Big Style for Little People!

Locally owned and operated website UrbanBabyRunway.com is expanding and bringing it's sense of style from the vast interwebs to the streets of Baltimore. Opening in Hampden Sept. 17th, Urban Baby is the brick and mortar children's store owned by Baltimore mama Cara Shrock. The website has been operating since 2006 shortly after Cara's son turned 1. She decided to open the webstore first as a way of starting a business and continue to stay at home with her child.
"I wasn't willing to sacrifice some of the parenting choices I would have had to in order to run a store." Since her son started school full time this fall she has had more time to dedicate to running and expanding the business.
"I figured it was now or never. Plus, I have really been itching to get out of the house. Working from home for the last 4 years and mothering in the spare time around that, I was starting to feel a bit isolated. My mind needed more stimulation and new challenges. And so far this has been quite a challenge!"

The lines and designers Urban Baby carries are all carefully chosen by Cara, many are local or were started by other stay at home mom's. The collections are definitely on the edgier side of fashion for kids and appeal to urban hip parents.
"I've tried to focus on small lines that aren't oversaturing the online market. I've gotten to know most of the companies I work with pretty well. Almost all of them are moms just like me so I like knowing my money (and my customers' money) is going to support another family."
Knuckleheads, one of Cara's favorite brands for boys, features fedora's for infants, skateboard inspired onesies, and button down shirts with a Rockabilly flavor.
"They are a bit bigger than most of the brands I carry but the quality is good, always stylish season after season and it's a reputable brand customers know. Having a strong, well known brand balances out the smaller lines. A brand like Knuckleheads draws in the customers which gives me an opportunity to introduce lines they may not have heard of otherwise."

Urban Baby is located 3608 Falls Road, Baltimore MD 21211.

Cara Ober: Glittering Generalities

Baltimore artist, Cara Ober's solo show "Glittering Generalities" opens Jan. 7th at Randall Scott Gallery in Brooklyn, NY. The artist's reception is Thursday Jan. 7th 6pm-8pm.

"Cara Ober layers drawing, painting, and printmaking into mixed media works that reinterpret sentimental imagery. Working in series, Ober combines culturally mediated imagery from children’s schoolbooks, home décor, historical texts, and greeting cards to explore notions of authenticity, appropriation, personal identity, and vocabulary.

Ober’s narrative works utilize specific phrases and fonts to suggest multiple voices, perspectives, and time periods. Rather than illustrating the text, the images create discord, layering metaphorical and nonsensical outcomes over personal notation. These works reveals the inadequacy of words in expressing the complexity of experience, and exploit the multiple meanings within one simple phrase, exposing the gap between meaning and language. Painterly gesture alternately reveals and conceals Ober’s imagery, uniting disparate elements into a palimpsest where memory and commentary merge into a visual diary."

20 Things

Check out this fun feature about my friend and local artist Cara Ober on the BEST blog!

Twenty Things: Cara Ober

Cara Ober is an artist, art critique, blogger and co-owner of Paperwork Gallery here in Charm City. She shows both locally and nationally, and can be found commenting on all things art and political at www.bmoreart.com. To see more of her work check out www.caraober.com

20 Random Unoffensive Facts about Me, Cara Ober:

1. If I had to eat only one food for the rest of my life I would choose ... wait for it ... peanut butter. The recent salmonella scare had me in a panic.
2. I married a man I met in 7th grade Orchestra class. We both played the violin.
3. I have two yappy smalldogs, Friday and Peppy, and I love them more than life itself. Their pomeranian antics entertain me constantly.
4. I have never been able to choose between art making and writing. So I do both at the same time. I'm not sure how efficient this is.
5. I can't touch my toes.
6. For some reason, I receive People Magazine in the mail each week addressed to me, the Spanish Langauge Version, which I can't read.
7. I am not a natural blonde. Hard to believe, I know.
8. I am addicted to coffee. Hot in the winter and cold in the summer.
9. I do not like dessert. Salt = Yes. Sugar = No.
10. I have approximately 10 different jobs that actually pay me. But not very much.
11. I live in a house that is 100 years old and my husband is fixing it up one room at a time. I use this as an excuse to not clean. Ever.
12. I bite my fingernails like it is going out of style. I really enjoy it. I know it is gross.
13. I am still close with my best friends from elementary school and middle school. I am wealthy in friendships. I have several good friends in my immediate Baltimore area as well.
14. I adore body products that smell like mint or nuts. I detest body products that smell like fruits or flowers. Is coconut a fruit or a nut? I put it in the nut category, unless it is combined with a Pineapple smell, which ruins it for me.
15. I always assume everyone I meet is gay. This sometimes gets me into trouble.
16. I love Woody Allen. I love his movies. I love him. I really love him. I am watching 'Manhattan' right now. It is my favorite one.
17. I refuse to shop at Wal-mart. I will not step foot inside. I get panic attacks and think they (the wal-mart people) are evil. Seriously. I don't understand why anyone goes there. There are some things more important than saving money. Yes, there is a tirade here.
18. I am an pretty effing good cook. I never use recipes although reading glossy cooking magazines is one of my guilty pleasures.
19. I am politically involved and interested. I will argue with anyone at any time. Gay marriage = fairness. Conservatives need to learn that time does not march backwards.
2o. I am a terrible driver. I sometimes check my email while driving.

