If I Were a Rich Woman (Baltimore Edition)

A week ago, I returned from the ACC’s ginormous show in Baltimore, and I had the same thought I had last year at this time: Some nice craft benefactor should give me a couple thousand to spend each year at the show. Too much, you say? How about a thousand? No? Do I hear $500?

Last week, I resisted more than my share of temptation and managed to blow a mere $250 or so – a lot for a lowly journalist but a sum my husband can probably deal with. But, oh, if I had more…

First, I’d buy a wardrobe of gauntlets (also called wrist warmers or fingerless gloves) from Elena Roseberg, Susan Neal, and Heidi Paul. I’d buy one of the bold tunic-wraps that Andrea Geer embellishes with little polymer jewelry. And I’d do serious damage at the Ekologic booth, where Kathleen Tesnakis displayed beautiful sweaters pieced together from recycled cashmere. (I am saving up.)

But where I'd really cut loose is in the jewelry department. If you made me pick, I’d focus on the enamels, buying from artists such as Christy Klug, Beth Novak, Kristen Albrecht, Kimberly Geiser, Julie Shaw, and Emily Watson.

Finally, to round out my purchases, and as a talismanic investment in a wealthy future, I’d buy a little pet from Christine Kaiser. Ah, dreams.