Shop Etsy & support the MD SPCA!

like to shop AND want to help the animals??  just click on this link and you can do both!!  some of the members of BEST have been kind enough to offer some of the items in their shop, as donations to the MD SPCA's March for the Animals happening on April 17th! 

You might even find some awesome items by JerseyGirlDesign that will donate 50% of their sale price to the charity!!

maybe they are listed below ;)

for the animals

I am a big fan of animals...as you all know, so of course I jumped at the chance to donate an item to the Maryland SPCA auction -Shop-a-Paw-Looza- which runs October 2-30th. You can bid on my necklace, as well as more then 300 other items. So head over to the site and start your bidding!!














Here's a link to my item, an Amethyst and Freshwater Pearl necklace :)

Art Show to Benefit BARCS

Sowebo Arts, in partnership with Zella’s Pizzeria at 1145 Hollins Street 21223 will present an exhibition of art to benefit BARCS (Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter), opening August 6 through October 5. We are presenting animal themed work from artists in the Baltimore-Washington area. These will be sold and the commission will be evenly shared between BARCS and SoWeBo Arts, Inc. The August 6 opening will be from 6 – 8 PM. Admission is free.

BARCS is the non-profit animal rescue organization that operates the former Baltimore City Municipal Animal Shelter. BARCS in conjunction with Baltimore City Animal Control take into the shelter 12,000 animals a year. BARCS houses over 450 animals on any given day and sends thousands of animals out to rescues and adopters every year. During these trying economic times BARCS is averaging 40 animals or more a day entering the shelter. These times of reduced grants and contributions, BARCS is in great need of funding. Your support is greatly appreciated. SoWeBo Arts supports causes like BARCS and community building through the arts.

for more information, click HERE

Art with a Heart

Even though I won't be at Artscape this weekend, many of my talented friends from BEST will be...so if you're still in the city this weekend...make your way over and see what they've got! and...if you have any spare art supplies, they will be taking donations- read on to find out!


The BEST team had a really successful craft supply drive for "Art with a Heart, Inc." last year during Hampdenfest, so we've decided to do it again at one of our largest group venues, and "America's largest free art festival" Artscape.

So help us help Art with a Heart, Inc. carry out their mission by bringing craft supply items to one of the BEST artists at Artscape. As a "thank you" for your donation, BEST is offering a one-time 10% discount off a single item purchased at Artscape from one of our participating BEST artists. Please bring any unused craft (or office) supplies or gift card to our BEST tent at Artscape or to any of our participating artists at Artscape to receive the discount. One discount per person, and the offer is only valid on purchases made at Artscape on July 17, 18 & 19th. We look forward to seeing you there!













Here's a list of items we are looking to collect:

* Deco Markers / Paint Markers
* Elmer’s Glue
* Erasers
* Fabric Glue / Fabric-Tac
* Hot glue guns and glue sticks
* Glue sticks
* Markers
* Masking tape
* Mod Podge
* Paint brushes
* Pencil sharpeners
* Pencils
* Single hole punchers
* Scissors
* Scotch Tape
* Tacky Glue
* Aluminum foil
* Beads
* Disposable/plastic bowls
* Elastic string
* Glitter glue
* Jewelry hardware
* Mat board
* Mat cutter
* Mini hot glue gun sticks
* Paper towels
* Puffy paint
* Screw gun
* Sculpey clay
* Self-hardening clay
* Tag board/poster board
* Thread
* Watercolor paper
* Wire

All donations will go to Art with a Heart, Inc.

"Art with a Heart, Inc. brings the joy and benefit of visual art to those who need it most. They provide interactive, hands-on art activities to disadvantaged families and children, and to people with developmental and physical challenges. They offer our unique, custom programs at a variety of sites throughout the Baltimore area, including:

• group housing facilities and shelters
• senior citizen centers
• assisted living facilities
• community centers
• public schools

Art with a Heart programs include an exciting combination of interactive activities and various art mediums. Some projects recognize important cultural and/or historical events, while others introduce participants to the world's most famous artists. They see how these accomplished creators used their medium to express emotions. Participants are then encouraged to create their own works using varied techniques and mediums.

helping those in need

want to win this beautiful earrings and bracelet set?? you can, if you live in the Baltimore area, and want to attend a benefit this Wednesday to help a family who lost everything in a fire...the wonderful BEST ladies have put together a basket of items to raffle off...and this labradorite and aquamarine set will be in there!








Pot-luck Dinner and Silent Auction

Wednesday, October 8
6:00 to 7:30 pm

5315 Harford Road, Baltimore
Faith Community United Methodist Church
(Corner of Harford Rd. and Gibbons Ave., parking is in back)

Fire struck the Gaffney family in northeast
Baltimore last month. While no one was injured, the
Gaffney's home and belongings on Glenmore Avenue
were completely destroyed.

All are welcome to join in an evening of community
on October 8, with the goal of doing what we can to
provide additional emotional and financial support
to the Gaffney's as they continue the difficult
process of rebuilding.

We will ask for a donation of $10-20 per family on a
sliding scale, and will be hosting a silent auction
to benefit the family. Auction items are available
for early bidding online. For more information, and
to RSVP, please visit
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GaffneysAuction/

We sincerely hope you can join us on October 8.

Think Pink!

I have a few strong ties to the fight against breast cancer, it was my sorority's philanthropy in college, and more recently, my aunt and co-worker/good friend both successfully beat the disease. So in honor of them...and all of those who have been affected by breast cancer in some way...I'll be donating 20% of all my October Sales to the Race for the Cure/Susan G Komen Foundation!











So hit up my etsy shop, and start shopping...it's for a good cause, after all :)

relaying for life

Friday night my co-workers and I did Relay for Life up in Towson...it was quite moving...to see all the luminaries light up, names of survivors and loved ones lost to cancer...it was a fun night...with games, and events- musical chairs at 11pm...how could that not be fun ;)