Search results for: “Rachel Bone “

  • Happy 2012!

    Thanks to all of our customers who shopped handmade this holiday season.   Purchasing an item from our shop directly supports over 50 national artists – many of whom live right here in Philly.  These times are tough, so we appreciate everyone that made a commitment to shopping local & handmade this season.  It really makes a difference!!

    Now that the holidays are over – its time to get organized.  Pick up one of our 2012 Calendars by Art Star favorites: Amy Rice, Rachel Bone, Eleanor Grosch, & Kurt Halsey.  We worked directly with these artists to create these calendars & they can only be found at Art Star.  We only made a limited quantity, so pick one up while they are still in stock.

    Rachel Bone 2012 Calendar

    Rachel Bone is a Baltimore based artist, painter & apparel designer whose illustrative paintings center around women on absurd adventures with open ended narratives and symbolism.  This series – titled I Bet You – plays with typographical design.  Each painting subtly represents one alphabet letter, while still standing alone as individual works of art. Signed prints of the entire alphabet series are available through Art Star.  Rachel also runs the hand-printed, folk inspired apparel line Red Prairie Press which is carried at boutiques across the country (including Art Star) and sold online.

    Eleanor Grosch 2012 Calendar

    Eleanor Grosch is a Philadelphia based artists who loves animals; you name it, she’s probably drawn it!  Eleanor’s unique graphic perspective aims to simplify line and playfully arrange form to capture the essence of each animal she draws.  She’s well-known for her graphic take on our feathered, furry, and fuzzy friends.  With roots in modernist design, she brings the mid-century aesthetic up-to-date.

    Kurt Halsey 2012

    We have been working with Portland based artist, Kurt Halsey, since we opened up shop in 2004.  We had no idea how huge of an online following he had when we asked him to exhibit his work in our shop. He is still by far one of our best selling artists!
    Kurt captures small, precious moments in time through his sweet renderings of couples & animals just living life.  The imagery is illustrative in nature & the artist typically incorporates text, which is simple yet poetic.  The calendar includes all new work, rich in browns & sepia tones of drawings on collaged found papers.  Grab this calendar while you still can.  We only have 1 box left!

    Amy Rice 2012 Calendar

    Beginning with not-so-traditional print making methods (hand cut stencils and a Japanese Gocco printmaking toy) Minneapolis based mixed-media artist Amy Rice makes original, one-of-kind pieces by additionally employing acrylic, gouache, ink and collage.  Her “canvases” range from weathered wood panels and discarded objects to antique envelopes, age-worn love letters, and found journal pages yellowed with time.

    Amy’s imagery, nostalgic and wistful, is largely biographical and reflective of her pensive nature. She draws inspiration from childhood memories growing up on a Midwestern farm, the urban community in which she now lives, bicycles, street art, gardening, collective endeavors that challenge hierarchy, acts of compassion, downright silliness and things with wings.

    Amy has exhibited her work in galleries throughout the United States, Canada and the U.K.

    HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

  • Crafternoon #2: Janell Wysock + Rachel Sherman of Malagueta

    Our first Crafternoon was such a hit, so we are excited about our 2nd in the series!  We will be visiting the studio of textile artist Janell Wysock & then we will head back to Art Star for  a trunk show / make + take with Rachel Sherman, the lovely woman behind the amazing clothing line Malagueta.

    Janell Wysock’s studio & samples of her work

    Here are the details & full itinerary for the day:

    Sunday, October 21st
    10:15am-approximately 2pm

    $25 per person, limit 10 people per Crafternoon (must have 5 to run)

    10:15am– Meet up at Janell Wysock’s studio at the 915 Spring Garden Street Studios
    You will get an intimite view of Janell’s studio + she will talk about her work & give a demonstration on her process.  She will also have her collection of goods out & available for sale for 20% off  – for crafternooners only!  coffee, tea & snacks will be provided.

    sample of clothing designs by Malagueta

    11:45am – approximately 2pm Meet at Art Star where Malagueta clothing designer Rachel Sherman will be set up with her latest line of clothing.  She will talk a little bit about her work & then give a demonstration on one of the techniques used on her clothing (see images below) called Couching.  Bring a blank t-shirt, skirt, bag, or any other simple fabric piece to try out the technique.  All other materials will be provided.  Finger foods & refreshments provided.

    Sample of the Couching Technique that Crafternooners can try

    You will receive 20% off any item purchased from Art Star or from any of the artists that day!

