We want to see your art collection & how it is displayed in your home. Send us your best photos for your chance to win a $50 Gift Certificate to Art Star & a blog post dedicated to your art collection!
Here’s how it works:
Email us at info(at)artstarphilly.com with 3-5 good photos of your art collectiondisplayed in your home. It can be a mix of all different things – framed pieces, pottery, prints – whatever! As long as most of the items in the photos are made by an artist. Make sure the subject line in your email reads ART COLLECTION CONTEST. Images should not be larger than 800 pixels, 72 dpi.
There must be AT LEAST 2 items purchased at Art Star Gallery/Boutique OR from our Art Star Craft Bazaar in your photos.
Deadline to submit is September 30th.
We will choose 1 person whose photos we like best. The lucky winner will get a $50 Gift Certificate to our shop PLUS a blog post dedicated to the winning art collection with a bio and link to their website/etsy page/blog, ect.
I think it is very important to show our customers what goes into the creation of all the wonderful handmade items that we sell in our shop. I think taking a peak inside an artist’s studio is a great way to learn more about them and their process. I decided to start a series on this blog where our artists can share snap shots of their studio. First up is Karin Persan of Better Than Jam.
Handprinted Oatmeal A-Line Dress
Karin creates women’s dresses, tops and accessories that are each pieces of one-of-a-kind art, yet comfortable and easy to wear. Each piece is made by hand by Karin from start to finish. All of her fabrics are first screen printed with a collage of her unique imagery, which are either created from a photo, drawing or just an item thrown directly on the scanner. She designs all her patterns & sews them up into a truly unique garment. Karin seems to treat each dress or top as a blank canvas for her art. I hope you enjoy this peak into her studio space in Brooklyn as much as I did. If you ever find yourself in Bushwick, feel free to visit b/c her stuido is also home to her own boutique, also called Better Than Jam, which stocks handmade fashion by many other local designers. Shop our collection of her A-Line Dresses here. I have one and I am obsessed with it! Stop in the shop to check them out in person and also some longer ones that aren’t yet on the site.
imagery to be printed on fabricsprinting the fabricsa burned screen ready for printingstacks of screens – each burned with an image that Karin will print on the fabric individually, creating her final collage of imagesPatternssewing all her beautifully printed fabrics into stunning garmentsBetter Than Jam Handmade Storefront
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.
One of our goals for the year was to expand our craft supply section. Since most supplies must be purchased wholesale, we can only add to our selection slowly so we don’t break the bank. Yarn was one of the first things on our list to stock. We wanted to find a company that made their yarn entirely in the US. We came across a wonderful Philly based company called O-Wool, which makes a line of organic cotton yarn in beautiful colors. The cotton is grown in Texas and the yarn is dyed and wound right here in Philly. And it turns out the owner of the company, Jocelyn Tunney, has been a customer of ours for years. Extra bonus!
Being a knitter myself, I couldn’t wait to try it out. I wanted to make something for summer, since we got the yarn in a little later in the season. I decided to design a beach tote. I had intended on sharing the pattern on the blog, but I am not 100% happy with my design. The yarn knitted up really nicely but it ended up being a little bigger than I had initially envisioned. I am not a knitting expert by any means. I am still learning. I like how it turned out overall but next time I’d make it smaller and use a more sturdier yarn for the base. I felt the bottom of the bag stretched out a little more than I liked when I put in a beach towel, book & phone…… I might try a thicker cotton next time or maybe I’d use smaller needles to make it tighter. I also thought I could make the bottom (knit in cinnabar) out of fabric , maybe canvas or leather & then knit the rest. I really like how the strap came out though!
It is a pretty simple pattern. The base is just a seed stitched rectangle that I knit on two needles. Then I picked up stitches all around with double points & continued knitting in seed stitch for a few inches. I switched over to the Natural colored yarn and knit in a basic faggoting stitch until I felt it was big enough, then I seed stitched for a couple inches and bound off. I used graph paper to plot out the shaping of the strap. I picked up stitches on each side and seed stitched each strap separately. They taper off at the top & look cute tied together.
