Applications for the Last Chance Holiday Craft Show are live!

Applications for the second annual Last Chance Holiday Craft Show to be held Dec. 8, 2012 at Faith Community Church, 5315 Harford Road, Baltimore, MD 21214 are now live! The show hours are from 11 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  We are looking for quality, handmade work in a variety of media. All crafts must be handmade by the seller - no re-sellers allowed. This year's show will have live music, an excellent food vendor, free craft activities for the kids, and free parking.

Applications can be found here and are due no later than midnight October 26, 2012. Vendors will be notified of acceptance by November 2nd. There is no fee to apply so what are you waiting for?

Deborah Mizeur, Melissa Etheridge, Maryland Delegate Heather Mizeur 

On November 6th Marylanders will have an opportunity to cast their vote in support of marriage equality in our state.  Donate now to Maryland's Marriage Equality campaign to help fund their TV ads and win a chance to meet Melissa Etheridge backstage at her November 2nd concert in Bethesda! Click here for the link to make an online donation or  to view instructions for mailing a check.

Holiday Craft Shows Seeking Vendors

Applications for the Charm City Craftivists Last Chance Holiday Craft Show will go live this week.  Meanwhile, make sure to check out Charm City Craft Mafia's Holiday Heap show which is accepting applications until Friday October 5th.  The show will be held on Saturday, December 1st from 10-5 p.m. at 2640 St. Paul Street (St. John's Church), Baltimore, MD 21218.  For an application click here.

The First Sunday Holiday Arts Festival to be held on November 4th in Annapolis is also seeking vendors.  Visit www.firstsundayarts.com or www.mdhallarts.org.

Freedom For Birth Premiere Showing 9/20

Baltimore's Freedom For Birth premiere showing is this Thursday, 9/20 at 6:00 p.m.  at the Patterson Park branch of the Enoch Pratt Library, Baltimore, MD  Jeremy Galvin, president of Maryland Families for Safe Birth, will lead a discussion on the effort to implement licensure for Certified Professional Midwives in Maryland.  The film is a fundraiser for MFSB but funds cannot be accepted at the event so please donate online at the MFSB website. For directions to the libary click here. Other showings are taking place the same day in Hagerstown and Libertytown.  Please see the MFSB website for more info. Also check out the online auction happening from now through noon on 9/23 by clicking this link.

Quote of the Day

"Craftivism to me means participating in the economy on my own terms."

-Kate Heck of Kate's Cauldron

katescauldron.etsy.com

cookiedoughcreations.etsy.com

Kathy Mathews's 15 year old craft business, Cookie Dough Creations, started with a single gingerbread man and has grown to feature hundreds of different salt dough ornaments inspired by every season and occasion.  As she approaches her 1,000th online sale since opening her Etsy shop in 2011, Kathy sat down with us to discuss her life as a crafter in Union Bridge, Maryland where she lives with her husband, two children and dog Mojo.

CCC:  I see on your Etsy shop profile that your dog Mojo is your constant companion while you work.  Do you think this may be because you have a habit of regularly dropping raw dough on the floor or that he is snatching bites off of your table when you step away?

   

KM:  That’s a very good question! It could be but it’s more than likely because he’s one of those dogs that has “separation” issues and can’t stand to be by himself. I’ve been very careful never to call my ornaments “cookies” in front of all our dogs. For some reason all dogs know what that word means!

CCC:  I see you have a shop category called "Career Gift Ornies."  Care to elaborate?

cookiedoughcreations.etsy.com

KM:  I no longer have that category, I’ve changed it to “My Job Ornaments” which hopefully is a better phrase. It’s just where I have all my nurse, teacher, librarian, etc. ornaments. Any ornament associated with a job or career.

    

 CCC:  Where do you purchase your supplies and do they express concern over your salt addiction?

KM:  Since you’ve brought that up, I have had a number of very strange comments regarding hypertension from the cashiers in the grocery store when I’m buying salt. Believe it or not, Walmart is currently the best place to purchase it unless the grocery store is having a sale!

CCC:  Where exactly IS Union Bridge Maryland?

KM:  Union Bridge is located between central and western Maryland. I prefer to think of us being closer to the western part of the state as that area has been referred to as “God’s country” due to the beautiful, rolling countryside. Almost nothing but mountains and farmland as far as the eye can see!

CCC:  Have any famous people purchased your wedding favors that you care to gossip about?

KM:  Not that I’m aware of but maybe someday!

CCC:    I read that your husband provides you with much needed technical support for your business.  Would you considered loaning him out to other crafters?

cookiedoughcreations.etsy.com

KM:  That’s a good idea, I’m sure we Etsians could keep him extremely busy!

Tomorrow people across the country will rally for birth change.  The rallies have gained a lot of media attention and two are planned in Maryland.  Please plan to attend and bring your family as well as a sign to carry.  Here is the national website http://www.improvingbirth.org/

The rally in Columbia will be held at 10:00 a.m. at 10300 Little Patuxent Parkway Columbia, MD 21044 (Columbia, MD Mall front of the LL Bean Store). They will continue with the Rally at 11 am cross the road by the Lake Kittamaqundi with a whole family Picnic.  Please see the event's Facebook page at 

http://www.facebook.com/ImprovingBirthNationalRallyForChangeColumbiaMd

Contact the coordinator Ann by clicking here.

The Hagerstown Rally  is at 10a.m.-noon, intersection of Robinwood Drive and Medical Campus Road in Hagerstown, Md. By Robinwood Professional (Medical) Center. See their Facebook page at  http://www.facebook.com/NationalRallyForChangeHagerstownMd Contact the coordinator Jennifer by clicking here.