Art Star

Tag: art star craft bazaar

  • Meet Julie Lange of On 3 Designs!

    Julie Lange with her bag colletion

    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.

     

     

  • Meet Ashley Landon of The Knotty Owl

    Next up in our series of Art Star Craft Bazaar Vendor Profiles is Ashley Landon of The Knotty Owl.  Hailing from Rochester NY, Ashley creates hand-cut jewelry (no laser cutting here!) made from local, reclaimed lumber.  Find her at the ASCB at Booth #93.

    Walnut and Cherry Chevron Necklace by The Knotty Owl

    Art Star: Did you go to art school?  If so, where did you study?
    Ashley Landon: Technically yes, I graduated from Brooklyn’s Pratt Institute for Industrial Design in 2011. I worked for the Fine Arts Department in the wood shop however, so I like to think I got the best of both worlds since most of my time was spent surrounded by fine artists.

    AS: What types of items will you be selling at the bazaar?
    AL:  I will be selling my hand-carved and painted wooden jewelry and adornments.

    AS: What materials do you work with?
    AL: I use found, salvaged, locally harvested, and otherwise locally purchased lumber. My favorite woods to work with are cherry, walnut, maple, redwood, and the fallen branches from a silver maple tree in my backyard. I assemble my pieces with sterling silver and brass chain.

    The Knotty Owl Studio


    AS:     How are your items made? Describe your process.
    AL: All of my pieces are made from start to finish in my small wood shop and studio, conveniently located in my basement. Every wooden component starts as part of a rough piece of lumber, which I re-saw myself. I absolutely love the “analog” methods of creating my jewelry, and prefer to have hands-on control of every aspect of my process rather than using laser cutters. Once the wood is milled flat, I draw my rough shapes, and cut them out very carefully on a bandsaw. I use a belt sander and hand files to shape each piece, and finish the rest of the sanding by hand. I paint all of the designs on my pieces, apply the wood finish, and assemble the pieces into their final jewelry designs once they’re dry.

    AS: Are you able to make your work full-time?  If not, what do you do for your day job?
    AL: I’m lucky enough to call The Knotty Owl my full-time gig, doing the occasional wood-based commission job or furniture repair project on the side. I’m also part of a business partnership, Dichotomy Rochester, and we are preparing to open our first retail store this summer in Rochester, New York.

    Carved Raven Skull Pendants by The Knotty Owl

    AS: Who are some of your favorite artists?
    AL: My favorite artists/designers are the husband and wife duo Charles and Ray Eames. Their design principles have significantly informed my creative style, and they’re both incredibly inspiring on a personal level. I’m also and avid fan of Frank Lloyd Wright, and the fact that he so fully considered his designs from the architecture of each house, to the tableware that would adorn it’s interior. Other favorites are Hans Wegner and George Nakashima.

    AS: What are you reading/listening to right now?
    AL: I’m about halfway through Vonnegut’s Cat Cradle (for the second time), and have been switching back and forth between listening to The XX and every Modest Mouse album made before 2001.

    AS: Where would you like to see yourself and your art/craft business in the next 10 years?
    AL: I plan to eventually expand my wood shop into a space that could properly house a larger collection of tools, and possibly an assistant, to help me keep up with orders while I continually work on new designs. Being in sole control of every aspect of my little business (as many of us sole proprietors are) is so overwhelming at times, leaving very little mental stamina to keep producing new work, and I’d love so much to change that within the next year or two. My main goal is to help my father retire within the next year, as he is my part-time expert sander on the weekends, and we really enjoy working together. The process of starting this business has been such an incredible learning experience and blessing, and I’m content to continue planting the seeds of my business and helping it grow naturally. I’d also like to get back into furniture design and larger scale woodworking projects in the near future.

    Spirit Animal Brooches by The Knotty Owl


    AS:     Are there any bazaar participants that you are excited to check out this year?
    AL: I’m extremely excited to finally see Horrible Adorables in person (I’ve loved their work on Etsy forever), and Twig Terrariums (I’m an obsessive collector of terrariums), but realistically I’ve been to every vendor’s website over the past week and am thrilled to be in the presence of all of them next month!

