Shop Local this holiday season and support independent craftspeople. It’s a great way to reduce your carbon footprint! We are pleased to have jenmenkhaus here from Baltimore, Maryland. That’s her, in the red scarf. She’s picked some of her favorite local crafters, and is spreading the word about the Baltimore Etsy Street Team!
Here I’m standing in front of the mosaic wall at the American Visionary Art Museum. My husband and I had one of our first dates here, we got married here, and now we bring our daughter here. We actually traveled to London to see the Automata Exhibit, which was ironically on its way to the States to reside at AVAM. Lucky for us, the exhibit is still here, and our daughter can’t get enough of it. I just hope our next little one (due this spring) loves it as much as we do!
The Baltimore Etsy Street Team proves that there is power in numbers. In their banner year, BEST’s membership has gone from 7 to over 60+ with the local media taking notice of their talent, professionalism and (of course) their super-awesome craftiness. With a hard working team and a core of 12 really motivated ladies, they have successfully made a blip in Baltimore’s history. You may know Baltimore from Homicide and The Wire, but we know Baltimore as one of the most charming — and crafty — cities around. Take some time to see the sights of Charm City with members of BEST and friends from the Charm City Craft Mafia. These good people represent just a fraction of the hundreds of crafters and artists living in our fair city.
Check out the craft stars of Baltimore featured this holiday season in the December Buy Local Issue of Baltimore Magazine Made in Baltimore Feature. Baltimore Magazine also noticed the BEST team earlier this year in the Best of issue: Baltimore’s Best Locally Made Crafts.
tigerlillyshop: “One of our city’s most memorable landmarks stands high on a western hill in Patterson Park. ‘The Pagoda’ was built in 1892, a high Victorian Oriental style observation tower overlooking the park. I love our neighborhood green space and feel lucky to have such a great outdoor public place in Baltimore. I walk there with my daughter; we hunt for nature things together to preserve in my copper jewelry line. Finding nature and the subtle essence of the seasons can be a challenge in the inner city, but we can find them in Patterson Park.”
vwstudios: “Tucked in a dell in the middle of an urban Baltimore neighborhood is the Baltimore Museum of Art’s sculpture garden. I used to live around the corner and visit regularly, now I stop by on occasion to be inspired by one of Baltimore’s jewels! It’s a small garden, nestled between the museum and the Johns Hopkins University campus. I love the intimate setting and the lush greenery. The criss-crossing paths bring many pedestrians through on their way to somewhere else, but the benches are always full of people stopping to take a moment with the art.”
jennyjen42: “Here I am in one of my favorite hiding spots…the Cylburn Arboretum, a nature preserve and city park of about 207 acres, located in northwest Baltimore City. I first came here on a field trip in the fourth grade and we went on a nature hike looking for birdies. There is a Nature Museum which contains a collection of Maryland birds, most of which are mounted in habitat arrangements, and collections of bird eggs from the late 1800′s, butterflies and moths, rocks and minerals, fossils and seashells, games, and habitat dioramas. When you are here you can’t believe that you are still in parts of urban Baltimore. I like to think of this place as my little oasis. I like to come here in search of more subjects for my birdy bird products. I am pictured here trying to persuade some friendly fellas to come closer for more in-depth research!”
spatherapy: “This is me and my dog Lacey hanging out by the the Chesapeake Bay in the suburbs of Baltimore. I grew up in the city, but quickly learned to love the peacefulness of the ‘burbs. Living in an old little town by the water with easy access to the city is the perfect place for me.”
jillpopowichdesigns: “While I no longer live in downtown Baltimore but rather on the outlying region, I spend much of my time in the city for either work or play. I love that every neighborhood has its own unique personality and the residences are as unique and different as the many experiences you can have in Charm City. I find its quirkiness inspiring: it makes you want to explore its many facets and tell its story. This picture was taken in Fells Point, which in its day was a shipping port and playground for sailors. Now it is known for its quirky shops and concentration of bars and pubs.”
sweetpepita: “My husband took this photo of my daughter and I at the zoo in Druid Hill Park. We are somewhere in the park, either at the zoo, the conservatory, or walking the maze of access roads through the thick woods with our dog Jakey. We have neighbors who remember when horse drawn mowers kept the park manicured and trimmed, and we’ve heard stories of entire families sleeping on the large expanses of lawn, trying to keep cool during the hottest months of the year. When the City stopped mowing, the trees and vines reclaimed the land. It was once a refined kind of glorious. It’s scruffy now, but magical.”
