Art Star is pleased to announce a book signing with author and expert crafter, Kayte Terry on First Friday, November 2nd from 6-8pm. Kayte will be here promoting her new book Paper Made!, which features over 100 really cool projects to make out of paper. She will have books on hand for you to purchase/have signed & also will be demonstrating one of the projects in the book – the Kirigami Wallflowers. Guests can try their hand at making them too & will get to take home what they create!
an assortment of colorful Kirigami Wallflowers from the book
I plan on making a bunch to incorporate into Art Star’s Window display. I have a copy of this book & can’t wait to try some of the projects. I love that many of the materials needed can just be found around the house, so you won’t need to spend any money to make many of the things in the book. Some of my favorites include “Strike Your Fancy Matchbook” that you hide a secret message inside, a curio shelf made from layers of corrugated cardboard, a beautiful hanging lamp inspired by the designs of Tord Boontje, giant paper pom-poms, and too many wearable accessories to list here.
So come by, have a boozy drink, make some colorful flowers with us & pick up a copy of the book! And like every First Friday, all Art Star purchases (does not include the book) are 10% off. See you then! And hey, check out our facebook invite & let us know if you can make it. Reservations are not required, but it will give us an idea of how much paper to have on hand. (maybe bring your own scissors if you can?) Free & open to all.
Kayte Terry
Kayte Terry is a trendsetter in the world of paper design and Visual Communication and Inspiration Manager at Anthropologie. Her previous crafting books include Complete Embellishing (Collins and Brown) and Appliqué Your Way (Chronicle). Her work has appeared in Parents, Quick and Simple, Cutting Edge, Adorn, HGTV Ideas magazine, and on Etsy, Design*Sponge, GetCrafty, and others. For more crafting ideas and inspiration, visit Kayte’s blog at www.thisisloveforever.com.
We had so much fun this past Saturday at our first ever Crafternoon! We are definitely going to make this a monthly event – so please sign up for our email newsletter or follow us on Facebook/Twitter for updates!
We met up at Penelope Rakov‘s studio in the morning & she treated us to donuts & coffee while she chatted about her work & walked us through her process. Here are some photos from the visit. Check out all the photos on Flickr.
Penelope (far right) chatting about her work
bars of colored glass that Penny uses to pull glass cane used to make her jewelryPenny showed us each step that is involved in her process. Here are bundles of pulled glass cane.after Penny talked about her work, we all got to shop her entire collection, which included new & older pieces. All crafternoon purchases were 20% off!We found a drawer filled with finished glass pieces that just needed to be set in sterling silver. A few of our crafternooners picked out their favorites from the drawers & Penny custom set them!
After we were finished at Penny’s studio, we headed over to Art Star for a lovely spread of food from A Full Plate Cafe. Bonnie & Susan of Kaye Rachelle were all set up & ready for us. They chatted a bit about their line of printed home textiles & then we dove right into our make & take! They created 3 simple chevron designs cut from acetate & crafternooners could choose their color/design/placement for their tote/tea towel. We had tons of extra totes & towels, so everyone got to make a few. The results were great!
Bonnie & Susan with their three screens. They gave us step by step instructions on how to silk screen. The cut stencil technique is so simple to do at home. Their chevron designs were inspired by the One & Two Liberty Place Buildings right here in Philly. All three designs worked so great together – perfect for layering them onto the totes in different color inks.Bonnie & Susan showing us how to print. Everyone loved the minty green color they mixed! They chose the perfect fall palette – this green, mustard yellow, & navy blue. Susan suggested mixing a little of each color in with the color you choose so they all have the same tone & work nicely together.The lovely Lisa Castellano is the first one up to print her tote bag!Lisa with her completed tote bagMe (Megan) hanging up all the printed totes to dry.
Thanks so much to Penny, Bonnie, & Susan for making our first Crafternoon so special.
Peacock by Horrible Adorables / felt & mixed media
We are thrilled to announce that we will be hosting a solo exhibition by Jordan Elise Perme of Horrible Adorables! The exhibition will take place on October 10th – November 18th, 2012. An opening reception will be held in conjunction with Design Philadelphia’s Kick Off Event on October 10th from 5-9pm. Jordan will be at the opening, so come by to meet the artist & get a first look at the show. We will provide light refreshments & live music.
Detail of “Sherbet Fox” by Horrible Adorables (SOLD)
We don’t know what Jordan has planned for the show yet, but we are sure it will be nothing short of amazing!
To learn more about Jordan & her strangely wonderful faux-taxidermy creatures, check out our interview with her from 2011.
We are excited that Jamie Fales from Noosed Kitty will be vending at our upcoming Art Star Craft Bazaar. Jamie is the brainchild behind the popular “I Fight Crime” kitty image. We recently collaborated on a T-shirt & magnet set with Jamie & hope to continue to work with her on future projects. Being huge fans of her work, we are especially excited to see what she will be bringing to this weekend’s bazaar.
