PA Burlesque Festival

Greetings, Ladies and Gents!

Join BEST member and Burlesque festival vendor  Design by Night at the PA Burlesque Festival!

The festival includes Burlesque classes, workshops, and lectures presented by professional, knowledgable performers. And no Glamazon is complete until she's found the right accoutrements! Shop our BURLESQUE BAZAAR for everything you need to stand out in the crowd.

When: June 29 - July 1, 2012
Where: 334 South Street, Philadelphia PA

"The Burlesque Gala" Friday, June 29
"The Big Reveal" Saturday, June 30
Classes and the Bazaar will be held on Saturday, June 30th and Sunday, July 1st

For more information visit www.paburlesque.com.

Featured Performer Jacqueline Hyde

Favorite Etsy Shop - Uncorked Jewelry

Uncorked Jewelry sells very cool, unique jewelry and cork boards made from wine bottle corks. If your looking for a great gift that no one else will have, this is definitely the place to shop.

British Flag Necklace - Upcycled Cork in Test Tube - 

London Invasion by Uncorked Jewelry  

Octopus Ring - Upcycled Wood - Silver Hammered Band - 

Adjustable by Uncorked Jewelry

Wine Cork Necklace - Bluebirds - Upcycled Silver 

by Uncorked Jewelry

Wine Cork Board - It's a Cupcake War - upcycled by 

Uncorked Jewelry

Written by Abby Bohn from Abigail Leigh Handbags

Friday Finds

I love the idea of using or inspired by legos to make unique items such as jewelry, soaps and coat racks. Enjoy these great items made from or inspired by legos.

Five Lego Soaps with matching men by Southern Diva Soap

Heart Key Chain made from Genuine Lego Heart Pieces by MoL Gifts

Lego Deluxe Chunky Style Coat Rack by Happywood Goods

Medallion Lego Necklace by Eclective

Written by Abby Bohn from Abigail Leigh Handbags

Random Baltimore Photo

Nothing says Baltimore like Crabs and Crushes. Last night I went to Ryleigh's in Federal Hill for $2.00 crab night. Needless to say I got my Baltimore on and it was glorious.

Posted written by Sara, Heavens to Bessie

Recipe: Banana Drop Cookies

If you're a banana bread lover like myself, try a new take on this classic quick bread and make them into delicious, travel-friendly drop cookies! This recipe from Haniela's guest spot on A Little Bit of Everything blog is sure to please both kids and adults. : )

 Ingredients
 1/2 cup canola oil or extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup Turbinado/raw sugar, if you can’t find any, use brown sugar instead
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup mashed banana(about 2 large very ripe bananas)
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
2 1/2cup +2 tbsp flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp peanut butter chips, roughly chopped (optional)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Instructions
 Preheat oven to 350F, line 2 baking sheet with parchment paper In a bowl of you mixer beat oil with sugars for 5 minutes. Add egg and beat until foamy and doubled in volume. While you eggs are beating, sift together flour,cinnamon, and salt, set aside In a small dish combine mash bananas with baking soda and let sit for 2 minutes. On low speed, alternatively add flour and mashed banana into the egg mixture, fold in chopped nuts and peanut butter chips. Using a small cookie scoop drop the dough onto the baking sheet, bake at 350F for 9-12 minutes, until golden brown. Store layer between wax paper.These also freeze well, again when freezing layer them with wax paper to prevent sticking

Written by: Rachael Kondylas from Open Eyes Press

Pile of Craft

The Charm City Craft Mafia’s Pile of Craft, an indie and alternative craft fair, will take place on Saturday, June 16th from 10 AM to 5 PM at St. John’s Church, located at 2640 St. Paul St, Baltimore, MD 21218. The event is FREE and open to the public.

 Shoppers at Pile of Craft will delight in finding one-of-a-kind gifts, home goods, apparel, jewelry, accessories, ceramics, paper goods and so much more! Over 45 vendors from across the nation will come together for an amazing day of artistic talent. You'll see local BEST favorites like The Littlest Bean, TigerLilly Shop, Yummy & Company, Namoo, Found Studio, The Broken Plate Pendant Co, and Sugar Paperie, as well as new indie craft talent from Baltimore and beyond. Keep your eyes open for Hannah’s Ideas in Woods, Julia E. Dean Pottery, Planted, Transient Bag Co., A Fiber Circus, Horrible Adorables, and Metamorphosis Metals!

