I felt Artscape

Hello and Happy Monday.  The past weekend featured sweltering temperatures here in B-more, with 90+ degree heat for days on end.  Toss in a little humidity and an arts festival right smack in the thermal pocket that is downtown Baltimore and you've got yourself a reason to splurge on an overpriced bottle of cold water. 

Despite getting a strange sandal tan on my feet, I had a fabulous time at Baltimore's Artscape Festival, the countries largest free arts festival.  Artscape features artists, photographers, craftswomen/men, live music, art cars and even a socially minded ice cream vendor. 

The fest wouldn't have been complete without bumping into a few fabulous Etsy crafters.  And strangely enough, I noticed all my favorite shops were using felt as their medium.  I love how felt can be dressed up or down, how it can be worn as a lovely little brooch or used practically as a pot holder.  I've linked all the listings below to their Etsy shops, so if you see something you love, give them a holler and support these wonderful designers. 

+++

For fun housewares with a tinge of geekery, I loved Philadelphia artist Sara Selepouchin's shop Girls Can Tell.  This unicorn felt coaster set melted my heart.  (Ryan's too, he bought this one and a robot coaster set).  We can't wait to show visitors our new treasures.

I'm thrilled to have this red unicorn gracing our table.

These flour sack tea towels are quite nice.

At Jenny Jen 42's shop, I loved her use of felt applique in a variety of sweet, whimsical bird designs.  Hailing from right here in Baltimore, Jennifer McBrien is a proud member of the Baltimore Etsy Street Team.

A cute bluebird eyeglass cozy.

A small Red Cardinal make-up bag.

Jen Menkhaus is a Baltimore designer who runs the shop The Littlest Bean.  Her site features a variety of felt brooches, pins, clips and the like. I think felt brooches could be the DIY bride's answer to overpriced boutonnieres.  Just saying...

These clips are such a gorgeous use of color!

This felt bubble neckclace is rather fun.

Thanks to all the artists, crafters, musicians and organizers that withstood the blistering heat and made Artscape 2010 a bright, colorful, and successful event.