Baltimore is home to a plethora of top-notch thrift and consignment stores, as any bargain hunting fashion plate can attest. Whether you’re looking to declutter your closets or score something new-to-you to rock, we’ve got you covered for the best spots around town to both drop off and pick up.

Goodwill Fells Point
Out of several locations in the area, the Goodwill location on Broadway offers the best selection for contemporary brands like Anthropologie and Stuart Weitzman. Although the store size is smaller than others, they make up for it by carrying a diverse range of sizes. If you love the Goodwill hunt and are willing to pay a couple dollars more for quality designers and materials, then this location is worth a visit. 715 S Broadway, 410-327-2211

Value Village Thrift Store
Larger than your average thrift store, Value Village boasts two levels of organized men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing. Looking through their inventory is like taking a trip through the decades, with a selection including modern designer labels as well as vintage finds. In the heart of Highlandtown, this store is known for its tidiness and consistency. Reasonable prices mean most customers never leave empty handed. 3424 Eastern Ave., 410-327-5300

Uptown Cheapskate Timonium
For those who like to get an idea of what’s in store before stopping by, Uptown Cheapskate keeps its customers in the loop by regularly posting new finds on their Facebook and Instagram pages. The store maintains a rotating stock of designer brands like Tory Burch, Michael Kors, and Kate Spade, with a variety of new and vintage pieces. This is the spot for young adults looking for a large selection of secondhand designer apparel and accessories. 2143A York Rd., 410-560-5890

Redeux Consignment
Redeux Consignment is a mecca for those looking to buy quality or designer merchandise for a fraction of the retail cost. Everything you’ll find in this Roland Park consignment store is a top-tier brand and in suitable condition for resale. For up-to-date fashion, browse their large selection of sizes in products ranging from women’s clothing and shoes to bags and accessories. 5002 Lawndale Ave., 410-323-2140

The Wise Penny
Run by the Junior League of Baltimore, The Wise Penny on York Road is a thrift store with a mission. Proceeds from sales of the shop’s new and gently used merchandise go towards funding the Junior League’s charitable projects in the community. But that’s not the only thing to love about The Wise Penny—its already deeply discounted designer and household items go on even further sale multiple times throughout the year. 5902 York Rd., 410-435-3244

A Day N June
What began as a pop-up vintage shop is now a full-time thrift store on Pulaski Street. A Day N June has used and vintage clothing sourced from trade shows in L.A., New York, and other thrift stores across the country—all handpicked by owner Lindsey Brown. Brown’s favorite vintage clothes and accessories are far from ordinary, incorporating street style elements and vibrant colors. 208 S Pulaski St., 443-314-8995

Second Chance
If you find yourself mid-home décor project and looking for something unique to bring your space to life, Second Chance should be your go-to. Established as a nonprofit to preserve the Baltimore region’s architectural heritage, Second Chance focuses its efforts towards reclaiming materials for public use. In the massive warehouse near M&T Bank Stadium, you will find antiques, lighting fixtures, building supplies, indoor and outdoor furniture and more, as far as the eye can see. 1700 Ridgely St., 410-385-1700

Tried But True
Mothers and moms-to-be looking to avoid spending a fortune on maternity wear swear by the children’s and maternity selection at Tried But True in Cockeysville. In the business for more than 30 years, the resale boutique has a wide range of kid-focused wares including strollers, baby furniture, toys, and infant- to toddler-size clothing. Everything is in good condition and available for a reasonable price and can be consigned when kids inevitably outgrow their pieces. 10914 York Rd., 410-666-9265

Vogue Revisited
Vogue Revisited in Roland Park boasts an array of quality name-brand inventory for all sizes, with new apparel arriving daily. Their curated selection is super-organized, making it easy to find everything from high-end designer boots to top-of-the-line bags, all resold at a below-retail price. They also accept new or gently worn items like clothing, jewelry, or shoes that are on-trend and in good condition for consignment. 4002 Roland Ave., 410-235-4140

 

Jonathan Van Ness, star of Netflix’s massively popular Queer Eye reboot, is coming to town for a stop on his first solo comedy tour, “Jonathan Van Ness: Road to Beijing.” Audiences can expect plenty of the signature JVN charm they know and love, along with some fresh surprises. We caught up with America’s newly minted sweetheart and talked trying new things, believing in yourself, and some very interesting childhood memories of Baltimore.

You’re one-fifth of such a dynamic group on Queer Eye, and you all have such amazing chemistry together. Is it nerve-wracking to go on the road by yourself?
Yes! Headlining a standup comedy tour is definitely different than doing Queer Eye with such good friends, however it’s a whole new art form and world for me to learn and thrive in, and it’s really fun for the artist in me to figure that out, so it’s a challenge I’m into accepting.

Since most people know you from the show, what can folks expect to be different in your solo comedy show?
They can expect to get a much more fleshed out, layered version of my personality including tons of physical comedy inspired by my obsession with gymnastics, yoga, and, of course, figure skating. I’m never afraid of taking a hard and fast detour from what I think I’m going to talk about, so it can be a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants good time.

You’re on figure skates in the promos for your tour. What inspired you to start skating?
I’ve been obsessed with figure skating for my whole entire life and always wanted to try it out. As soon as I had my first lesson a few months ago, I knew I was going to be absolutely addicted, and now it’s something I’m going to keep working hard at for the rest of my life.

On your podcast, “Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness,” you cover everything from renaissance art history to the current political and humanitarian situation in Central America. How do you track down your expert guests for such a varied line up?
It used to be in the first season that I tracked them down myself. But now my team and I come up with what ideas we’re going to cover and start searching who will be the best fit. It’s a lot of research and a lot of emails.

Audiences connect with you so readily because you put your true self out there. Is it ever hard for you to put your heart out there and be vulnerable with the world?
For sure. It’s always scary to put yourself out there, but it was really important to me when this all started to stay authentic, and it’s definitely been worth it so far.

