An occasional series of stuff I’ve bought from Etsy. (If you are not familiar with this online marketplace I highly recommend checking it out.) So, my husband turned 37 last week and the week before I was still stumped when it came to the gift. (Yes, faithful readers, even the Shopper has her moments.) But then I remembered Naked Peggies. I contacted artist Suzy about a custom job and sent a bunch of photos and info about our family. About a week later, the Diamond family arrived. My two year old even recognized his favorite penguin shirt from Squidfire and said "that's me." It was a big hit. She also does cake toppers (and groomsmen and bridesmaids), pets, etc.

The first in an occasional series of stuff I've bought from Etsy. If you are not familiar with this online marketplace I highly recommend checking it out. I found Mary Had A Little Party while searching for cupcake toppers for my daughter's baby naming. She did a super quick turn around and they came out exactly as I asked: butterfly and baby naming cupcake toppers and a beautiful vintage banner of my daugther's name. I loved them. And I'd love to hear about your favorite Etsy sites. - JED 

Local jewelry designers from the Baltimore Etsy Street Team will be this Highlandtown gallery (246 S. Conkling Street) on Saturday from 11 to 3. Designers include Elisa Shere, Lauren Brownlie, Allison Fomich, Anne Madison, and Maria Vashakidze. More info at: www.magnoliadesignsllc.com

Bediboo, one of my favorite baby boutiques, is closing its doors. The Lauraville shop also recently lost its upstairs neighbor Rock Candy. Two shops that I mentioned in the 2008 Best of Baltimore issue: 

Baby Shopping Destination We’d like to announce the arrival of Baltimore’s newest baby destination: Lauraville. Isn’t she precious? The northeast Baltimore neighborhood has quietly become a Mecca for tot friendly shops. Just follow the chalk drawings to Harford Road: Red Canoe, 410-444-4440, delivers a sweet selection of baby books; Bediboo, 410-444-6060, just might be the best baby boutique to hit Charm City; candy store Rock Candy, 443-919-4527, is a hot pink sugar rush; and Spinster Yarns & Fibers, 410-444-9276, sells...