I love the yarn & with a bit of tweaking to my design, I think I’ll have a great summer beach tote to share with you all eventually. I can’t wait to try out the yarn on some other project ideas I have cooking up in my head.
Here is a link to what we have in stock. I think it is very affordable for organic yarn. At $6.75 a skein, you get a good amount out of it. This bag took 1 skein of cinnabar & 3 skeins of natural. Try the yarn out for yourself, I think you’ll like it. Happy knitting!
Our friends from The Clay Studio were teaching the art of claymation at our bazaar a couple weeks ago. Attendees of the show really got into it & created some great stuff! The Clay Studio put together a little video of all the creations made during our bazaar. We love the finished piece aptly titled animal parade! Lots of little animals and dinosaurs fighting, snacking and falling in love. And there is also a pretty great little bowling scene. Our customers (big and small) are so talented!! Thank you to The Clay Studio for providing this treat!
Matt Eyer is the owner, founder, and creative director of Wear Liberty, a graphic t-shirt brand that is influenced and inspired by the art, history, and culture of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Previous to starting his brand, he was the Art Director of the Ropeadope Design Collective, a graphic t-shirt line put out through Ropeadope Records. Matt also writes about and reviews t-shirts for the most popular/read t-shirt blog in the world, Hide Your Arms.
Aside from t-shirts, he is obsessed with pugs. Matt has a 6 year old pug named Oliver that lives with him in South Philly. He also got a pug tattoo at the 2013 Philadelphia Tattoo Convention. Ask him to see it!
Art Star: Did you go to art school? If so, where did you study?
Matt Eyer: I did not. I did live in Germany for a year in between high school and college though, and I think my experience there definitely plays into my inspiration.
AS: What types of items will you be selling at the bazaar?
ME: T-shirts! My brand is centered around graphic t-shirts. I have a few hoodies too.
AS: What materials do you work with?
ME: T-shirts! haha. and inks to print on them. I mostly use American Apparel shirts, as they are great to print on and very comfy to wear. I use 100% cotton, a 50/50 Poly-Cotton blend, and a super soft Tri-Blend shirt.
AS:How are your items made? Describe your process.
ME: All my designs are my ideas that start in my head and sometimes on paper with a very rough sketch. I then share these ideas with the artists and designers I work with and they beautifully craft them into print-ready designs. When the finished pieces are set to go, they are hand screen printed onto t-shirts and then I have custom hem tags that I sew on myself.
AS: Are you able to make your work full-time? If not, what do you do for your day job? ME: Not yet, unfortunately. Hopefully soon though! My “day job” is actually a night job. I’m a server at one of Philly’s most delicious Mexican restaurants, La Calaca Feliz. If you like Mexican and margaritas, I highly recommend coming in. And ask for me of course.
AS:Who are some of your favorite artists?
ME:Wotto is definitely one of my all time favorites. He has an incredible style that you can always recognize as soon as you see one of his designs. Yema Yema is also at the top of my list. She creates some of the best characters I’ve ever seen. (She designed my Ben Franklin tee and I will have a new one from her this year!) againstbound is another favorite. He has a very unique style that stands out from the crowd. And one of my more recent favorites is Colus. (He just released is first ever dunny with kidrobot!)
I also recently discovered these two wonderful ladies: Anita Inverarity and Lea Barozzi. I just put a deposit on one of Lea’s original pieces!
AS: What are you reading/listening to right now? ME: Always listening! Local Natives, Tame Impala, Beach House, Father John Misty, Vacationer. All those bands have released really awesome records over the past year and you should definitely check them out.
AS: Where would you like to see yourself and your art/craft business in the next 10 years?
ME: 10 years is a long time from now…but in the next few years, I would like to get my shirts into more stores and shops in Philadelphia and hopefully open my own store one day! I’m also planning on creating a Wear Liberty pet line for all of your Philly loving cats and dogs.
AS: Are there any bazaar participants that you are excited to check out this year? ME: Gnome Enterprises always has some awesome shirts, so I’ll have to check them out. All the stuff from Mad Knits, Gearforms, and Cutesy but not Cutesy looks great (especially the dog monster hoodie!), so I’ll definitely be stopping by all of their booths. And one of these days, I’m gonna have to pick up one of Jordan Elise’s Horrible Adorables. They’re just too awesome not to.