I Fight Crime by Noosed Kitty
Did you go to art school? If so, where did you study? I went to school for fine art on Long Island, but it wasn’t til years after I graduated that I developed the style I’m currently working in. While in college I worked realistically, different than what I’m doing now.
What types of items will you be selling at the bazaar?
Art prints and originals. I’ll be displaying some fabric sculptures. And I’ll have brand new postcard sets and button sets. Plus, I’ll be giving away mini posters to the first 25 customers!
Art by Noosed Kitty
What materials do you work with? For two dimensional work I use mainly watercolor and graphite, some acrylic paint. Sometimes I work three dimensionally, customizing vinyl toys with sculpt and paint, or sewing and painting fabric sculptures. All artwork is made with time, love, and care.
How are your items made? Describe your process. It varies. I sketch all the time. Sometimes I sketch something and immediately go to work on a finished piece. Other times I’ll have sketches in my book for years that I’ll go back to and decide to work from. I create a layout first and then paint and pencil it. The custom vinyl figures and sculptures require a lot of planning before I start working on them, and then there’s prep work before I can start painting them.
Jamie's studio
Are you able to make your work full-time? If not, what do you do for your day job? I have a full time job at an outsourced HR and consulting company. I’m the office manager and I assist in the behavioral analytics department.
Who are some of your favorite artists? Femke Hiemstra, Chris Berens, Jeremy Geddes, Brandi Milne, Chris Ryniak, Paul Barnes… the list goes on and on but those are a few.
"Pink Leaves" by Noosed Kitty
What are you reading/listening to right now? Currently reading assorted graphic novels. Currently listening to Sam Cooke.
Where would you like to see yourself and your art/craft business in the next 10 years? I’d like to see my tiny art business continue to grow. But if in 10 years I still have a small audience that enjoys what I do, I’ll be happy.
Visit Noosed Kitty at booth #122 at this weekend’s bazaar!
Over 10 of our Philly based ASCB vendors will be set up & selling their wares at Race Street Pier this First Friday, May 4th, from 6-9pm to kick off the Pier’s summer series “Park After Dark”.
(left to right) Masters of None, Gilbert + Leona, Farmhaus Design
Many of our vendors will be providing craft demonstrations & interactive projects in silkscreening, letterpress, cross stitch, bookbinding, jewelry making & more! The event will also include live music by Olive Juice & our favorite Philly food truck – Sweetbox Cupcakes, as well as Rival Bros Coffee & Lil Dans. Free to attend & open to all!
We were tickled pink when the Philadelphia Museum of Art asked us to partner with them on their upcoming exhibition Craft Spoken Here. We have assembled a line-up of regional craft experts to demonstrate their techniques during Art Star Thursdays at the museum every Thursday beginning May 5th (seriously, pinch me!) The museum also invites craft groups to book a comfy space to craft in the middle of the exhibit, among incredible pieces from their collection! Knit, crochet, embroider, bead – whatever you want! Just contact the museum to book in advance. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity. More info below!
Art Star: When & where did you learn silkscreen? How long have you been doing it for?
Shawn Hileman: I printed a bit in college but it was just a hobby. I started screenprinting on a regular basis when I opened the studio in Dec 09′. It’s been quite a ride figuring out all the kinks!
AS: What drew you to work primarily in this medium?
SH:I was sick of sitting at the computer all the time so this gives me the opportunity to get really hands on and test my craft skills. When you have multiple copies of a piece as well it allows everything to be able to afford custom art. No print is ever exactly the same and it’s funny because I can remember all the tiny differences on my prints that nobody will ever probably notice.
Beirut Poster
AS: Tell us a bit about Masthead – your studio space/home & art gallery.
SH: Masthead started as a place where I could print and live. Then I had the first show in Feb 10′ with the NoDivision Design Syndicate. Since that was successful I starting doing more and more events. Now we usually have a show every 6 weeks with the occasional lecture or rock show. It’s a ton of work but I’ve had some great people help out with the space. Jp (Flexner) and James (Heimer) do so much for the space. Without them none of this would of been possible. They are also mind-blowing screenprinters and have taught me basically everything I know about printing (and drinking whiskey).
AS: What other artists do you show? Are they all printers?
SH: We have had a ton of great artists pass through the space. Dan Knapp is always making some of my favorite pieces in each show. We had Kevin Mercer do a solo show last year that turned out amazing. Most people do screenprint their own work here, which is awesome. I have been trying to get more non-printers in and teach them. That way it would give the opportunity for more painters, illustrators, and designers to learn the process.
AS:Do you do design work / print for other companies/individuals?
SH:I work a lot with Urban Outfitters and some other ad agencies doing design work and usually do a good amount of print jobs for other people.