Post Halloween

The theme for this years Halloween party was Tim Burton movies- excellent choice in my book. I originally wanted to be one half of the singing siamese twins from "Big Fish," but couldn't convince anyone to squeeze into a single dress with me. I figured there would be lot's of "Sweeney Todd" characters since it is his latest movie, so I crossed that one off my list, all though the beach scene would have been fantastic. I settled on "The Corpse Bride" figuring people may have forgotten about it and it seemed like an easy costume to make. One bid on an unhappy bride's gown ($10 !!!) later, and we were in business!

I even dug out my own dried bouquet to complete the look!



Me and "Veruca Salt" from "Willy Wonka" holding a friend's unsuspecting baby- there's something wrong with this scene....!
Me and the lonely, over sexed neighbor from "Edwards Scissorhands." Remmeber she accosts him in the beauty parlor?? Guess who won the costume contest??? Why, me!!! Yay!! What were you for halloween?

Hello Craft!

The crafty masterminds behind the mother of all craft shows, Crafty Bastards, have launched a new site dedicated to all things crafty!!! Check out Hello Craft for podcasts, tutorials, shopping, news and events.
Guess who is the first podcaster and contributing writer??? That's right! my very own partner in craft, this chickadee!! Bookmark it, there is sure to be a plethora of info!!

And the Randomly Chosen Winner is....

Commentor #8!!!!!! Juliet email me and I you will receive your prize!!!!
Thanks all! I had a lovely birthday weekend full of my favorite things- friends, pizza, spirits (both the dead kind and the imbibing kind), fried ice cream, lobster bisque, chocolate peanut butter cake, and scary movies on t.v! And since I basically ate my way through the weekend, I will make good use of the yoga gift certificate my husband got me! Yay!

The B List

My friend Cara Ober of B-more Art fame, has started a new blog that is a catalog of Baltimore area artists with links to their websites and blogs. Check it out here, and send her and email with a link and a jpg to be included too!

Renegade Part Deux

Ok, so Sunday was %110 better then Saturday. The heat had broken, it wasn't AS humid, and the sun was peeking out. Buuuuuttt, there were a lot of vendors having to deal with the aftermath of Saturday's storms. I have to say that we escaped pretty much unscathed, and I really can't complain given the experience of others. Many vendor's tents collapsed under the weight of the rain, some blew away, others didn't have side walls to protect their merchandise from the horizontal rain. I saw one poor vendor on Sunday with a sign that read, "The Rain Ruined My Life Sale." The extent of my losses were a box of paper shopping bags, gift boxes, tissue and business cards. I did also loose all my signs and many earring cards, but faced with the prospect of loosing my actual work, I feel pretty lucky.
My other loyal assistant Cindy, and Rachel of Red Prairie Press inspecting the damage after the first of many storms Saturday.
Renegade during happier times...

