Art Star

Category: craft shows/fairs

  • Our first Pop Up Market at SSHP

    This past weekend marked the opening of Spruce Street Harbor Park and our first Art Star Pop Up Market of the season!  People came out in droves to check out the park, lay in the hammocks, play the boardwalk games, and shop our market.  The weather was perfect and the energy was amazing!  On market wasn’t the only thing happening at the park. Candy Coated was set up providing hands on screenprinting, there were face painters and craft tables for kids, performers, a DJ, and our friends over at Inliquid brought in knitter Melissa Maddonni Haims to yarn bomb the flagpoles (amongst a handful of artists scheduled to create on site installations throughout the season).  Also on view are murals by 8 Philadelphia artists (more on that soon, we are waiting on final placement of two important murals) It really felt like a celebration of how awesome our city can be!  Please come check out our next Pop Up Market this Saturday from 11-3.  Our full vendor line-up can be found here.

    Here are some photos from the day – please check out our Flickr set for more.

    Anthropolis Designs at Art Star Pop Up Market
    As The Crow Flies and Co at the Art Star Pop Up Market
    Bonnie Kaye set up a little picnic to display her hand printed textiles and accessories at our first Art Star Pop Up Market!
    Candy Coated busy providing hands on screen printing for SSHP visitors
    Kasie Strohm was selling her super cute sterling silver animal “ear” rings
    Tadpole Creations – We captured this adorable moment with Renee and her daughter. SO CUTE!
    Wear Liberty’s was set up and selling his awesome silkscreened tees
    Yarn Bombed poles at SSHP
    Our friend + neighbor, John with his pup in the #visitphilly chair

    This is why WE LOVE PHILLY!!!

  • Art Star Pop Up Market Extended!

    EXTENDED THROUGH SEPTEMBER!

    The Art Star Pop Up Market is a small, open air market featuring the work of up to 20 of the finest makers from Philadelphia and the surrounding region. (please note: due to just finding out that the pop up market is extended, we will most likely just have a handful of vendors participating each week due to time restraints) The Pop Up Market will be held on Saturdays from June 28th – September 27th along a tree lined walkway within the Spruce Street Harbor Park.  Customers can expect a variety of handmade goods all priced affordably with most items priced under $50.  Come shop our curated group of vendors between 11am-3pm every Saturday, weather permitting.  In case of poor weather, we may cancel.  Please visit this page and we will update it with any cancellations due to weather.

    September 6th 11-3

     As the Crow Flies & Co. Old Blood Bret Pendlebury
    bebe de botas Doitgal Bee Vintage Redux

     

  • Call for Artists: Art Star Pop Up Market at Spruce Street Harbor Park

    We are so excited to be partnering again with our Waterfront Winterfest collaborators to bring you an Art Star Pop Up Market at the new Spruce Street Harbor Park this Summer!
    The Spruce Street Harbor Park will be THE destination for summer fun and relaxation in Philadelphia.  It is situated at the Penn’s Landing Marina, right at Spruce Street and Columbus Blvd.

    From Delaware River Waterfront Corporation’s Press Release: This two-month summer program throughout July and August will bring a boardwalk, urban beach, fountains, and misting areas to the Delaware River Waterfront. The centerpiece of the project is a series of floating barges complete with lily pad water gardens, a pop-up restaurant and bar, and nets that will suspend visitors over the water. The full design of the project including the landscaping and programming will help evoke the maritime history of the area, and will celebrate the River’s industrial past and the bright future ahead for Philadelphia’s waterfront.  Learn more about this exciting new park here.

    The Art Star Pop Up Market will be a small, open air market featuring the work of 10-20 of the finest makers from Philadelphia and the surrounding region.  The Pop Up Market will be held on Saturdays from June 28th – August 30th along a tree lined walkway within the Spruce Street Harbor Park.  Come shop our curated group of vendors between 11am and 3pm every sunny Saturday (we won’t set up if it rains!) Vendors will be selling a variety of handmade goods with most items priced affordably and under $50.

