We’re excited to announce we’ve partnered with Uber to offer all guests who are new to Uber a complimentary ride up to $20 using the promo code ARTSTAR
Uber is an iPhone/Android app that lets you tag your location and summon a professional driver to your side within minutes. Once in the car, the driver will take you wherever you need to go. The fare is billed to your card, with no need to tip, so you don’t have to worry about handling cash.
Just click the promo code below and sign up! You’ll be riding in style in no time at all.
We are thrilled to announce that we will be participating in this year’s Crafty Bastards Fair in DC! We have heard so many incredible things about this show over the years and are so thankful to have the opportunity to participate this year for the first time ever!!
For those of you that have not heard of Crafty Bastards, it is very similar to our annual Art Star Craft Bazaar. The show features some of the best makers from across the country, a beer garden, DC’s best food trucks, family friendly activities + more at Union Market in DC on September 28th + 29th from 10-5.
We have partnered with Crafty Bastards and are able to offer all of you some special deals if you plan to make the trip to the show. You won’t be disappointed, we promise!
There is a small fee to enter Crafty Bastards ($5 for the day / $10 Weekend) but we scored you a special deal – a weekend pass for just $8! Because one day will not be enough, believe me! Enter Promo Code Vendor2013 when purchasing a weekend ticket and you will get the discount!
For those of you who want to take a trip to DC for Crafty Bastards, check out the Courtyard Marriott. It’s conveniently located within walking distance of the festival and they are offering a special rate of $126 per night, September 28th and 29th. Book your room today via this link or by calling 1-800-321-2111 and mention the Crafty Bastards room block. If you plan to stay and shop for the weekend, don’t forget to enter discount code VENDOR2013 when buying your tickets to get a special $8 weekend pass!
Speaking of comfort, we know how shopping for great crafts can make one, well, parched! With that in mind, Crafty Bastards for the first time in history will be serving craft beer. In partnership with New Belgium Brewing, there will be an outdoor beer garden featuring several of New Belgium’s amazing Belgian-inspired beers, plus food from local vendors and food trucks. We have a special discount code for you craft beer lovers, a single day pass and 2 beers for $10 when you enter the discount code CRAFTYBEERME when purchasing your ticket online.
We hope to see you there! Be sure to visit our booth and say hi!
Photo by Mikey Ilagan, Courtesy of Night Market Philly
This local favorite street festival features the best of the city’s ethnic restaurants & gourmet food trucks in different neighborhoods throughout Philly. This Thursday it will be in our hood – NoLibs & we couldn’t be more excited! We will be set up at the festival, along with 9 other local crafters.
Guapos Tacos (one of my personal favorites) Photo by Mikey Ilagan / Courtesy of Night Market Philly
There will be more than 40 vendors offering Philly’s yummiest food for under $5. Yards Brewing Company will also be selling beer. Get FREE beer by signing up for LEVEL UP (this year’s sponsor) online with promo code FOODTRUST or at the event. LEVEL UP will also make a $5 donation to the food trust in your name when you sign up. I think I’ll do just that!
Photo by Mikey Ilagan / Courtesy of Night Market Philly
EVEN BETTER – become a “Friend of Night Market” for $50 & get FREE beer PLUS FREE food, cocktails & more!
My favorite dessert food truck: Sweetbox Cupcakes will be there! Photo by Mikey Ilagan / Courtesy of Night Market Philly
Photo by Mikey Ilagan / Courtesy of Night Market PhillyPhoto by Mikey Ilagan / Courtesy of Night Market PhillyPhoto by Mikey Ilagan / Courtesy of Night Market PhillyPhoto by Mikey Ilagan / Courtesy of Night Market Philly
Art Star artist, Amy Rice, has put up these 4 Valentines that you can download for FREE!
(click the image above to download)
*Tips: Use a heavier stock white paper and set your printer to the highest quality.*
Also, check out our new Valentines Day Section on our website
& pick up a token of love for your sweetie. Enter Promo Code LoveBird for 15% off your purchase through Feb. 15th!
Here are some quick gift ideas:
stitch up messages of love with these kits by Chez-Sucre-Chez, $12.50-$14.50"I Like The Way You Smell" print on wood veneer by Spread the Love, $27You're Sweet letterpress notecard by Sycamore Street Press, $4.50
Free Fare
A Collection of Landscape Inspired Prints by Shawn Hileman April 13th – May 26th, 2013
Opening Reception: Saturday, May 13th, 6-8pm
Free & Open to the public
Art Star is pleased to announce Free Fare, a collection of landscape inspired prints by Philadelphia printer & graphic designer, Shawn Hileman. The exhibition will be on display from April 13th – May 26th, 2013. An opening reception with the artist will be held on Saturday, May 13th from 6-8pm. Light refreshments will be provided.