greenstarstudio: “I love living in Baltimore because there is art EVERYWHERE! As a muralist, illustrator and teacher, I’m constantly immersed in public art. Baltimore has a wonderful community arts scene and the city really embraces the idea of living with art; from the galleries, to the art classes, to the murals & the stores featuring handmade, local work — it’s the perfect place to live WITH art. (This is me in front of my most recent mural in Baltimore, on 21st and Boone, near Greenmount.)”
bowerbox: “What I love about Charles Village is that it’s a fun neighborhood where people aren’t afraid to paint their house bright pink or yellow or blue — and they’re proud of it! I live on one of the most colorful blocks of Calvert Street, and have lived in a few different colored painted ladies. Pictured is my former apartment, in a rowhouse voted Best in Charles Village for years — and it’s just as beautiful inside, with original woodwork, stained glass, and peacock wallpaper!”
spaghettikiss & pinkkiss: “The Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) campus is a well known breeding ground for Baltimore artists. Not only did we get married here, but it is also the place where we learned our craft, where we met and where we started our businesses, Spaghetti Kiss (Mikey) and Pink Kiss Pottery (Shawna) together. In this picture we are walking in front of MICA’s Brown Center, on our way to our wedding reception.”
redprairiepress: “Baltimore may have a rough reputation, but once you’re here, you realize this city is just proud of itself, and thus, proud of you for making art in its borders. People here love knowing that what they’re buying comes from here, and they love having certain things to claim as Baltimore’s own. The city is big enough that it has a diverse mix of happenings, but small enough that on any given day, most people are connected to at least one of them because they’ll know one of the organizers or artists. Enormous community pride and a small-world feel? That’s the best support you can ask for, as a local business.”
Great picks, jenmenkhaus! Shop Local in 2009 and meet your talented neighbors (shrink that carbon footprint too)! Find sellers belonging to local Baltimore Etsy Street Team and check out their blog too at baltimore-etsy.blogspot.com. Check out their website at baltimorecraft.com.
56 comments
Sign in to add your ownLittleMamasDesigns says:
Yay! Tis the season (and economy) to shop local. Nicely done.
3 years ago
ThePeachTree says:
I love that I'm blown away each and every time one of these lovely city compilations comes out :) The shear number of unknown shops out there is enough to have me glued to my computer screen for all of etsy eternity.
3 years ago
BluCille says:
Interesting architecture! I also like the blue mugs towel:) FREE SHIPPING in my shop with purchase of any two or more items until December 21st! Expedited available.
3 years ago
backwoodsophisticate says:
Another fabulous shop local article. I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and this one makes me want to head north and check out Baltimore. The pictures are gorgeous and the featured items are fabulous!
3 years ago
HVMdesigns says:
Go Baltimore! Woot!
3 years ago
Fiorenza says:
awesome pictures!
3 years ago
Mattson says:
Yay, Charm City! See you by the harbor soon!
3 years ago
kricketbee says:
nice article. cool artists and great picks! :)
3 years ago
beachhouseblues says:
Great items!
3 years ago
JetWhitePonytail says:
Loved reading this! I lived in Baltimore for a few months, not that long ago, in quaint Charles Village with my best friend close by in Bolton Hill. Making me a bit homesick but cheered up by these great finds :)
3 years ago
buttercupbloom says:
I love Baltimore & this looks like a really great group! Teams rule!
3 years ago
tashamck says:
Beautiful images of Baltimore - one of my favorite places to visit and I do visit often!
3 years ago
TheBrokenPlate says:
Man - Now I have ideas for photos! These are great and Shawna, your wedding dress is awesome!
3 years ago
tigerlillyshop says:
I love this team! After an awesome year, looking back, it is so cool we all found each other! This is one fun group;)
3 years ago
solidio says:
solidio hearts sweetpepita
3 years ago
christinececelia says:
Wow- beautiful pics!
3 years ago
sweetestpea says:
Yay Baltimore! I had the pleasure of going to school at MICA with Shawna and Mikey. I have fond memories of Baltimore and I enjoy going back to visit. I loved seeing everyone's photos and revisiting again. :)
3 years ago
threewheelsdesign says:
Love the article and those pictures are fabulous! Baltimore rocks...woo hoo!
