Review of American Craft Show in Baltimore, MD (Craftcouncil.org)

Talented and inventive American craft artists displayed
their creations this weekend in Baltimore. The show had it all from modern and
classic to funky and fun.

As usual, the aisles were jam-packed with jewelry and
textiles, suggesting the overwhelming appeal of art-to-wear.

Jewelry artists tempted the purse strings in precious metals
as well as polymer, glass, wood, and plastic. Similarly, textile artisans
enticed visitors with vests, hats, scarves, jackets and more.

Interspersed between fabric and personal adornment were
accessories for the home composed of ceramics, woodwork, glass, photography,
and metalwork among others. If you missed their upscale work, you can find many
of these artists online. See below for descriptions and websites.

One new section featured an area called globalDESIGN, which
was billed as “an international showcase of exceptional studio jewelers.”
Frankly, I cannot understand promoting these artisans as appealing and refined
as they are in a craft fair devoted to American, handmade products. Seems to me
ACC sold out and should revisit this policy to keep the show purely USA created
(or stretching that include only North American Artists).

To my eye there are always a few standout American craftspeople among
hundreds. Here’s a sampling:

Art & Home Decor

Artephax Uniquely
intriguing, hand-cut and 3-d layered photo sculptures. www.artephax.com

Thomas Marrinson
Eye candy ceramic bowls of dazzling color. www.tmbowls.com

TreestumpWoodcrafts
Sensuous turquoise-laced, turned wooden bowls, utensils, and furniture. www.treestump.co

Clothing and Accessories

Baabaazuzu Reclaimed
vintage wool wearable mittens and more. www.baabaazuzu.com

Betsy Giberson
Silky and elegantly color-blended scarves. http://www.wantoot.com/collections/betsy-giberson

Bregga Slim,
leather-crafted wallets and card cases www.bregga.com

Chris Triola Lyrical
and textured jackets and vests. www.Christriola.com

Christina Hankins
Urban gypsy leather-tooled bags. www.urbangypsydesign.com

Donna Mertz Beach and ocean inspired photographic images transferred to
bags, scarves, and accessories www.donnamertz.com

Iris Mansard Light and inventive, machine washable rain ponchos perfect
for travel. www.raincoatlady.com

Liz Sabo Colorful
fabric handbags and wristlets in stripes and polka dots. www.lizsabo.com

Moontide Dyers Soft,
stylish, and stretchy jersey t-shirts. www.moontidedyers.com/

Sardine Clothing Co.
Funky and creative, recycled and appliqued skirts. www.sardineclothing.com

Switchwood
Ingenious, detachable, and interchangeable wooden bow ties www.switchwood.com

The Yarrow Collection
Ethnic inspired Shearling and leather jackets, coats, hats and boots, made
in Santa Fe. Full confession, I own boots and two jackets and love them. https://www.facebook.com/YarrowCollection/?fref=nf

UNI Studio
Fashionable art-to-wear reversible swing coats, pants, wraps, vests, and
jackets in both bold and subtle colors. www.jsunistudio.com

Jewelry

Arden Bardon Jewelry
Burnished and buffed, textured and colored one-of-kind and limited edition
polymer art pins, necklaces and earrings.
www.artturestudio.com

Claudia Fajardo Nature inspired, textured and colorful jewelry using
sterling silver, glass beads and gemstones. www.claudiafajardo.com

Elaine B Delicate
geometric jewels. www.elainebjewelry.com

Healy Designs
Tiny, gem and kaleidoscope pendants and rings that really work. www.healydesigns.com

Julie Powell Designs
Magical, colorful stitched and woven beadwork jewelry www.juliepowelldesigns.com

Krista Bermeo Ocean-colored
and breezy glass drop earrings and necklaces. www.KristaBermeoStudio.com

Lauren Markley
Contemporary, geometric, asymmetric jewelry incorporating sterling silver,
textile, paint and reclaimed wood. www.laurenmarkley.com

Rebel Nell
Locally sourced, colorful repurposed layers of graffiti transformed into tie
clips, cufflinks, earrings, bracelets and more to help employ disadvantaged
women in Detroit. www.rebelnell.com

Shauna Blythe Burke
Unban, elegant and organic goldsmith extraordinaire. http://www.shaunablytheburke.com/

Tessoro Nature
and culture inspired, contemporary art jewelry www.tessorojewelry.com

Miscellany

Aristos Eyewear Exotic
wood-framed eyeglasses. www.aristoseyewear.com

J Brooke
Miniature textured and sculpted dioramas nesting inside egg shell ornaments. www.jbrooke.com

Kinzig Design Funky
mixture of modern Victorian lampshades perched above a luscious palette of
shapely glass bases. www.kinzigdesign.com

Global Design

Lika Behar Collection
Elegant 24k jewelry that draws inspiration from the ancient and modern architecture
of Istanbul, Lika’s city of birth. www.likabehar.com

#craftshows #design #handcraft #handmade #usamade #artisanwork #handcraftedjewelry