Friends, groups, couples – come one, come all! Get crafty and celebrate Valentine’s Day with us. Deadline to sign up is February 7th and the event is limited to just 25 people, so sign up ASAP. We will only hold the event if we get enough people to sign up, so tell your friends. If we end up not filling up, we will let you know and refund you in full. If you would like to sign up, please click here.
Category: events
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Crafty Hearts Party!
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What to expect at Waterfront Winterfest
Photo by Mitchell Leff This past weekend was the opening of Waterfront Winterfest – a season long holiday celebration that marks the 20th Anniversary of the Blue Cross River Rink. It is truly a winter wonderland that will get you and your family in the holiday spirit. Plan to come for the entire Winterfest experience, which includes our Art Star Holiday Market (12 craft vendors selling within mini pop up shops, including Art Star!), The Lodge Bar + Restaurant, cozy Fire Pits where you can make s’mores, an incredible light show that begins at 5 every night and runs every hour, and of course – ice skating!! Take a little tour of Winterfest through these photos + be sure to come check it out in person! And come back often b/c we will have a new mix of craft vendors each day (see website for complete schedule.
Photo by Matt Stanley 
Photo by Matt Stanley Our vendors are set up within the recycled shipping containers that line the front perimeter of The Lodge Pop Up Restaurant + Bar. It is not your typical craft show set up. It is a smaller line-up of artists, but each have created their own mini shop within the containers. We invited only the best vendors who all create quality and unique handmade goods. We also tried to make sure we had a good mix of items each day, so there is something for everyone.
Photo by Matt Stanley 
photo by Mitchell Leff The recycled shipping containers create the walls of The Lodge Pop Up Restaurant, which is in the center and covered with a giant warming tent. It is nice + cozy inside. The food is by Award Winning chef, George Sabatino who is also known for creating the menu at Morgan’s Pier. My favorite has been the Sweet Potato and Kale Pocket Pies with a spiked hot cider. The restaurant opens at 5pm weekdays and 11am on weekends.
photo by Matt Stanley There are also grab + go concession stands open the entire time where you can get sandwiches by Sardine Bar, hot chocolate, spiced chai, coffee, chocolate covered popcorn, and more.
photo by Matt Stanley Winterfest is very family friendly. There are roaming performers, hoopers, stilt walkers, etc that will be sure to entertain the kiddos. If your kids are old enough, send them off ice skating or to the indoor arcade while you shop and grab an adult beverage!
photo by Matt Stanley Get cozy around the fire pits and make some s’mores! If you are coming after 5, the light show is a definite must see!!
photo by Mitchell Leff Don’t forget about the ice skating! The music they have playing is all really good too.
One thing I do recommend is to find street parking, walk, or take public transportation. The parking fee is $15, which is okay if you plan on staying for the whole day but if you just plan on coming for a few hours, there are plenty of other options. There is no fee to come to Winterfest, unless you are parking in the lot or ice skating. We hope to see you there!!
More Details Visit:
www.holidaymarket.artstarphilly.com
www.waterfrontwinterfest.com -
Art Star Holiday Market Opening Weekend!
The first Art Star Holiday Market weekend is coming soon – Black Friday through December 1st! Here is a little teaser of the types of goodies you will be able to buy. Check out the opening weekend’s full vendor lineup on the website!
Left to Right: Julie Moon, Peg + Awl, Cutesy but not Cutesy, Typothecary Letterpress, Hannah’s, Fuzzy Ink, Boutique Textiles, Yardsale Press, Inedible Jewelry Shop for the perfect holiday gifts in recycled storage containers, ice skate, grab a beer + drink from The Lodge pop up Restaurant, enjoy a light show by Klip Collective, sit around the fire pits & make some s’mores + so much more – all in one spot! Free to attend!!
Check out our FACEBOOK invite, let us know if you can come & help spread the word!
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Winterfest Progress
We visited the site of our Art Star Holiday Market at Winterfest today. I thought we’d share a little sneak peek of how the space is shaping up. It is still in progress, but the site ops guys are working very hard every day to have it ready for the opening. Our vendors will be inside the storage containers shown & they have added some of the greenery. It is going to be a winter wonderland!! More updates coming soon – including some fun giveaways. The Facebook invite was posted today – please help us spread the word.
