Tag: Craft Show

Meet New ASCB Vendor Daniel Knoll and His Company, My Audio Tree

80% of the worlds forests are already gone. Audio Tree is trying to change that by planting a tree for every product sold. “Play One! Plant One!”

Audio Tree founder Daniel Knoll creates handmade wood products for smartphones and tablets, most notably the signature Iphone acoustic amplifier/docking station. He has over 15 years of woodworking and sound engineering experience which led to the development of Audio Tree LLC.

These speakers have been tested in a professional recording studio and proven to double the sound of your phone’s speaker using “passive amplification” meaning there are no electronics involved. Some have been designed to allow you to charge your phone by running your own charger through the speaker.

Hand selecting exotic woods, and tone-woods, carefully monitoring the moisture content and density are just some of the examples of the attention to detail that is put into every piece. Daniel uses age-old woodworking techniques along with modern day trade secrets. He has even had to have custom made tools in order to create some of his designs.

For the first time Audio Tree will be at the Art Star Craft Bazaar early next month! Stop by the booth (#13) to see these pieces in person and find out more about Audio Tree and “Play One! Plant One!” You can also visit www.myaudiotree.com if you just can’t wait to see more!

April 17, 2015
Meet New Art Star Craft Bazaar Vendor Marcella Kriebel

photos and text by Marcella Kriebel

I am a watercolor artist and illustrator from Portland, OR, living in Washington DC for the last 5 years. I’m excited to be a part of the Art Star Craft Bazaar for the first time this year. Because my work covers food themes and cooking, I can be found at select Farmers’ Markets as well as Art and Craft fairs in the Mid-Atlantic and on the West Coast.

I’ve always really enjoyed cooking and traveling. I’ve made a point to cook with people during my trips throughout Latin America, and it is through these experiences that I created my cookbook, Mi Comida Latina. The book is entirely hand lettered and includes my watercolor illustrations on every page. The style reflects my sketchbook journal that I keep during experiences abroad- small step by step drawings and lots of color throughout.

I published the book thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign in November 2012. This self-published edition of the book is sold out, but I’m excited to share that the Art Star Craft Bazaar will be my first Craft Fair showcasing the published edition of the new book. This new edition will be a bigger and better version with an additional 40 pages!

After the Kickstarter edition of the book came out, I got a number of commissions for food-related artwork and custom illustrated recipes (a service I still offer) and my food-related collection began to flourish.

I like to work in a series and have explored various fruit and vegetable “families”, complete with Latin names. I have designs which celebrate the different types of cheeses, figs, olives and other delicacies.

My Art Every Day project from 2014 expanded my collection immensely and I’ll be offering many of these designs as prints for the first time at the bazaar. Hope to see you all at my booth, #118, Mother’s Day weekend!

April 14, 2015
Meet Bobby + Sara of Just A Jar Design Press!

Just A Jar Design Press is a letterpress & design studio run by Bobby & Sara Rosenstock. We have a large studio in the historic river town of Marietta, Ohio. We do a range of different things as a business, but for this post we will focus on our woodcut & letterpress prints.

We create fine art prints as well as gig posters that have all been commissioned for the actual events. Just about all of our prints are limited edition which means they are signed and numbered, & when they all sell we don’t print any more.

The process begins with a pencil drawing to scale, which is then traced on to tracing paper so I can flip the image to reverse (woodblocks need to be carved in reverse). I make a plan for colors, typically written out in the margins of the drawing. Each color is carved on it’s own block typically, (I do some reductive printing but won’t get into that here). Using carbon paper I transfer the drawing onto pieces of birch plywood. I then carve the blocks for each color.

The woodblocks are all manually printed on my Vandercook SP20 press, from the 1960s. I do a separate run for each color. If the print includes text, I will set some of my lead & wood type onto the press, & print that as a separate run.

Typesetting is a craft of it’s own. I feel overwhelmed by the options when designing on the computer, but when I’m setting type, I’m limited by the size and typefaces in my collection. I also find that when I can touch it with my hands I can understand it better. Some of our wood type is over 150 years old, & I want that history to be represented in the work.