    CALL FOR VENDORS!!
    We are currently looking for artists/crafters who create affordable goods (items priced under $50) to participate in the the following Saturdays of the Art Star Pop Up Market – August 2nd, August 9th, August 16th, August 23rd and August 30th.  Because this is a completely new venture for us, we are offering vendor spaces for FREE!  Vendors will be set up along a walkway that is 12ft wide and long enough to fit up to 20 vendors (2,000 ft).  Because this is kind of a tight space, each vendor will receive 10ft of space wide and then 5 ft of space deep.  You may bring a 10×10 tent to protect you and your goods, but you must keep your work/displays within a 10′ x 5′ footprint, in order to give customers space to walk through.  All tents must be properly weighted, though tents are not required.  If you don’t feel like bringing a tent, bring a large beach umbrella instead – feel free to be creative! There is a parking lot on site for vendors to park for $25 a day, or you can try to find street parking.

    If you are crafter/artist that is interested in vending at any (or all) of these days, simply email us at info@artstarphilly.com with a link to your website OR attach photos of the items you plan to sell AND the date(s) you are available to do.  Please put POP UP APPLICATION as the subject of your email. Deadline to apply is July 24th and we will let you know if you were chosen to participate by the the end of the day on July 25th.  Please email with questions – no phone calls please.

  • Tyler Art Market Call for Vendors

  • #artstarcraftbazaar Thank YOU!

    We just wanted to thank everyone that played a part in making the Art Star Craft Bazaar such a huge success!  Our small weekend staff, Philebrity, volunteers, the bands, our community partners and sponsors, all the vendors, DRWC – there are too many people to list! Most of all, we want to thank YOU, our customers, for coming out in droves to shop handmade and support so many talented makers.  We REALLY loved how many of you Instagramed your purchases – that was so awesome to see.  Please keep sharing.  We especially love seeing your purchases in action – hanging on the wall, being worn, used, etc.  Be sure to #artstarcraftbazaar so we can see them all!

    Here are some of our favorite customer pics from the weekend – enjoy!  And please continue to support our vendors by going to this link to be directed to all their websites. We’ll keep our vendor page up throughout the year.  And don’t forget – we carry work by many ascb artists, so come by the store to shop in person, year round!

    @alison_lucile shared a pic of a whole bunch of goodies that she picked up at the bazaar. I see a Xenotees Pizza Tank, Red Prairie Press top, Anthropolis Design Print, Andrew Zangerle Drawing, T-Rex by Lenny Mud, print from the 50/50 Company and a few more gems.

     

    @babyjives and her kiddos picking up some felt masks from Opposite of Far
    @caitlinthetoute picked up a new tank from Wear Liberty!
    @chrissylicious shared her entire bazaar haul! Lots of good stuff there – Olive + Bo, The Maple Ridge, Laura George (from us), Leroy’s Place, Trinity Framing, etc.
    Another good haul from @elle_melinda – I spy Seeing In Fabric, Cut + Paste Photobooth, Nice Things Handmade, Mai Autumn, Paper Sparrow (from us), Kayte Terry and more!
    @kittfraser looks great in her new Jay McCarroll Top!
    @leeannfenderson in her new necklace by Old Blood Designs
    @nilorthenile scored these awesome Bowie cufflinks by Leroy’s Place
    @soydark shared her new woodcut by Red Light Press
    @staceydoespics posed in a felt unicorn mask by Opposite of Far and one of our Unicorn masks made by CherryBox
    and last, but not least, @youmisheardme lookin’ cute in a Better Than Jam handprinted dress

    Thank you again to all of our customers for supporting us + our vendors and for generally just being awesome and having great taste!

  • An Interview with Bmore Papercuts

    I cannot believe the Art Star Craft Bazaar  is in just a few days! Time flies so fast! Oddly enough, we are totally ahead of the game + prepared!  Here is a little interview we did with first time bazaar vendor,  Demaris Howe of Bmore Papercuts.  Her intricate cut paper pieces really wowed us, so of course we wanted to learn more.  Visit her at booth # 44 this weekend!

    Art Star: What will you be selling at the Bazaar?
    Demaris Howe: I will be selling one of a kind papercuts that I design and cut by hand, I will also be selling prints made from my original papercuts as well as some limited edition t shirts for men and  women.

    AS: Describe your process.
    DH: I begin by sketching my ideas – then I fold my paper and cut what I can that will be symmetrical and then unfold the piece and cut anything that is not symmetrical like words or images.