What advice do you have for someone who wants to try something new, or to show up more fully as themselves every day?
You can’t trust your fear. Of course, you’ve got to listen to her sometimes, but just go for it. Just go!

Have you traveled to Baltimore before? What do you know about the city?
I peed my pants in the [National] Aquarium when I was 7 and have unfortunately not gone back since. So I’m really excited to right the wrongs of my Christmas past in Baltimore.

Ever rocked our city’s signature hairstyle, the beehive?
I have NOT, but I would totally like to.

What do you think of Baltimore’s style in general? What would you do to give the city a makeover?
I think Baltimore is killing it. She’s northeast and gorgeous.

Brianna Volatile started her lifestyle blog, The Brunette’s Diary, while she was still in high school. What began as a creative outlet for the young fashionista blossomed into a platform where she could connect with her devoted readership as well as the brands she loves.

Volatile’s aesthetic became shop-able with the opening of Simple & Feminine, a brick and mortar boutique as well as an online store. We caught up with the young entrepreneur to discuss her process, favorite things, and the future of Simple & Feminine.

What was your inspiration for opening a boutique?

I’ve always loved photography, fashion, and beauty, and the blog was my creative outlet. It started getting traction about three years ago and brands started to contact me, and we would work together on partnerships. I’ve worked with big brands like MTV, Maybelline, Coach, and Express, but I also worked with a lot of smaller boutiques.

With those smaller stores, I noticed when I would post their pieces or do a collaboration with them that I would sell out of it—often it would be gone that same day. I thought, why not have a place where I can highlight the brands I love, that my readers have already interacted with through my blog? So, I opened Simple & Feminine in January of this year.

You’re not originally from Baltimore. What brought you to the city?
I’m from Howard County, and my original location was in Ellicott City. I had been there for five months, and then in May of this year it flooded. I had to figure out where to go next. Baltimore City has so many cool small businesses and is very fashion forward. Plus, the majority of our following is Baltimore-based.

I reached out to a bunch of different places, and Harbor East took me in. They had a pop-up location available, which is where Simple & Feminine will be until February of next year. I’m working on scouting the perfect permanent location, hoping to stay in Harbor East. They’ve been so welcoming to me.

What was the inspiration for the name Simple & Feminine?

I love all things simple, with a feminine twist. I love my pinks, my blush pinks, and my grays. I carry pieces that you can wear more than one time. I like to be able to give my shoppers something they can wear a few different ways, multiple times, not just something to wear out once and then retire.

What are kinds of styles can people expect to find here?

A lot of the pieces that I have are boho chic, and a lot of fun denim. We are known for our beauty products as well. A lot of the brands I carry are women-owned, whether that be beauty products, fashion, or gifts. I hand-select every single piece myself, with the goal that everything in the shop has a unique story behind it. I like to be able to support other small businesses with the brands I choose to highlight in the shop.

You have such a well-curated selection. How do you know what will be the right fit for your customers?

Sometimes businesses will guess what their customers want, whereas I will straight up ask. When I’m on buying trips in New York, I’ll use Instagram stories and polls to find out what my followers like best. Half the time, those items sell out within an hour, because my customers have been with me through the whole process of buying it, selecting colors, and then getting it in stock.

What are your current favorite fashion and beauty trends?

I love the big furry jackets that are really in right now. Leopard has also made a comeback—we had an amazing leopard cardigan that sold out in a day, which I loved. But I also love timeless pieces—denim jackets and leather jackets—those things that never go out of style. As far as beauty trends go, I love the jade roller. We have tons of beauty products, but I love that it’s a tool that anyone can use, no matter their age or skin type, and you can keep it forever.

What’s it like running a business with your mom?

My mom is more behind the scenes, but she is my partner in crime. She’s been going to New York with me for years when I would do blog collaborations, and she was always asking, “So, what’s next?” She has definitely helped with the vision of the brand, and she comes with me on all my buying trips.

Being in Harbor East, you’re right up against so many big name stores. Was that intimidating or exciting when you signed your lease?

Very exciting. I think that it’s an honor to be on the same street as these huge fashion brands. Walking down the street, you read, “Free People, Anthropologie, Simple & Feminine,” and that’s a real dream come true. I don’t see it as competition—I don’t know anyone who only shops at one store. Harbor East is a shopping destination, and I’m really happy to be here.

What sets your boutique apart?

When my customers come in, I want to provide them with the best shopping experience. I walk them through the store and help them find something they’ll love. I try to bring in brands that people haven’t necessarily heard of yet, and it’s all stuff that I love and use myself.

Before I buy a whole collection of something, I’ll buy it myself personally and wear it, wash it, work out in it, all to make sure it’s a great fit. It’s me running it all. Simple & Feminine is my baby and I think that’s what sets me apart from the bigger brands and stores.

Patrice Gentile’s line is for every woman. Whether your style can be described as ladylike, tomboyish, or anywhere in between, ALICEANNA designs offer the elegance of handmade couture and the ease of your favorite sweats. We sat down with Gentile to talk about her inspirations and the generational connections among women that inform her practice.

When did your interest in fashion and sewing begin?
When I was a kid, my favorite part of playing with Barbies was their outfits. I would sketch out little outfits in addition to what they would come with, and that was the beginning of my love for clothes. My mom gave me a sewing machine for 16th birthday and showed me all the basic stitches. That really jumpstarted my love of garment assembly and sewing construction. There was a course that I took my junior year at Chesapeake High School in Anne Arundel County called Fashion Merchandising and it went over all the different career paths that you can take in the fashion industry. I just decided then, this is what I’m going to do, no questions about it.