    Register here or call us at 215.238.1557

    About the Artists: 

    Janell Wysock completed her BFA at Moore College of Art and Design in 2004. Since then, she has lived and worked in Philadelphia and successfully established her textile work by developing a strong following with her unique and creative woven works of art. Janell is a member of the 3 by Three collaborative with Melissa D’Agostino, and Rachel Sherman, of Maleugeta, who believe hand made local fashion is important to building a caring and sustainable community that respects local makers which, in turn, supports other various local suppliers, creating an over all smaller carbon foot print.

    Check out our interview with Janell here or visit her website for more info

    After receiving her BFA in Textile Design from Moore College, Rachel Sherman traded in her east coast lifestyle for a stint in Seattle. It was there, in 2002, that she launched her label “malagueta”, based on improvised surface manipulation techniques such as applique, couching, shirring, top-stitching, ruching, embroidery, piecing, and pin-tucking. Her inspiration: foliage, architecture, fruits, vegetables, insects, and machinery.

    Malagueta, in Portuguese, is known as a tiny, hot red pepper that grows in Brazil, where her mother was born and where Sherman has visited on many occasions. Her lively interpretations of color and pattern pay homage to her passion for nature and music. Her vibrant, modern and easy to wear creations found their way into independent boutiques down the west coast to Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles, then east to Tucson, Miami, and DC, where funky and feminine were embraced by a diverse clientele.

    Presently, based in Philadelphia, Sherman has reestablished herself on the handmade scene through local fine art festivals and indie craft shows such as Art Star Craft Bazaar, Crafty Bastards, Holiday Heap, and the SOWA Market.

    Visit her website for more info

     

  • Spotlight on Rachel Fuld

    Rachel Fuld in her studio. Photo by Laura Jamieson.

    Local artist Rachel Fuld contributed beautiful handmade Mahogany Wall Hooks to our current exhibition, Farmhaus & Friends.  She was kind enough to tell us more about them and share her inspiration and photos of her process.  Enjoy!

    Rachel Fuld’s Wall Hooks in Farmhaus & Friends

    Rachel says: Ossements were designed for a show, “Your Personal Hang Ups”, at the Center for Art in Wood on 3rd Street. The artists were asked by curator Gail Brown to “explore inventive forms inspired by their individual interpretation of “personal hang ups”- both as functional and conceptual ideas”. I took the functional route and created this series of hand shaped wall hung hooks that resembled antlers, though the actual form was inspired by another artist’s metal sculpture. For months the sculpture hung in a window of a gallery near my house. I walked by every day. It was a metal armature of differently sized Y shaped hooks attached to a grid maybe 3feet by 5 feet, very dense, like a forest. On each arm was a piece of cut wood. Somehow, I simplified the idea, into the single y shaped ossement. 

    Here are some photos to show how they are made:


    Check out the pieces in person in Farmhaus & Friends, which closes this Sunday or online here.

  • Meet Rachel Sherman of Malagueta

    Rachel Sherman makes impeccably crafted clothing and accessories under the name Malagueta. Her surface manipulation on each garment is pretty amazing.  Learn more about her techniques & what inspires her.  And be sure to check her out at the bazaar at Booth 48 – all of her items are always neatly displayed by color!

    Art Star: Did you go to art school?  If so, where did you study?
    RS: I went to Moore College of Art and got my BFA in Textile Design.

    AS: What types of items will you be selling at the bazaar?
    RS: Skirts, tops, dresses, and wristlets….all of which will display some type of surface manipulation.

    AS: What materials do you work with?
    RS:
    Lots of jersey and woven fabrics all of which are plain on the surface, nothing printed, and textures are kept to a minimum. Whenever there is any leftover, which there usually is, I save it and use it for appliques, piecing, etc.


    AS: How are your items made? Describe your process.
    RS
    : I buy limited amounts of yardage that I first cut into the pattern pieces. Some styles I assemble COMPLETELY before I add any surface detail to them, while others can only be assembled AFTER the pattern pieces are cut then covered with surface work.  The techniques I use are found in traditional folk textiles such as Kuna Molas, Rahasthani dresses, and Korean Bojagi cloth.  Those techniques are reverse applique (layering fabrics then removing one layer at a time to reveal specific colors underneath), couching (sewing yarn onto fabric with thread, either by hand or sewing machine), piecing (gathering fabric pieces of different shapes and colors and sewing them together to emphasize bold color compostions or using the opaque seams to emphasize line compostions).


    AS: Are you able to make your work full-time?  If not, what do you do for your day job?
    RS: Malagueta is almost full-time work, however I do squeeze in block-printing one day a week, the occasional sewing project for someone, then top it off with a samba performance or a gig teaching design to high school students.