Neol Gallagher Poster
AS: Are there any particular printers or artists in general that have inspired your work?
SH:Definitely Erik Hamline of Steady Print Co. in Minneapolis. His style is really versatile and always top notch. Tim Gough has been a favorite of mine since I was in school. Steve Speir has been honing his style lately and just cranking out sick work as well.
AS: What is your creative process like? Do you sketch or do you work directly on the computer?
SH: I have to dwell over the concept before I start sketching and digitizing. Once I have that down, I sketch out the layouts and then scan in the elements. I do a lot on the computer and this is why you should make your scanner your best friend.
AS: Where do you see yourself and/or Masthead in the next 5 years?
SH: Oh man, this is a hard one. I was just planning everything around 2012! I would like to keep doing freelance and screenprinting, but we’ll see. I would like to check out some other parts of the world like London and Australia.
Ride Away With Me, limited edition print
AS: Aside from your etsy shop & Art Star (and Masthead of course) where do you sell your prints?
SH: I actually just sent some prints to Little Paper Planes in California. I get a lot of purchases from the UK which is great that people are seeing my work overseas.
AS: What can customers expect to find at your ascb booth?
SH: I have a good mix of abstract, commercial and music posters. Maybe a pinata as well. Just don’t come by during siesta time.
AS: Any fun/exciting projects in the works?
SH: I finished some packaging for the Yards Brewing Company last week and a couple of music posters. I am also working on some branding for a film company in New York City.
We are all about supporting our local economy, so we’ve teamed up with a group of like-minded Philly businesses to help you do the same. Introducing the Indie Boutique Shopper Card!
Here’s how it works: Get a stamp for every $50 you spend at any of the participating shops. After you’ve collected 10 stamps on your card, you will receive a $10 gift certificate to each shop – that’s $100 worth of gift certificates!
Here’s a sample of the card below. Pick one up at any participating shop.
The week before the bazaar, we lost a dear friend, Lara Long. Lara was the owner of plaidponyvintage.com. Art Star hosted several Plaid Pony Vintage pop-up shops in our brick-n-mortar over the years. Lara lived over in Fishtown & used to come in Art Star when we first opened over on the Liberties Walk. We became instant friends. Its always nice to chat w/ a fellow Philly business owner, especially over drinks. We became closer over the years & Lara used to watch the shop for us whenever we needed. She never hesitated to lend a helping hand. She literally saved our butts during the early years of the ASCB by carting around heavy tables for us in her truck!
We loved it when Lara would watch the shop b/c the next day everything would be completely organized. All the T-shirts would be neatly folded & she would come up w/ clever ways to organize our space without us even asking. Lara had a talent for organization. She also had a real eye for vintage & I used to love going on long thrifting trips w/ her. She would quickly scan each thrift store aisle and was able to find the perfect pieces in what seemed like minutes. I would still be on the first rack & she would already have her hands on all the gems the place had to offer. I used to help her pack orders for her company as well & used to love it! She had racks of clothing, piles of sweaters & t-shirts, boxes of jewelry, shelves lined w/ retro ceramics… and it was all organized by type/style/color of course. She would leave me w/ a map of the space & I felt like I was hunting for treasures in her home.
Lara really impressed me after her brother passed away in August of 2009. She was devastated by the loss, but she got right to work organizing a memorial fund in his name. Lara’s brother, Adam Goldstein (aka DJ AM) was a recovering drug addict who had amassed a giant collection of sneakers. Lara took time off from running her business to devote herself full time to spearhead a massive auction of his entire collection. 100% of the auction profits went to his memorial fund, which aims to help other drug addicts recover – an effort he began & was extremely passionate about during his lifetime. Lara was one of the strongest people I have ever met & her strength will continue to inspire me.
I will never forget our fun dinners out, our girls’ nights, & our epic rockband sessions. She was so much fun to be around & was one of the few friends I could talk on the phone w/ for hours. One of my fondest memories w/ Lara was a beach trip that we took last summer. My husband & I, along w/ Lara & her husband Ben, spent hours in the water. We both remembered that day as being one of the best times we had & resolved to go many times this summer. We remembered that day together, on a particularly difficult one & it brought us both comfort. I am sad to go to the beach without her now, but she will always be with me. So here’s to you Lara! I will never forget you – especially your laugh. Thank you for being such an incredible friend to me personally & to Art Star.
Art Star is pleased to announce a book signing with author and expert crafter, Kayte Terry on First Friday, November 2nd from 6-8pm. Kayte will be here promoting her new book Paper Made!, which features over 100 really cool projects to make out of paper. She will have books on hand for you to purchase/have signed & also will be demonstrating one of the projects in the book – the Kirigami Wallflowers. Guests can try their hand at making them too & will get to take home what they create!
