Permanent Jewelry Experience at Checkerspot Brewing | Permanent Jewelry Baltimore

 

And yes, I know my photography is not the best, but hey, I live in the moment ok. 

Opening Story

Walking into Checkerspot Brewing Company for the Women’s History Month Market, the space was already humming with quiet excitement. Vendors were carefully arranging their displays, the warm scent of food drifted through the open brewery, and small groups of people were beginning to gather between tables.

Markets in Baltimore have a rhythm to them — a blend of creativity, conversation, and community. You can feel it the moment you arrive.

This market was no different.

It wasn’t just about selling products. It was about women building things — businesses, friendships, and spaces where people feel welcome to slow down and connect. Supporting women entrepreneurs like these makes us feel proud and connected to a community of strong, creative women. 

 

About the Venue

Checkerspot Brewing Company is a woman-owned craft brewery located in the South Baltimore Brewery District, just minutes from some of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. It sits only a few blocks from M&T Bank Stadium and Camden Yards, making it an easy stop whether you're exploring downtown Baltimore, visiting the Inner Harbor, or heading through Federal Hill.

The brewery was founded by owner and brewer Judy Neff, a longtime homebrewer who turned her passion into a full-scale craft brewery. Judy is a Certified Cicerone and helped establish the Baltimore Beer Babes, a group dedicated to bringing more women into the craft beer world. With a PhD in microbiology from Johns Hopkins, she blends scientific precision with creative intuition — proving that brewing is both art and science.

The space itself is open and welcoming, with large tables, an airy layout, and a relaxed atmosphere that makes it easy to settle in for an afternoon. Vintage-style arcade games line part of the brewery, adding a nostalgic touch that instantly transports you back to childhood.

During the market, dogs wandered happily beside their owners, conversations flowed easily between vendors and guests, and the Checkerspot staff moved through the room with a calm attentiveness that made the entire event feel effortless.

There was always someone nearby making sure everything ran smoothly — something I appreciated more than they probably realize.

 

The Permanent Jewelry Experience

Guests visiting the Intentionally Linked Jewelry table could explore a curated selection of 14k gold-filled and sterling silver chains, each custom-fit and welded on-site.

Permanent jewelry creates a clasp-free bracelet, anklet, or necklace designed to stay with you — a small, everyday reminder of intention. It's a meaningful way to celebrate friendships, milestones, or carry personal significance quietly, fostering a sense of connection and purpose.

And sometimes, people discover permanent jewelry for the very first time at a market like this.

 

Conversations & Community

One of the things I love most about markets is the opportunity to walk through the other vendor booths and discover the stories behind their work.

I spent time talking with the founder of RisoJam, a photographer and screen printer who creates customizable black-and-white Baltimore maps. The Baltimore maps can be customized - her example was a red heart over the black and white map- I feel like it's a perfect gift idea for the couple who met in Baltimore, or even purchased a home in the city.  the map alone would make the perfect piece of art but personalized, turning the city itself into a meaningful piece of art. 

At another booth, I met the creator of Dream Scents, whose candle, Diverse Thoughts, immediately caught my attention. The fragrance blended coconut, musk, and sandalwood — rich, grounding notes that lingered softly in the air. We bonded over our shared love of deeper, musky scents, and she introduced me to her room spray called Harlem Nights. 

Her candle business began for a deeply personal reason: she and her children have asthma, and after guidance from their pediatrician, she began exploring cleaner, more natural options for home fragrance. The result is a line of all-natural soy candles designed with health and intentional living in mind.

Another booth that truly stopped me in my tracks was Rainbow Woods. The craftsmanship was breathtaking — hand-carved wooden trucks and toys, a stunning magnetic knife block made from beautifully patterned wood, and a cutting board with intricate inlaid designs that looked almost architectural. She also creates organic-looking plant propagation stations that turn growing plants into works of art.  It was the kind of booth that reminds you why handmade craftsmanship matters. 

I also met the vibrant woman behind The Goddess Healing Hour, a holistic healing coach who creates custom herbal tea blends. One of her blends was a sensual healing tea, and the whole display felt like stepping briefly into a small apothecary of natural remedies and ritual.  Her booth immediately drew me in with its clean layout — mason jars filled with dried herbs and rosebuds, crystals, including beautiful pieces of fluorite, and a calming, intentional energy that radiated throughout the space.

Another vendor, She Knows the Deal, offered fun, creative experiences like paint nights, where guests can choose from dozens of designs. She also carried Baltimore-themed apparel, croc jibbit charms, coozies, and a hand-drawn Baltimore sweatshirt that looked like it had been illustrated before being transferred through sublimation printing.

One of the most inspiring conversations of the afternoon came from the woman behind McCormick Chocolate US. Before becoming a chocolatier, she spent years working in finance — a career path that looked successful on paper but ultimately left her longing for something slower and more meaningful. Her chocolate journey began with a return to her roots. After moving to the United States from Honduras, she later returned home to learn traditional chocolate-making techniques from her mother and grandmother, bringing those generational recipes and methods back with her. 