This is Matt’s second year doing the Art Star Craft Bazaar and he is super excited! He will be releasing 5 new designs, which is the most he’s ever done at once with his own brand.
He was featured on Comcast/Xfinity On Demand for the month of February for an interview he did with the website Philly In Focus. Each month, their top 3 most popular videos are featured on On Demand under the “Get Local” section. Check it out here
For sneak peeks and updates, follow Wear Liberty on facebook and twitter.
Art Star: Did you go to art school? If so, where did you study? Lauren Rossi: I went to a liberal arts college for my undergraduate degree and followed that up with art school for my graduate degree. I received my Bachelor of Arts from Scripps College in Claremont, California majoring in Studio Art. My Master of Fine Arts was earned from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan from the Fiber Department. After completing both academic programs I spent a year at The Fabric Workshop and Museum as an apprentice before beginning my own studio practice and business.
AS: What types of items will you be selling at the bazaar?
LR: I will be selling products for home: Tea Towels, Napkins, Pillows, Table Runners and Tablecloths and personal accessories: Envelope Clutches and Totes all made from my hand printed fabrics.
AS: What materials do you work with?
LR: I use a variety of materials to make work. To list a few: architecture pencil, water color, India ink, gauche, tracing, watercolor and drawing paper, paint brushes of all sizes, a scanner, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, mylar, emulsion, silk screens, duck tape, spray adhesive, nail polish, masking tape, linen, burlap, leather, cotton and hemp fabrics, digital camera, t-pins, squeegees, water color textile pigment and twine.
AS: How are your items made? Describe your process. LR: I keep notebooks and lists everywhere that are a collection of print ideas to be. When I begin working on a new design this writing is translated to sketch and then original drawing. From paper I scan and then trace my drawing using a Wacom tablet, adjusting shapes, adding color layers, rearranging each component until the composition is complete. Each color layer is printed out onto mylar film and then the corresponding screens are “burned,” a process that exposes the light sensitive emulsion coating, transferring the image to the screen. I often proof colorways digitally before mixing ink, and then I print test squares of each color on fabric. There are many steps in the print process, including color tests, registration, scale and the translation to finished object. I love to experiment when I design and print, by considering the repeat to be more like an endless painting, pushing boundaries of the traditional and the process. I usually have an end use in mind before I begin the design and print process, but I have fun in the studio by keeping an open mind about what the fabric could turn into. The last step is to produce the finished products using the printed yardage. I use a number of local sources for sampling and production including sewing, upholstery and digital printing.
Photo Credit: Andrew Nicholas
AS: Are you able to make your work full-time? If not, what do you do for your day job? LR: I get to print and design full time!! And I am so grateful for it. When I am not in the studio I love to spend time with my husband and great dane. I also love to cook (I was a line cook and pastry chef for a short time).
AS: Who are some of your favorite artists?
LR: To name a few off the top of my head: Marimekko, Lotta Jansdotter, Hable Construction, Hella Jongerius, Studio Droog, Issey Miyake, Louise Bourgeois, Jean Claude and Christo, Draga Obradovic, Joseph Beuys.
AS: What are you reading/listening to right now?
LR: I am slowly reading “The History of Love” by Nicole Krauss and hope to have my hands on Julia Child’s book, “My Life in France” immediately following. In the studio I am listening to a lot of Mumford and Sons, Ratatat, the Roots, Talking Heads and First Aid Kit Pandora mixes.
Photo Credit: Andrew Nicholas
AS: Where would you like to see yourself and your art/craft business in the next 5 years?
LR: I hope to expand my collaborations with other businesses, employ 2-4 people, begin doing Saturday workshops and have product available in a variety of locations and shops.
AS: Are there any bazaar participants that you are excited to check out this year? LR: I look forward to meeting them all!