  • Meet Diane Koss of Cutesy but Not Cutesy

    We will be posting Art Star Craft Bazaar Vendor profiles pretty regularly now through the big weekend – May 11th & 12th!  First up is Cutesy but Not Cutesy.  Meet the maker behind the brand – Diane Koss.

    Art Star: Did you go to art school?  If so, where did you study?
    Diane Koss:     I started out as a psychology and biology major at The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ.  That only lasted about one semester until I switched over to be a Fine Arts Major with concentrations in metalsmithing, photography, and performance art.  Unfortunately, there were no classes in monster-making, that came later!

    Cutesy but not Cutesy also offers silkscreened monster T’s for All Ages!

    AS: What types of items will you be selling at the bazaar?
    DK:     This year I will be selling my hand-stitched furry monster plush along with fur-lined monster hoodies with horns for infants through adults.  I also have screen-printed t-shirts for kid’s and adults, hand-painted dishware, and a brand new line of monster plush called The Grumpsters!

    A couple of Diane’s “Grumpsters”

    AS: How are your items made? Describe your process.
    DK:     All of my traditional monsters are hand-stitched without machines. I usually work in an assembly line-like system where I cut them out all at once, then stitch all of the bodies, then stuff them all, and then add the face, horns, and bird to each one to give them their own personality.  I use black thread in order to highlight each stitch that I make, I think it gives them more character and adds to the handmade feel of them. The hoodies and The Grumpsters are all individually sewn on my workhorse of a sewing machine.  The Grumpsters have added a whole new level of excitement for my process since I get to piece together their little outfits before stitching them all together!

    Cutesy but not Cutesy HQs – where the magic happens!

    AS: Are you able to make your work full-time?  If not, what do you do for your day job?
    DK:     I have been a full time monster-maker for almost 5 years now. It’s been a very long journey as I learn more and more about what works for my business and for me, as an artist.  But in the end, the pay off at the end of each year of knowing that I’m able to support myself with my own two hands and a needle and thread is worth every bit of struggle I face.

    Diane makes adorable monster hoodies for all ages!!

    AS: Who are some of your favorite artists?
    DK:     I am completely obsessed with and inspired by Louise Evans of Felt Mistress. Her work never ceases to amaze me. I also love the art of Washington based Illustrator Justin Hillgrove. His monster illustrations are just so incredible.  I also had the opportunity of running into Austin based illustrator Graham Franciose while at a show in Austin a few years ago and I have been completely smitten with his work ever since.

    “Soaring” by Justin Hillgrove, acrylic on canvas

    AS: What are you reading/listening to right now?
    DK:     I just started reading “At Home: A Short History of Private Life” by Bill Bryson, one of my favorite authors. And I just started re-watching the entire series of “Felicity” on netflix while I work.

    This guy may just make an appearance at the bazaar!!

    AS: Where would you like to see yourself and your art/craft business in the next 10 years?
    DK:     Ideally, there would be a few employees in a well-organized, sun-drenched warehouse space shipping out monsters to all corners of the world. And possibly a store front.

    AS: Are there any bazaar participants that you are excited to check out this year?
    DK:     Gosh, do I have to choose?! I can’t wait to see them all! I must admit, though, I always love seeing the art of Laura Berger and I might have to finally snag a piece from Horrible Adorables for my new home!


     Thanks Diane for sharing this with us!  Visit her at the Art Star Craft Bazaar (booth # coming soon!) on May 11th & 12th or her Etsy page.  Check out the rest of the amazing vendors selling at this year’s bazaar here.

  • Art Star Craft Bazaar Street Team

    We are looking for Art Star fans to become members of our Art Star Craft Bazaar Street Team!  Distribute our bazaar cards in exchange for Art Star store credit.  We are looking for people to flyer the following areas: Manayunk, Wayne, Chestnut Hill & any other shopping destination outside of Philadelphia – including New Jersey.


