Refined Chicago-based jewelry artist Carla Reiter will be in town this weekend to exhibit her pieces at the Walters Art Museum’s Jewelry Fair, which runs Friday-Sunday. Known for her elegant and ethereal hand-knitted designs, Reiter will be marking her third consecutive appearance at the event. The designer, who often fashions darkened silver, gold, and copper into her original pieces, originally trained as a sculptor as the University of Indiana. Today, she works out of a small studio in the Windy City where she creates all of her unique designs by hand. “I’m not an artist who is directly inspired by nature or architecture or anything like that,” explains Reiter. “I look at all kinds of things and they percolate around in my head and then I get an idea to make something. I get interested in a particular shape, or a stone of some kind, and I want to see what it would look like on a body. It always comes down to putting the thing on a woman’s body so that both are made more beautiful.”Reiter is “delighted to be in the Walters jewelry show.”And how will she enjoy her time in Baltimore? “I do love Lexington Market. I wish we had something like it in Chicago, where I’m from. The crab cakes. The raw bar …. yum,” says Reiter, before adding, “I also really love the Walters Museum. It has a fantastic collection of antiquities, which I find tremendously inspiring. And the Asian collection is magnificent. It’s really a wonderful place that I look forward to visiting every year when I do the show.”—Rebecca Gregg

WHAT: Cynthia Shea, chef and owner of Soup’s On in Hampden, and Kacey Stafford will host “holiday HOTCAKES”, a laid-back and cozy one day event where Baltimore’s craftiest will come together to showcase their goods for purchase. Stop by and browse affordable finds from 11 local and regional artists; including original paintings, pottery, silk-screen tee shirts, photography and cards. Bacon and egg ornaments (such as the ones pictured) will be for sale, as well as bacon kitchen towels and mustache knicknacks. While shopping around, guests can get into the holiday spirit by cozying up to hot cider and s’mores at the outdoor fire pit. However, if being outdoors in the cold doesn’t do it for you, stay inside and enjoy a signature soup prepared by Cynthia, in addition to salads, quiche, and of course a “boozy autumn punch.”WHEN: Saturday, November 14 from 1-8 pm.WHERE: Cynthia’s house in Roland Park, 4909 Falls Road Terrace. —Rebecca Gregg

Feel that chill in the air? It can only mean one thing: It’s holiday shopping time. Starting tomorrow and again Friday, December 4th, the merchants of Mt. Washington Mill will host “Around the Mill.” From 5-8 pm, shoppers can relax with wine, refreshments, and special discounts at all the Mill shops (Holly G Boutique, Gore-Dean, Home on the Harbor, Amazing Glaze, Whole Foods, Starbucks, Mt. Washington Wine Company, and the just opened Dogma- Life with your pet.) Pick up a mill pass from any of the participating stores and get it stamped from each one as you visit. (You don’t have to pay anything to earn a stamp.) Leave your pass at the last store and one shopper will win a $250 gift basket chock full of goodies from all participating Mill merchants. —Rebecca Gregg

WHAT: Local fashion boutique Urban Chic will showcase their fall and holiday styles Thursday at the American Visionary Art Museum . Lots of food and drink plus music by Baltimore’s Blackout Studios. Proceeds from the evening will benefit AVAM’s new exhibition “LIFE, LIBERTY & THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS,” which celebrates the best of individual expression. Following the show, an after-party will be held at Federal Hill’s Taverna Corvino from 9-11.

WHEN: Thursday October 15, 6-8 pm.

WHERE: American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Highway Baltimore, MD.

TICKETS: $25 at BrownPaperTickets.com/event/84413.
—Rebecca Gregg

Shopping without guilt is always a bonus. Running Thursday through Sunday, the shops at Green Spring Station will host Style at the Station, a three-day event chock full of fashion fun, entertainment, and wallet-friendly discounts. Shoppers and window-shoppers alike will enjoy, among other things, free up-dos from UNO Salon (Thursday and Friday only), champagne at The Pleasure of Your Company, caramel apple tastings at The Nut Farm & Creamery, a Friday night free, live performance by the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, and a Saturday evening fashion show to benefit Komen Maryland. Participating merchants will offer discounts and deals for shoppers. Among the big events: Essentials by Panache will host a trunk show for Hammitt Los Angeles luxury handbags. (Seen on well-known arms like Angelina Jolie, Lindsay Lohan, and Paris Hilton.) And Friday, Wee Chic will host a trunk show for popular baby line Tea.

And the best part? It’s all for a good cause! For every dollar spent during the event, participating merchants will donate a portion of sales to such charities as the Mildred Mindell Cancer Center, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Priceless Gowns Project, The Nikki Perlow Foundation, United Way of Maryland, Animal Rescue, and the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra. For more details: www.greenspringstation.com. —Rebecca Gregg

While it might be difficult to imagine starting a new business venture in the midst of an economic crisis—Gold & Citrus has grown thanks to two entrepreneurs with roots in Baltimore.

The jewelery company is the brainchild of MICA alumni Richard Combs and Sara Rossbach. Based in downtown San Francisco, Rossbach describes their jewelry as “about luxury, fun and versatility. The pieces can be worn with anything from jeans and a t-shirt to a cocktail dress, and some take the concept of versatility even a step further and can be worn in multiple positions.”

So why begin a business now, of all times? “Living and working in San Francisco, there is just this entrepreneurial spirit in the air that we have grabbed onto,” explains Combs.

According to Rossbach, it was only a matter of time. “Through high school and college it felt like we were always coming up with new business plans. Everything from screen-printing t-shirts, to buying old lamps and things from thrift stores and refurbishing them.”

