Baltimore 2026!

Over these last few years, we’ve lost some of the better craft shows, so I am very happy that the American Craft Council is still producing American Craft Made Baltimore. This was their 49th year! Amazing! The first time I went, in the mid 1990’s, they’d been going strong for close to 20 years. I was impressed and inspired by the exhibiting artists who had figured out the complicated logistics of making their art, going to the shows, talking to the public and selling their work. I was amazed! They had figured out a way to make a living from their craft.

I love, love, love making my clothes. When they are finished, I want to send them out into the world. It’s simple, if they are gone, I have a reason to make more.

When I first started, I needed to find the people who would want my work. Galleries and stores were an option, but the shows were even better. I could make the clothes, bring them and personally show them off to all kinds of people. They would come to say hi, look and if it all fell in place, buy. After the pieces were sent off with their new owners I would come home, step into my studio and get sewing on new work. Wherever my fabrics and ideas led me I could follow. Fantastic!

Below, a photo of this year’s booth. A super fun part of the show is the opportunity to show off my clothes. I arrange and rearrange trying to make sure they look their very best.

The booth is only 10 x 10 feet. but plenty big enough to get everything in and looking good. If it works out, as it did this year, I get a corner. Two open sides make it easy for people to go in and out. They can spread out a bit into the aisle.

A view from the other side. All work quietly waiting for the show to open.

Then it’s time, the people come in and we are in the middle of a three day party. It was another good show in Baltimore!

On Sunday, the last day, we packed and tore down the booth. Next, head back home and start the process all over again.

But before starting new work, I need to get back home. The plane usually leaves the afternoon of the next day. That means there’s a day to hang out, relax and take a little walk.

But!

But, there was a snow storm predicted for Sunday night. A very big snowstorm.

Baltimore had just come out of a week of severe snow and ice and they were not happy about having to go through it all again.

The view from the hotel room on Sunday evening. To compare before the snow storm and after, I took this photo. Can you can see the remaining snow from the previous storm? A few piles in the corners of the parking lot.

The weather predictions were calling for massive amounts of snow. We were thinking it might end up looking like the photo below, deep snow covering the roads, cars, and buildings. Not good, not good at all if you wanted to fly out that day.

This is not a photo of Baltimore. It is a shot I grabbed off the internet of the snow that had fallen in New York from that very storm.

But. Whew! The storm missed Baltimore.

When I looked out the window on Monday morning, all I could see was this little bit of snow dusting the roof on the left side of the photo. A big, huge, happy relief. Thank goodness!!!

There was no snow anywhere except a few piles remaining from the previous storm.

We could take a little walk around the harbor, past the ships,

And an occasional pile of snow.

Then back home! A view from the plane just as we were lifting off.
It’s not just making enough and the right sizes and pieces, or getting there in one piece, or setting up the booth, it’s also the weather! We squeaked by this time.

Thank You Thank You American Craft Council for putting on another great show!