Holy Hedgehog!

Imagine my delight when I saw these cute things in the catalog of Crate & Barrel's subsidiary company, Land of Nod.  Made by my fellow Charm City Craft Mafioso, Jen Strunge of Cotton Monster!!

 

The site even has a fun little bio on the featured artist.  

You can get your own handmade Cotton Monster on her shop, or at Holiday Heap!

Sugar Shop Vintage

After a few weeks of much needed hibernation, I'm back to work and excited to introduce my new vintage shop, Sugar Shop Vintage!

It's no secret that I am a collector. And now I'm ready to share my finds, after years of rescuing the good stuff from thrift shops, estate sales, and even a Baltimore alley. Gross I know, but I did score a super sweet 1970's tin dollhouse.

While still in the process of setting up shop, for me, the highlight of Sugar Shop Vintage is the wide array of milk glass, which has long been an obsession of mine.

The vibe of my curated collection is a meld of hippie-chic and modern preppy. Bohemian and cool, feminine, fun, and classic in style.
In the next few weeks, I'll be adding lots of new goodies to the shop. Come back for a visit, will you?

It's that time...to apply to Pile of Craft!

Get ready crafters! Pile of Craft is coming to Baltimore - June 16th - and we're looking for the best of the best in stitching, printing, painting, cutting, sculpting, stuffing, and crafting to
show their wares!

Applications are officially OPEN! We're only accepting applications for vendor spots from now until April 22nd at midnight - so get them in quick! No late applications will be accepted.CLICK HERE to apply to the show, and be sure to spread the word. It's going to be a great summer here in Baltimore - let's kick it off with a great show!!

It's Christmas Eve!

I grew up in the midwest where it's below zero this time of year. While I'd quietly prefer to stay home, cozy in my pjs with a hot toddy, every Christmas Eve my family gets all bundled up and makes a frigid journey to the candlelight church service.
This lovely cowl by GrayDesigns will help keep me warm.
...as will these fun handwarmers by HelenGrayDesigns.
And when we return home from church, we always have a feast of hors d'oeuvres and toddies! I'll bundle up in this hand crocheted throw by Fringe as we track Santa's location on Norad.

This Weekend: Holiday Heap!

Only 4 days until the Charm City Craft Mafia's Holiday Heap, and I can hardly wait!

This year's fair will have 60 of the best local and national crafters, as well as a yarn-spinning demonstration by Three Ravens and a raffle to win a huge basket full of goodies by supporting Arts Every Day! Check the CCCM blog to see vendor interviews and raffle basket sneak peeks.

GrrChe, a local food truck, will be outside for lunch and snacks.

Check out the vendors beforehand by visiting the vendor page. Sugar Paperie will be there and I do hope that you'll stop in and say "hey!". The show will be held on December 3rd, from 10am to 5pm inside St John's Church at 2640 St Paul Street, Baltimore MD 21218.

Designers I Could Just Eat Up: Hillery Sproatt

I met Hillery Sproatt a couple of years back at the MICA Art Market, while searching for the perfect little birthday gift to myself. I found her delicate, feminine etchings irresistable and I came home with a piece entitled, Balancing Act. It hangs on our dining room wall, reminding me as I pass to take a breath and chill.
A local printmaker and fiber gal, Hillery is a Baltimore favorite and can be found at the Charm City Craft Mafia's Pile of Craft and Holiday Heap craft shows. Which means that I am forever tempted by her lovely work. This is the newest addition to my burgeoning collection, Speckled Spectacle, a dense collection of people busied with their work and united in labors of love.
My birthday is just a few weeks away. I'll keep you posted on what sweet treat I come away with! Maybe another piece by Hillery?

Trend Watch: Geometrics!

a token of true affection print by treasure frey

pink triangle print by toems

greeting cards by Carson Too

Designers I Could Just Eat Up: Young Alexander

I just love these guys and their dishware! I met Young Alexander at Artscape this past July and purchased a pair of itty bitty bowls from them. Then I came back for a few chevron plates that will adorn our dining room walls.

Their retro-inspired motifs are hand-painted and reminiscent of vintage diner ware which I am quite fond of! Even though our kitchen cupboards are bursting with dishes, I can't help but add to my collection of mix-match old and new, humble and fancy.

Paisley Plates

Retro Leaf Plates

Diamond Serving Plate

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Autumn - I love it! Crisp, cool air, crackling leaves. The excuse to bundle up in a cozy sweater, and nestle on the couch with a good book. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, it's divine.

fair isle painting by squidwhaledesigns

butterfly mug by my friend, Shawna of pinkkiss pottery

bartlett teapot by clamlab

This Weekend: Monster Craft Mash

The trickin' and treatin' begins on Monday, and that frees up the whole weekend to shop for treats of the crafty sort. So why not head down to Dupont Circle in the District, for the DC Craft Mafia's Monster Craft Mash. Held in the parking lot at St. Lukes Episcopal Church, over 40 talented crafters will be featured.