How did your line come to be?
After I graduated from studying fashion at Radford University in Virginia, I worked in New York for a year with a company where pretty much what we were doing was just knocking off other people’s designs. It really bummed me out, so I moved back to Annapolis. I started waiting tables three or four days a week to make some money, and then the other days out of the week I would hole up in my room to make patterns, cut out fabric, and construct clothing. I would spend hours on my hands and knees, all afternoon, making patterns on my floor. I started making one-of-a-kind garments and selling those in a few stores that carried independent designers in Annapolis, D.C., and at Doubledutch Boutique here in Baltimore. Once I was in a few stores, I decided to put on my own fashion show.

After the show, I did a pop-up series in D.C., Baltimore, and Annapolis with a designer trunk show meet and greet. Shortly after that I packed up and moved to L.A. A friend got me a connection with Anthropologie and they picked up one of my dresses, which was insane. It completely changed what I was doing and put a lot of eyes on me. I found this old farm table on Craigslist and drove to Pasadena, picked it up, brought it back to my apartment, and I cut and sewed every single dress for the Anthropologie order on that table, with my Brother sewing machine that I got when I was 16. Shortly after that, I launched my website and started selling orders through the site doing made to order.

Baltimoreans must think you named it ALICEANNA after the street in Fells Point.
I didn’t name my brand after the street, although that’s a happy coincidence! It comes from my grandmothers’ names, Alice and Anna. Alice and Anna are so different. They couldn’t be more opposite, and I’ve always been really interested in opposites attracting. My grandmother Alice is very proper. She would wear a button-up blouse and a long skirt every day and was always so put together. And my grandma Anna was so free spirited, wearing a lot of color and fun, flashy accessories. I see myself as being half and half, depending on the day or my mood, and so that was really important for me to connect with and reflect in the brand. I feel like some of the pieces can be pretty ladylike and feminine, and other pieces are kind of more relaxed and tomboyish.

Who or what are some of your inspirations?
My great-grandmother, Alice’s mom, made all her own clothing. Those connections made me realize that the qualities that we as women possess were once possessed by our ancestors and our relatives, and everything is passed down. I feel like women have this bond to each other and to our relatives, and I really wanted my label to reflect that and for that idea to be the namesake.

I am also very much influenced by older styles throughout history, but I would say another big influence for me are television film and book characters. If I’m reading a book or if I’m watching something, especially if it’s a period piece, I get really into the costume and the wardrobe. When I’m reading a book and they’re describing the character, I imagine what they would wear—what would their uniform be?

Can you describe what makes your designs so wearable?
When I was in school at Radford, it was a very old-school program. We learned how to design and create everything by hand, which is kind of a dying art to not use a computer to design. We spent a year learning how to sew professionally using old-school sewing techniques. Every garment was fully lined, every garment had some kind of fitting device like darts, a zipper, or buttons, and everything was super structured.

In L.A., women wear whatever they want, however they want, and it’s a lot of loose, breezy silhouettes. I just loved it. It’s so comfortable, especially if you’re like me and no two days are alike and you’re running all over the place, or if you’re a woman who has children and you’ve got to take your kids places. I started adapting to this laid-back style, but I didn’t lose the clean-lined, structured construction that I learned in school.

How has your brand grown since you moved back to Maryland?
I did something new last year, and I ordered fabric in bulk from a warehouse so that I could create a small inventory for the first time, which was really amazing. I moved back from L.A. a year ago, and I started sewing and working out of Open Works. Being there has really helped me because they have top-of-the-line Juki industrial sewing machines that have sped up my sewing process, and I rent out a studio there as well where I can keep all my fabric, drop my things off at the start of the day and just get started.

Being able to take those pieces to markets, like the For the Greater Goods Market in Remington, is such a great experience. It’s so fun for me because I get to see people interact with the clothing, which when you’re doing an online business you don’t see that—you just mail things out and never know their reaction. The next market I’ll be at is December’s Greater Goods Market, so I’m really looking forward to getting to spend that time with people around the holidays.

What is your favorite thing about being a creative entrepreneur in Baltimore?
Baltimore is so much more about community and people coming together. We are in a major city, but it’s such a supportive community and there is this sense of women supporting other women. I’ve connected with other women who all help each other out, send each other links to new opportunities and markets. And I just feel like, wow, this is how women should be with each other because we’re all in the same boat, making small businesses our livelihood and balancing the amazing months with the really trying ones.

If there were one person, past or present, you’d like to dress in your designs, who would it be?
I would love to see my clothing on my grandmothers, actually, that would be really cool. I did a photo shoot in February and had my mom model. She was surprised I asked her because people normally get younger girls to model and my mom is in her mid-60s, but she loved it and she looked so cute in the clothing. I’d also have to say my daughter! I am four months pregnant, and recently found out I’m having a girl, and I’m beyond thrilled. I can’t wait to make mini-sized ALICEANNA outfits for her.

Halloween is our annual opportunity to step outside of our normal selves and embody someone (or something) else for a night of revelry. Whether you’re aiming for spooky, silly, or sexy, we’re of the mindset that the best place to source your best festive look isn’t Amazon or Party City. If you’re willing to dig a little deeper, vintage shops are a treasure trove of inspiration and unique pieces that will bring any look to life. We asked local vintage mavens to put together costumes pulled from their racks and give us hot tips on shopping used for a memorable look.

“A costume doesn’t have to be blatantly obvious—explaining the gist of your idea to people can be half the fun,” says Sara Autrey of new Charles Village vintage mecca Get Shredded Vintage. Autrey’s “Eccentric Yacht Couple” couples’ costume, is the perfect example of that sentiment. On their own, each of the pieces can be worn in normal life for an on-trend nautical look or worn all together, with a sprinkle of wanderlust attitude, the costume comes to life.