Shawn Hileman’s first solo exhibition at Art Star will include a series of screenprinted abstract landscapes based on the desire to explore the world. The work will take the viewer on a journey that spans from desolate desert to mystical mountain side castles. An illustrated collection of ephemera will accompany the expansive fields of color and texture. With a keen graphic eye and a lust for playful illustration, the prints will feature a symbiotic relationship between paper and ink
Shawn received his BFA in Graphic Design from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and has since worked as an Art Director and Freelance Graphic Designer / Printer. He started Masthead Print Studio in 2010, which serves as a hub for local Philly printmakers to create & show their work. The Studio features monthly exhibitions, curated by Hileman & other Masthead members, as well as special events & lectures. His freelance clients include Urban Outfitters, Academy of Music, World Café Live, and Electric Factory, amongst many others. He also creates his own line of silkscreened posters & prints, which you can find at Masthead, Art Star, Etsy & Little Paper Planes in CA.
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 artistAmy 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.
Art Star: Tell us a bit about your work. What inspires your imagery? Andrea Courchene: As an artist and musician I am divided between two creative worlds. My process of creating art is intrinsically like refining a passage of music through practice, writing original pieces, or listening to my favorite recordings–it is quite involved. I have always found a special interest in the connections between the sound of music and visual art. Performing music inspires my art with an appreciation for the audience as well; people of all ages can find an instrument, an animal, or a scene which may capture their imagination. I’m also inspired by vintage illustrations, nature and living in New York City.
AS: Are you formally trained? If so, where did you study? AC: My formal education is in music. I have a bachelors and master’s degree in music. I’ve always loved creating art as a hobby as far back as elementary school. I’ve taken a few art classes at both my undergraduate college as well as in graduate school. I recently completed two courses at Columbia University: one in painting and the other, lithography. I’m also starting an etching class there this Spring.
Andrea working on a lithograph
AS: Are you originally from New York? What are some of your favorite places in NYC to go for inspiration? AC: I was born in England and immigrated to Florida with my family when I was in high school. Since then I’ve been lucky to travel around and have recently lived in Chicago, Portland, Oregon, and am now based in New York City. New York City is a wonderfully cosmopolitan city but I find that I am most inspired by my neighborhood on the Upper West Side of Manhattan which is always bustling and has the added advantage of two great, enormous city parks on each side: Riverside and Central Park.
poster by Paper Sparrow
AS: Are you able to focus on your work full time? Do you have a day job? Any employees? AC: Paper-Sparrow is currently my full-time work. I am fortunate to be able to supplement my income with freelance performance and teaching music. I do get a lot of support and an extra pair of hands for shipping packages from my partner, Paul, who is also a cellist.
AS: What materials do you use for the original illustrations? AC: It varies from piece to piece. I tend to gravitate towards paint: gouache, watercolors and acrylics with added textures and backgrounds. Other times I simply draw in pen and ink and digitally manipulate the images in photoshop and illustrator.
AS: Any new and exciting projects in the works? AC: This year I’m focusing on expanding my line of greeting cards and taking on more freelance opportunities.
AS: Aside from Etsy & Art Star, where else do you sell/show your work? AC: I tend to sell at a few craft fairs every year in the summers and the holiday season. I also wholesale my cards to a number of boutiques and stores across the US and to a few in Australia.
“Smoky Mountain Gypsy Jazz” by Paper Sparrow
AS: Who are some of your favorite artists/illustrators? AC: I have pretty eclectic taste but I particularly love art of the bauhaus movement and mid-century design. I love scouring vintage children’s books for illustrations by Martin and Alice Provensen, M. Sasek, Sandy Hoffman, Aliki Brandenberg and Brian Wildsmith.
AS: What music are you listening to these days? AC: We always have music playing in our apartment. You can bet on lots of classical and chamber music, jazz, Django Reinhardt and some 60s pop.
Check out our collection of work by Andrea’s line, Paper Sparrow, HERE
We teamed up with San Diego based artist Susie Ghahremani of www.boygirlparty.com to create this awesome mug. Susie created this illustration just for us & we hope to continue working with her on new products. Local ceramic artist, Hope Rovelto of Little Chair Printing printed the illustration on these mugs for us & she did such an amazing job. I’m excited about future collaborations with these two talented ladies.
I went and got a Pumpkin Butter Soy beverage from Soy Cafe across the street to test out the mug. It was like drinking fall in a cup! My favorite thing to do during the cold weather days is to curl up with a good book & drink a hot toddy made by my husband, Cisco. That is what I will be drinking mostly from this mug.
