On the hunt for a new pendant lamp for my dining room. I like simple and modern. The one I have now is an oversized raspberry-hued drum lamp bought years ago from West Elm. I live in a row house so all the rooms blend together—so I have lots of colors to contend with. My kitchen is turquoise blue, my dining room chocolate brown and my living room a blue-gray. Hmmm. Maybe it's time to wallpaper something too. I love adding new stuff, rearranging, new paint colors. While on my hunt I found this great n.a.l. coat tree (not a lamp!) for my entranceway and this great hopscotch rug for my kid's room at CB2. If you have any suggestions for pendant lamps—send them my way. —JED

This year, the American Craft Council is expanding their Altcraft section. This addition will showcase twenty independent designers that have been rigorously chosen from hundreds of applicants. Normally, these artists tend to exhibit at smaller, more local shows, but this year, they will be able to show their talents on the floor with the nation’s top vendors. Local artists hold several of the twenty Altcraft spots. They include jewelers The Broken Plate Pendant Company's Juliet Ames, Elisa Shere, and Dandelion Blu's Sherry Insley. Val Lucas and her company Bowerbox Press focuses on paper goods and woodwork. She creates letterpress printing and handmade books and Danamarie Hosler and her greenstarstudio focuses on her amazing Knitimals. —Nikki Reese (intern)

I ran into Lisa Ponzoli last night. Lisa owns Babe in Federal Hill (and was one of our recent singles) and reminded me about Saturday's Fest Of All event at the Baltimore Museum of Industry. The event is from 7-11 PM with the fashion show starting at 8. Tickets are $60 in advance/$75 at the door for "all-you-can-handle food and drinks from ALL of Federal Hill's bars/restaurants, a fashion show, and the band Nelly's Echo, plus silent auction items," according to Lisa. The fashion show will feature spring fashions and accessories from Amy's Boutique, Babe, Couture Closet, Flipside Footwear, The Bottom Drawer and Whimsy; jewelry from Honey's Treasure Chest, Morstein's Jewelers, Pandora's Box, Vanessa's Vintage Treasures and Zelda Zen. Hair and make-up by M Salon and Pearl Spa. And among the models this year will be local TV personality Donna Hamilton. —JED

This shot—the first one of the day—was my favorite. Red Tree set up the night before (a cold rainy night) and the attention to detail is just amazing. When they had first talked about this scene there were butterflies "flying" out of the sewing machine. We had highlighted butterflies last spring fashion shoot so we asked them to come up with something else ... and that is how the boats came to be. I love them ... they signify a sense of adventure and spring perfectly. I love the shades of pink they chose. The hand sewed the boats together and painstakingly attached the boats inside the box to make the perfect sweep. The back of the box is covered with pattern paper. Once we added our model in her romper and yellow cardigan the whole thing came to life. Let me know what you think and which one is your favorite. –JED....