A list of a few of my favorite things: Huevos Rancheros, Peonies and Wisteria Vines, flip flops, vintage bangles, pink and orange combination, oysters, artichokes, avocado and mochi ice cream
Thank you Lauren for telling us a bit more about you & your incredible work. Check out this video portrait of Lauren by Andrew & Jenn Richey Nicholas. Be sure to bookmark her website + Visit her at our upcoming Art Star Craft Bazaar at Booth #20!
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…
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.
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!
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?!!!”
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!
Renee D’Amico of Tadpole Creations makes the most darling plush & appliqued bibs, onesies & more! I especially love her little Russian Babushka Dolls & DIY Pirate Doll Kits. Any one of her items would make a great gift for a baby shower or b-day party for a little one. Though I must say, I wouldn’t mind picking up a few of her plushies for myself – I’m young at heart! This will be Renee’s first Art Star Craft Bazaar & we are so happy to have her, so get to know her & visit her at the bazaar at her bright & colorful booth #43!
Renee D’Amico of Tadpole Creations with her Mermaid Dolls
Art Star: Did you go to art school? If so, where did you study?
Renee D’Amico: I attended University of the Arts and Indiana University of Pennsylvania. I have a BS in Elementary Education with a minor in Fiber Arts.
AS: What types of items will you be selling at the bazaar? RD: Sewn and appliqued baby goods as well as soft dolls and toys for the very small. I create primarily for little ones, however a grown up has been known to go home with a pirate or mermaid for themselves. New this season are DIY Pirate and Matryoshka Doll Kits.
A selection of items by Tadpole Creations
AS: What materials do you work with? RD: Primarily brightly colored cotton fabrics and threads, with stuffing and a bit of fabric paint thrown in at times.
Trained as a painter, I work with fabrics and thread in a way similar to using paint and pencil, using larger shapes of colored fabric, adding outlining and detailing with machine stitched threads.
Babushka Russian Matryoshka Cloth Doll
AS: How are your items made? Describe your process. RD: My creations begin with a basic drawing on paper of a playful idea that I’ve been pondering for a while. When I’m happy with the initial design, I work with paper to create my own patterns and templates, folding and cutting until I find the right shapes. Fabric selection comes next, with experimentation of different combinations until I get to that “ah-hah” moment when I have found the right fabrics to use.
My favorite part of the construction is sitting down to sew at the machine and appliquing the different fabric elements together. I stitch with a variety of different patterns to complete the design with colored thread.
Cloth Elephant Toys with Rattle
AS: Are you able to make your work full-time? If not, what do you do for your day job?
RD: Tadpole Creations is a full time pursuit.
AS: Who are some of your favorite artists?
RD: I am drawn to primitive folk artists and Early American Art, whether it be a weather vane painted sign, piece of pottery or portrait of a child.
AS: What are you reading/listening to right now? RD: My teenage daughter playing the theme of “The Avengers” on her viola.
Whale Plush Toy
AS: Where would you like to see yourself and your art/craft business in the next 10 years? RD: That’s a great question, I am always thinking “okay what is the next step?” when it comes to Tadpole Creations. One goal is to have a separate studio and workspace, as I work out of a home based studio right now. I’d also love to be involved in some exclusive freelance design for a larger company in the future.
Organic Gnome Dolls
AS: Are there any bazaar participants that you are excited to check out this year? RD: The line up looks incredible! I am so honored to be included with this great group of craftspeople. My desk is begging for a Cutesy but not Cutesy plush to keep me company while I do computer work. My daughters are really big fans of Inedible Jewelry, I am sure they will be adding to their collection.
Next up in our series of Art Star Craft Bazaar Vendor Profiles is Philadelphia based textile artist/designer, Julie Lange of On 3 Designs. Julie crafts beautiful clutches, bags and purses from her own screen printed fabric designs. Visit her at the bazaar at booth #69!
Art Star: Did you go to art school? If so, where did you study?
Julie Lange: Most recently I worked in Financial Services but I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Chemical Engineering. I worked in the field for over 11 years in manufacturing providing engineering support to everything from Corelle dishware to TV parts to pharmaceuticals. (If you stop by my booth, ask how many of these companies used a form of screen printing. Seriously :))
AS: So where did you learn to do your craft?