    AS: Who are some of your favorite artists?
    RS: EVERY SINGLE ONE OF MY ARTIST FRIENDS of course and Lee Bontecou, Friedrich Hundertwasser, Francoise Gilot, Jay Ryan of The Bird Machine

    AS: What are you reading/listening to right now?
    RS
    : Chet Atkins, The Might Sparrow, Jorge Ben and other Brasilian Artists.  I will be reading Bossy Pants as soon as my sister is done with it.

  • Meet The Maker: Mariko Iwata of Miks Letterpress

    Hello and welcome to our Meet the Maker blog series! Twice a week we will be profiling one of our talented vendors who will be participating in our Holiday Art Star Craft Bazaar on November 19th and 20th at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum. This is a great way to get to know each of our artists better. Learn more about their process, get a glimpse into their studio, and meet the person behind the beautiful products they create! We will be posting these every Tuesday and Thursday until the show. Join our Facebook Event so you are notified as soon as a new post is up. Enjoy!
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    Hi I’m Mariko and I design and print modern and funny letterpress greeting cards as well as minimal wedding invitations.

    miks-letterpress-mariko-at-studio-copy
    photo by Jon Moses Photography

    I am all about the hand written note. Nothing says “you’re worth it” than someone who gets out a pen, thinks of something to write, licks the envelope and rifles through their drawer for stamps. Oh, yeah and then remembers to send the letter.

    The sentiments printed on my cards are modern and funny as well as gushingly sentimental. I try to think of something unique that people today want to say like “i wait to watch tv shows with you” to express love. Most cards also have a blind impression that you can only see if you’re up close, like a secret message.

    miks-letterpress-spirit-animal-card-copy
    photo by Jon Moses Photography
    miks-letterpress-cards-blind-impression-birthday-funny-copy
    photo by Jon Moses Photography

    I love printing. I have a heidelberg windmill letterpress machine in my studio in Mt. Rainier, MD. It’s heavy and large and quite awesome when it comes to letterpress printing. I got it two years ago when I decided I’d pour my heart into designing and printing stationery and wedding invitations.

    photo by Jon Moses Photography
    photo by Jon Moses Photography

    There are a number of steps involved in printing, starting from the design and concept, getting plates made, inking up your machine, setting up a design on the machine to then finally print. Here is a video that I did with Below the Park that shows the multiple steps.

    Miks Letterpress – Clones from Below The Park on Vimeo.

    photo by Rachel Lynn Photography]
    photo by Rachel Lynn Photography

    This year I’ve been focusing more on my modern wedding invitation line. The wedding line is minimal, simple and great for the couple who wants their wedding invitation suite to be unique and different. I use gold foil, letterpress and watercolor in my work.

    photo by Rachel Lynn Photography
    photo by Rachel Lynn Photography

    I’m so excited to be at the Art Star Craft Bazaar this year. I’ll have a number of new items that I don’t have yet online and will be debuting at the show. I’m super excited to be in Philly this year with other super talented makers.

    —————————————————————————————————————–j
    Mariko Iwata is the creative force behind Miks Letterpress +. When she is not printing and being a boss lady she is hanging out with her husband (the inspiration for many of her cards) and 8 month old son (who frequents craft fairs with her and will be at Art Star). Follow Miks Letterpress + on instagram (@mikspress) and check out her site mikspress.com

    Photos by Jon Moses Photography & Rachel Lynn Photography
    Video by Below the Park

  • Kelly Kozma’s Top 5 Art Star Craft Bazaar Picks!

    I’ll start off by introducing myself to all of you Art Star fans and followers. My name is Kelly Kozma and I am fine artist, knitter, and maker of things. I live and play in Northern Liberties and work out of a studio on 1241 Carpenter Street, a building that is filled with many talented artists.  I also sell my line K knits at Art Star and occasionally fill in at the shop when these gals are running around doing other awesome things. Hats off to Erin and Megan for doing such an amazing job curating the ASCB this year. When I was making my top 5 list I noticed that Cisco, Andrew and I all chose different vendors which means there will be something for everyone! Check out my picks…

    1. Andrew Cho

    Vases by Andrew Cho

    I love work that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing so Cho’s mugs, goblets and vases were right up my alley. He has amazing craft and technique and his hand drawn imagery is beautiful.  I’m also diggin’ the neutral palette with occasional splashes of color. It’s a nice mix between traditional and contemporary styles. Can’t wait to see what he brings in May.

    Raspberry Hamantash Necklace by Inedible Jewelry

    2. Inedible Jewelry

    What’s better than hot dogs, cupcakes and honey bears you ask? Miniature versions that you can adorn your ears and neck with!  This sister-duo team makes the most adorable line of jewelry, featuring clay based earrings and necklaces that look like all of your favorite foods. They’ll satisfy your sweet tooth and your salty cravings. They are the perfect accessory to brighten your day!

