Shopping in West Elkridge

Fell's Point Frame and Design (FPFD) provides every imaginable form of artistic box, from frames and shadowboxes to wood box-mounting, mirror framing, and making lithographs appear undeniably guilty. Framing for a black-wood frame, professional dry-mounting, glass, and basic hanging hardware starts at $30; 16" x 20" frames start at $77; 24" x 36" start at $106; and 40 x 60" start at $254 (prices will change depending on your project and the frame’s materials.) The friendly framesmen also produce high-quality prints, starting at $7.20 for an 8" x 10" photo printed on a basic satin-paper option. Fancier paper options, such as textured fine-art paper and canvas, are available for a higher price.

Since 2005, friendly book monarchs John and Kathy Byer have built a browser's kingdom of more than 15,000 books, recently adding legions of DVDs, CDs, and vinyl to their burgeoning empire. Each hardcover and paperback comes neatly arranged by type, from romance to children's books to science fiction, and they range from 50%–80% off the suggested retail price. Nostalgic VJs and cash-strapped Frisbee dogs will happily sniff through the DVD selection ($4 per disc), the sisterly compact discs ($4.95), and their great-uncle vinyl ($3.99). New trades occur weekly, rendering Second Edition a valuable hub for anyone looking to pan for gently used gold, dog-eared Newbery Medals, or gently-eared dog gold.

Amaryllis offers a bounty of limited-edition, handcrafted jewelry, featuring the sparkly creations of lesser-known artists and local artists, such as Karen Clark, Zoe Chicco, and Mark Edge. Peruse the daily-changing selection of necklaces, sets of earrings, or home adornments inside Amaryllis's sleek, 500-square-foot studio. Bangle bracelets ($18+) and glass necklaces ($12+) make for classy dermal decoratives, while giftables, such as a hand-painted picture frame ($58.50) or a Baggallini purse ($40+), are appropriate for birthdays or Labor Day. Amaryllis’s warm and knowledgeable staff makes it a priority to ensure customer satisfaction, going to great lengths to hunt down unexpected jewelry gems.

Since 1959, The Chessler Company has precisely centered photos, artwork, and diplomas in beautiful, custom frames and mattes. Owing to its craftsmanship, the company now receives demand in the wholesale and commercial markets, including federal and state agencies, art galleries, and top-secret supervillain coalitions, but it still maintains a strong retail business for individual projects. The company's large stock of frames and mats also suits challenging framing projects, such as mirrors, heirlooms, and memorabilia. In addition to the framing services, Chessler's professional installers help patrons achieve gallery-quality displays by hanging large or tricky pieces in the home.

Steve Appel and Lee Whitehead found themselves in a design dilemma regarding the messy home of a wealthy client. She wanted to sell her house, but no one would buy the building in its current state. Instead of passing on the case, the duo visited the home and constructed a battle plan during a 10-hour consultation. Within the week, they'd completely repainted and replaced most of her furniture, readying her for a Saturday open house, and by Sunday, she'd received multiple offers from potential buyers. By Monday, the house was sold. As graphic-design majors and interior-design enthusiasts, Steve and Lee have used their talents in many such situations, under short time limits and with exceptional challenges, to refurbish a range of spaces—even helping famed baker Duff Goldman of Food Network's Ace of Cakes choose furnishings for his lobby at Charm City Cakes.

At Nouveau Contemporary Goods, the duo fills their space with an ever-changing roster of upholstery, dining sets, bed sets, and colorful crystal-infused wallpaper. Modern furnishings such as egg chairs and aquamarine crushed-velvet benches share a mutual territory with traditional pieces such as a red cabinet with a marble top and the actual couple who posed for American Gothic. In addition to showpieces, samplings of glass panels, blinds, and other window treatments ooze inspiration for potential clients coming up with their own projects. Anyone on a tight deadline can also count on the design duo for same-day delivery, be it for full showroom sets or unique recycled artwork and furniture.

Instead of pictures, the goldenrod walls of Ambrosia Bead Shop hold long strands of multicolored beads that shimmer under the glare of tiny track lights. The selection—which includes semiprecious gemstones, Swarovski crystals, and freshwater pearls—constantly changes: each month, the shopkeepers supplement their wares with new or exotic materials. The shop also hosts jewelry-making classes that cover a range of topics, from beading to metalwork to taming a swarm of fireflies so they form a tiara.