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Northern Liberties & Fishtown Holiday Shopping Spree
Our annual neighborhood shopping spree is back and this time we have included a bunch of rad shops in both Northern Liberties and Fishtown!
The spree is a progressive sale that aims to encourage people to explore their neighborhoods and shop local this holiday season. How does it work? Participating retail shops will be giving 10% Off during the shopping spree, right off the bat. Get a sticker on your spree card each time you make a purchase at a participating location. ($10 minimum to get a sticker)
1 Sticker = 15% Off
2 Stickers = 20% Off
3 Stickers = 25% Off thereafterShop at any location and in any order! Spree cards can be picked up at any participating location.
Participating Shops
Fishtown: Craft Foundry, Half and a Third, The Common Room, Toile, Jinxed
Northern Liberties: City Planter, Stump, Swag Boutique, Once Worn Consignment, Casa Papel, Art Star, Madison K. Live Life Fun
BONUSES:
Show your spree card with 3 Stickers at Bourbon & Branch and Jerry’s Bar in Northern Liberties and get 15% Off your food/drink orderNeed a sitter while you shop? Drop off the kiddos ages 4+ at NLArts (700 N. 3rd Street) for a Holiday Craft Workshop. Saturday ONLY from 2-6pm, $25 includes all materials
Photobooth at Gravy Studio in Northern Liberties – show your card with all 3 stickers and get a free polaroid or purchase for $5 without stickers.
Light Refreshments + Tons of Holiday Cheer at each Stop!
Public Transportation: Get off at either the Spring Garden or Girard Stop on the Market/Frankford Line or take the 5 Bus or the 15 Trolley. Visit Septa.org for route details.
Indego Bike Share – stations are in both Fishtown and Northern Liberties https://www.rideindego.com/stations/
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Art Star Holiday Market Call For Vendors
Art Star Holiday Market at WinterFest!A month long winter wonderland at the Blue Cross River Rink that will include ice skating, light shows, a pop up restaurant & retail shops housed within recycled storage containers. We have been asked to curate the retail portion of the show, which will include a rotating roster of 12 artists and crafters Friday through Sunday every week from Black Friday through New Years.
Detailed info on the Art Star Holiday Market can be found here
Detailed info on WinterFest as a whole can be found hereVendor spaces are still available on specific dates. If you are an artist or crafter and would like to participate, please fill out our Artist Submission form HERE (disregard general artist submission instructions found on that page) and do the following:
Write ART STAR HOLIDAY MARKET in subject line
Attach images and/or include a link to your website or etsy page in the message block
Include the dates that you are able to participate in the message blockAvailable Dates & Prices
Sunday, Dec. 1st, 11-6 / $100
Friday, Dec. 6th, 4-8 / $50
Friday, Dec. 13th, 4-8 / $50
Friday, Dec. 27th, 11-7 / $50
Saturday, Dec. 28th, 11-7 / $100
Sunday, Dec 29th, 11-6 / $100
Monday, Dec 30th, 11-7 / $100
Tues, New Years Eve, 11-7 / $100Vendor spaces will be within the shipping containers. Most shipping containers will house 3 vendors (some 2) and each vendor will receive a 8′ (need to leave 4′ of this for foot traffic) x 12.5′ space. Vendors must provide everything needed for set-up, display and sales. We encourage vendors to be creative with the space and set it up like a small shop. Containers will have lighting but will not be heated. Electric will be available so vendors can bring a small space heater or additional lighting if necessary. Shipping containers will be locked each evening by Art Star. Free parking for vendors will be available in the attached lot.
We will contact you within one week from the date you apply to let you know if you’ve been accepted to participate or not. Contact us at info(at)artstarphilly.com with any questions.
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School of Vintage Pop Up at Art Star
Jeannine Errico (L) and Erin Buterick (R) of School of Vintage We are so excited to announce that our friends, Erin & Jeannine, will be bringing their award winning School of Vintage shop to Art Star for a month long Pop Up in our exhibition space from October 26th through November 24th! The shop will be open during our normal store hours.