Looking to party hard this All Hallows Eve? The Halloween queens at Milk and Ice Vintage have you covered. “Don’t hesitate to ask the owners at a vintage store if they have any ‘wounded birds,’ meaning cool vintage that’s not for sale because it’s flawed in some way,” says Kate Thomas, who co-owns the store with Angie Gavin. “You can often get super rare and more interesting one-of-a-kind pieces at a discount, and you don’t have to worry about damaging them if you’re out partying!”

Once you’ve got the basics of your holiday ‘fit picked out, the last piece of the puzzle to a successful costume is all in the attitude. “The key to pulling off a DIY costume is going all out,” says Morissa Rothman-Pierce of Bottle of Bread. “Go the extra mile and paint your face. Roll around in a pile of dirt if you’re being Pigpen. Just go wild, because Halloween is an excuse to be your wildest self.”

We asked our favorite vintage owners from Get Shredded, Keepers Vintage, Bottle of Bread, and Milk and Ice to style (and model!) some of the best potential Halloween looks in their stores.

Every September, Fashion Week comes to New York, and the city is filled with glitz, glamour, and attitude. This NYFW, Baltimore musician Hunter Hooligan brought his signature dance floor-ready grooves to the runway with the debut of his new song “Pink,” which served as the backdrop for designer Stevie Boi’s collection by the same name. We sat down with him to talk about the process of writing a song for the runway, how style and music intersect, and Baltimore’s unique creative scene.

Tell us a bit about yourself as an artist.
I started writing original music when I was 12 or 13, and never really stopped. Music has been so many things for me over my life: It’s been like therapy, it’s been the place that I put all my hopes and wishes and fantasies, and it’s been the thing that has guided my life. I didn’t question it a lot. I’ve taken inspiration from my family, who have always been really supportive of me as an artist. My parents both had a very deep love of music. There were always all different kinds of music being played in the house when I was young.

When did you and Stevie Boi decide to collaborate on a song for his show?

The song came about because I spent time with Stevie Boi at TT the Artist’s film shoot for “Dark City.” He had brought several pieces from the collection to wear in the film. I was looking at them and asking him what was the message of the line, what had inspired it? By the end of the day I was like, “You know, I really feel like I could make something for you to use as a musical component for this line.” And he was really open to it.

What was the concept for the song “Pink?” What was your inspiration?

The first time I heard the song that became “Pink,” I knew it was the one. I had reached out to several different producers and wound up going into the studio with Will Lederer to fill out an instrumental he’d sent me. The lead synth in the song was this very golden pink for me—it was very joyous and effervescent. It was bubbly, light, all the things I associated with the line after talking with Stevie.

Before writing the lyrics, I went down a rabbit hole on the history of pink in fashion, and that took me to the idea of timelessness and recurrence, of pink going in and out of fashion and what that has meant in the broader cultural landscape through time. I was also thinking about pink being this intimate color, and I had the idea for the lyric “we’re turning pink.” That took me to researching the act of blushing. That universal feeling of blushing is so warm, and it can be so innocent, or it can be sexual, it can be multifaceted, it can be exciting, it can be scary, it can be embarrassing, and it can be vulnerable.

It gives away your emotions.
Exactly. I was thinking about vulnerability, recurrence, and timelessness. Then this whole story popped into my head and everything I’d been researching became clear. This story of reincarnating through time and experiencing this intimacy, and the common thread of that being this biological act of blushing. I recorded a demo and sent it to Stevie, not really knowing what he would make of it, and he replied almost instantly saying, “It’s perfect.”

Was the process of writing and recording “Pink” any different than your other songs?
Yes, I actually did something I’d never done before on a song, which was talking the verses instead of singing them. Every melody or lyrical approach I’d taken up until that point felt too wholesome. I was very cognizant of the fact that this was ideally going to be on the runway, so there needed to be this attitude or this sort of cool to it. The turnaround from writing to recording the song to getting it out was also very quick compared to my usual process. I usually get to sit with a song for longer, but this was very exciting, and I felt so grateful to be a part of the wider vision for the line and to experience the show itself.

What was it like being present at the fashion show?
It was really fun. I have a deep love for style, and fashion is sort of the “fine art” of style. Seeing a show that was about fashion as an art, taking clothing and elevating it to the position of an art object was really fun. It was wonderful to be there and to see the clothing presented, there’s a performative aspect to it. It was gorgeous.

Did you blush when your song played?
Immediately the nerves kicked in when the song started, but I just had to check in with myself and be like “this isn’t about you,” you know? It’s not about the music—the music is an accessory in the atmosphere in the wider experience of the show. The show was very much about the clothes and very much about Stevie and his artistic vision, and I was just glad to be part of that and to contribute in some way.

How would you describe the correlation between fashion and music?
The two to me are intrinsically linked. I saw an interview with Nicholas Cage, of all people, and he said something that really struck me. He was talking about the rhythm of his performance in a film, and he said, “I think all great art aspires to be music.” That to me rings true, not because I’m trying to put music above other art forms, but there is an immaterial aspect of music. All you need to make music is your voice and a sense of rhythm. I think that gets at a very pure sense of creativity. It’s literally just the manipulation of sound, which is not a material thing, it’s energy. As someone who makes music, all other art forms funnel into that for me. Fashion for me, is really style, and style is storytelling, and storytelling is magic. And that is so essential to the music, because it’s a physical embodiment of it.

Can you describe your personal relationship with style and fashion?
For me, fashion and style are transformative. It also acts as a place for me where a lot of my other influences, not necessarily musical, find a home in expression. My number one rule for style is give yourself permission to try on anything, because fashion can be a way to explore your identity. And when used for that, it can be extremely healing, it can be extremely validating, it can be extremely personal and spiritual. Because that is the sort of power of fashion when utilized in its most noble pursuit, is the expression and the exploration of identity.

What is your favorite thing about being an artist in Baltimore?
There is such a wealth of creativity, art, excitement, and passion here. And it’s pure in a way, because we don’t have that external pressure that “hubs” like New York or L.A. or Chicago put on artists to make money for other people. There’s no one looking over our shoulders. It can be a double-edged sword to not have that kind of attention on our city’s art scene, there’s the good and the bad with that, but because of that I think there is so much pure intention.