JL: I always had an interest in arts and crafts, taking classes on the side at local community colleges, etc. I tried everything – drawing, painting, pottery and frankly, I hated sewing until I took a class as an adult while living in LA…lower Alabama. Then I was hooked and so my addiction to fabric started. More recently, I learned to screen print from Candy Depew at the Candy Coated Center and from Bill Brookover at Fleisher Art Memorial. Screen printing fabrics to use in my sewing projects is my new passion.
AS: What types of items will you be selling at the bazaar? JL: I will be selling handmade handbags and clutches. I am introducing some new cross-body bags and jewelry made from fabric too. About 60% of my collection right now is made from original, screen printed fabrics and sewn on the 3rd floor of my home, hence the name, On 3 Designs.
AS: What materials do you work with? JL: I screen print using waterbased fabric inks on high quality quilting cottons, linens and sometimes denim to create all my items. Since I LOVE fabric, I carefully select commercially made fabrics that compliment my original line of fabrics.
AS: How are your items made? Describe your process. JL: Each project starts differently. Typically, I create an inspiration board from magazine clippings, or my personal photos. (The pre-pinterest way!) I save a lot of images that I like even when I don’t know what I am going to do with them – people, places, color combos, etc.
If I am printing my own fabric, then, I plan and choose the best method to create the silk screen (stencil, photographic process, etc), often starting with hand sketches or scanned photographic images. I hand screen print in my home studio or at Fleisher Art Memorial.
Each bag is sewn by me using professional sewing techniques that I have learned over the last 18 years. I use multiple layers of interfacings and interlinings to keep the shape of my clutches, even when you carry your cell phone and keys.
new fabrics
AS: Are you able to make your work full-time? If not, what do you do for your day job? JL: Yes! And I love it! About a year ago, I transitioned from a fulltime corporate job to officially launch my business. In addition to my core business, making handbags, I also teach fashion, sewing and textile design to adults and children at Main Line School Night, Chester County Night School and the Eilandarts Center. Occassionally, I take requests for custom drapes and clothing too. It’s been super exciting, a little stressful at times but always fun! Big thanks to my husband and daughter for supporting me through my new endeavor!
Julie with some of her students
AS: Who are some of your favorite artists? JL: My favorite artist is Gustav Klimt, for both his simpler sketches as well as his more popular paintings of women emblazened with shapes, textures, many, many colors and golden metallics. I would love to wear the garments these ladies are donning!
Gustav Klimt
AS: What are you reading/listening to right now?
JL: Read? I am sewing ALL the time. No time to read though I do have a guilty pleasure…watching Shark Tank on TV Friday eves!
AS: Where would you like to see yourself and your art/craft business in the next 10 years? JL: I’d love to offer clothing items in addition to fashion accessories with a small team of employees helping me to grow the business in to more retail shops.
Julie’s studio – on the third floor!
AS: Are there any bazaar participants that you are excited to check out this year? JL: I am looking forward to seeing Once Lost Jewelry. I was amazed last year by the re-use of materials, making each piece look interesting instead of just recycled. I’d love to have Michelle make me something from vintage jewelry pieces I have in my collection from my grandparents.
Here’s how it works: 
Being a knitter myself, I couldn’t wait to try it out. I wanted to make something for summer, since we got the yarn in a little later in the season. I decided to design a beach tote. I had intended on sharing the pattern on the blog, but I am not 100% happy with my design. The yarn knitted up really nicely but it ended up being a little bigger than I had initially envisioned. I am not a knitting expert by any means. I am still learning. I like how it turned out overall but next time I’d make it smaller and use a more sturdier yarn for the base. I felt the bottom of the bag stretched out a little more than I liked when I put in a beach towel, book & phone…… I might try a thicker cotton next time or maybe I’d use smaller needles to make it tighter. I also thought I could make the bottom (knit in cinnabar) out of fabric , maybe canvas or leather & then knit the rest. I really like how the strap came out though!
I love the yarn & with a bit of tweaking to my design, I think I’ll have a great summer beach tote to share with you all eventually. I can’t wait to try out the yarn on some other project ideas I have cooking up in my head.
AS: How are your items made? Describe your process.