Her table was filled with handcrafted chocolate bars, sculpted chocolate bunnies, and beautifully detailed Easter eggs in white, milk, and dark chocolate. Some were decorated with delicate pearl-like accents that made them feel almost like edible jewelry. The care and intention behind her work were immediately evident, and our conversation quickly turned from chocolate to entrepreneurship, community, and the courage it takes to change direction in pursuit of a more meaningful life. Before we parted ways, she generously shared the names of several other women entrepreneurs I should connect with — a reminder that the most powerful part of markets like these is often the network of women quietly lifting each other.

Markets like this are filled with women building businesses in completely different ways — but all rooted in creativity.

 

Markets like this are filled with women building businesses in completely different ways, but all rooted in creativity. Stay tuned for upcoming jewelry events in Baltimore, where you can experience this creativity firsthand and support local women entrepreneurs.

Some of the most memorable conversations came from guests who stopped by the jewelry table.

One woman jokingly called herself “the mayor of Canton” because everyone seemed to know her. She had recently moved from Canton to Federal Hill and had never heard of permanent jewelry before. Watching someone discover the concept of a clasp-free bracelet welded onto the wrist is always fun — it feels like introducing them to something completely new. She also reminded me of how important it is to capture and share Google reviews, which helps small businesses like mine continue to grow. It was an absolute honor to custom-fit her and attach her very first Permanent Bracelet. 

Another woman visiting Baltimore from Florida stopped by while she was in town for a wedding. She told me about growing up as an Army brat and eventually joining the military herself, knowing they would help pay off her law school loans after several years of service. She had attended school in Baltimore, and hearing her talk about returning to the city reminded me of how often the city leaves a lasting impression on people. It was perfect timing and absolute alignment that she found me, because her permanent bracelet of 3 years had just fallen off, so she decided to get 2 more bracelets, one in silver and one in gold. 

One conversation that stayed with me was with a woman who had lost two sisters and her mother. She wore a necklace holding her sister’s ashes and was exploring ways to add new birthstone charms after one had fallen off and the others had tarnished.

Moments like that remind me how deeply jewelry can hold memory.

Another woman shared an idea about dividing her father’s chain so she and her sister could each create a bracelet from it — a piece of him they could both carry. Her sister couldn’t attend the market that day, but the idea itself spoke volumes about how jewelry can become part of family history.

 

What I Learned

Markets are unpredictable.

Some days are packed with clients. Other days are quieter.

This market gave me something equally valuable: conversations, connections, and a deeper reminder that my ideal clients are out there.

The women I met that afternoon made me feel seen, heard, and understood — something that happens often when creative women gather in the same space.

Those kinds of interactions are what continue to shape me personally as well as Intentionally Linked Jewelry.

 

 

Food & Atmosphere

Of course, being inside a brewery meant enjoying the atmosphere as well.

I ordered a chicken pesto mozzarella quesadilla, which turned out to be exactly what I needed during a long market day — warm, flavorful, and satisfying.

Between the food, craft beer, vintage arcade games, and open layout, the entire space felt relaxed and welcoming. Dogs lounged beside tables, people moved easily between booths, and the friendly but unobtrusive staff made the entire event feel well-supported.

It was the kind of afternoon that reminds you why local breweries have become such natural gathering spaces for community events.

 

 

Gratitude

Thank you to Checkerspot Brewing and the organizers of the Women’s History Month Market for bringing together such an incredible group of vendors and celebrating women-owned businesses in Baltimore.

Markets like these remind me how strong Baltimore’s creative community really is — and how grateful I am to be part of it.

 

Where to Find Permanent Jewelry in Baltimore

Baltimore has become an incredible city for creative markets, local breweries, and community gatherings — making it the perfect place to experience permanent jewelry.

From pop-ups at local venues like Checkerspot Brewing to private events and studio appointments, permanent jewelry in Baltimore continues to grow as a meaningful way to celebrate friendships, milestones, and everyday intentions.

Intentionally Linked Jewelry offers custom-fit permanent bracelets, anklets, and necklaces in Baltimore, crafted in 14k gold-filled and sterling silver for everyday wear.

Whether you discover us at a local market or visit the studio, every piece is designed to stay with you.

Intentionally Linked Jewelry offers permanent jewelry experiences through studio appointments, Parties (coming soon to Federal Hill), and pop-up events throughout Baltimore, including Canton, Federal Hill, Towson, Harbor Point, and Belvedere Square.

If you’re searching for permanent jewelry in Baltimore, follow along to see where the next pop-up will appear, or join our vip list to be notified when new events are added. 

 

with love and light, 

Brianna Knight 

Stay intentionally linked. ✨