Baltimore is an incredibly fertile place. It’s full of inspiration, it’s full of stories, full of every ingredient you need for creativity—beauty, mystery, enchantment, and struggle. I think that Baltimore is very much so the rose growing in the concrete. And everybody wants to focus on the concrete for some reason. The rose is much more beautiful.

How would you describe Baltimore’s style scene?
Adventurous! Uninhibited, unhinged. There is a sort of disregard for convention, which I think is essential to personal style. There is also an adventurousness to the designers here. Stevie Boi is incredible, and Bishme Cromartie is absolutely divine. Baltimore style is personal, it’s expressive, it’s adventurous, and it’s not lost in its own performance. Because there is a performative aspect to fashion and style, but the expression is not lost in that. I think that there is enough distance between style and fashion here. That they’re not absolutely devouring each other. Baltimore hasn’t traditionally had access to the fashion houses and big brands, and we’ve proven that we don’t need that. We’ve shown that our natural sense of style trumps all of that noise.

What else can we look forward to from you? Any upcoming projects people should know about
Yes! There is a project that I’ve worked on for a very long time with DJ James Nasty as the executive producer, called “Child of Venus,” which will be a multi-part musical narrative. Part one will be here soon.

Full disclosure: The author’s husband produced “Pink.”

If you’ve scrolled through Etsy and had the desire to make something beautiful, but didn’t know where to start, Mary Thomas and Amy Isler are here to help. The founders and directors of Maker Practice designed their craft-entertainment concept space to spread the joy of creating useful, beautiful items by hand—and for all skill levels.

“We’ve developed a scale of difficulty that we rate each project on called the Practice to Pro Scale,” says Thomas. “You can place yourself on the scale and then decide which project you’re willing to tackle based on how we’ve rated them.”

Every three months, the maker kits—which range in difficulty—will rotate, so even the most avid crafters will never run out of new techniques and skills to try out. Each kit contains all the materials, instructions, and tools needed to create a handmade project from start to finish in their studio on Frederick Road in Catonsville. The BYOB studio accepts reservations for larger parties, as well as walk-in availability so that visitors can drop in whenever inspiration strikes.

Crafters looking to try their hand at something new will find options ranging from a Maryland flag with the look of inlaid wood to a frame repurposed as a stained-glass window. Both Thomas and Isler grew up in creative families, where anything was possible with the right tools and know-how. Having been exposed throughout their lives to everything from woodworking and car maintenance to needlework and quilting, the two have a deep and diverse well of creative knowledge to share.

“Some of the projects are things we’ve made ourselves through our years of crafting together,” says Thomas. “And some are things from our ‘dream craft list,’ or bucket-list style things that we really wanted to experiment with, and through that bring the same experience to people at Maker Practice.”

One of those dream crafts is a leather bag kit, which gives makers the opportunity to create their own classic, go-anywhere tote without needing to purchase their own set of leather-working tools. Sharing tools is one way in which the founders of Maker Practice hope to lower the barrier to entry.

Thomas and Isler met several years ago at the Y, where their boot camp class became an unofficial forum for discussing each of their latest creations. That connection turned into spending time together, trying out all sorts of new projects. During these “crafternoons,” the pair were low-key laying the groundwork for their future business.

“We would joke, ‘When we have our own place, this is how we’ll do it,’” says Thomas. “We always had the thought at the back of our minds. We knew one day we would go into business together.”

That day came when, earlier this month, the doors of Maker Practice opened to their first round of crafters. Plus, it was a no-brainer to open up in their home neighborhood.

“Catonsville is very traditional in that there are things that have been here forever that are institutions in the community, but there are also opportunities for new places to come in,” Isler says. “We are excited to be a part of that fresh energy of new places opening up.”

The Maker Practice studio space has a light, fresh feel, and was designed to inspire. The main feature of the space began as a blank wooden wall but is in a constant state of transformation. Every maker, upon finishing each kit, is invited to sign the wall in pencil. The names are then wood burned, leaving a permanent mark. As more makers visit the space, the wall will continue to evolve as a visual record of everyone who has shared the experience of creating at Maker Practice.

The space is also a testament to the founders’ commitment to sustainability. Thomas made the tables herself from reclaimed wood found at Second Chance Inc. in South Baltimore, and the rest of the furniture has been upcycled by Thomas and Isler to suit the space.

The ethos behind Maker Practice is “practice makes proficiency, not perfection.” What Thomas and Isler most hope their makers gain is a sense of empowerment that comes from having tried something new.

“This was all born of our desire to make beautiful things instead of buy them,” says Isler. “We really believe in the beauty of your own creation. It’s not always going to look just like the picture, and that’s okay. We really love when it doesn’t, because when you look at something you’ve made, you have that sense of accomplishment—and that’s really the payoff.”

If you’ve ever spent 15 minutes browsing on Pinterest, you’ve seen at least one image of an airy, aspirational room with a perfectly designed gallery wall. You know the type—the “Oh, I just threw some things up there that I liked, and it all worked out,” gallery wall.

If only it were so easy.

The “effortless” gallery wall may be the biggest lie in home décor.

In reality, the gallery wall is where those of us who are interior design beginners encounter the perfect storm of frustration—where spatial reasoning (or lack thereof) meets precise measurements.

But we weren’t about to let that stop us. We went to the experts at Framin’ Place in Mt. Washington for insights on how to pull off hanging a gallery wall that has it all—beauty, style, and longevity.

Mark Thompson has been managing Framin’ Place for nearly 25 years—almost the entire time the business has been serving Baltimore’s art lovers. The shop’s pros specialize in helping Baltimoreans bring more beauty into their homes via their custom framing services.