As you can see above the fair was packed Sunday. The DJ was spinning, Mr. Softie was selling treats, people were laughing and smiling, and genuinely seemed interested in my work. Don't get me wrong, I did well sale wise, but it wasn't what I expected. I did twice the amount of business last year at Crafty Bastards in one day. This was NY, I thought people loved to shop here! Maybe it was the increase in my pricing- but I sold several of my highest priced pieces right off the bat. Or maybe it was the extreme heat and weather of Saturday, and people just weren't risking coming out again. Or maybe it's dead summer and people aren't thinking of buying gifts yet. Or maybe, as my Dad lovingly pointed out, it's the economy and people don't need to buy jewelry right now. Or maybe NY isn't my "market" and people just didn't like my work. Who knows, but it is leaving me feeling nervous about my future, and wondering if I didn't just make a very silly decision- what's that you ask???? I'll talk about that at later date....
Enough with the negative though. I do have to say that I was blown away by the level of craft, sophistication and creativity of every single vendor there. I was humbled to have been included and even a little star struck. There was a great balance of vendors and merchandise, there was no one overwhelming media that stuck out. I can honestly say that I think there was something there for everyone. I was a little sad that I didn't get to see Lotta Jansdotter, a personal hero of mine! I suspect that she packed up when the terrifying storms rolled in and then didn't return on Sunday. I was incredibly happy to be neighbors with fellow Baltimoreans Rachel and Phil of Red Prairie Press- they are the nicest people and do one hell of a business. I think I must have one of each of their t-shirt designs by now. My other neighbor was the lovely Catherine of Reiter8. She uses recycled sailboat sails and re-purposes them into messenger bags, totes and beach bags. They are "uni-sex" and have a great graphic quality to them- plus they are very durable and a green craft. Some of my other Renegade favorites were Orangyporangy, I got a great skirt that I am wearing right now. I also loved meeting and purchasing from The Candy Thief, her hair pieces remind me of those that Flappers wore in the 20's. I got a beautiful resin necklace from Fern Works, they made the trip all the way out from Oregon. I had to bring my ever patient husband back a gift, and Seibei's "Make Me A Sandwich" monster shirt was calling his name. Of course I got a new scrub from Biggs and Featherbelle, I covet their products. There was no way Cindy and I could pass up the singing pickle t's from Wheelhouse Pickles, and they were giving out free samples of their fabulous pickles as well. I wanted to get some cards from Mean Cards, to send to friends and be, well, mean! But my favorite the "some may call you an enabler, I call you a friend" card was sold out. I'll have to catch them at Crafty Bastards in 2 weeks. So despite, the torrential rain, wind, dangerous lightning, flooding, and slow sales, it was still an incredible experience for me and if anything, I learned a lot from. I hope to be back next year with a vengeance....

Shout Out!

I just have to give a Friday shout out to my partner in craft and friend, this chickadee!
Check out her new "metalheads" collection over on her blog. Beautifully crafted tote bags that shimmy and shake it with metallic fabric detailing. They will debut at Crafty Bastards on June 28th!!!!

Art Star Re-cap Day 2

Things I learned on Sunday:

1. Weather makes all the difference for an outside show. Although, I did have many loyal buyers brave the rain/wind/tornadoes on Saturday.

2. Bring lot's of tape.
3. Sunshine makes everyone in a better mood.
4. Megan Auman herself, her work and display are wonderful to see in person! I finally made a decision and got this piece.

5. I already knew this, but Beth Pohlman is way cool. We traded work, yay!

6. The husband and wife team of Super Maggie! are some of the nicest people I've met. I got this and that.
I can't wait to see them again at Renegade in 2 weeks.

7. Make friends with your booth neighbors so they can tie your tent down, catch your merchandise as it is flying away, and their husband's can open beers for you with their lighters. Thanks Erica Ebert Press!
I bought one of her prints, it's gorgeous!

8. Bunny Butt Apothecary's Pomegranate Sage whipped body cream is delicious...

9. The organizers of Art Star do a fantastic job, even in the face of lighting, tornadoes, hail, and I am sure some unhappy vendors and performers. I hope to participate next year!!!

10. My friend and assistant Kelly, is still the most awesome person I know for putting up with all that went on this weekend.

Art Star Re-cap Day 1

Things I learned on Saturday:

1. Six gallon jugs of water, bungee cords, steel bar weights, rope, sailor knots, and prayer will not necessarily keep your tent from flying away in the event of of severe thunderstorms.

2. Putting the sidewalls of your tent down to protect yourself and your work from a driving sideways rain just turns the whole tent into a giant parachute.

3. Pulling a "Mary Poppins" looked like fun as a kid, but I am not so sure about it now....

4. Having small light weight items out such as business cards, signs, camping chairs, and money near a river during said severe thunderstorms is also not a good idea.

5. No matter how much care and thought you put into your display it does not prevent you from having to break it all down several times in one afternoon.

6. A driving rain forces people into your tent, who in turn feel sorry for you and make "sympathy" purchases.

7. Severe thunderstorms, hail, tornado warnings and 30 mph winds do not stop those shoppers who really want to buy your work.

8. Packing it in early and going to drink margaritas is a fail safe way to get the sun to come out.

9. Two day shows are a great idea when one of those days you spend wondering if you will have to run for your life, and figuring out your best escape route.

10. My friend and loyal assistant Kelly is the most awesome person on the planet.

Tomorrows post- How awesome Sunday was, all the goodies I got, and how much I love Philly now.

It's Official!!!