    Kelly modeling one of Malagueta’s tops

    3. Malagueta

    A few months ago I had the privilege of modeling some of Rachel Sherman’s line, Malagueta for Art Star. When I put on her tops I thought ‘now here is a designer that knows a woman’s body’! Everything fit so well and in all the right places:) The detailed appliqués make each piece feel unique and would make a stunning addition to any wardrobe. Her clothes are fun, modern and will have people asking “Where did you get that?!!!”

    4. Rebe

    Davina Dress by Rebe

    I chose Rebe because I really haven’t seen anything like it before.  The silhouettes and layering techniques are really different, and in the best way possible. Each piece is interesting to look at and kind of tells a story in a way.  Her dresses look really easy to wear and they have POCKETS which is a major bonus for me (and I’m sure most women out there)! I’m looking forward to seeing some of her hanging wall pieces that she mentioned in her Art Star Blog interview. They look really intricate and textural in the picture and I can’t wait to see them in person.

    5. Yardsale Press

    Hot Tots Screen Print by Yardsale Press

    How ’bout a little sumpin sumpin to spruce up your walls? Yardsale Press has funny, light hearted prints that will bring a smile to your face everyday.  Perfect for the kitchen, bathroom, living room… okay, really you could hang these anywhere in your house and they will look great. I’m already a proud owner of their “Looking Good” print and I’m hoping to see some exciting new work from them this year! A little bird told me that Yardsale Press designed a Tshirt specially for Art Star, so you should stop in the shop and check ’em out.

    There you have it folks…housewares, jewelry, clothing and art! Have a great time at the ASCB this year:)

    Thanks so much Kelly!  Please check out her amazing art work here and follow her company K Knits on Facebook!

  • Upcoming Exhibition: Farmhaus & Friends

    September 21st – October 20th
    Opening Reception:  Saturday, September 21st, 5-8pm
    DesignPhiladelphia Reception: Friday, October 11th, 6-9pm

    Art Star is pleased to be hosting Farmhaus & Friends, a group exhibition which is presented as part of the 2013 DesignPhiladelphia Festival, a program of the Center for Architecture.  The 9th annual citywide celebration of all things design will run for nine days from October 10-18 in unique venues and spaces throughout the city.

    Ben McBrien of Farmhaus will bring his signature rustic modern style into Art Star where he will install a version of his dream home, starting with a handmade bed and dining room table made from reclaimed and responsibly sourced wood.  The pro-surfer turned wood worker will also include carefully chosen pieces handmade by Philly friends, which will finish off the look of the urban beach loft that McBrien will create.

    The friends of Farmhaus include: Project Runway Season 1 winner Jay McCarroll, ceramicist Audrey Cooper, graphic design/ tattoo artist Mike Ski, sculptor/designer Bill Curran, photographer Trevor Moran, woodworker Rachel Fuld, photographer Dominic Episcopo and master knitter Jane Likens who will lend their skills and work to help realize McBrien’s vision. Together they will create a home truly made by hand from quality materials and expert craftsmanship, reflecting Ben’s love and respect for his friends and the work that they create within his community.

  • Current Exhibition: Farmhaus + Friends

    The Farmhaus & Friends Exhibition is now on view in our gallery through October 20th and is part of DesignPhiladelphia! We will be having a closing reception + DesignPhiladelphia Celebration on Friday, October 11th from 6-9pm. Julie Lange of On3Designs will also be at the event to debut her new Screen Printing on Fabric kits. Customers will be able to try them out for free! More details on this will be in my next blog post. In the meantime, check out Farmhaus & Friends online. I am slowly adding pieces from the show, so check back often!

    About Farmhaus + Friends:
    Ben McBrien of Farmhaus has brought his signature rustic modern style into Art Star where he has installed a version of his dream home, starting with a handmade bed and dining room table made from reclaimed and responsibly sourced wood.  The pro-surfer turned wood worker has also included carefully chosen pieces handmade by Philly friends, which complete the look of the urban beach loft that McBrien has created

    The friends of Farmhaus include: Project Runway Season 1 winner Jay McCarroll, ceramicist Audrey Cooper, graphic design/ tattoo artist Mike Ski, sculptor/designer Bill Curran, photographers Trevor Moran and Dominic Episcopo, woodworker Rachel Fuld, and master knitter Jane Likens who have lent their skills and work to help realize McBrien’s vision. Together they have created a home truly made by hand from quality materials and expert craftsmanship, reflecting Ben’s love and respect for his friends and the work that they create within his community.


    I hope to feature each of the participating artists on the blog – look out for that this week and next!

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