Art Star

Category: philly

  • ASCB Shopping List: Clothing, Part 1

    The Art Star Craft Bazaar is less than 1 month away!! With around 140 amazing artists/crafters participating, it is easy to become overwhelmed and want to buy everything!  We recommend coming to the show with a game plan. We will be sharing ASCB Shopping Lists until the big day (May 10th/11th), so you can come with a plan of attack.  Today’s shopping list is devoted to clothing b/c we have a pretty large group of vendors in this category this year.  This shopping list does not include screen printed T-shirts, onesies, etc – I will devote a post to them in the coming weeks!

    We have a slew of vendors selling unique, fashion forward clothes just in time for you to freshen up your spring/summer wardrobe!  Which one of these vendors are you excited to check out?  Let us know in the comments below, we’d love to hear from you!

    1. Pretty Snake  Joseph Aaron Segal is the genius behind this line of cool clothing.  He had me at CATS! But seriously, his prints are amazing! He is on my personal ascb shopping list this year.  Joseph was a contestant on Season 11 of Project Runway and currently teaches at the Rhode Island School of Design.  This will be his first year participating in our bazaar.

     2. Meerwiibli  This line of clothing is expertly hand made in Phoenicia, NY by the lovely Sarah-Maria Vischer-Masino.  Sarah-Maria recently opened up a shop called the Tailored Mermaid in Beacon, NY, which showcases clothing & accessories handmade by Sarah and other talented designers.  She will be setting up a Tailored Mermaid pop up shop at the bazaar so she will also be selling clothing by Snoozer Loser, Vilma Mare and Quel Theatre.

    3. Rebe by Debra Weiss We are happy to welcome back Art Star Craft Bazaar alum, Debra Weiss who is the talented woman behind the clothing line, Rebe.  Each piece is truly a wearable work of art and her line is a favorite among ascb shoppers. Debra’s clothing is sold exclusively at craft markets and her daughter (and booth mate!) Hillery Sproatt’s online shop called Specks & Keepings.  Don’t miss this chance to shop her line in person!

     

    4. Temperate creates ethically responsible and timeless pieces made from 100% organic cotton and non-toxic, plant based dye.  The clothing is not only beautiful but also comfortable and designed to be worn in a temperate, two-season climate.  Their production process is low impact and their clothing is grown, milled & sewn in the USA so you can feel good about your purchase.  This will be Temperate’s first time participating in our bazaar and we are excited to check out their clothes in person!

    5. Megan Auman I have had Megan Auman’s leggings on my wishlist for a while now and I plan to finally pick up a pair at the bazaar.  I love the colorful, painterly prints the she has designed for these.  She has a bunch of different colors & patterns.  I am having a hard time choosing which ones to get…. These prints are also available on clutches, pillows, and scarves.  Plus, she makes incredible steel jewelry.  She is a very talented lady and I am always looking forward to seeing what she makes next.

    There are so many great clothing vendors this year that I have decided to break this up into two posts.  Soooo, To be continued…………

  • 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 Shopping Guide for 11/29

    We cannot believe that the Art Star Holiday Market is now LESS than a week away!  I’ve put together some eye candy to get you pumped and ready to shop.  These are the artists you will find on opening day – Friday, November 29th from 11-8pm.  And remember, the mix of vendors will be changing each day, so keep coming back!!

     Black Heart Letterpress makes cheeky greeting cards, coasters, and bookmarks.  Expect some great letterpress holiday cards too!

    Bregga + Co makes impeccably well made leather wallets and card holders.  Any of his items would make perfect gifts for the special dudes in your life.

    Cutesy but not Cutesy has been a staple at all our shows throughout the years.  She makes the most adorable plush monsters that I am sure you all know and love by now.  These monster hoodies are her latest hit – they just got a full spread in Real Simple Magazine! Go Diane!

    Endless Hats are another craft bazaar regular.  Their hats are extremely well made from recycled textiles and like their name states, their styles seem to be endless. I’m sure they will have a ton of  cozy winter hats to warm your noggin while you ice skate.

    Fabric Horse makes top notch bags, utility belts, lock holsters and more for the lady or gent on the go.  My hubby got me one of these superhero utility belts in my favorite colors – pinks/reds/oranges and it is seriously my most prized possession b/c it hold everything – cell phone, wallet, keys, tools, bike lock, etc.

    Fuzzy Ink makes the best silkscreened T-shirts, hoodies, cell phone covers + more.  His illustrations are quirky, cute and typically involve a mustache or two.  I am in love with this new barber shop quartet T.  So many dudes on my holiday list would appreciate this.

