Q&A with Tigerlillyshop

What is your craft all about?

I create one of a kind pieces using a variety of materials. I incorporate vintage kimono textiles in my handmade button jewelry, and do another line using pieces of nature pressed into metal or encased in copper for one of a kind art jewelry.

What inspires you to make what you make?

I have always had an appreciation for a wide range of media. I have found creating different lines of jewelry satisfies my need to use many different materials. Silk, rubber, vintage plastics, copper, brass, and silver all play a role in my studio. I am inspired by the organic beauty of nature in my metal work as well as the colors and textures of the fiber in which I create my button pieces.

What is your favorite piece/product you will have with you at the Handmade Mart?

My preserved nature pieces are one of my favorites. Taking real organic found objects, I encase them in a thick layer of copper, similar to the way one would bronze baby shoes. I am really fond of the acorns, maple seeds and various seed pods preserved in this way.

Where can folks find your craft outside the Handmade Mart?

www.tigerlillyshop.etsy.com

Find me at booth #58!

Q&A with Dreaming In Nuclear

What is your craft all about?

Dreaming In Nuclear Crafts are all about pushing the limits of crafting. My hand painted wooden plaques feature the collision of folk art, contemporary kitsch, and images based upon the absurdity of modern mass media's coupling with the internet culture.

Dreaming In Nuclear's Jewelry line currently consists of the Dead Celebrity Head Line, and Nuclear Candy Lines. Dead Celebrity Head Jewelry was created to follow suit with the concept of the plaques. All of the celebrities are made from original ink drawings, which are copied in order to be mass produced. Nuclear Candy Jewelry features images of kitschy dolls and sculptures that I have photographed.

What inspires you to make what you make?

The inspiration to create my plaques came out of a concept I had been developing that dealt with internet culture, and the wave of what I considered to be high tech “outsider art”. I felt that there was an obvious correlation between these very modern artistic expressions, and more traditional folk art. I approached this project by attempting to use very traditional techniques, and combine them with these very modern modes of image manipulation. The folk art element of the project lead me to make the decision to execute these pieces on wooden plaques as opposed to canvas. I was also inspired by traditional Mexican folk art to add things such as glitter and rhinestones to the pieces, both items which are not generally considered to be acceptable in the painting community. I began to really enjoy the indie craft community, and eventually my love for it, and concept for the plaques gave birth to my recent adventures in Jewelry making. However, i could continue on about my inspiration for this project for an hour, so if you really want to know more you can check out my website www.dreaminginnuclear.com, or ask me at the show!

What is your favorite piece/product you will have with you at the Handmade Mart?

I think they are all my favorites, but I think the Party! Plaque holds a special place in my heart.

Where can folks find your craft outside the Handmade Mart?

My crafts can be found at a number of places
my website - www.dreaminginnuclear.com

on etsy www.dreaminginnuclear.etsy.com
The brand new Philadelphia Craft Mafia website – www.Phillycraftmafia.com

Find me at booth #11!

Q&A with oh ginger

What is your craft all about?

My craft is about fun, simplicity, whimsy and affordability. I use interesting textures, vintage ephemera, bold and exciting colors and affordable materials to create my collections.

What inspires you to make what you make?

It's an opportunity for me to unwind and enjoy, on a small scale, all the things I love; marketing, graphic design, web/tech stuff, fiddling with crafty bits, front-line customer service (lots of years in retail) and being imaginative and creative. I take a lot of color cues from food, too. My biggest inspiration is simply to continue the crafty legacy set forth by my mom and grandmother.

What is your favorite piece/product you will have with you at the Handmade Mart?

I'm excited about debuting my Ricrak Collection to the public and getting feedback about it! I might also have a few samples from my forthcoming screenprinted line of home decor. You might even get to meet my baby puglet Seamus, too, although he's not for sale!

Where can folks find your craft outside the Handmade Mart?

I sell oh ginger wares on Etsy - http://ohginger.etsy.com. You can also find information about my craft and my thoughts and ponderings about crafts and domesticity at my blog - http://www.queeringdomesticity.com

Find me at booth #2!

Q&A with Hogmalion & Company

What is your craft all about?

It’s all about getting a stick of Satan Butter in every pot and a WineMonkey in every garage.



What inspires you to make what you make?

The dream that one day Jerri Blank will swing by my booth and let me“ring the bell” in trade for a fetus cookie cutter.