    AS: Are you professionally trained? If not, how did you learn your craft?
    DH: I have a fine arts background but the way I got into papercutting was from working as a shadow puppeteer for 10 years with a Baltimore based visual arts organization- We made hundreds of shadow puppets and I made the connection between silhouettes and
    papercutting mostly as a way to make gifts for friends.

    AS: Are you able to make your work full time? If not, what do you do for a day job?
    DH: I have transitioned into papercutting full time over the last year.

    AS: Where would you like to see your craft business in the next 10 years?
    DH: I would love to be using my papercuts to design textiles, surface design and I would love to do some book illustrations.

    AS: Any exciting projects in the works?
    DH: I have some fun large scale papercuts in the works for some restaurants in DC and Baltimore.

    AS: What is your favorite thing(s) about Philadelphia?
    DH: The Mummers Parade and Spiral Q Puppets!!!

    AS: What are you reading / listening to?
    DH: I love listening to podcasts while I work- My favorites are Professor Blastoff, Comedy Bang Bang, How Did this get Made and of course After the Jump from Design Sponge!

  • ASCB Shopping List: For the Home

    Whether it is an accent pillow, vase, printed textile, decor piece or whatever, the Art Star Craft Bazaar is the place to find that perfect handmade addition to your home!  Here are a few of our picks “for the home” to help you plan your shopping strategy.

    1. Boutique Textiles Lauren Rossi’s small local company, Boutique Textiles, prints the most gorgeous, colorful patterns on tea towels, napkins, pillows, fabric yardage + more! Booth #25

    2. Hannah’s Hannah Simmons is the lady behind this line of products all made from local, sustainably harvested cherry trees.  Simmons, along with her father Jonathan, create everything from hair accessories to these very useful and aesthetically pleasing IPhone Stands. Booth #100

    3. happydespina ltd Every home needs a chalkboard!  Lucky for us, Chicago based artist, Despina Papadeas cuts them into cool shapes.  Find everything from the United States, hot air balloons, instruments, to any adorable animal you could think of, and much more! Booth #274. jennyjen42 Baltimore based, Jennifer McBrien, draws birds with her sewing machine on fabric. The result is really beautiful!  She also adds elements of felt applique, which adds a splash of color that contrasts nicely with the simple black stitching. Her line includes pillows, kitchen aid / sewing machine covers, pot holders and more! Booth #63

    5. littlegreenthings Leah Boelman of littlegreenthings makes unique, reclaimed wood art pieces that she paints and also hand embroiders.  Each piece is one-of-a-kind and her selection is huge, which makes it kinda hard to choose – there are so many good ones! She stitches up outlines of states, rvs, bikes, love notes, inspirational sayings, pretty much anything you could think of.  Find the perfect piece to hang in your home! Booth #30

    6. Nikkuu I love Melissa Moore’s line of wood planters!  These are made from a variety of woods and cut into different geometric shapes.  Some are painted with a pop of bright yellow or turquoise, while the wood is left to shine on others.  These are great for air plants.  Buy a bunch to set on your windowsill or coffee table. Booth #81

    7. Peg and Awl Husband + Wife duo, Margaux + Walter Kent’s goods always begin as an item that they need for their own home and family.  All their products are made from old things – reclaimed wood, antique gunsling leather, vintage zippers, etc, that are given new life in the form of housewares, accessories, jewelry and journals.  This apothecary cabinet is made from reclaimed cypress and finished with milkpaint.  Made to hang in your washroom to store all your toiletries. Booth #93

    8. redraven studios Pittsburgh based artists, Amy Hamley, makes this gorgeous line of porcelain keepsakes. The home collection includes planters, jugs, good luck horseshoes, whiskey decanters, and more.  The pure, white porcelain shines in each piece and is sometimes accompanied by a line of gold luster or a pop of color.  Booth #78

    9. Rider Dirt Work I am in love with local Philly ceramicist, Lauren Rider’s, line of henna inspired pottery.  Each wheel thrown porcelain piece is glazed and food safe.  Use as your everyday dishes or for display. Booth #84

    10. Taylor Ceramics Art Star artist, Cara Taylor, is traveling from Easthampton, Massachusetts to sell her porcelain planters, vases, pots, and jewelry.  The surfaces of her pieces are kept to a minimal so the simple, yet beautiful details in her forms, carvings and glazing can be appreciated.  Delicate line work, hand formed ridges and beading adorn these stunning pieces.  Booth #103