    Julie Moon is currently a resident artist over at my old stomping grounds – The Clay Studio.  She is originally from Toronto and makes incredible ceramic sculpture.  We carry her line of jewelry and skulls at the shop, which is what you will most likely see from her at the holiday market.  I just added the above Tribal Necklace to the website- it is one of my favorite pieces in the shop right now!

    This Totes Amazeballs bag is made by local master printmaker, Marisha Simons.  Marisha teaches various printing classes at the University of the Arts and is in the midst of rolling out a line of products that will be debuting at the Art Star Holiday Market.  Expect beautifully printed cards, totes, mugs, table runners, dishes and more!

    Erin & I have both been huge fans of Megan Auman’s jewelry for years now, so we were tickled pink when she accepted our invitation to participate in the market.  Megan has both her BFA + MFA in metalsmithing, so you know her jewelry pieces are built to last.  Pick up a bold statement piece like the necklace pictured or opt for a simpler leaf design in sterling silver or steel.  She also makes a line of vibrant pillows and scarves in fabrics she also designs – girl does it all!

    Mimi McPartlan is a new artist for us.  She is from Cape Cod and is currently a resident artist at The Clay Studio as well.  She received her BFA from Alfred University and worked at Klein Reid in Brooklyn before coming to Philly.  She makes stunning slip cast ceramic work. Expect modern and well designed functional pieces like mugs, plates, cream + sugar sets, butter dishes and more!

    Another craft bazaar regular, Peg + Awl, will be set up selling their ever expanding line of reclaimed wood housewares and accessories, hand bound leather journals, jewelry and more.  Margaux and Walter Kent are the husband/wife duo behind this incredibly popular handmade brand.  What I love about them is that all of their items were first made for themselves and their two little boys to use in their daily lives.  That in itself makes each piece truly authentic and really made with love.

    Stay tuned for my Shopping Guide for 11/30 + 12/1, which includes a new mix of artists!
    www.holidaymarket.artstarphilly.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!

  • 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.

  • 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

  • Spotlight on Audrey Cooper

    I will be posting a spotlight on each of the participating Farmhaus & Friends artists now through October 20th.  This first spotlight features potter Audrey Cooper.  We weren’t familiar with Audrey’s work until Ben introduced it to us and we are so happy he did!

    AUDREY O. COOPER (b. 1971) has been working with clay since 2005. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Audrey graduated with a degree in literature from the University of Pennsylvania and studied sculpture at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. She has studied with potters in Maine and Pennyslvania, and worked for two years at The Clay Studio in Philadelphia. She lives and works in Northern Liberties.

     

    Audrey is interested in using local materials, creating as little waste as possible, and in the life cycle of materials. She embraces the unpredictability, combined with the control of craftsmanship, inherent in the ceramic process. For this project, Audrey made functional tableware, hand-thrown on her electric wheel. She fired one group of porcelain pieces in a wood-fired kiln, fueled by scraps from Ben McBrien’s woodshop. These pieces are unglazed, fired in the salt-chamber of the kiln, colored by the intense atmosphere created by wood fire. The other group was fired in her electric kiln. They are stoneware glazed entirely or partially with ash glazes she made by burning woodshop scraps, applied in combination with commercial glazes.

    Check out all of Audrey’s pieces from Farmhaus & Friends online here but if you can, please come and see them in person.  The photos do not truly capture the richness and beauty of the glazes PLUS they all feel great in your hands.

  • 3rd Ward Philadelphia


    I’m so excited that 3rd Ward Philadelphia is finally open!  For those of you that don’t know, 3rd Ward is a 27,000 Square foot space for creating really anything you could think of. They have so many cool classes you really won’t find anywhere else, like LED Millinery, Urban Farming, Digital Textile Design, and um the History of the Cocktail?  Sign me up! I have not actually visited the space yet, but I hope to take a tour soon to check it out.  They run tours every half hour between 1 and 5pm all week.


    After perusing the site I am most excited about the Drink & Draw evenings.  There is one tonight from 8-10:30 and for $10 at the door you can kick back, drink some beers and draw.  What better way to unwind?  Just bring your drawing materials and they will provide the beer and model.  I have been looking for a space in Philly that offers this with not much luck.  I really need to brush up on my drawing skills and drawing from a live model is the best way to do it!  I can’t make it tonight, but I am hoping this will be a regular thing for them.


    Also, I am a novice when it comes to design and it would really help us at the shop if I could gain a few more skills.  Intro to Illustrator or Photoshop 2 might be a good place to start!  It would be a dream to learn Photo Etching on Copper, Upholstery, Enameling……..I want to learn how to make everything! To me there is nothing more satisfying then making something entirely from scratch.  I can’t wait to see what other classes will be added to their roster.

