I was at a nearby event at one small, woman-owned business, when I was also encouraged to check out…read moreCherry Blossom. I'm glad I did. It's not a big store, but it is packed with journaling supplies, self-restoration tools (e.g., career exploration cards), cars, and items that would make really excellent gifts for family members and work colleagues. I found the perfect card for a friend about to have a baby with the kind of funny note on the front that let's both of us know, I know her. For the BuJo fans out there, the store has a wall of colorful pens and a large basket of different washi tapes plus several kinds of notebooks and journals.

Bought a neighborhood map of Seattle from their shop in the downtown DC Christmas market and it's…read morenow happily hanging in our kitchen. Given how picky we are about art and how long it takes us to get art up, that's saying a lot. The style and colors are perfect and it's a great way to remember other parts of our lives. My only complaint is that they don't have more maps to buy. As somebody who lives in the burbs of DC (I know, judge all you want), I had to pick between DC proper or past cities I'd lived in. It would be really cool to have maps of some of the closer in burbs.

The Torpedo Factory is still wonderful as it has been, right on Alexandria's waterfront. We love…read morethe local artist's ceramic workshop. There are 3 levels, and on the ground floor there are models of old torpedos. The rebirth and repurposing of an old factory is very meaningful, as it is now a haven for local artists. However, there was forever a long line to the ladies' room. They should consider renovating the restrooms or expanding them. I understand with old architecture there may be constraints, but given how popular this place is, it is fair to ask.

10/10 A whimsical place I stumbled into one Saturday morning…read moreafter attending the Farmer's Market. It's a large space with a lot to explore designed in a way that doesn't make you feel overwhelmed. With 3 massive floors, it seemed like there was endless art to explore. It's fun and cool walking into the artist's workshop to engage and see what they're working on in real time. They were all so friendly and welcoming. Overall the experience here was a delight!

Mike Sikes is amazing. Simply put. I've known him since he started tatooing and have seen so much…read moreof his work through the years. We are currently putting the finishing touches on a very large back piece. Large or small work, it doesn't matter. The care and pride he shows in his approach to consultations and the actual work he does shows from the minute you walk in the door. His knowledge of symbolism, art, and tatooing styles is fantastic. He truly loves and cares about his art and it shows in the final result. I've recommended him to many of my friends and they are equally as pleased with the work he does on them.

Mike Sikes is AMAZING!…read more He's most definitely worth the wait... and I'm glad that I waited almost a year to get inked by him! If you're going for color, you're in for a treat. Even though I'm naturally tan, the color on my skin is VIBRANT! He's extremely professional, flawlessly clean, and his work is AWESOME. He's easygoing and has a warm personality -- so you'll definitely feel like you're in good hands. I'm totally looking forward to getting additional work done by him! He's THE BEST tattoo artist in this area!

I hired Samantha from Painted Palettes to hand letter mini pumpkins for a fall themed event and it…read morewas THE HIT FROM THE PARTY (even three months later, in the dead of winter my personalized pumpkin is still going strong and it's so beautiful I do not have the heart to throw it away). Samantha was easy to work with from start to finish and was able to stay professional despite the long lines at the party (I mean, how could you not want something so beautiful as a keepsake?). I could picture using her for corporate events, bridal showers, baby showers and any other celebration that could you a personalized twist. She can write on any material and even engraves on glass! I have not had the chance to check out her Intro to Hand Lettering classes yet but for now, I'll leave it to the pros. Painted Palettes is simply the best!

I first saw and met Samantha from Painted Palettes at a Yelp Elite event back in 2018. Then I…read morestarted following her work on Instagram (@painted_palettes). A couple months ago, my friend Kim and I took an Intro to Hand Lettering class with Samantha at Steadfast Supply in DC. Oh that rush hour traffic and $20 parking was sooo worth it! Turns out, Samantha used to be a teacher, and it shows in the way she articulates the class. It was easy to follow her instructions, and she was very hands-on with showing examples. Plus we got a pretty decent set of tools and goodies to take home with us! Since, I've purchased some of her watercolor artwork to hang at home. I am such a fan! The artwork can be found on her website or in various shops in the area. And her classes are actually affordable! Next I want to take her Pointed Pen class!

There's something waiting for you to discover at Zenith Gallery. An incredibly rich, often eclectic…read morearray of work touching on just about every medium. Lots of local artists as well as well-known and international names. Zenith Gallery consists of a house that was been completely filled to the brim with a lifework's collection. Be sure to get a guided tour, and ask about your interests... a lot of work is in storage so it has to be pulled out for viewing. For ourselves, we were captured by a natural woodwork by Bernie Houston, "The Journey." Definitely worth spending a few hours exploring! Enjoy the visit...

called to find out what steps I needed to take to submit art and I was talked to very rudely. I…read morefeel like they think because they have been in business so long they can bully people or treat people poorly. I do not take kindly to bullies or people that use their long lasting in order to force people into submission. I posted a google review and received an angry text soon after. I would never do business here. Here is the text "Are you serious, you cold call a gallery that has been in business for 45 years and you never looked at our website which tells you about applying. No gallery will even talk to you until you do your homework. We receive 2000 artists applications a year. I never take rude artists the business is tough enough without rude artists to deal with. You are not doing yourself any favors by acting like you just did." Basically saying because I didn't like that she was rude I somehow have harmed my art career, shame on you

Beautiful framing! I've had 10 or 12 paintings framed, including watercolors and oils, and they're…read morealways beautiful.

I've been looking for someone to frame a beloved piece of street art for quite some time. I checked…read moreout online shops and Michaels and was shocked by the expense and long the process was anticipated to take. I happened upon this business and am THRILLED. Such a nice man, and he offered me an excellent price and frame consultation. Best of all, he texted me after just a few hours to say it was finished already! So happy! Recommended!

Hemphill Fine Arts is one of the few galleries across the city off the National Mall and one of the…read moreeven fewer commercial galleries in DC. Located on 14th St NW in the U Street neighborhood, it's a small gallery in a commercial building open Tuesday-Saturday 10AM-5PM. You can make an appointment or just walk in during those hours. Once they buzz you in, follow the sign to the elevator and take it up a floor or two. Once the elevator opens, you'll see the tall glass door inviting you into space. Before you explore, sign the guestbook, read about the gallery's history, and take a pin (for free!). As you wander through the gallery, you'll see it's really two main rooms and the exhibits change every few months. The exhibit I saw was very modern art forward with perfect lighting making it look good on Instagram. If you're in the area, stop by. It's free and will only take 10 minutes, but it's worth it!

They were in between shows when we came but they still allowed us to walk around the gallery. In…read morebetween shows it was a mess but that is expected. There were only a few pieces displayed but still interesting to analyze. The gallery is easy to miss. I had to walk by a couple times. The door is tiny and you have to buzz to come in. The gallery is spacious and has high ceilings. The atmosphere was welcoming. It was a quick stop and worth it. I would come back for another showing!

Great place for custom neon signs Craig and his associates…read morewere very helpful in the design and fabrication process of a neon sculpture I wanted for my private home. Send him an email, very friendly man.