This is a secret that has long been under wraps. But here it is- Dandelion Blu and this chickadee will be flying West for Bumbershoot 2008!!!!! Bumbershoot is Seattle's music and art's festival, a 3 day event that basically takes over the city. And as luck would have it, this chickadee and I were accepted into their Indie Market. Honestly, we applied on whim, I have never been to Seattle, let alone the West Coast. But, Ms. Chickadee is quite the traveler and wanted an excuse to head West. She has attended the festival before and said that the Indie Market is the best craft and artist market she has ever been too. We were beside ourselves and in a little bit of disbelief when we got the notice- I kept checking the email to make sure it wasn't meant for somebody else. Then it slowly dawned on us- now that we were in, how do we get there, what do we do, yikes???? After much discussion weighing the pros and cons, we decided to throw caution to the wind, send the booth fee back and book our flights. So come Labor Day Weekend, East Coast meets West Coast in a craftacular of epic proportions! Beck, you better watch out, the dandelion and chickadee are coming for ya!! No turning back now!

Check out their site for the line up and other fantastic events, I hear Beck, Stone Temple Pilots and Ludacris are headlining.... yowsers!

Tis the season....

It's official- craft, art, indie, DIY, show, festival, fair- whatever you define it as, has begun! Saturday I'll be headed down Arlington VA for the first Ballston Arts + Crafts Market. I'll be sharing a booth with my fabulous designer friend, this chickadee, so come by and say hi! I may even give you %10 off if you mention this blog! Hope to see you there!

Partners in Craft!

My crafty partner, this chickadee, and I will be setting up shop June 28th for the new Crafty Bastards show in Silver Spring! Also we got some VERY exciting news involving the west coast and a certain HUGE 3 day festival! More on that as the details unfold.... Till then, only 2 weeks till the first Ballston Arts and Crafts Market! Check out their site and see who's the featured this week!

BTW- I'm going to go ahead and apologize now for the lack of posting for the next 2 month- I've got A LOT of work to do!!!

Putting the Charm into Charm City

There is a renaissance of sorts happening in North East Baltimore, particularly in the Lauraville area. This Saturday I ventured up the street to check out the grand opening of several new businesses in the 4300 block of Harford Rd. Already revitalized by the likes of Red Canoe coffee and book shop, The Chameleon Cafe and Zeke's Coffee, this area is further establishing itself as a shopping destination with the new businesses.

My first stop was Studio C, opened by our very own B.E.S.T. Member Constance of Vibrant Earth Jewels. Tucked up on the second floor of Red Canoe, the shop is a sunny display of handmade jewelry and gifts. I quickly snatched up some dangling earrings made from vintage chandelier crystals.


Next I ventured into Spinster Yarns and Fibers, a must stop for anyone who knits, crochets, or works with fibers. It is a haven of cubbies filled with rainbow colored yarns and wools in every shade imaginable. They also have an impressive book selection and other fiber supplies. In addition to their wonderful stock, they are also offering classes. Go to www.spinsteryarnsandfibers.com for more info.



Next stop was Rock Candy, dangerously close to home, for someone like me with a raging sweet tooth. They carry organic and gourmet chocolates, funky items like candy bacon and Legos, great gifts, bulk favorites like gummi bears and worms- but by far the most exciting is the small movie theater in the back, complete with concession stand. Currently the theater is available by reservation, check out their site, www.rockcandybaltimore.com for show times, chocolate tasting events, and new items. Also be sure to stop into Bediboo, a unique children's clothing boutique, for hip urban tots and their Mamas. Another business I am keeping an eye on is Beth's DIY Workshop. Beth will teaching classes on using power tools, basic plumbing repairs, and simple carpentry. The workshop will have benches, tools, a DIY library, and will be available to rent open hours for customers to work on projects. What a great resource and congratulations to all the new business owners!

"I Am Who I Pretend To Be...."

Saturday night I ventured down to our nations lovely capital to attend the opening of Cara Ober's new show "I Am Who I pretend To Be..." The show at the Randall Scott Gallery, was a mixture of new drawings and paintings, and included a wall of 100 small drawings that were like daily musings or fragmented narratives.
In the wake of "the scandal" (you can catch up here), Cara's work has gotten darker- both in color and perception. Her once pale washy canvases with their often pastel colors have deepened to richer tones. The text has taken on an edgier aggressive voice, and depictions of wolves, tanks and other more sinister images have surfaced.
I rather liked the inclusion of the definition of "plagiarist" in the painting on the invitation, a not so subtle reference to said scandal. It's self defense fine art style. But hey, I'm biased. We made it through grad school together, I've got "Obers" all over my house, and I thought she took an unfair beating in our small town presses. So congratulations, "I Am Who I Pretend To Be..." definitely had the last word.

Psssstttt- Give Away!