    I also wanted to share that they recently asked Erin and I to be judges for a contest they are running called Learn.Make.Inspire.  They are asking people to share what they are learning, making, or what they are inspired by. Learn more here for your chance to win some cash, class credit or for your submission to be included in a culminating exhibition at 3rd Ward.  We are so excited to see all the submissions and honored that we were asked to be a part of it!

    And to all you local makers, they are looking for teachers.  Sounds like a great opportunity to make some extra cash and  become a part of an organization that may just become a creative epicenter in Philadelphia.

  • Thank You from the Heart

    I can’t believe we just completed our 10th Art Star Craft Bazaar!  The threat of bad weather on Saturday didn’t keep shoppers away.  Though the forecast called for an 80% chance of thunderstorms, it didn’t start to really rain until the end of the show right at 6pm!  Our guardian angel was looking out for us! She was a cheerleader and Art Star supporter to us since we began and though she is gone from this world, she’s still here. I take comfort in that. Thanks Lara Long!


    Though the weather report’s impending doom kept the big crowds we typically get away on Saturday, Sunday sure made up for it! Thanks to everyone who came out to support our show & our incredible group of vendors.  It’s not easy to get up and out of bed early, load up your car with all the work that you labored over for months when the weather is looking so grim.  But our vendors are professionals & they came with a good attitude and smiles on their faces.  An extra special thank you to all of you, who make the Art Star Craft Bazaar what it is – a celebration of the immense talent within the crafting community that we are so proud to be a part of.  We are YOUR cheerleaders and we are forever grateful to you.

    These bracelets by Buffalo Craft Company were stand outs at this year’s show

    Thank you to our group of community partners.  Your craft demos and make + takes were a huge hit.  We are so lucky to be a part of an incredible creative community here in Philadelphia.

    The Clay Studio shared hands on claymation with event attendees!

    Thank you to our incredible team.  Our small weekend staff: Lisa, Rich, Leah, Kelly, Pat, Jasmine, Kazana and Dee – you made our jobs so much easier & kept everything running smoothly.  Our group of volunteers: Dom, Neely, John, Molly, Lauren, Mary, Emily, Miranda, Aly, Sarah, Sharon, Victoria, Ben, Duran, Janet, and Bailey.  Your help is so appreciated by us but especially the vendors if you helped with load in and out!  You made a stressful time much less stressful and I can’t tell you how many of the vendors remark on how great you all are.  Heather & Jenny – we missed you this year but we know you’ll be back next year! Thank you to my husband Cisco for putting up with me during a very stressful time of year and for his help with load/in out and being our official vendor concierge!

    At the Art Star Craft Bazaar you can shop with a beer in hand! Now, what’s better than that?

    Thank you to Joey Sweeney and Claire of Philebrity for putting together an amazing line-up of bands AND putting together the after party for our vendors and bands. A HUGE thanks to all the bands that played – you are such a wonderful and important component to our show. Also thank you to Wild Hunt Vintage for selling the band merch.

    Thanks to the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation for hosting our event. Extra special love to Shelvia, Sharon and Punch.

    But most of all I want to thank my wifey, my hetero life partner, the yin to my yang – Erin. Art Star wouldn’t be possible without you.  You keep me sane and I feel like we can do anything we dream up together. Here’s to another 10 years of living our dreams!

    Check out the complete set of photos by Abigail Reimold here 

  • A Weekend of Crafts in Philadelphia

    Now, I know you are all coming to the Art Star Craft Bazaar this weekend, right?  After you leave the bazaar you are going to be hungry for more.  So head over to Rittenhouse Square & check out the Pennsylvania Guild Fine Craft Fair!


    Now, I’m a clay nerd so I am personally drawn more to the ceramic pieces that I found in their flickr set, but really there is something for everyone – jewelry, furniture, mixed media sculpture, photography and some pretty sweet bird houses, amongst many other things.  There will be over 140 artists set up Friday through Sunday in the lovely Rittenhouse Park, so you are bound to find a great mother’s day gift or a new addition to say, cough, your already (just a tad) excessive handmade mug collection.  Or just go to browse and enjoy the amazing weather (cuz it ain’t gonna rain!!)  Details Here.

    I leave you with some of my personal favorites from their roster of artists…

    Sharon Bartmann Ceramics
    Klara Borbas
    Elizabeth Gates, hand bookbinder
    Lana Heckendorn

     

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