The American Craft Council show in Baltimore is huge.  I mean really, really huge.  With 3 days and over 700 craft vendors, craft sensory overload is common.  Hello Craft was fortunate to have the on-site aid of shoppers who stopped by our booth to share their hard-sought, handmade finds.

Here, in ACC Baltimore Part 1, I’ll share some of our favorite shopper stories and images for the weekend.

Purchased: Stamped sterling silver earrings
Made by: Jennaca Leigh Davies

Reason: Bought them for her mother because she was ungrateful to her for a longtime.  She thought the earrings were very refreshing after lots to repetitive and expensive crafts.

Purchased: Feather Headband
Made by: GALVIN-ized Headwear

Reason: She’s an art teacher and likes to wear things that help her stand out from other teachers. Also, great example of colors and texture for students.

You may recognize this shopper (and her good taste) from Etsy, where she shares her handmade finds and seller tips as daniellexo.  Was nice to meet you, Danielle!

Purchased: Ceramic Bird Vase
Made by: Little Flower Designs

Reason: On her wedding day, she had a moment alone after walking the dog when she looked out the window and (being a city girl) saw her first blue jay ever.  She has been wanting something with a blue bird on it since.

Purchased: Plush ring
Made by: Raeburn Ink

Reason:  Because it is awesome, light weight & voluminous.

Purchased: Carnelian Earrings
Made by: imogene

Reason: Love the color and they match her pants!  She’s really loving the warm pumpkin rust color right now.

Purchased: Mug with butterflies
Made by: Justin Rothshank

Reason: She liked the unevenness and they way it feels in her hand.

Purchased: Wooden Flip-Car Toy with Ramp
Made by: Baldwin Toys

Reason: For grandson and his father who refuses to grow up. The toy is going to make them laugh and laugh.

Purchased: Purse
Made by: Laura Maclay

Reason: So darn cute! I love the look. Very simple but very professional.

Purchased: Puzzle piece hand cut glass necklace & earrings

Made by: Dena Pengas Glass

Reason: Love the color, way it felt, the idea, the fit.  Truly handcrafted & handmade.

Dena also makes really cool glass lego jewelry in a wide variety of colors. Above is a collection of her Lego earrings.  Visit her site to see the pendants, necklaces, cufflinks, rings and more.

I did some shopping of my own at Erica Gordon’s booth, aka Steele Toe Studios.  I’ve been a fan of her work for years and planned to pick up a recycled bike tube belt (the result of a collaboration between Erica and Alchemy Goods, makers of the famous Ad Bag).  While Erica helped other customers, I admired her recycled bike gear buckles and took the chance to hold her multifont buckle, an item I’d been eyeing online for sometime.  I couldn’t put it down.  I really enjoy the solid weight of the cast metal and different dimensions of the raised letters.

Also of note, was Erica’s clever use of a digital picture frame to showcase images of her at work with red-hot metal rods, which struck me as an extremely effective way to educate and engage shoppers not familiar with the creative process.

Like I said, the ACC Baltimore show is huge!  You can see more shopper photos in our Flickr pool.  In part 2, I’ll show you more work from the artists that caught my eye and offer some well-designed booth examples.