Sugar Paperie & Found Studios will be there, as well as local favorites like NAMOO, Jill Popowich Designs in Metal, Yummy & Company, Design by Night, among others. So come on down - we'd love to see you!

For the Home: Swinging Basket Chair

Something in me stirs a little when I think of the early 1970's. Avocado green kitchen appliances, shag carpeting, and a floaty basket chair. My mom had one of these when I was a kid. I have fond memories of reading by the window, nestled into my floaty chair.

Rattan Hanging Chair #1

number 2

number 3

I'd love to add one of these to our den, aka reading room. Cozy and boho-chic. Which one do you like best?

Weekend in the Studio - Hooray!

This week, my adventurous husband has tapped into his inner Hemingway character. While he is spending 5 days traveling solo down the Chesapeake Bay, I will be relishing in my solitude, working in the studio (and to be quite honest, making a mess of the entire house). I go wild when he leaves for a few days. Any clear tabletop falls victim to my craftiness. The glitter comes out, ribbons come unwound, and I get super productive.
This weekend it's just me and my music, coffee, and binders filled with inspiration. My plan includes creating some mini art pieces for the holiday show season. I'm bursting with ideas and excitement. I hope to have some new work to share soon. Stay tuned!

Collections: Eva Zeisel Pottery

At the age of 105 (that's right!), designer and potter Eva Zeisel is still rockin' it. Zeisel began her career as a mid-century potter who designed everyday dishware for companies such as Hall, Sears, and Red Wing China to name just a few. These days, she keeps ever so busy collaborating with young companies like Klein Reid and Design Within Reach.
This little teapot started it all. I bought this in my teens at the Shipshewana Fleamarket for a mere $14. Drew and I scored a place setting for 12 at Home Anthology and it became a wedding gift from my mom.
Ebay has helped me with the rest of my collection.

I scored a pair of these Schmoo shakers from a little thrift shop in my hometown. While crazed and perfectly imperfect, they cost me 50 cents. A collector's dream!
While her pottery is highly collectible, Crate and Barrel has re-issued her 1952 Classic Century line, making beautiful design available to the masses.

Don't forget to apply..to Holiday Heap that is!

Perhaps Baltimore's hippest holiday show, and the Charm City Craft Mafia wants you to apply!
APPLY NOW! Applications are due October 8th at midnight! Best of luck! oxo

Trend Watch: Chevrons!

super cool diy project by thebabyblackbird.com

classic chic invitations by Richie Designs

salad plate by Young Alexander

gouache painting by Squid Whale Designs

Sugar Paperie's Off to St. Louis

Back in July I set out to do my first trade show, Buyers Market of American Craft, with a few pals from Baltimore Craft. Held in Baltimore, it seemed foolish not to take the leap into more widespread wholesale opportunities. The past few weeks, I've been busy shipping out orders made during the market.

A box of storybook cards is headed off to Craft Alliance in St. Louis. Now Sugar Paperie cards can also be found at Smyle Store in East Greenwich, Rhode Island & 925 Silver Store in Baltimore. As always, you can pick them up locally at Trohv, Woman's Industrial Exchange, Greenberries and ArtSpring. Hooray!

Collections: Milkglass

I love milkglass. It's creamy white, just like homemade vanilla ice cream, making it a great addition to any type of decor. The varying textures provide for a fun and interesting cluster. And best of all, it's cheap and relatively easy to find. Made popular in the 1950's, milkglass is an opaque glass poured into vintage glass molds. And this is how I like to show off my collection in our home.

Designers I Could Just Eat Up: Ashley Lloyd

Beautiful. Haunting. Mysterious. Delicate. Bold. Fierce. Meet Ashley Lloyd. A master milliner based in Manhattan, Ashley is a collector bringing to life the untold story of her gathered relics. A MICA grad, Ashley is currently working on her collections of avant-garde head-pieces while collaborating with other designers as well. If only Alexander McQueen could have met this talented gal. It would have been a match made in heaven. To read more about her work, check out this wonderful article by Design Sponge.

Rainbow Brite

As a child of the 80s, I adored Strawberry Shortcake, Care Bears, Barbie and the Rockers, and of course, Rainbow Brite. I'd dress like Punky Brewster (layering my socks, and all) and yearned to be Cyndi Lauper. Drawings of rainbows, hearts, and shooting stars embellished my bedroom, and I had the habit of putting my clothes in rainbow order. Only to have my sister mix them all up.

My color sense comes from these carefree childhood memories. I still love rainbows and striped grosgrain ribbons. Occasionally I buy stickers, and I have a box full of sparkly glitter.

Unicorns

The truth is, I never grew out of stickers, glitter, rainbows, or unicorns. A girl can always dream.

Unicorn screen print by amandakindregan

Me and My Unicorn by alicebgardens.

Unicorn Mask print by MATTY8080