Describe your studio. What makes it a creative space?
My studio is in the house,  meaning I don't confine it all to one room and if it's nice out, I will set up shop on the front porch. (My hubby is a saint for putting up with this!)   I work odd hours, so it is nice to be able to just start working whenever, and wherever, rather than having to make a special trip to the studio.    When necessary though, I will invade my husband's shop- he's got every tool you could ever want to play with!   

Do you have anything new that shoppers can look forward to?
I've started to mix my clay work with vintage pieces- the end results are always a fun surprise!

Where else can we find your work (online or stores). 
The best place to find my work is at shows like Pile of Craft! Here's a link to all my upcoming shows.  I also have work at .925 the Silver Store in Fells Point, Art & Artisan in Ellicott CIty and Paradiso in Hampden, and you can always find my stuff on ETSY

Vendor Spotlight: DA Metals Jewelry

List your shop name and give a brief description of your work and process.
My name is Devienna Anggraini and I am the creative force behind DA Metals Jewelry. My jewelry is made out of 22k gold vermeil, sterling silver and baked industrial enamel. It is a two-part resin that is baked-to-cure to ensure the ultimate curing process and bring out the most saturated delicious color!

What is your favorite summer ritual?
One of my favorite things to do in the summer is to visit the surrounding beaches in New England, where I live with my awesome hubby and two adorable (most of the time) 3 and 5 year old kiddos. We also love going camping and kayaking together! My MOST favorite thing about summer is the homemade mojitos, of course! YUM! 


Do you have anything new that shoppers can look forward to?
We will be bringing a lot of new designs to the show - so please come stop by and say hi! You can find more info about us at www.dametals.com!

Vendor Spotlight: A Fiber Circus

List your shop name and give a brief description of your work and process.

My name is Rachel Beckman and I sell under the name A Fiber Circus. The majority of my work consists of handwoven textiles as housewares (tea towels, rugs) and accessories (pins, scarves, buttons, etc.), but I also sell digitally printed fabric of my illustrated patterns.

Describe your studio. What makes it a creative space? 

I have a small (very small) room in my apartment that was fated to be a weaver's studio. I have it set up for maximum organization; the only way I can really get things done is if all of my tools and supplies are in their proper place and I can see all of my options laid out before me. Along one wall is an old linen closet with a million shelves- perfect for storing my yarn, all organized by color and fiber content. I have a table set up with a cutting mat, serger, sewing machine, and computer, peg boards on the wall for the little stuff like scissors, and in the center of the room? My loom! It's a tight space, and I have another loom on the way, but keeping it all tidy is my key to letting creativity flow.

Do you have anything new that shoppers can look forward to? 

Part of my goal in making all of these items from handwoven material is to create long-lasting textiles that everyone can enjoy and make a part of their daily life. In the works are more gender neutral products and color schemes, and I'm very excited to have bow ties available for the first time at Pile of Craft!

Vendor Spotlight: Specks & Keepings

 

List your shop name and give a brief description of your work and process.

I have an online shop called Specks & Keepings. Specks & Keepings is a curated shop filled with fine handmade objects and design. It is a showcase of thoughtfully made goods that inspire.

What is your favorite summer ritual?

I like treating myself to Mr. Yogato (very nice yogurt) far too much in the Summer. And swimming is always nice as well...

Where else can we find your work (online or stores)?

Aside from selling my work at craft shows throughout the country and online, I am pleased to have some of my pieces for sale at the Museum of Craft and Folk Art in San Francisco. I am also working in collaboration with Unison, making dolls and mobiles out of their wonderful prints. 

A HUGE Thank you to one of our Pile of Craft sponsors...

Pop on in Trohv’s “Pop Shop!” You will find clever gifts for your POP! Father’s Day is June 17^th!  Books on grilling, bacon, cocktails plus handmade ties, shiny barware, delicious cologne & bath products are just the beginning of the marvelous mention-ables you will find for Dad at Trohv.  And what Dad doesn’t love a gift certificate or a witty card?  Holla! Score! Ding, our Father’s Day shopping is DONE!  Whew!

While inside Trohv you'll be BEAMING & instantly sporting a SUNNY disposition when you check out all the fun decor & gadgets to compliment your summer entertaining!

Grab sweet pick up items for host/hostess gifts and summer birthdays!  I will also warn you that you may feel a strong urge to throw yourself a party after getting inspired at Trohv!

Trohv is located in Hampden at 921 W. 36^th Street! You must also visit Trohv DC at 232 Carroll Street NW Washington, DC 20012.  Open all 7 happy days of the week!

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The Charm City Craft Mafia sincerely thanks Trohv for sponsoring our shows through the years and for loving handmade & supporting local artists!  Whoot! You guys rock!

Vendor Spotlight: Bmore Papercuts

List your shop name and give a brief description of your work and process.

One of a kind hand made Papercuts from mailing envelopes.

What type of music do you listen to when you're hard at work?

Splendid table radio show and Pandora right now its a mix of Shakira and First Aid Kit .

What is your favorite summer ritual?
Favorite summer ritual - swimming in any body of water available 

Vendor Spotlight: Horrible Adorables

List your shop name and give a brief description of your work and process.

My shop is called 'Horrible Adorables' and I make strange faux taxidermy creatures that are both a little sweet and a little creepy.  Each idea begins with a few fast sketches of animals with a hodgepodge of different features that wouldn't normally go together.  Then I start laying out my next sculpture from one of the initial ideas.  They constantly shift in appearance and evolve as I work on them, having antlers added or maybe even a couple of wooly pom-poms for a rad hairdo.  Once I have the sculpture carved, they are covered with colorful wool felt 'scales.'  

Describe your studio. What makes it a creative space?

My studio is filled with things that I find inspiring.  Colorful fabrics, a herd of vintage glass deer, a rescued pair of taxidermy squirrels destined for the landfill but now dressed to the nines with miniature top hats, and of course lots of artwork!  I surround my workspace with the things that I love and hope that some of that wonderful aesthetic finds its way into the things that I create.  

What is your favorite summer ritual?

I love being a vendor at these craft fairs!  It is a fun way to kick start summer and I usually turn them into mini vacations since I so often travel out of state to attend them.  The other vendors and customers are always super awesome and I usually leave the show having made new crafty friend!