A Timeline of Arty, Creative, Handmade, and Awesome Holiday Shopping Events in Baltimore by Cara Ober
It’s time to talk all things shopping. This year I keep seeing the suggestion to buy less, but buy better. For someone who tends to close their eyes, whip out their credit card, and then sort out who is getting what the night before, this idea of deep rather than broad shopping is a little daunting.
However, I hate the mall and I don’t want my gifts delivered in a Jeff Bezos robotic reindeer sleigh. I’m looking for something different, a little bit challenging, and to spend my money on treasures that are truly special. I’m okay with spending a bit more, but I want the shopping to be a warm and fuzzy experience; possibly fuzzy because there is booze involved and warm with the glow of connecting to others who are fun and have good taste. I want my hard earned dollars to stay in circulation in my city, to put them into the pockets of equally hard working artists, artisans, and crafters, and for the local economy here to grow.
While I am happy about the ever-proliferating list of local, handmade, holiday shopping events, and I wish I could support all of them, I’m also in favor of a shorter list with specific criteria. This year I would like to purchase more artwork, I would like to run into people I know while shopping and talk to them, and I want to make the best use of my limited time, hence this year’s list of just ten events.
Rather than attempting to capture it all, I am sharing the list of art, craft, and maker events I plan to patronize this season, the art I would actually buy. I know that my family and friends deserve amazing gifts and I know that Baltimore’s creative community is an invaluable asset, the reason why so many of us choose to live and work here.
Did I mention that BmoreArt’s new print journal makes a great gift for the art and culture connoisseur in your life? We’re selling a limited edition of compete sets of six, as well as individual copies at our website and through our wonderful network of vending partners, including Trohv, Atomic Books, Greedy Reads, Ivy Bookshop, the BMA Gift Shop, and hopefully a few additional others.
This year I hope your holidays are merry, warm, and full of all good things, especially things that are made locally and with love.
1. Vintage Jewelry and Accessories Sale at The Walters Art Museum
Thursday, November 29: 5 pm
Friday, November 30: 11 am
Saturday, December 1: 11 am
600 N Charles St, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
Just in time for the holidays, the Women’s Committee will be selling gently used jewelry and accessories during a 3-day* pop-up shop in the Level 1 Lobby. Proceeds from the sale will support education programs and exhibitions at the Walters.
2. Holiday Sale at the Baltimore Jewelry Center
Friday, November 30: 6 pm
Saurday, December 1: 2 pm
Sunday, December 2: 12 pm
Baltimore Jewelry Center
10 E North Ave, Ste 130, Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Join the Baltimore Jewelry Center for our annual Holiday Sale Nov. 30 – Dec. 2, featuring work for sale by our community members and instructors. Participating artists are: Erica Bello, Sarah Berger, Nikki Bracy, Brittany Covington, Susan Craig, Jeni Fairman, Allison Fomich, Maria High, Airi Maeno, Jessica McGrath, Freda Mohr, Bridget Parlato, Jenn Parnell, Laura Penza, Jayne Roth, Lisajoy Sachs-Cahlander, Lauren Schott, Molly Shulman, and April Wood
We’re also excited to announce that this weekend Hey Thanks Herbal Co. will be mixing a specialty cocktail made with their handmade cordials during the sale Friday, Nov. 30 from 6 – 9p, Power Decals will be selling their custom nail decals with us, and we will be launching the sale of a custom Baltimore Jewelry coffee blend, 18 Karat, created for us by our friends at Thread Coffee! Everyone who attends the sale will be entered in a raffle to win a FREE bag of coffee and a custom made coffee scoop!
3. MERRY MART: Shop Local
Merry Mart – Holiday Craft Show and Creative Alliance
Sunday at 11 AM – 5 PM
Creative Alliance
3134 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, Maryland 21224
Shop a diverse mix of handmade items by artisans from Baltimore and beyond this Holiday Season! Merry Mart is an annual juried holiday craft market that showcases high-quality handmade arts and crafts including; clothing, handbags, accessories, ceramics, soaps, kids’ toys, mixed media, jewelry and great art! Bring your kids to our free drop-in arts workshop from NOON to 5PM.
4. Holiday Sip & Shop Hosted by Baltimore Vintage Flea
R. House
The next Baltimore Vintage Flea is popping off on Sunday, December 2nd at R. House where we will featuring some of the area’s best vintage vendors showing their vintage wares, clothing, furniture, knickknacks, and so much more for the Holiday Sip & Shop. Bring lots of cash and a couple of credit cards to shop while enjoying some libations and delicious food inside R. House. Perfect time to pick up some one of a kind holiday gifts for your loved ones. For more information: www.facebook.com/baltimorevintageflea
5. MICA Art Market 2018
Thursday, Dec. 6-Friday, Dec. 7: 11am-7pm
Saturday, Dec. 8-Sunday, Dec. 9: 10am-6pm
Maryland Institute College of Art
1301 W. Mount Royal Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21217
At this year’s Art Market, holiday shoppers and collectors can discover work by emerging and established artists and designers just in time for the gift-giving season. Fine art and handmade objects by approximately 275 MICA students, alumni, faculty and staff will be on sale. Original gifts include jewelry, illustrations, paintings, prints, posters, sculptures, mosaics, stationery, T-shirts, ceramics, book arts, toys and wrapping paper.