Here, along with Thompson’s insights, we share some of the most useful tips and tricks for anyone looking to spruce up their space with their very own gallery wall.

Gather your artwork

The first, and most important step, is deciding what pieces to include in your gallery wall. Whether you want to stick to family photos or create a mishmash of artwork, photos, sculpture, and more, the beauty of the gallery wall is that there are no hard and fast rules about what can be included.

Select your frames

As with the artworks themselves, there are no strict rules about what types of frames to include in a gallery wall. The most important thing to take into consideration is how the grouping will look as a whole. “To mix it up can be really sharp, but you wouldn’t want to insert something that’s going to draw attention away from everything else on the wall,” says Thompson. “Using neutral mattes is important for a unified look. As far as frames go, you want to be sure they relate to each other style-wise. Staying within a color family, like all black finishes for a black and white photo wall, looks really great.”

If you’re looking to create a gallery wall with a modern feel, but with staying power, Thompson recommends sticking with something classic. “Throughout the years, we’ve seen trends come and go, but there are some timeless options, like natural hardwoods, or an all-black or all-white minimalist look.”

Protect your pieces
Chances are, you care about the artwork and photographs in your gallery wall. To guard against the damage UV light and acidic materials can cause over time, make sure your pieces are protected. At Framin’ Place, every project uses UV blocking glass and all acid-free materials. “Everything we do is to extend the life of the artwork,” says Thompson. “Often, people don’t realize how faded their artworks have become, since it happens over time.”

Choose a focal point
The eye will naturally go first to the largest piece on the wall, so make sure it’s something you really love. Whether it’s a wedding photo or a print of your favorite Matisse from the BMA’s Cone Collection, this will be the piece that you build the rest of your arrangement around. If you’re looking to make that piece stand out even more, consider using a special frame as an added highlight. “There are certainly ways to elevate a focal point piece. A more ornate frame than the rest of the wall, or a hand applied finish can really let people know that that’s a special piece,” says Thompson. “Look for something you can’t just find anywhere.”

Use stencils to create a layout
Rather than trying to decide on your final arrangement by holding your pieces directly up on the wall, you can make it easier on yourself with stencils. Thompson recommends laying out all your pieces on newspaper or brown craft paper, tracing each one, then cutting them out to create stencils. With a bit of patience and painters’ tape, you can shuffle your stencils around in the space where you want your gallery wall. Keep adjusting until the layout feels right and the spacing between elements is correct. You know what they say, measure twice, hammer once—especially if you rent!

Use the right hardware
If you’re a beginner, do some research into what the proper hanging hardware is for your wall. Brick, plaster, and drywall require different hardware, and the weight of the pieces you’re hanging is a factor as well. (For example, an expansion type screw with a plastic sleeve is best for hanging on brick walls, but drywall calls for a drywall screw.) “You want stability, and to make sure you’re not constantly moving your pictures to straighten them,” says Thompson. “Whether the proper hanging mechanism for the piece is wire or something else, we always put the appropriate hanging mechanism on each piece to make it a little easier for people once they bring the artwork home.”

Let your iPhone do some work
The compass app on your iPhone is hiding a super useful secret—a level! Open the compass, swipe right, and the screen of your phone will become a level. Hold that bad boy up on the top of each frame as you’re hanging, and it’ll show you if you need to scooch the piece a bit this way or that for it to hang straight.

Don’t be afraid to keep adding
You’ve hung the final piece and taken a step back to gaze upon the fruits of your labors, but that doesn’t have to mean your brand-new gallery wall is finished finished. A gallery wall’s organic, irregular borders lend themselves to future additions, or even swapping out artworks and frames as you wish. When you take that next perfect picture, simply grab a frame and add it on.

At Bottle of Bread, Morissa Rothman-Pierce has curated a to-die-for collection. While vintage fashion for women and men takes center stage, the shop’s wares are rounded out by a thoughtful selection of handmade items for the home and body.

Whether you’re looking for a showstopping dress for your next event, classic denim for hot summer days, or the finishing pieces to pull it all together, Rothman-Pierce has got you covered.

We were able to catch up with the most stylish woman in Baltimore and talk about her origins, how far she’s come in ten years in business, and the Baltimore Vintage Expo.

What is Bottle of Bread’s origin story?
I started selling vintage when I was 16 years old. My best friend’s mother owned a vintage shop in the ’80s, so when we were kids, we’d play dress up. I’ve just always loved it. I started buying and selling on Etsy in 2008, so it’s been ten years.

I had always wanted to open up a shop, and when I graduated college, I just did it. My first shop was in Fells Point—it was super tiny, but it allowed me to grow. I moved up here to Mt. Vernon in a storefront across the street, and then moved to the current space about two years ago.

What do you love about where you are now?
I’m a freak for natural light, and this space has these two giant bay windows. Plus, I’m on the sunny side of the street, so it’s a double whammy of gorgeous light. The space is a lot larger, and it’s a really cool old building. Tin ceilings, the whole thing.

What’s the best thing about running a small business in Baltimore?
It’s really cool to be a part of a city that is up and coming in a lot of ways. There’s a lot of support, and everything is owned by young people. So many people I know own businesses, nonprofits, venues, everything. It’s empowering to be around a bunch of young people who are doing the damn thing.

What are some of your biggest style inspirations?
I love old Western wear. And I love all the androgynous style of the ’30s and ’40s, like great tailored suits worn by women. Marlene Dietrich and Patti Smith both have that masculine woman sort of style I really love.

How do you source the vintage in your shop?
I handpick everything. I do a lot of house calls, I do in-store buys, and I shop when I travel. I actually just got back from a trip to Memphis, Tennessee, and shopped along the way.

You have such a unique collection of items for the home and body, as well as vintage. What is your criteria like for adding new products to the shop?
My only criteria is that I have to like it. There’s an old school and a new school when it comes to vintage. Old school are those wild spots where you walk in and there’s clothes, ceiling to floor, all time periods and styles.