It’s a pretty slow and meticulous process, depending on the detail, a print can take anywhere from 40 to 100 hours to complete. Planning is a big part of the process, but I also think its important for some parts of the print to be spontaneous & of the moment. I enjoy the controlled rawness of the medium, and I want the labor of the process to come through in the image.

We are really excited to be returning to Philly in May for the Art Star Craft Bazaar. We do lots of art fairs each year but our very first one was Art Star in 2009. We haven’t been back since our daughter was born in 2012, so are thrilled to be participating this year. Come stop by our tent and say hello. If you want to see more of what we do you can find us here:

www.justajar.com
www.facebook.com/justajardesignpress
www.instagram.com/justajar/
www.twitter.com/justajarpress

April 8, 2015
Art Star Pop Up Market at Spruce Street Harbor Park

We are excited to announce that our Art Star Pop Up Market will be back at Spruce Street Harbor Park this Summer Season! The Market will take place every Saturday from May 23rd – September 26th from 11-4pm and will feature the work of up to 20 curated art + craft vendors. Each participating vendor will be set up al fresco style under a tree lined walkway within the popular park. Shoppers can expect a variety of handmade goods at an affordable price range and the vendor line-up will change each day.

The Spruce Harbor Park is located along the Delaware River between Lombard and Walnut Streets. The park features a pop up restaurant and bar, a boardwalk, games, live music, family friendly activities and the most popular attraction – HAMMOCKS! Apparently, the SSHP hammocks were THE PLACE to take a selfie in Philadelphia last summer!

Bonnie Kaye Studio staged a picnic at last year’s market and displayed all her goods on butchers paper. http://www.bonniekayestudio.com/

APPLY TO BE A VENDOR!
We are now accepting submissions for the first few weeks of our Art Star Pop Up Market. Each vendor will receive an 10′ wide x 5′ deep space. Vendors are required to bring everything else needed for set up and display. You may bring a tent (though it is not required) but must leave 5′ of your tent open for customers to walk through. For this show, we are going for relaxed, beach vibes, so you are welcome to go all out with your display or you could simply just bring a blanket and lay out your goods on the ground! We are charging vendors $35 per space / per day.

We are now accepting applications for the following dates: May 23rd, May 30th, June 6th. (Look out for another Call for Vendors for all the later dates)

How To Apply:
Email us at info@artstarphilly.com with “SSHP Submission” in the subject of the email
Attach 3-5 digital images of samples of the items you wish to sell
Include a link to your website or etsy page
List the date(s) you would like to participate on

DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR THE ABOVE DATES IS April 30th, midnight.
You will notified of your acceptance by Friday, May 1st.

April 2, 2015
Art Star Craft Bazaar is Coming to Asbury Park!

We’ve got some exciting news!! We are bringing our Art Star Craft Bazaar to Asbury Park, New Jersey!

Don’t worry, we will still host our bazaar twice a year in Philly. We’ve been looking for a 2nd home for our show for quite a while now, so this will just be another location added to our roster.

Awesome Mural in Asbury Park by Porkchop. Photo Courtesy of Move For Hunger.

Asbury Park is a perfect fit for our show. There is already a flourishing creative scene happening there and also tons of independent shops and restaurants. It is just our style.

We will be bringing our bazaar to Bradley Park, which is a city owned park situated right across the street from the Asbury Park Boardwalk and their Convention Hall. The show will be held during the city’s peak summer season, on the weekend July 25th + 26th. The city has a devoted art/craft community, which is active year round. We hope to attract this audience, tourists, as well as our own Art Star following.

We are excited to be partnering with Asbury Park based non-profit, Move For Hunger. We will be collecting a $3 suggested donation at the door and 100% of that will go directly to this amazing organization.

Move For Hunger is a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2009 to transform moving into an opportunity to reduce food waste and help feed the hungry. Move For Hunger is a national organization working with over 600 relocation partners and thousands of real estate agents to bring awareness to hunger in America. Currently over 1,151,000 residents of New Jersey struggle with hunger. Move For Hunger is working to ensure less food goes to waste and more is delivered to those in need. In just five years, the Move For Hunger program has delivered over 4.5 million pounds of food to community food banks nationwide.