SCHOOL OF VINTAGE, LLC IS A VINTAGE AND HANDMADE BOUTIQUE LOCATED IN SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY. CURRENTLY, SOV OPERATES ONLINE, AND IN SURF CITY, LONG BEACH ISLAND. SOV IS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN JEANNINE ERRICO AND ERIN BUTERICK; TWO YOUNG WOMEN WHO MET IN MICROBIOLOGY CLASS, SENIOR YEAR OF COLLEGE (HENCE THE NAME SCHOOL OF VINTAGE!). AFTER BONDING OVER CUTE SHOES AND FART JOKES, AN INSTANT FRIENDSHIP WAS FORMED AND SO WAS THE SHARED AMBITION OF OPENING A VINTAGE STORE. MUCH TIME HAS PASSED SINCE THOSE EARLY DAYS, BUT THE DREAM IS ALIVE AND THRIVING…
SOV HAND-SELECTS ONE-OF-A-KIND VINTAGE AND HANDMADE PIECES TO KEEP A VERY METICULOUSLY CURATED BOUTIQUE. JEANNINE AND ERIN BOTH HAVE VERY DIFFERENT STYLES AND TASTES FROM ONE ANOTHER BUT THEIR DISTINCTNESS YIELD A COLLECTION THAT IS ECLECTIC, TIMELESS AND APPEALS TO JUST ABOUT ANY DEMOGRAPHIC. AS FAR AS CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES, JEANNINE TENDS TO GRAVITATE TOWARDS PRIMARY COLORS, SHARP LINES AND STRUCTURED LOOKS WHILE ERIN ENJOYS SOFTER TONES, BOXY FITS AND CLASSIC TAILORING. DESPITE THEIR DIFFERENCES, THEY BOTH ADORE JUST ABOUT ANY STYLE OF DRESS FROM THE 40S AND 50S AND THEY ALMOST NEVER PASS UP THE OPPORTUNITY TO COLLECT ANTIQUE PIECES FROM THE 20S AND 30S. IN ADDITION TO CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES, SOV ALSO SELLS HOUSE WARES AND FURNITURE USUALLY WITH MID-CENTURY DESIGN AND FLARE.
Erin & Jeannine will be installing a mini version of their shop in our back gallery space. Customers can expect a sampling of wedding gowns, jewelry, LOTS of winter coats, some shoes, men’s vintage, women’s dresses, sweaters and handbags. Visit their website and Etsy page to get an idea of what you can expect to find. -
Art Market at Tyler this Friday and Saturday!!
Erin and I were honored to jury this year’s Art Market at our alma mater – Tyler School of Art. We were so impressed with the pool of applicants and think we picked out a strong group of artists that include Tyler alumni & student groups. The show takes place this Friday from 12-7pm and Saturday from 12-5 at Tyler School of Art. View Map / Directions here. 26 artists will be set up selling their handmade goods, which include fine art, jewelry, accessories, glass, prints, pottery and more! Get started on your holiday shopping while supporting a talented group of artists & Tyler. A portion of the proceeds from the Art Market at Tyler benefits scholarships to the Tyler School of Art. Here are some highlights of participating artists’ work to get you in the spirit. A full list of participating artists can be found here.
Steven Hagan Designs 
Dianne Koppisch Hricko 
Mira Ramchandani 
J.A. Christensen 
Michael Neville Design -
DIY Silkscreen Kit Debut / Make + Take with Julie Lange
The lovely Julie Lange of On3Designs has been hard at work creating a new line of DIY Silkscreen Kits, which she will be debuting at our DesignPhiladelphia Celebration / Closing party for Farmhaus + Friends on Friday, October 11th from 6-9pm. Guests will be able to sample one of the kits on a piece of muslin to create their own one of a kind scarf to take home with them. The make & take is completely free but we encourage visitors to purchase a kit to take home with them!
Each kit will include a screen, 3 stencils of 1 design, small package of textile ink (which can also be used on paper), a squeegee and directions. There will also be refill packs for purchase that will include 3 stencils of 3 designs. These kits are great for kids 10+ up or beginners who would like to learn how to silkscreen. By using the kit, you will learn what you will need to do to create your own one of a kind designs!Here are some samples of what your finished scarf may look like but there are endless possibilities of what you can create!
We did a wonderful blog feature on Julie & her line of hand printed purses and bags. Click here to learn all about her and her work!
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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 createdThe 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!