And what better way to stimulate the economy than investing in it? “Looking back to the great depression, I think we can be thankful for those who started businesses through such economic strain,” says Combs, “Although these current economic times are not nearly as strenuous, we hope the launch of our new company will make a contribution, no matter how small it may be, to the healing of our economy.”

Gold & Citrus’s first line, “We’re Golden” is unique. From traditional beaded and gemstone infused pieces to the more experimental (feathers and studs and sequins, oh my!), Combs and Rossbach’s creations echo their chic and innovative style.

“The name Gold & Citrus breaks down into the character that we envision for the brand,” says Combs. “Simply put, it is luxury and fun.”

Rossbach, on the other hand, reveals a deeper meaning behind the name. “The citrus also has personal meaning for us. Conceptually, the citrus fruit is divided into three parts: the skin, the fruit, and the seed. The skin plays the same role as a piece of jewelry or a piece of clothing. It is a layer of protection shouting out to the world who you are and what you are all about. The fruit hides away underneath, and may or not be about the same things as the skin, but that is who you really are. The seeds are what last forever. Once the fruit is gone, the seeds go on and create. The seed is your soul.”

You can check out Gold & Citrus’s designs or read Richard Combs and Sara Rossbach’s blog, at goldandcitrus.com.

—Rebecca Gregg

WHAT: The Junior League of Baltimore will host Baltimore area’s premiere boutiques for the semi-annual Boutique Warehouse Sale in their brand new headquarters located in the heart of the Govans neighborhood. Sales will include end of season merchandise marked down to impress every recessionista. Proceeds are used to fund projects of the Junior League of Baltimore and further our mission. Junior League of Baltimore community programs provide members with opportunities to mentor women at risk, work with elementary schools to increase parental engagement, educate children on nutrition though our annual Kids in the Kitchen event, and bring the Larks choral group to Senior Care Centers, churches and organizations.

WHEN: October 3rd, 10th, and 17th 2009 10 am- 5 pm. Special Preview 8-11 am on October 3rd.

WHERE: Junior League of Baltimore, 5902 York Road Baltimore, MD

There is a little boot shop called A. M. Kroop and Sons in historic Laurel that is, in my opinion, a hidden gem. At this shop Randy Kroop, the current owner, makes custom leather riding boots and dress shoes by hand. She’s a friend of my family, so she took me on as a quasi-apprentice, and I’ve been working there every Monday in exchange for a pair of boots.

Working at the shop is one of the coolest jobs I’ve ever had (except for interning at Baltimore Magazine, of course.) Every Monday when I go to work I feel like I’m stepping into the early 1900’s. Randy’s grandfather started the business in 1907, and the process he used when he started making shoes is still used today. Many of the machines are also original, and few of them are less than 70 years old. All of the old tools line the shelves and work desks, and the back wall is covered with wooden lasts.

Throughout the summer I have begun to learn the process of making boots. It is a lot of hard, detailed work. From cutting the leather to stitching pieces together and punching patterns in the toe cap, making boots is certainly an art.

My own pair of boots might not be the best—I’m doing them all myself, so some of the stitching is wonky, the lacings might be a little off-kilter, and I have yet to discover how I will get the soles on the boots. But Randy is an old hand at making boots, and the ones she turns out are beautiful. She makes everything from English riding boots to Oxfords to baby shoes. In addition to making standard sizes, she also makes custom-fit shoes.

Randy’s also a bit of a celebrity in the jockey world—she made the boots for the movie Seabiscuit because her grandfather had made the boots for the original jockey. Carly Simon and Madonna each have a pair or two of her shoes as well.

All in all, it’s one of the most unique shops I’ve ever been in. Definitely worth it to check it out. —Jamie McCoy

On August 22nd, Hello Craft will be kicking off the first of its Field Trips at Baltimore’s own Biggs and Featherbelle (www.biggsandfeather.com). Hello Craft is a non-profit trade association for indie crafters, says Kimberly Dorn, executive director. For $30/person, Biggs and Featherbelle co-owners Kelly and Kasey Evick will give a tour of their Hampden warehouse and studio, teach the different stages of soap making, and let attendees create their own body scrubs. The sisters will also answer any questions about how to turn a craft interest into a thriving business like their own. “We wanted to create a fun, exciting, and crafty product in the natural care industry,” Kasey says. “All of our ingredients are purposeful, beneficial and therapeutic.” There are two Field Trips sessions available at 10 am and 2 pm. At 6pm, all are invited to Hampden’s 13.5% Wine Bar to talk shop and unwind. Register at hellocraft.com. —Maddie Thomas

I’m just back from a week away (sigh)—spent at Rehoboth Beach with my family. I love Rehoboth because it still feel quaint (despite the Starbucks, Five Guys & Dunkin Donuts) and there is no need to get in your car—everything you could possibly want is right there. The shops get better and better every year—and I was pleasantly surprised to see so many new ones and that some of my old favorites still doing well. If you are heading to Rehoboth at all this summer (or any of the nearby beaches) … stop by: vintagey Coco & Company, now taking up the old Tempest Fugit space, Bella Luna (probably my favorite shop) and their new green store Treehouse—filled with sustainable luxuries and the great tee line Little Fluffy. Sandwiched between them is the best coffee place in Rehoboth—The Coffee Mill (makes up for their grumpy attitude.) I love the Mod Cottage in the new Hotel Rehoboth. And Sole Kids (great organic dresses) and Sole Boutique. Blair Elizabeth is very modern preppy and has great (affordable) jewelry. And I’m also a big fan of Quiet Storm Surf Shop—which carries all the lines my husband loves.