Photo Courtesy of Move For Hunger

The Asbury Park Art Star Craft Bazaar will be very similar to our popular spring bazaar at Penn’s Landing Great Plaza in Philadelphia. Around 100 art/craft vendors will be set up selling their wares in Bradley Park. On that note, we are now accepting vendor applications for this show! So if you are an artist or crafter who would like to apply to participate, please go here

We are also looking to bring in some locally based art organizations/non-profits to set up at our show in exchange for providing a free interactive art/craft project, or as we call them “make + takes”, for guests to come and make something that they can take home with them that day.

We are so excited to bring our bazaar to this amazing city and we hope you are to! Please continue to check the site for updates on the show. If you are a business based in Asbury and want to work together – cross promote or provide a make + take, please get in touch with us. We are looking to collaborate and involve the city as much as possible!

March 19, 2015
Art Star Craft Bazaar + Grid Magazine Partnership

We’re excited to announce that Art Star Craft Bazaar is partnering with Grid Magazine, and fellow craft fair entrepreneurs Go West!, and Crafty Balboa to produce a unique media partnership designed to further our shared goal of building a thriving craft community in Philadelphia.

Grid, a free, award winning publication dedicated to promoting sustainability, is publishing a special 16 page section insert all about Art Star Craft Bazaar, Go West! and Crafty Balboa. 30k copies of the issue will hit newsstands, coffee houses, and other retail outlets across the SE region by late March. In addition, Grid will be set up at each of our events distributing copies as well.

Last year, Grid created an insert promoting Go West Craft Fest! and it was a huge success. We are so excited that they chose to also include us this year! Go here to see a sample of their insert last year to get an idea of what this year’s will look like.

This is a highly targeted opportunity to promote your local business.Your ads will not only be seen by thousands of Grid’s devoted readers, they will play a big part in helping us collectively promote our community-building events. A double win!

If you place your ad by February 13th, you will receive an early bird discount of 10% off. Final ad deadline is March 6th. If you are interested in placing an ad, please contact us. We’ll send you all the sizes and rates!

January 30, 2015
Clover Winter Market 2015

We will be popping up our 10×10 shop at the upcoming Clover Winter Market! We hope you will come out to visit us + around 50 other vendors selling handmade, vintage, and antique goods.
The 23rd Street Armory is on 23rd Street between Market + Chestnut Streets. There is a $5 door fee (kids under 12 get in for free)…..But may we suggest you purchase a VIP Pass for $20? This gets you some awesome stuff including admission at 9am (a whole hour to shop before the general public arrives), and a swag bag of goodies + coupons donated by vendors! There is a coupon to use at our booth too!

Here are some of the goodies you will find in the VIP Swag Bag
Purchase VIP tickets OR 2 for 1 tickets HERE

Visit www.theclovermarket.com for more information

January 12, 2015
An Interview with Amber Zaraza of Phea Jean

First time ASCB booth mates Jamie Williams of Dop Dop Designs and Amber Zaraza of Phea Jean interview each other and find out what is in store for the upcoming bazaar! This first post features Jamie’s interview with Amber of Dop Dop Designs. Enjoy!

How did you find sewing and what influenced you to turn your skill into a business? I began sewing around the age of 12. I found my mothers old Kenmore sewing machine and an assortment of my grandmother’s notions and thought I could make things. I didn’t have any fabric so I cut up clothing that I got at the thrift store. Of course I had no idea what I was doing but managed to make a very simple cross body handbag out of an old blue and white houndstooth polyester suit. I took a crystal clasp off of one of my mothers sweaters to use as a closure and wore that bag for years. I was immediately hooked! I took sewing classes in high school where I was able to hone in on my skills and really learn proper techniques. I went to college for fashion design and during that time made handbags for myself, and then friends, and soon after strangers were asking me where and how to order. So in 2005, phea jean was born, sort of by accident, but once the ball started rolling I just went with it and I love it! It’s still funny to think that I originally set out to be a bridal designer!

Where did the name phea jean come from? Settling on a business name seemed daunting at first- what name would I always want to be associated with and never be tired of?! phea jean, of course, had to be it…phea (Phyllis) and Jean are my two grandmothers, both wonderful and strong women in different ways and both very dear to me.

