Ballston Holiday Artist Boutique

Ballston Patch sat down with Jessica Blaszczak, the Markets Coordinator of the Ballston Partnership  to talk about Thursday's Holiday Artist Boutique. This year is the first-ever Holiday Artist Boutique and it is being held in the Atrium, Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The market is an upscale gathering of 15 local vendors, including artists and bakers. 

Ballston Patch: What should attendees expect from the Holiday Artist Boutique?

Jessica Blaszczak: Attendees can expect to do all their holiday shopping in one place, where everything they'll find is 100% handmade by the local artisans themselves. We'll have hand-carved silver jewelry, hand-crafted artisan bath & body products, upcycled children's clothing, hand-sewn bags, nature photography and more. Oh, and let's not forget about the Southern Pound Cakes and Whoopie Pies!

BP: How will it differ from the summer Ballston Arts and Crafts Market?

JB: Basically, the Ballston Holiday Artist Boutique is a mini Ballston Arts & Crafts Market. We'll have 15 exhibitors (rather than the outside venue's 35) and we're INSIDE the National Science Foundation's first-floor atrium. Plus, we will have gourmet treats for sale, too! 

BP:  Have any of the artists been at your other Arts and Crafts Market?

JB: The majority of the vendors you'll find at the Boutique are familiar faces who have exhibited at the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market or Farmers Market. But, we do have two newbies! Green Hot Mama, who creates upcycled children hats & fashions and Udacha who makes hip, urban holsters. Fun stuff!

BP: Why would you tell someone to come to the Holiday Artist Boutique?

JB: I would tell folks to visit the Ballston Holiday Artist Boutique to find an alternative to the everyday gift items they'll see in the big stores. Handmade gifts are special and personal. And everything in the Boutique is completely handmade by local artists, maybe even your neighbor! Come to the Ballston Holiday Artist Boutique to find awesome gifts for yourself and your entire family all while supporting local businesses and the arts.

BP: What are you personally most excited about for the Holiday show?

JB: I'm most excited to do my own holiday shopping! :) Plus, it's fun to just chat with the crafters, many who I have gotten to know pretty well from running the Ballston A&C Market. It will be like a fun, holiday get-together! 

BP: What is the benefit of holding it at NSF?

JB: The NSF atrium is really beautiful. It has great lighting and a warm ambiance. It's really the perfect place to hold a Holiday boutique. And, we're hoping a lot of NSF employees will take a break from their busy days to chat with us and do some holiday shopping. It's very convenient for the entire area. 

BP: Anything else you want to say?

JB: I just want to thank all of the art-lovers in the Ballston community who have made this area so friendly and supportive to us artists. Please swing by the National Science Foundation this Thursday for some holiday cheer!