    11. The 807 Faye Zimmerman of The 807 makes unique wood shelving for the home.  Display your collections in an interesting way with her triangle, gem, arrow, and zig-zag shapes.  She also makes fun, hand cut wood banners with phrases like “uhghhh” and “cheers bitches”.  Booth #48

    12. Trinity Framing Last, but certainly not least, our friends from Philadelphia’s premier custom framing shop will be selling their awesome ready made frames that they hand make from reclaimed wood.  Bring all the prints you score at the show over to them and pick out the perfect frame.  I also hear that they will be giving out coupons for custom framing with purchase.  Booth #53

  • An Interview with New Academy Press

    New Academy Press, founded by Justin George and Michael Burch, is a collaborative screen printing shop in Pittsburgh, PA.  New Academy Press will be vending at our Art Star Craft Bazaar for the first time this year, so we were interested in learning more about them.  Check out our interview and come visit them at the bazaar at booth # 110!

    Art Star: What will you be selling at the bazaar?
    New Academy Press: We will be selling screen printed paper goods, such as illustrated prints, postcards, bookmarks, and paper sculptures.

    AS: Describe your process.
    NAP: We take original illustrations and designs and screen print them by hand.  Some of our prints are then cut, torn, folded, and glued to create 3-dimensional paper sculptures.

    AS: Are you professionally trained?
    NAP: Justin holds a BFA in printmaking and Michael has one in photography.

    AS: Are you able to make your work full time?  If not, what do you do for your day job?
    NAP: We work full time hours for New Academy Press, but to stay afloat we also spend additional time as a bartender and restaurant manager.

    AS: Where would you like to see your art/craft business in the next 10 years?
    NAP: We would like to move our operation out of our living room and into a larger, dedicated workspace allowing us to increase our creative output, and eventually spread our love for art making through teaching classes and workshops.

    AS: Any exciting projects in the works?
    NAP: We are currently working on a suite of new prints for a gallery show in August at the Irma Freeman Center for Imagination here in Pittsburgh.

    AS: What are your favorite things about Philadelphia?
    NAP:  So many things! Michael spent a brief time living in Philly, and the things he misses most are the Museum of Art, bicycle lanes and beautiful old buildings. Justin enjoys the Mutter Museum and Ben Franklin.

    AS: What are some of the inspirations for your work?
    NAP: We are heavily influenced by past eras of scientific exploration, design and manufacturing. We love learning about the people who have spent their lives searching for answers and discovering new things about the natural world.

     

    AS: What are you reading / listening to?
    NAP: That is a very big question.  We love talk radio, podcasts and audiobooks that teach us about this crazy universe, but when it comes to getting thing done we like really loud rock music.

     

  • ASCB Shopping List: Baby + Kids

    We’ve got a great group of vendors making things for the little ones in your life! Is it weird that I just want all of it in my size?  Here’s a list of vendors that will be selling goods at our upcoming Art Star Craft Bazaar for babies + kids.

    1. As the Crow Flies & Co: The West Philly husband  + wife behind this line of goods is Wilder + Mike Scott – Straight. Mike makes broken plate jewelry and wife Wilder makes vintage inspired skirts + dresses for kids.  Also, I hear that she is now making matching apparel for us grown-ups too.  Yes PLEASE!  I would totally rock this fox dress!

    2. Cutesy but not Cutesy:   Every cool kid in town owns one of Diane Koss’ super awesome monster plushies!  We love her new fuzzy monster hoodies too! If you’re lucky, you’ll see Diane prancing around the bazaar in her huggable monster head piece.

    3. Oh Hello Deer Cute screen printed tees + onesies for babies + kids, plus these awesome printed super hero tops with a cape that can velcro on + off. 

    4. Olive  + Bo Philly crafter, Lori Thomson of Olive + Bo stitches modern quilts, mobiles and plush rattles for babies and kids.  Her grey, black + white palette always includes a nice pop of  color like neon yellow or purple. These simple, yet striking, geometric designs would be a stylish addition to a kid’s playroom, bedroom, or nursery.

    5. The Opposite of Far What kid doesn’t like to play dress up?  Jessica Near of The Opposite of Far is travelling all the way from Indiana to bring Philly her popular line of felt animal masks + tails.  Her vast collection includes zoo, woodland, barnyard animals and more! You can also find a smaller selection of non-animals, including super heros and robots.  And, um, P.S., she also makes adult sizes.