In addition to having the quirkiest, most exciting art shopping experience of the summer, shoppers will be able to enjoy treats from roaming snack-vendor Kinderhook Snacks, lunch from Baltimore's Gypsy Queen food truck and a coffee from Red Emma's coffeehouse.

As with every show - Craft mafia will be raffling off a charity basket of handmade treasures donated by the craft mafia's talented vendors and spectacular sponsors!! This year, all proceeds will go to local non-profit "Great Kids Farm" – providing opportunities for Baltimore City Public School students to understand and participate in every aspect of food preparation from seed to fork. Raffle tickets will be $1 at the door, and one lucky shopper will win a huge basket filled with a collection of handmade goods from many of our super talented vendors!


For a full list of vendors, information on the fair and more information on the Charm City Craft Mafia and our fairs, please visit pileofcraft2012.wordpress.com.

Written by:Kacey Stafford from Found Studios

Sailabration

In honor of Baltimore's Star Spangled 200, the celebration of the bicentennial of the War of 1812, forty tall ships will be coming to Baltimore. The ships will be docked at the Inner Harbor and Fells Point. There will be lots of fun activities like the family fun zone, and you can even tour the ships.

The ships will begin arriving on June 13th, so keep an eye out in the harbor for these beautiful ships coming to us from around the world.

 For more information visit: StarSpangled200.com 

 Written by Stacey Phinney

Random Baltimore Photo

Lazy afternoon... @ The Maryland Zoo of Baltimore 

 Photo by Insung of NAMOO

Key Lime Martini Recipe

This drink is like liquid key lime pie and it is wonderful!

Ingredients:
43 Liquor
Whip Cream vodka
Half-and-half
Key West lime juice
Crushed up graham crackers
Lime (optional garnish)


Mix three parts 43 liquor, three parts Whip Cream Vodka, one part half-and-half and one part Key West lime juice in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously. Rim glass with crushed graham crackers, pour in cocktail and garnish with a lime.

 

Written by Kolleen Kilduff from Design by Night

HonFest 2012 this weekend!

Bawlmer's Best Time! Come out and see Design by Night and Charms City Company of BEST at HonFest 2012.

June 9: 11am to 10pm
June 10: Noon to 6pm

This nationally recognized festival covers four city blocks on 36th Street (The Avenue) in the neighborhood of Hampden. Hampden is a revered old-style Baltimore neighborhood, filled with quirky shops, quaint restaurants and endearing residents. HonFest gives local storeowners the opportunity to spill-out onto the sidewalk and showcase their wares. HonFest is a favorite destination for young and old, tourist and resident. Check out the schedule and direction page for directions to Honfest!

Waterfront Kids

Now that school is coming to an end, you probably are looking for things to do with your little ones this summer. Try checking out the new Waterfront Kids program at Baltimore's Inner Harbor. This is a free program where they are going to offer classes in fitness, foreign languages, and crafts, just to name a few. Registration is required.

For more information visit waterfrontpartnership.org.

Written by Stacey Phinney

Native Berry Festival Seeks Craft Vendors: Deadline June 11th

Blue Water Baltimore is holding their annual Native Berry Festival on June 23, 2012 in the section of Herring Run Park that borders Belair Rd in NE Baltimore. The event includes a native berry dessert contest, kids activity area, music and plenty of shade. The fee for craft vendors is only $25 plus 15% of sales. Visit www.bluewaterbaltimore.org/berry-festival-2012/ for more information.

Written by: Baltimore Soaps and More

Clover Market

The last Clover Market of the season is happening this Sunday, June 3rd, in Ardmore, PA. Just a short train ride from Center City, Philly (about an hour and a half ride from Baltimore), this event is chock full of vintage, antique, and handmade goods ready to be scooped up- just check out the photo above! I have seen everything from gigantic plaster busts of Elvis Presley, to dresses handmade from vintage fabrics. This show is always well put-together and full of variety- don't miss it! 

Clover Market 
June 3rd, 2012
10am-5pm
@ Schaufelle Plaza
12 E. Lancaster Ave, Ardmore PA