There are a lot of places around here like that, and as much as I respect that and it’s totally rad, what I do is different. It’s curated. There are plenty of things I know I could sell the heck out of, but I don’t carry them. I’m pretty specific, and I think that that shows in what I have. It’s not for everyone, but I think people enjoy that it’s not a hodgepodge.

How did the Baltimore Vintage Expo come to be?
The Baltimore Vintage Expo is an event I put on along with the women who own Milk & Ice Vintage, Kate and Angie. We felt there was no good, purely vintage show in Baltimore, and the idea behind it was sort of a “by the people, for the people” event. We’ve all done so many shows over the years, and there’s always some issue, like when the organizers aren’t ready for you, or the space is a foot shorter than they told you it would be.

So we decided to put together an event run by the vendors, and it’s been great. Kate and Angie and I all run the show, as well as have our own booths with our stuff for sale. We encourage our vendors to bring the best of the best, so there’s a lot of really amazing stuff. Designer vintage, cool older stuff.

Is there anything new this year to look out for at the Expo?
Last year, we had denim repair by Kristi of Fischer Clothing Company, and she’ll be back this year. You can bring your jeans that are thrashed, and she’ll fix them up on site. We also have the Bushelers of Baltimore, super professional tailors, doing onsite tailoring.

Vintage is so often a one-of-a-kind, amazing piece, but that maybe doesn’t fit so well, so you can get those pieces perfectly fit to you on the spot. Arvay Adams of This Sporting Life will be there as well, doing custom chain stitching. You can come find an amazing vintage piece, get it tailored perfectly to you, and then have it customized. It’s a one-stop shop!

Also, this year we have early bird tickets available for purchase for people who want to get in and shop 9-11 a.m., before it’s open to the public for free.

What trends do you see being big for summer 2018?
The minimalist thing has been really big recently—long, flowy linen and silk dresses. I also see psychedelic ’60s prints coming back, which is great because I love that psychedelic stuff. Denim, always, I mean cutoffs will always be in style. Also patchwork is coming back, especially that really ’60s madras patchwork plaid.

And people will be able to find all those things at the Vintage Expo on May 19?
Heck yeah, they will! Right now, all the vendors are hoarding our best stuff specifically for the Expo, so we are going to be bringing out all the spring and summer trends.

Our top picks:

Brittany and Joey Wight launched Wight Tea Co. three years ago this May, turning their shared passion into a product line chock full of delicious and surprising flavors. The sipping siblings want to challenge the stereotype that tea is just for drinking curled up under a blanket while the snow falls. We got a chance to sit down with the Wights to chat about spring and summer teas, how they craft their blends, and the future of the business.

Do you have any special memories or stories connected to tea?
Joey: Every Sunday at our grandmother’s house, we would pack 15, 20 people in her tiny apartment, and after dinner the men would all go watch TV. I don’t really care for football, so I’d stay with all our aunts, mother, grandmother, female cousins, and we’d sit around the dinner table drinking tea and talking. I’d go through all the different teas in Grandma’s cabinet, seeing what I liked and didn’t like.

Brittany: I just really enjoy waking up and making the tea and being quiet, when the light is still coming up. It’s this peaceful moment I have to myself. And my favorite thing to do is to go over to our parents’ house, and we sit around the dining room table and drink tea together.

What was the inspiration behind Wight Tea Company?
J: As young as 7, I started reading every book I could find, researching tea on the internet, trying to find new things to try.

B: We’re seven years apart, so at that age we didn’t really talk much. After I graduated from UMBC, Joey encouraged me to get a job at a tea shop. All of a sudden, I realized I loved it.

J: And when I reached working age, I started working at the same shop. We started sharing blends we would make with each other.

What is it like working together as siblings?
B: We have a good checks and balances system. When I feel like I’m uncertain about something, Joey is very certain, and vice versa.

J: We know each other so well. We can read each other a little differently than you just could with the average coworker or business partner. Every time someone asks if I’m in business with partners, I say, “Yeah, it’s my sister,” and they’re always like “Oh, I’m so sorry,” and it’s like no, you should really give it a shot!

What’s the best thing about being a small business owner in Baltimore?
B: I really love business in Baltimore specifically because of how supportive it is. I love making friends and connections through supporting other small businesses. It’s my tribe, and I love seeing everybody succeed.

 J: If you have trouble finding resources or information, someone in business that’s a similar size is always willing to help you track it down. It’s a really helpful community.

Coffee has been trendy for so long, do you see a similar focus and attention growing for tea?
B: Absolutely. Tea is already popular, especially among millennials. That age set is drinking as much tea as they are coffee. I think that people are opening up to it, realizing they can have a very high-end experience with tea.

J: If you look at the coffee industry, there are coffee beans from different parts of the world, processed in different ways and roasted and brewed with all different techniques, and the same thing goes with tea. Tea tastes different depending on where it comes from, based on the pH of the soil, the mineral content of the soil, how high up it was grown, how it was processed once it was picked—there are thousands of factors that go into the flavor of tea. That’s really the fun part for me is understanding why it tastes that way, and you can have that elevated experience while seeking out variety.

B: People are starting to wake up to the idea that if you care about your coffee menu, you need to start caring about your tea menu as well.

 What makes the perfect cup of spring tea?
J: If it’s a spring morning and I can make a leisurely cup of tea, I’m doing a jasmine green tea with some local honey. It’s light, it’s floral, and the green tea notes really bring it down a little bit.

B: As spring comes I want something a little lighter, something brighter, which is the Sage Rose, or something along the lines of a little floral, or a little fruity, but nothing too heavy.

J: Spring is also harvest season for the tea we use for our Marquess Grey, my favorite time of year!