What is your favorite piece/product you will have with you at the Handmade Mart?

I’m going to have to go with the crack rock earrings (SMAX), but my Mom seems to be one of the few bold enough to wear ‘em!



Where can folks find your craft outside the Handmade Mart?

Hogmalion.com, y’all.

Find me at booth #23!

Q&A with Becklaces!

What is your craft all about?

Becklaces are necklaces (and more!) by me, Becky. I create modern and relevant jewelry from old and sometimes unexpected items.

What inspires you to make what you make?

Currently I am inspired by common materials like cardboard boxes, magazines, and pretty papers. I like the idea of transforming these everyday objects into unique, colorful, textural, and affordable jewelry.

What is your favorite piece/product you will have with you at the Handmade Mart?

I am excited about my bracelets - I work as an artist for a decorative painting company, and we use a lot of painter's tape. I salvage the empty rolls, dress them in fancy papers and gloss, and give them new life as bracelets!

Where can folks find your craft outside the Handmade Mart?

You can find Becklaces on etsy at www.becklaces.etsy.com

Find me at booth #32!

Q&A with Jenny Wren Jewelry

What is your craft all about?

Most of my jewelry is handcrafted with natural and recycled materials. I use semi-precious stones, glass, wood, metals, ceramic and vintage jewelry findings in my designs.

What inspires you to make what you make?

As a child I always loved to make things with my hands: coloring, painting, paper maché, collage, etc. As a graphic designer, I’m inspired by shapes, colors and composition. My personal history with art and design informs my jewelry making.

What is your favorite piece/product you will have with you at the Handmade Mart?

Some of my favorite jewelry designs are those created using circular shapes. I have earrings and bracelets made of stone rings, rubber rings, wood rings...the circle is endless, with no beginning or end and that symbolism intrigues me.

Where can folks find your craft outside the Handmade Mart?

You can find my jewelry on etsy at jennywrenjewelry.etsy.com

Find me at booth #55!

Q&A with Pretty Little Fings

What is your craft all about?

Pretty Little Fings is all about letting your inner quirky side show. My plush are aimed towards people who are young and humorous at heart. It is a one woman hand making operation with weird hours and lots of randomness.

What inspires you to make what you make?

I have always had a love for fabric and their textures, so it was no surprise when I chose the plush route. My inspiration comes from Children’s Books, animals, and things from my surroundings (like my plush sticks!). As a collector of Children’s picture books, I find myself perusing the pages of them and letting my imagination take it’s course. I start off with sketches and end up with softies made with love. I love using soft materials such as fleece and printed flannels of various colors.

What is your favorite piece/product you will have with you at the Handmade Mart?

I love all of the things I make, but if i had to choose one of the items that will be available at Handmade Mart, it would have to be the Vampire Bats. Picking out the fabric and matching buttons are my favorite things to do. It is one of the most time consuming piece, but most rewarding at the same time.

Where can folks find your craft outside the Handmade Mart?

Besides Handmade Mart, people can find my crafts on ETSY. www.prettylittlefings.etsy.com Later this summer, I will be exhibiting pieces at the Bear & Bird Boutique + Gallery in Florida as a part of the Stitch Wars show.

Find me at booth #2!

VOLUNTEERS WANTED FOR THE HANDMADE MART

Be a part of the first-ever Handmade Mart in Silver Spring! We are looking for craft-minded folks to help us put on a rockin' show. Volunteers are needed to help us in the morning with vendors, and work at the Handmade Mart booths throughout the day.

We are looking for volunteers to work in 3-hour shifts, but if you want to work all day, we won't say no. ;)

Volunteers get invited to the exclusive Vendor Party where you can screen your own Handmade Mart T-shirt and tote bag for free, as well as other goodies.

Plus... all volunteers who are crafters will be entered in a raffle to win a free booth space at the next Handmade Mart.

If you are interested, please email us at handmademart@gmail.com with VOLUNTEER in the subject line.

Vendors have been chosen!

Wow, so many great applications! But we have just 50 booth spaces to fill, so we had to make some tough decisions. We think shoppers will be happy with what they'll see and hear at the Handmade Mart. Stay tuned for vendor profiles and band profiles [there's some awesome music lined up!] here on the blog!

Application Deadline Extended!

You now have until MAY 3 to submit your application for the Handmade Mart! We've received a bunch of awesome applications already, but there's always room for more awesomeness. Email 3 photos and your application today!