Another holiday shopping post, or what to do this weekend

If you're trying to beat Black Friday and supporting interesting independent businesses, like, ummm, Three Stone Steps, you may want to check out Holly Fest at Friends School , at 5114 N. Charles Street, in Baltimore on Saturday, the 21st. It runs from 10am to 4pm, costs $5 to get in, and is jammed packed with vendors selling everything from jewelry to pottery to sweaters to artwork. If you're looking for Three Stone Steps' great fair trade, eco-chic items, you can find us in the new gym, about four spaces in from the door.

On Sunday, Three Stone Steps will be, once again, at the Baltimore Bazaar, right across the street from the big farmers market. (Honestly, if you've never been to the farmers market, you really should go since it's great and lively and almost a big party. However, the Sunday before Thanksgiving--read this Sunday--is their biggest shopping day of the year.)

Hope to see you out at one of these events. Of course, you can always find Three Stone Steps online, and there are a few great items at the World of Good site, where, at long last, you can buy recycled newspaper and magazine Christmas ornaments.

More soon.

Not Titled Christmas in July

My apologies. Really. There is nothing I dislike more than big retailers pushing holidays up really early. When I was a kid, Christmas merchandise didn't come out until after Thanksgiving. Then it changed to immediately post-Halloween, and finally, now it seems to come right after Labor Day.

What's to do?

As much as I don't want to add to this insanity, I am just too excited about the new, fair trade, very eco-chic Christmas ornaments I'm getting made of recycled newspapers and magazine by a women's collective in a very depressed neighborhood in Manila, the Philippines.

So, if you'll indulge me, I think you'll love to know that they will be here, and won't be sold until after Labor Day but I just wanted to give you a sneak peek:


Really, what could possibly be much cuter than a large holiday ornament made from recycled magazine twine?


I find this one, made from recycled office paper, and a bit smaller than the one above, elegant. Yes. Recycled and elegant.


Similar to the one above, this ornament is made from recycled newspaper beads. I think most people have this as their favorite.

I look forward to getting some better photos on the Three Stone Steps site, or letting you see them in person. I just know you'll like them. But, first, enjoy the rest of your summer.