B: It’s only picked in March and April, and it’s the first buds, so we’re sitting on the edge of our seats.

J: It’s a luxurious tea we would buy for ourselves. And then we made a tea blend out of it, and people loved it. I can’t wait to have it back in stock in May.

B: That will be a great spring tea, too. It’s an earl grey, which is a kind of basic tea everyone knows about, but ours is a different earl grey experience.

How do you come up with your flavors?
J: We begin looking at ingredients that we like and think are different. We’re not just going to make a basic tea. For example, the Tropical Green Tea. We wanted something to fill that gap in our product line, but neither of us likes fruity teas that are heavy and dense. We knew what we wanted and what we didn’t, but we also wanted to make it a little different. So we put coconut in it. Or with the Blueberry Lemon Basil, we added the basil. Blueberry and lemon is delicious, but we wanted something to differentiate and make it pop.

B: And with the Sage Rose, we added the lemongrass. It always starts with thinking about flavors that I enjoy. We’ll kind of brainstorm back and forth about different combinations, and we’ll get the ingredients to make little test batches. We’ll have a test cup together, we’ll talk about what we like, what we don’t like, what to add, what to subtract.

J: Sage Rose almost didn’t happen. One time it tasted too much like moss, the next time it tasted like potpourri, we kept going back and forth that line in the middle of balanced flavor, and then right as I was about to give up, we made one final blend, and it was amazing.

What are your recommendations for enjoying tea in warm weather?
B: Our most popular blend, Tropical Green Tea, is a summertime favorite. It’s a green tea with tons of fruits, and it’s so delicious and light. We also just released Blueberry Basil Rooibos with Lemon, which is a great caffeine-free tea.

J: It’s easy drinking. The thing I really love about Blueberry Basil on a hot day is when you’re drinking something with some of those more savory tones in a tea, it can be cooling.

B: When our Sage Rose tea is made iced, the sage has this buttery, refreshing smoothness.

Any summer trends in the tea world to keep an eye out for?
B: We just started making tea-flavored cotton candies, which are really fun and great for the summer. Right now, we have a green tea, black tea, and earl grey flavor, and we have those at all of our events.

J: In a couple months, we hope to have cotton candies that taste like our own tea blends.

B: Cold brew is going to be hot for the summer, too. It’s so simple, you just put your tea in cold water and leave it in the fridge overnight.

J: It’s great because you won’t release the tannins out of the tea leaves since you’re not getting it hot enough, just lots of flavor.

B: You can also mix in soda water with your tea, which is great for summer. It’s so light!

What does the future hold for Wight Tea Co.?
J: We’re working on becoming more visible in Baltimore and the DMV area through wholesale to restaurants, bars, other local businesses.

B: In the broader future we’re looking to get into warehouse space, to up our production on a much larger scale.

You guys are also very vocal about educating your customers.
B: Absolutely. We’re always happy to educate people on how to make proper tea at home. Like matcha, which is on trend right now and we can teach you how do it right.

J: A lot of people think they hate matcha because they’ve had it made poorly. It can be lumpy and bitter made wrong, but if you have it hand-whisked the proper way, it can be so velvety and smooth.

B: We always have tastings at events, and love to talk with people how to make it right.

J: We both have this experience a lot where we make tea for someone and they absolutely love it, but they won’t do it at home. And I always say I’m more than happy to show them how. As long as that means they’re going to enjoy tea, whether it’s our tea or tea they found somewhere else, that’s my goal. I just want people to open themselves up to the world of possibility with tea.

Milan may be the current host of Fashion Week with-a-capital-F, but the American Craft Council (ACC) is about to bring just as much style inspiration to Baltimore with its Style Slam program.

In its third year, Style Slam connects local fashion stylists with the ACC’s network of gifted creators, by challenging the stylists to piece together a fashion-forward look from wearable pieces, accessories, and jewelry, exhibited at the Baltimore Convention Center February 23-25.

For the fashion pros taking part in Style Slam, it’s an opportunity to connect with other creatives and to tackle a new challenge.

“To be able to talk to people and see what they do, how they do it, and why is really something special. You don’t really get to see so many artists at this level all in one place,” says Jason Tompkins one of the four stylists and influencers invited to participate, who has done work with local clients like Under Armour. “The artists are from all over, and they’re people who may not be represented by traditional retailers, so it’s more intimate.”

Stylists will each arrive with a model dressed in “base” layers—simple garments like jeans and a t-shirt— and then pull statement handmade pieces from stalls throughout the show. With a veritable treasure trove of wearable art to choose from, the convention will showcase artful accessories like jewelry, hats, and handbags.

“When you’re surrounded by things that clearly took care and talent to make, it’s easy to get inspired and to find something unique to pull from all of it,” says stylist and blogger Shae Li of Beautifully Together. “I’ve always had a fondness for textiles and how things are made. It’s just mind boggling that people can create such works of art with their hands.”

The ACC’s annual Baltimore show is its largest in the country, and that’s no surprise, given Baltimore’s notoriously eclectic style.

“Baltimore style is individualistic, and you can find people wearing any type of personal style here,” says Taylor Evans, whose blog Stylishly Taylored celebrates personal style. “With us stylists all being a microcosm of the city’s diverse style, I’m really interested to see how the other stylists’ creative minds work.”

The stylists’ final outfits will be exhibited on Saturday, February 24, in a pop-up space on the show floor, on live models as well as mannequins for the remainder of the day. ACC attendees can stop by the space to see those looks, and to talk with the stylists themselves about how to incorporate handmade statement pieces into their own wardrobes.

Sydney Paige, stylist and blogger at Coffee Stained Lace, is looking forward to connecting with fellow art lovers looking to introduce wearable art into their everyday lives.

“I hope I can be a resource for anyone looking to style the pieces they love, but aren’t quite sure how to execute them in an outfit,” she says. “I’m ready to inspire and be inspired.”