3 years ago
cottonmonster says:
So wonderful! Baltimore folks are the best!
3 years ago
Weezawear says:
I loved living in Baltimore. Those photos brought back some good memories.
3 years ago
deluxejunque says:
Hooray for BEST! The pics and everything is fab! Have a rockin' Holiday!
3 years ago
elisasherejewelry says:
Yeah, BEST. Thanks Etsy for this amazing feature of our very talented group!
3 years ago
EJPcreations says:
That wedding dress was awasome!
3 years ago
dandelionblu says:
Woooo hooo! Go Charm City!!!
3 years ago
wintersetheart328 says:
yay Baltimore! we might have the highest murder rate, but we sure do make crafty people.
3 years ago
JillPopowichDesigns says:
Yay for BEST! What a wonderful group of gals to know, I'm honored to be a part of the group! Thank you ETSY for the fabulous feature and inspiring us all to create.
3 years ago
kmwatkins says:
Hi Baltimore. Great shops and looks like a cool town. Where's John Waters at?
3 years ago
nat1489 says:
I go to MICA!!! Right on.
3 years ago
carlygoss says:
Good work, buddies! Woohoo! I heart Baltimore. This article really shows how eclectic and fabulous our town is AND how diverse and wonderful our artists are. Well done!
3 years ago
jennyjen42 says:
Yay for BEST!!! My home town all of my life!!! I absolutley love my new BEST buddies!We're very street smart being from mobtown!
3 years ago
phydeaux says:
Great article! I do love this series -- how fun to get to know some of our Baltimore colleagues! :)
3 years ago
pinkkiss says:
Baltimore is the BEST! Thanks so much for the article and featuring our great little city:)Great article!
3 years ago
rosetung says:
awww yay! spent many a lovely weekend in that awesome city when i was in college 2hr away. paper moon diner still there? some awesome bookstore i'll never forget, the sparkle in the streets, the brick... 'bout time Etsy spotlighted this great place. nice work!
3 years ago
imogeneANDannie says:
i LOVE the photo of shawna and mikey!!
3 years ago
sweetpepita says:
Thank you for featuring our awesome little town! These pictures really are beautiful, you guys! And the craft is rockin!
3 years ago
CuriousZoo says:
You guys have really kicked some butt! Good to see you around!
3 years ago
whimdesign says:
Wonderful pictures!
3 years ago
SpaTherapy says:
Gotta love the BEST girls!! :o)
3 years ago
TheCottageCheese says:
I love Baltimore, such a creative vibe about the city. Fells Point rocks!
3 years ago
jenmenkhaus says:
thank you so much, Etsy, for letting us show off what Baltimore has to offer!
3 years ago
timesandchimes says:
Baltimore looks so lovely and so do these artists!
3 years ago
AwApplesauce says:
Woo! Baltimore! These are some lovely places.
3 years ago
IcingOnTheCupcake says:
Baltimore is a great place!
3 years ago
crackheadcarianne says:
i miss b-more :*(
3 years ago
vwstudios says:
Who knew there were so many different green spaces here in Baltimore! And look at all of us crafty people getting out there! Yeah! Way to go guys!
3 years ago
amysfunkyfibers says:
very nice article, such variety and talent!
3 years ago
vintageaimee says:
What a delight to read! As a new resident of Baltimore and a new seller to etsy, this article combined and introduced me to even more new things to love about this new place in my life. Here's hoping I get to meet some of you amazing artists soon!
3 years ago
wireddesign says:
Congrats Baltimorians! I'm right down the road in York, PA - wishing MICA was a little CLOSER! :)
3 years ago
thecraftpantry says:
Brilliant talent here!
3 years ago
greenstarstudio says:
love reading everyone's stories. brilliant! go baltimore. go us. so glad to be a part of this wonderful group. xo
3 years ago
BeadsInTheBelfry says:
I continue to love this series and all these shops are awesome!!! I haven't been up to Baltimore in a bit. Must make it a point in the new year!
3 years ago
yummyandcompany says:
great job b-more girls!
3 years ago
nfall2rt says:
Yay...my stomping ground! I've been meaning to join BEST...
3 years ago
ArtbyCleatress says:
Being new on Etsy and from Baltimore meeting all of you is something I am looking forward to doing. In the meantime continued success to all of you.
2 years ago
doxallodesigns says:
YAY BEST! Great article and great to see faces!!
1 year ago