Heads up! this chickadee is having a giveaway on her site. Leave her a comment for your chance to win a beautiful knit scarf. What an awesome giveaway!
Happy Weekend everyone!

B.E.S.T Giveaway!

Head over to our B.E.S.T blog and check out all the beautiful items from the participating artists that you, dear readers, can win! Just sign up on the mailing list for your entry, and to recieve updates on our group activites, shows, and news. I donated a pair of my Sweet Pea earrings for a little fresh spring time fun. Good luck!

Artist Profile- this chickadee!

I am starting a new feature where I interview artists and crafters about their creative process. I figured this blog shouldn't be only about me and my work, but about the larger creative community as well. My first interview is with the lovely and talented Becky of this chickadee. Enjoy!

moshi moshi messenger bag

1. What do you create?
as much as i can! mostly i knit, sew or crochet items but there are all sorts of ways to create and be creative. playing music, making food, writing...all of these things count too.

2. How and when did you get started?
a tricky question, because i have always dabbled...but if i have to trace back, i think the genesis of my current creative compulsions was a christmas way back in 1998. that year my mom gave me knitting needles, some yarn and a how-to book. it changed my life. seriously.

knitted infant sets

3. Who or what inspires, influences and motivates you? i have so many answers for this question. my mom and grandmother are huge inspirations. they sew, knit, crochet, cook amazing meals and live life with joy. my gramma is 91 and she is still making beautiful handcrafts. they also give me quite a bit of motivation. when i think that i can't do something i remind myself of everything that my they have accomplished with determination and strength. also, i have some incredibly talented friends who are whose creativity is electric and exciting. and then there is music! and art! and nature! and really crappy, terribly made, mass-market goods! those are excellent motivators. they make me want to go home and make things immediately.

4. Do you make your living as an artist/crafter? i'm trying. that's the goal.

5. Did you formally study, and if so where? haha. nope.

fall mini pouch for large tote

6. When and why did you start your own business, and how did you choose the name? i've been working informally for a little while now. but this past year i decided to buckle down and get somewhat professional. so i started a blog and chose a name, this chickadee. i gleaned that from my mom and gramma (again). it is something that they've always said, a way they referred to themselves. as in: 'this chickadee is going to bed' or 'this chickadee is going for a walk.'

7. What are you most proud of? i'm proud whenever i complete a project. especially if it is something that i then get to wear or use, or i can see other people wearing/using. one of the best feelings was making a dress for the first time and wearing it out.

embroidered onesie

8. What is a challenge you face in your work?

the business aspect is a challenge for me. i'd rather not bother with the facts and figures, but i suppose you do have to pay to play. if i want to make a living this way i do have to remember to honor the 'work' as well as the play.

9. What are you working on right now?

these interview questions. after this i'm going to start on a tote bag that someone has commissioned. i love making things with people in mind. it gives the project energy and life.

10. What goals do you have for the coming year?

to tackle some of these looming business issues. to have fun. to learn more. to keep the joy in what i do. to get around to actually making some of the projects that i imagine.

11. What is a little known fact about you?

i have a nice collection of smurphs and i like to play the recorder. in fact, some day i hope to have an album of beatles covers, recorder duet style.

Thanks Becky! Check out her blog, this chickadee, for more info on her work and to purchase or commission her lovely designs.

Tagged!

I just realized it! Tagged by The Broken Plate!!!! I have to "reveal" 5 things about myself, but since I tend to live my life as a pretty much open book, most of you probably know these things about me already... hmmm where to begin-

1) I am a recovering wedding photographer. If there was a Wedding Photographer's Anonymous, I'd be a charter member. I'm so scarred by women in white dresses screaming "photographer girl, take my picture," that I can barely attend weddings as a guest.

2) My middle name is JoAnne, but spelled 3 different ways on 3 very important documents (birth certificate, S.S. card, & license), so I'm not sure how to spell it. JoAnne, Jo Anne, Joann.
Also, I went by Jo-jo till I was in kindergarten and a boy made fun of me for having a "boys" name and I punched him.

3) I love ketchup, I like to put it on all sorts of things, especially macaroni- I know, gross right? I only eat french fries if there is ketchup available, as I view them just as a vehicle for the ketchup.

4) I wish I had gone to veterinary school instead of art school.

5) I want to live on a farm some day, with a pig, goats, chickens and a emu. I want to grow pumpkins, corn, and wild flowers and have a "pick your own stand." Or raise Alpacas- I can't decide!

So I tag this chickadee! Sorry, don't know 5 bloggers that haven't been tagged yet!!

Here are the rules!
1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.2. Share 5 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird. 3. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs. 4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.