    Here’s how it will work:
    – We will mail you postcards & a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope
    – You distribute them
    – Pick up a business card from each place you hit & return all the business cards that you collect in the Self Addressed Stamp Envelope we included with the postcards
    – We will give you $2 in Art Star Store Credit per place you hit (valid ONLY in our shop in Philly, Online or at our booth at the bazaar, not valid at another ascb vendor’s booth)

    Some things to know:
    – Always ask if you can put them out (some people don’t let you put out cards)
    – Be friendly & courteous – some may ask you about the bazaar, so look on the site for general info before hand
    – Some places don’t have business cards, so its okay if you grab a menu or postcard to send us
    – It is good to drop off 15-20 postcards per location

    Types of places to hit up:
    restaurants/bars, coffee shops, libraries, art centers, museums, boutiques, theaters, salons – really anywhere where there are people that will pick ’em up

    Contact us if you are interested!

     

  • Art Star Craft Bazaar Jury Process

    Our mountain of Art Star Craft Bazaar Applications

    The Art Star Craft Bazaar Deadline was this past Tuesday & we just finished jurying the show!  Erin & I carefully reviewed each application & chose artists whose work best fits our overall “Art Star” vision and aesthetic.  We also do our best to create a balance of different types of items (like jewelry, men’s accessories, t-shirts, baby items, etc). We put each application in a category & chose a handful of artists whose work we felt was the best from that category.  That way our show offers something for everyone.

    Every year there is one category that is especially competitive.  Last year it was screen-printed posters/prints but this year it definitely was jewelry.  We could have juried an entire show of jewelry – the applications in this category were insanely strong.  But we can’t do that, so we had to choose and that is always the hard part.

    I have to say that this pool of applicants was the strongest we have ever seen.  We are so immensely grateful to everyone that applied.  Though we hate having to turn people down, it is important that we do.  That way we can be extremely choosy & curate what we feel is the best show possible.  We can’t wait to share our line-up for this year’s show. We think it will knock your socks off!

  • Art Star Craft Bazaar 2013


    Save the Date! The 2013 Spring Art Star Craft Bazaar will be held on May 11th + 12th at The Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing.  And guess what?  This is our 10th Art Star Craft Bazaar!  We’ve decided to revisit one of our favorite designs by Julie West for this year’s logo.  This is the first image she designed for us – she just reworked it a bit this year. She also gave us a design with gold highlights, which we hope to use for the print materials.

    If you are an artist and would like to participate, we are now accepting applications!  Deadline is March 5th, Midnight.  Spread the word to fellow artists!

    I finally uploaded Carrie Bender Hill’s beautiful photos from last year’s bazaar.  We were blessed with incredible weather ALL WEEKEND for like, the first time in I don’t know how long.  Here are some of my favorite photos from the weekend.  More HERE on our Flickr page.




    ENJOY!
    (P.S. if you are an artist that participated and there is a photo of your work, feel free to include your name and website in the comments section on FLICKR)

  • Where It All Began by Gretchen Seel

    The lovely lady behind Dahling Accessories (formerly known as Lolo & Gretch when we first started), Gretchen Seel, reports on the early days of the Art Star Craft Bazaar & how far the show has come since then.  Visit Dahling Accessories at booth #47 at this year’s ASCB.