Describe your personal style and how that translates into phea jean.
I love vintage clothing…dresses, coats, hats, etc. The fabric really draws me in, as I find the bright colors and bold patterns hard to resist. I use primarily vintage fabric because I find it so intriguing, I, too, sometimes find inspiration in vintage styles. For example, one of my hat patterns is loosely based on the cloche style made popular in the 1920’s. I also just really like unique, funky pieces. I like when unexpected fabrics are used for traditional silhouettes. I love mixing fabrics and patterns which I do in my designs. In my personal style, I pretty much go for it- wearing and mixing things that other people wouldn’t think to, but somehow (most of the time) ends up working. I never take fashion too seriously, but I want to look good. I want people to look good (great!) in my designs but I also want them to have a good time with the pieces and mix and match them together.

What inspires your work?
I am inspired by all the vintage fabric patterns and textures. I “treasure hunt” in attics, basements, estate sales, thrift stores, etc for fabric and I never know what I will bring home, so I have to let each piece speak to me and inspire me as it comes. I’m even often inspired by buttons and will sometimes start with the buttons and design around them. Everything I make is one of a kind and even though I have patterns in place, I do very little planning when it comes to the production aspect of sewing. My process consists of looking around my studio and seeing what catches my eye at the moment.
My clothing designs are definitely inspired by women, of all shapes and sizes. I really try to accommodate different body types and design pieces that will fit a variety of sizes. I want anyone to come to my booth and be able to find something flattering and leave feeling confident.

In a literal sense, I am inspired to make things that I want or need for everyday life. My head is cold, therefore I should make hats. I need a specific size/shape handbag so I’ll make it.

What items will you be bringing to the bazaar? phea jean will be bringing things to keep you warm: Plenty of hats and scarves of course. I’ll also have my unique wrap tops and ponchos for stylish winter clothing options.

What item is perfect for gift giving? The scarves are a great gift and an easy way to spruce up any outfit. At $35-$45 you really can’t go wrong.

What other artists at the bazaar are you excited to check out? Considering the shows are our only chance to do our holiday shopping I am excited to see and support all the other vendors! First thing, I’ll be hitting up my booth mate dop dop designs for a housewarming gift. I’m also a huge fan of miss millie and will be dropping hints to my partner on which of her latest work I need to have. I’m interested to see the coffee drip cones from Melissa Weiss Pottery and the jewelry by Maureen Duffy.

November 6, 2014
An Interview with Jamie Williams of Dop Dop Designs

First time ASCB booth mates Jamie Williams of Dop Dop Designs and Amber Zaraza of Phea Jean interview each other and find out what is in store for the upcoming bazaar! This first post features Amber’s interview with Jamie of Dop Dop Designs. Enjoy!

How and when did dop dop designs develop into a business?
Where does the name dop dop come from?
The name dop dop comes from my youngest son, Kiefer. When Kiefer was nearly 1, he didn’t say many words, but he sure loved flip flops. Having difficulty speaking, he would always call them dop dop’s. As time went on, he would say dop dop whenever he was happy. So, eventually, dop dop came to mean “all things good”. My design focus started with an emphasis on aprons due to Kiefer’s acid reflux and my need to protect my clothing during feedings. There were a ton of cute burp cloths and baby coverage, but nothing for me. So, I started designing aprons that were durable, easy to care for and pretty without being over the top. Therefore, I felt it only right to immortalize Kiefer’s role (and sweetness) in the development of my brand, In July 2011, dop dop designs became a legitimate business. Three years later, here I am expanding my products and hoping to transform your kitchens.

Describe the dop dop style.
My style is fresh, and clean but with an element of whimsy. Specializing in kitchen accessories, I like to merge utility and practicality with a dash of happiness and turn the things that we need into the things that we want. dop dop designs is all about versatility, quality, easy care, and pops of color. I put the extra care into production so that you don’t have to.

What inspires your work?
As for inspiration, I am totally inspired to create a comforting haven at the dinner table where my family and yours can reconvene at the end of each day. Life is full of fast paced activities, dinner shouldn’t be one of them. Even when my children are getting mac n’ cheese for dinner, I love how they feel like it’s the most special thing ever! Simply using a cloth napkin and a place mat transforms the everyday into an occasion. Many expected and unexpected events can become inspiration. Inspirational things (for me): sounds and smells of the ocean, walks in the woods, running water in the shower, blooming flowers, 80’s/90’s industrial music (oddly enough), old photo albums, and canning.