Have you ever made a hot toddy? It is easy. Just add as much Wild Turkey American Honey Whiskey as you’d like (usually just a finger or so) to hot tea. Get an orange or lemon wedge & stick some whole cloves into it & plop that in. The honey whiskey adds just the right touch of sweetness. Enjoy!
Susie Ghahremani is a 2002 graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) with a BFA in Illustration. Her artwork combines her love of nature, animals, music and patterns. Born and raised in Chicago, Susie now happily spends her time painting, drawing, crafting and tending to her pet finches and cat in San Diego, CA.
Ministry of Culture is the clothing and accessories label I created for myself while I was attending school at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. I was living in Brooklyn at the time and like most other people my age, I was trying to find ways to make extra cash to support the cost of rent in the city. I stumbled across this cute little handmade clothing store in my neighborhood called Better Than Jam and convinced the owner Karin Persan to take me on as an artist. I had been experimenting with different sewing, dyeing and printing techniques for years but had never had an outlet to sell my line before; it was a big jumping off point for my business.
I grew up sewing my own clothes and making jewelry but it wasn’t until my brother found an ad in the gas station, in our town of West Burke, Vermont, that I ever considered it as a potential profession. Tara Lynn Bridal was looking for interns interested in learning all aspects of fashion design. I started working for Tara and learned everything from production sewing, to embroidery, applique and pattern making. She encouraged me to apply to the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC and go back to school. I stayed in New York for 6 years working in different areas of the fashion world; as a pattern- maker, sample maker, sewing teacher, with private clients, in textile shops. I collected a wealth of knowledge as well as a mountain of fabric. Almost every company I worked for had some sort of textile “waste” which I always asked to keep. All of which I used to inspire my own clothing designs. Finding ways to use what I had, pushed me to be more creative. I like to see and feel the fabrics, watch how it drapes and then think of how each piece would be best suited in a garment.
In addition to collecting fashion industry off-casts, I have spent a lot of time traveling to other countries, collecting fabric, design ideas and learning about traditional craft. Through the years I have done my best to combine my love of travel with my desire to create unique and functional clothing designs. I find my inspiration from the places I have been and the people living there. Style varies from country to country. I like to study the history of each country’s folk art designs and traditional costumes. Color, pattern, and design all have different meaning depending on where in the world you are at and I try to find interesting, modern ways to implement them into my designs. I have studied weaving in Chile and Guatemala, batik in Indonesia and Thailand, natural dying in Laos, lace making in Spain, as well as quilting in America. Essentially if there is a textile related art from out there in the world, it is my goal to get there and learn how it is done.
The idea behind my label Ministry of Culture is to tell a story through fashion, by introducing people to various countries folk art traditions, and creating unique, quality pieces to minimize consumption. I think that it is important to have a sense of global consciousness and do my best to develop that type of awareness through my designs..
I do my work from my studio (aka the barn behind my parents house) in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. I hand draft all my patterns, cut, and sew everything myself. All of my prints are from hand-carved linoleum blocks, and are individually stamped. After I returned from a trip to Turkey last year and started experimenting with marbled silk. I have really enjoyed the individuality of the designs that have come out of it and hope to continue using that technique to print some unique sweatshirt material through this winter. I am headed on a trip through the “Stans” to Mongolia next summer and looking forward to finding inspiration and textiles along the way.
We are very excited to announce that our friends over at Half and a Third will be taking over our back gallery space from February 11th – March 19th. They will be creating their own shop within our space.
Half and a Third are local couple Ian Stafford and Katey Mangels. The pair combines their expertise in woodworking and graphic design to create quality goods for the home. Inspired by everything from sacred geometry, world cultures, and mid-century modern design; Half and a Third strive to make goods that have a simplistic beauty & modern charm. Their collection includes a wide selection of items. Shoppers can expect to find furniture, coasters, clocks, prints, trivets, cutting boards, art prints and more.
Please join us for an opening reception for the Pop Up on February 11th from 4-7pm. The event will also include a Free Valentine’s Day Card Making Workshop with Bonnie Kaye Studio. Bonnie will be bringing her beautiful hand screen printed wrapping papers for you to use to cut up and collage a special card for your valentine or galentine! All materials provided. Pop on in anytime during the event (no reservations required). Bring friends! 20% off all Bonnie Kaye Goods during the event.
Complimentary Snacks and Libations provided.
Visit our Facebook Invite and let us know if you can make it
Visit Brianna and her clothing line, 