    6. Sewn by Shylo Shylo Egenski makes the most precious clothing + accessories for women and children in Wilkes Barre, PA.  Her peplum + halter style dresses for little girls are particularly adorable and are made from vintage bed linens.

    7. Sundae Matinee Rosalie Hick’s fun + quirky animal portraits are made with stitched fabric + felt and are sure to bring a smile to your face.  Napoleon Longslice, Roxie Fox, Bobby Feathers and others each come with a handwritten “Life Details” card.  Though these aren’t made specifically just for kids, I think little ones will really have a fun time coming up with stories about each of these funny characters.  The little felt pillows and framed portraits would look great in a playroom or nursery too.

    8. Tadpole Creations Renee D’Amico creates an ever expanding line of handcrafted goods for little ones. Her booth is always bright, colorful and cheery and filled to the brim with the sweetest plush toys + rattles, appliqued onesies + bibs, baby quilts, purses, DIY kits and more.  Renee’s creativity is boundless and I always love to check out her latest creations.

    9. The Wind and The Sail Laura Stantz’ line of sweet+ modern plush toys are a favorite among bazaar shoppers and we are happy to welcome her back to our line-up again this year.  Her plushies include hippos, giraffes, kangaroos, and more! Most have move-able limbs and all are superbly crafted and made from top quality materials.  Her collection of goods also includes happy vegetable baby rattles.

  • An Interview with Marcus Benavides of Red Light Press

    Red Light Press is Marcus Benavides’ Fine Art Printing Press that specializes in limited edition woodcuts, lithographs and other prints on paper.  This will be Marcus’ first year participating in our Art Star Craft Bazaar, so we were interested in learning more about him. Visit his booth #50 at our upcoming bazaar or check out his website

    Art Star: What will you be selling at the bazaar?
    Marcus Benavides: I’ll be selling Woodcut and Lithographic prints.

    AS. Describe your process. 
    MB: I carve tiny marks into wood, roll those carvings up with oil based inks, and reproduce the images on paper. I also draw images on Bavarian Lithographic Limestones, chemically alter the stones with acids and solutions, roll the image up with ink, and print the image on paper.  Both of these methods are printed with the help of Lula, a 100 year old, cast-iron, hand-cranked printing press.



    AS: Are you professionally trained?
    MB:  I received a BFA, MA, and an MFA in printmaking. I’ve been making prints for 10 years and I’ve been making art as far back as I can remember. Years of honing my craft, sharpening pencils, and grinding down stones can only stem from a love of hard work and printing beautiful images.


    AS: Are you able to make your work full time?  If not, what is your day job?
    MB: Sadly, I am not. I work at a commercial print-shop here in Philly.

    AS: Where would you like to see your craft business in 10 years?
    MB:      Owning a printing press allows me to make multiples of not only my own work, but collaborations with fellow artists. I would like to see Red Light Press’s expanding portfolio include more collaborative prints. I want to provide an artistic outlet for the ideas of like-minded individuals. Today, this is achievable with local artists; however, in the future I hope to build a fund for visiting, nationally-recognized artists.

    AS: Any exciting projects in the works?
    MB: I am currently in conversations with two local artists about printing collaborative prints.  That, and I’m working on a new piece entitled “Surf Mothers Must Die!”

    AS: What is your favorite thing about Philadelphia?
    MB: Dim Sum Garden’s soup dumplings.

     AS: What are some of the inspirations for your work?
    MB: I’m inspired most by the things that scare us as civilized beings; Indecency, the Grotesque, the Occult, Rebellious Behavior, Moralizing Folklore, and the Sleaze and Grime of back-alley cultures. I’m also influenced by the pop culture and cartoons of my childhood.

    AS: What are you reading / listening to?
    MB:      I listen to a lot of early Blues and Rock & Roll music. Mostly stuff from the 30’s to 50’s. But my taste runs the gamut of music genres.


    AS: Anything fun readers might be interested in knowing about you or your business?
    MB: I grew up in South Texas.  I have a rifle-scope scar on my left brow.  That, and I have a collection of voodoo and Mexican witchcraft paraphernalia.

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