Crafty Bastards

This past weekend two of my friends from school came to visit me.  They have visited a few times before.  So I knew taking them to the monuments again was out of the question.  Thus I was faced with a typical problem for a lot of D.C.ers: what to do with repeat visitors. 

So Opal and Pearl’s[1] bus arrived Friday right on time (well done Boltbus).  I searched the Internet for events in D.C., and found a few events like D.C. Veg Fest, Art All Night, and Crafty Bastards.  I presented the options and Opal and Pearl opted for Crafty Bastards in Union Market.

I was excited about the choice because I had never been to Union Market (I know I know, but see the reason for the blog).  It was 5 bucks to get in, and overall a fun event.  There were a lot of great artists, a general obsession with octopi (new big thing in hipster fashion, I guess?), and holiday gift ideas.  I think the best options for my taste came from the artists selling jewelry and bags.

One of my favorite art booths was Alternative Histories they had some really fun takes on what monsters and zombies would do to famous landmarks.  Their Washington D.C. print was great.  I really loved the jewelry at Fern Works.  No clue how they made it look like the plants were floating, but it is beautiful.  I also loved the jewelry of Loyalty and Blood because I love geometric jewelry and their products were vey well made.  I liked two booths that were selling bags, Shara Porter Designs and Red Staggerwing.  I especially loved Shara Porter Designs’ cross body bag (and its Vegan!).       

Also, Union Market is a great area.  It has a lot of neat shops, restaurants, coffee bars, juice bars, and a great outside seating area. If you have not visited, use your next free afternoon to go down and roam the market (furlough activity!).

Crafty Bastards is put on yearly by the Washington City Paper.   If you missed it this year, you should put a reminder in your calendar for next September.

P.S. – Not only am I learning about Washington D.C., but I’m also learning how to blog.  Lesson learned from post 1: I need to take pictures.  So my apologies for the picture free post!  Next time, I promise! Until then, please enjoy the picture of the great reusable bag I received from the fair (thanks Crafty Bastards):

---

[1] All names have been changed.  Also, my friends chose their own pseudonyms, so blame them.

About Me

The goal of this blog is to enjoy the many fantastic free events in D.C.  The inspiration for this blog came about a month or so ago, but I feel its fitting to start it during the Federal government hiatus.  If there is ever a time I need to do free things it is when I am no longer receiving a paycheck!

The inspiration came after speaking with friends in D.C., I realized I was letting this wonderful City go to waste.  I had so many wonderful cultural experiences that I let pass me by every day.  If I were a betting woman, I would wager that no other American city would let me hang out at the Kenyan Embassy, support a great charity, and learn some Kenyan dance moves in the same night.  Oh and I bought an awesome pair of earrings that night.

So the focus of this blog will always be to explore this wonderful City.  Additionally, I will never refer to this City simple as This Town.  I call D.C. my home.

How will I explore D.C.?  Well, my goal will be to find fun, free (or cheap) experiences that show the diversity and richness of D.C.  Some weeks I might struggle to find a place to take visitors other than the monuments.  Other weeks, I might just hang out with other D.C.ers, and some weeks it might just be me (possibly with cameo appearances from my dog).

So, who is this lady who thinks she knows so much about D.C.?  Well first off, I will admit that I do not think I know a ton about D.C.  That is one of the reason I’m starting this blog, as a way for me to learn about this place I call home.  Next, I’m a new comer to D.C.  I have not hit my 5 year anniversary, yet.  I’ve lived in the D.C. area for 3 years (the last year as been in the District, proper).  I work for the Federal Government (yes, I checked with my Ethics official).  In other words, I’m a fairly normal person for D.C. 

So thanks to anyone who reads this blog (Hi Mom).  And if you have any suggestions or places or events you would like me to visit, please send me comments!