  • ASCB Staff Member Picks: Lisa Castellano

    The Art Star Craft Bazaar would not be possible without the AMAZING Lisa Castellano.  We met her back in the early days of the ASCB when she asked to volunteer at the show, along with her then boyfriend Rich Molina.  The two of them literally saved our butts the first year we had the show along Germantown Avenue, up by our old shop on the Liberties Walk.  We didn’t realize how heavy the rented tables were & they saved the day by letting us use their truck.  They also helped us break down the show during a massive rain storm.  They did such a good job that the following years we asked them back as paid staff.  Lisa is friendly, outgoing, & incredibly smart, but best of all, she is assertive & has initiative.  We don’t have to tell her what to do – she knows what to do.  In fact, many times she tells US what to do.  Over the years we have become close friends with Lisa & consider her a part of our Art Star family.  Here are her insider tips & picks from this year’s lineup of Art Star Craft Bazaar vendors.
    – Megan

    Hello Attendees of the 2011 Art Star Craft Bazaar –

    My name is Lisa, and I am an employee of the Craft Bazaar annually.  You can always see me running around from booth to booth checking in with vendors, taking care of business on my walkie talkie, & taking care of sales behind the Art Star tent.  I LOVE this event & I am super excited that I get to come back & help facilitate it from year to year.

    There are a few things I recommend about the Bazaar – so here are my insider notes:

    Definitely get there early!! Really enjoy the day at the ASCB – take your time visiting all the various vendor booths!  Leaving yourself time will definitely make your shopping experience more enjoyable.

    Also, get some of the yummy organic & vegan grub by the Soy Cafe & A Full Plate, which are both regulary represented.  Whether it is awesome wraps, home brewed green tea, or some awesome vegetarian pulled pork with a whoopie pie – there is plenty to eat for everyone!  While you are eating, sit by the stage & listen to the variety of tunes played by some local musicians!

    Finally, check out the vendor page and plan to spend some time with a few key vendors.  Here are some of my regular favorites:

    1. For fun & funky clothes, you definitely cannot beat Holly Hue! These crafty threads will keep you warm and/or fashion forward.  They also have an awesome selection of handbags that I cannot resist! They also always have a great one-of-a-kind selection.  (It is a helpful bonus that they are some of my favorite people to visit at the ASCB!)

    2. Whether it is nostalgia you are looking for, a bit of history, or just something really different, Peg & Awl has it all.  Check out the variety of interesting goods they have & pay attention to my personal favorite – the little book necklaces.  I absolutely love mine & plan to buy another this year!  I also plan on spending money at Fisticuffs. These one of a kind recycled belt wrist cuffs are only sold in person, so bring your $$ b/c you can’t get them online later!! (Ok, so these are some of my favorite people too!)

    3. Guess what? BUNNY BUTT has all you could want in soaps, scents, & lips!  Their mojito soap smells like a party in the shower, & their mineral tint balms leave your lips soft with the perfect amount of color.  Plus, they are some of the most fun people to visit & spend some time chatting with!  (noticing a trend?)

    A few honorable mentions on my “frequently spending my money @ the ASCB” list include Recycle My Dress (to see those terrible old prom & bridesmaid dresses become rockin’ frocks), John Murphy (for amazingly gorgeous art in beautiful frames), The Broken Plate Pendant Company (for the best jewelry you will ever see made from dinner ware!), Girlscantell (an old high school friend who can tell you the parts of anything screen printed on everything imaginable from towels to coasters), & Yellowcake (for unique fashions from a former Project Runway contestant). The purchase possibilities are almost as endless as all of the hats by the wonderful vendor, Endless Hats!

    Faceted Gold Cube Earrings by Knock Knock Studio

    Some of the vendors I am excited about seeing for the first time include Peppersprouts*, because my kitchen could certainly use some jazzing up with new, fun accessories (& I could always use some for me too!).  Speaking of accessories for me, some delicate little cube earrings would be fun from Knock Knock Studio.  Back to my kitchen & throwing in my love of penguins brings me to SKT Ceramics, because relaxing with a warm mug with a fuzzy penguin on it is just the cutest thing ever!

    Penguin Cup by SKT Ceramics

    *Peppersprouts was at last year’s ASCB – Lisa must have missed them!