What items will you be bringing to the bazaar?
dop dop designs will be bringing a slew of items to the ASCB November 8th and 9th. As always, full and half aprons in fantastic fabrics will be available, potholders (deluxe and mini grabbers), reversible placemats, double-sided deluxe napkins, linen napkins, reversible table runners, and market tote bags made of vintage tablecloths~ perfect for any excursion. All items are made of 100% premium cotton and handmade in Chester Springs, PA.

What dop dop item is perfect for gift giving?
All of my items are the perfect gift for anyone who has recently moved into a new home or apartment, an avid cook, anyone who has recently remodeled their kitchen, or someone who loves to create intimate dining spaces. dop dop designs’ potholder gift sets are the perfect hostess gift, placemats and napkins are the perfect gift for the new homeowner, and a fantastic one of a kind market tote would please anyone with a heart!

What other artists at the bazaar are you excited to check out?
I am so excited to be a part of the ASCB this fall, not only as an artist/maker, but as a shopper! I’m a big pottery fan and love giving pottery as gifts….so, I’m looking forward to Little Flower designs for those needs. As a sewer, can’t wait to see Group Hug Quilts!!! Big quilt fan and love their work! For my nieces, I am sure to be hitting up Dahling accessories. AND, of course, I am looking forward to Phea Jean. Nobody works vintage fabric like Amber. Can’t wait!

November 5, 2014
Eling of Migration Goods Shares Her ASCB Shopping List

Hi everyone! Eling from migration goods here. As a maker I rarely get enough time to properly shop at the events I am vending at, and this is doubly so during the fall + holiday seasons. I am always kicking myself at the end of a show because I haven’t had enough time to complete my own shopping!

This year I decided I would try to organize + plan my holiday shopping ahead of time for events that I know will have really great vendors– like, yup, the upcoming Fall Art Star Bazaar!

Here’s what’s on my list (so far)!

All of Dirty Ass Soap‘s soaps are so fun, but this ramen soap is definitely tops on my list for gifts this year (hope none of the potential recipients are reading this)

Also on my list for gift shopping (and in the category of food related accessories): The everything bagel necklace from inedible jewelry

and the amazing Old Bay Seasoning earrings from Flat Rat Studio. (Their pet portraits are totally on my own wishlist too).

I’m obsessed with paper goods & can never find enough time to look at them all! But I’ll be making a point to find Bowerbox Press next weekend for this card & to check out all the rest of the lovely work in person.

More paper goods please! I can’t wait to see Sarah Ryan‘s sweet cards + illustrations up close!

For my book-loving friends (and me too), I’m very excited to pick up these bookmarks from New Academy Press, and this super-cute tote from Common Rebels too.

Common Rebels also makes a ton of cute cat items, which I will be shopping for my cat-loving friends. Speaking of those cat friends, I’ll also be looking for this sweet cat lover scarf from Red Prarie Press.

If my friends/family are very very good, they might find themselves the recipients of one of these gorgeous spoons or sake cups from Melissa Weiss Pottery (I’m coveting these ramen bowls for myself).

And how cute is this stegosaurus from By Yivvie? Some tiny (or not so tiny) people I know may need a few of these plushes…

A couple other items I will be checking out for some potentially very lucky folks include this beautiful whale skeleton necklace from J.TOPOLSKI (I am saving up for this sloth bracelet for ME!)

and the beautiful printed work of Bonnie Kaye Studio — so good!

Finally, I’m really excited to see these diorama & miniature pieces from metamorphosis metals up close!

And I won’t be leaving without a print for myself from Naughty & Nice. I’m pretty sure I want Tag You Are It (below), but I’m also eyeing The Terror of the Sea…

I really hope I get a chance to see all of these things in person next weekend, but at least I’ve made my list, right? There are SO MANY talented artists + makers vending at the Fall Art Star Bazaaron November 8th + 9th. Don’t forget to check them out ahead of time here & make your own list!

———————————————————————————————————-
Thanks to Eling from Migration Goods for sharing her Art Star Craft Bazaar Shopping List! Be sure to stop by her booth to check out her line of adorable felt accessories and illustrated paper goods.

November 3, 2014