Visitors can talk one-on-one with artists and designers about their work while enjoying the market’s lively atmosphere and supporting the local economy. The event is sponsored by the MICA Alumni Association. A portion of the proceeds goes towards scholarships for MICA students. Cash & credit cards accepted!
6. Under $500 // Sixth Annual Affordable Art Sale
Friday, December 14, 2018 at 7 PM – 10 PM
Maryland Art Place invites you to their sixth annual UNDER $500 affordable art sale this December! On Friday, December 14 at 7 o’clock join us for a first-come, first-served opportunity to purchase affordable and original works of art. The event will feature the work of Baltimore and surrounding area artists at a price point of $500 or less. Purchase work at any point throughout the evening and take home that night!
Featured artists include: Seth Adelsberger, Jill Adler, Erin Barach, Kyle Bauer, Emily Campbell, Schroeder Cherry, Atsuko Chirikjian, Se Jong Cho, Nicole Clark, Bobby Coleman, Courtney Cooper, Pete Cullen, Jessica Damen, Alex Ebstein, Maria-Theresa Fernandes, Erin Fostel, Ric Garcia, Eric Garner, Helen Glazer, Cat Gunn, Jessi Hardesty, Caroline Hatfield, Gregory Hein, Elli Hernandez, LaToya Hobbs, Don James, Sanzi Kermes, Rosa Leff, Giulia Livi, Jon Mallis, Dereck Mangus, Antonio McAfee, Mike McConnell, Bruce McKaig, Lee Nowell-Wilson, Salvatore Pirrone, Geraldine Pontius, David Salgado, Linda Smith, Katie Sowinski, Michael Stevenson, Wes Stitt, Sarah Tilton, Kelly Walker, Tanya Ziniewicz, and Lindsey Zuskin.
Guests can expect to mingle with other artists, collectors, patrons, and general art enthusiasts at the event with an open wine and beer bar, along with light tastings with a holiday twist. MAP will also be collecting new toys and books to support Philanthropik’s toy drive the evening of Under $500. These toys will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House this holiday season. *Note, only new toys will be accepted.
Free parking will be provided by Arrow Parking at 229 W Saratoga Street.
7. Old Goucher Design Open House + Post Typography Print Sale
Saturday, December 15, 2018 at 11 AM – 4 PM
2219 St Paul St, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States
Old Goucher Design District Open House + Holiday Crawl: Featuring Post Typography’s annual print sale, specials from Co_Lab Books, drinks and bites from Sophomore Coffee, Fadensonnen, and Larder
Post Typography and neighbors Co_Lab Books, Sophomore Coffee, and Larder are organizing a holiday shopping crawl on Saturday, December 15 from 11 am – 4 pm. Each Old Goucher business will feature special holiday offerings, including art prints, design books, ceramics, seasonal gifts, and food and drinks.
Post Typography is opening our studio for our 7th annual print and ephemera sale. The one-day-only event features limited edition prints, posters, books, music, and apparel, including screenprinted tour prints for Future Islands and Dan Deacon, collectible Maryland Film Festival posters, and our classic Bill Murray Groundhog Day movie poster. Other goods for sale include vinyl records, T-shirts, signed copies of Lettering & Type, and other Post Typography publications. Post Typography is located at 2219 Saint Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21218.
Around the corner, Co_Lab Books will offer special discounts and seasonal gifts, along with their regular selection of architecture and design books and gifts. Sophomore Coffee will be setting up a pop-up coffee bar inside of Co_Lab serving coffee, tea, and drinking shrubs along with snacks from Larder. Sophomore will also have a small selection of retail items for sale, including coffee and handmade ceramics. Both will be located at Co_Lab at 2209 Maryland Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21218.
At the new Socle complex, Fadensonnen will offer Glow Wine (hot mulled wine), as well as natural wine, beer, and cider. Larder will offer galettes, warm spiced cider, and herb and pepper salts at their café. Both are located at 3 West 23rd Street, Baltimore, MD 21218.
8. Holiday Heap 2018
Saturday, December 15, 2018 at 10 AM – 5 PM
Come Join 50+ amazing artists/makers for the 12th annual HOLIDAY HEAP Craft Fair presented by the Charm City Craft Mafia! Shop handmade and local for all your holiday needs on Saturday, December 15th from 10am-5pm. Free and family friendly!
Join the Holiday Heap 2018 Facebook Event for more details to follow as we get closer to the event or visit http://charmcitycraftmafia.com
9. Current’s 6th Annual Art Market
Current Space
421 N Howard St, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
Current’s 6th Annual Art Market in support of local artists and friends. No gallery commission, no table fees, no bullsh!t. Come buy art directly from the artists, meet the person behind the work, and support them by buying art for yourself or someone special.
10. Last Stop Hops & Shop
Thursday, December 20, 2018 at 5 PM – 9 PM
Peabody Heights Brewery, LLC
401 E 30th St, Baltimore, Maryland 21218
More details to follow as we get closer to the event! http://charmcitycraftmafia.com
Extra Credit: Made in Baltimore Shop
I know I said ten, but the Made in Baltimore shop has so many different events, they have their own calendar! For my purposes today, I am lumping them all into one big extracurricular making, doing, shopping, eating, and drinking event.
22 W. North Avenue, Baltimore, MD