  • Guest Blogger: Jahje Bath Ives of Baby Jives

    We are excited to have Jahje Bath Ives of Baby Jives as our guest blogger!  She has a son of her own & has lived in Philadelpia her entire life, so she is the perfect person to share with you her favorite family friendly places in Philly.  Jahje creates colorful mobiles that can be hung above a baby’s crib or hung as decoration in your child’s bedroom.  Little fabric birds perch sweetly on branches, butterlies flutter around your little one’s head, and fluffy clouds drip patterned fabric rain drops, amongst many other wonderful scenes.  Whichever one you choose, your baby is sure to love it! – Megan
    The Art Star Craft Bazaar is enjoyed by all ages, so bring the kids!

    Coming into Philadelphia for the Art Star Craft Bazaar?  Make a day of it with the entire family!  There are so many amazing places to visit, eat, and play in the city.  I wanted to share a few of my family’s favorite spots in Philly.

    I have a little boy and he is obsessed with vehicles, so he is in heaven when we head down to Penn’s Landing because of what he can find there – boats!  Just walking along the waterfront there are plenty of ships to see.  You can visit the Independence Seaport Museum to look at all things Maritime & where you can even tour the Cruiser Olympia.  Another fun option is to head across the river to the Camden Adventure Aquarium after you are done.  There are tons of amazing fish to look at!

    At Penn’s Landing there will be plenty of great food to eat and bands to dance around to, but if you want to take the kiddos somewhere special, you can’t beat a visit to Franklin Fountain at 116 Market Street, where you can travel back in time by sipping hand made ice cream floats from paper straws and nibbling on their delectable candy.  It’s one of our favorite places to go for a treat to cool off!  After that you could head over to Franklin Square at 6th & Race to burn off some energy on the playground.  Play a round of mini golf or ride the carousel.

    If you are thinking of heading over to Northern Liberties to visit Art Star Gallery & Boutique, you could also grab some food at Honey’s Sit ‘n Eat at 800 N. 4th Street.  This restaurant is one of our favorite spots to eat, especially now that we have a kid.  They have an amazing selection of food, including vegetarian and vegan delights, such as a fried green tomato salad that appears seasonally and their own veggie burger with thick cut fries.  Yum!  We have actually celebrated both of my son’s birthdays here with a slice of their incredible carrot cake (gotta get the veggies when you can!).

    So grab your kids and come discover Philadelphia – there are plenty of other places to go, such as the Smith Playground, Please Touch Museum, Franklin Institute, Museum of Natural History – the list goes on!

    Make sure to hit the Art Star Craft Bazaar first and please swing by and visit me, Jahje of Baby Jives at Booth #41.  I have been working nonstop to create some new delights for the show, including my mobliles, which feature birds, clouds, butterflies, and even dragonflies (or as my son calls them – airplanes).  I’ve also got a new line of necklaces that you can treat yourself to as well.  You can see a sneak peak of them on my blog, or visit my online shop.  Stop on by and I’ll be happy to give you some more travel tips around Philadelphia – I’ve lived here all my live!

  • Featured Product: The Baby Ball by Namoo

    Namoo makes simple, modern quilts, hand sewn fabric accessories and hand printed goods for babies, kids and the home. Insung Kim created Namoo along with her sister not long after her daughter was born. Her work is inspired by the geometric shapes she finds both in the city buildings and in the wood blocks that her daughter plays with. She also finds inspiration in shapes and colors found in nature—the colors of the sky, leaves, trees, or even the squirrels in her back yard. Namoo is a line of simple and fresh modern pieces designed for someone who appreciates craftsmanship, creativity and natural beauty.

    Namoo is busy making items for the upcoming Art Star Craft Bazaar! She will be debuting her new product line – The Baby Ball.

    Babies and toddlers love to play with this soft sensory ball. They are safe for play & can be gently thrown and rolled on the ground. Colors, patterns, textures and shapes, will awaken your baby’s mind and interests.

    The Baby Ball doesn’t have to be just for babies. Pick up a bunch in assorted colors to display in the home or use them as pin cushions.

    Visit Namoo at the Art Star Craft Bazaar at booth #71. They will also be selling a variety of quilts in spring colors made from high quality designer fabrics & organic cotton batting.

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