Art Star

Tag: cutesy but not cutesy

  • ASCB Shopping List: Baby + Kids

    We’ve got a great group of vendors making things for the little ones in your life! Is it weird that I just want all of it in my size?  Here’s a list of vendors that will be selling goods at our upcoming Art Star Craft Bazaar for babies + kids.

    1. As the Crow Flies & Co: The West Philly husband  + wife behind this line of goods is Wilder + Mike Scott – Straight. Mike makes broken plate jewelry and wife Wilder makes vintage inspired skirts + dresses for kids.  Also, I hear that she is now making matching apparel for us grown-ups too.  Yes PLEASE!  I would totally rock this fox dress!

    2. Cutesy but not Cutesy:   Every cool kid in town owns one of Diane Koss’ super awesome monster plushies!  We love her new fuzzy monster hoodies too! If you’re lucky, you’ll see Diane prancing around the bazaar in her huggable monster head piece.

    3. Oh Hello Deer Cute screen printed tees + onesies for babies + kids, plus these awesome printed super hero tops with a cape that can velcro on + off. 

    4. Olive  + Bo Philly crafter, Lori Thomson of Olive + Bo stitches modern quilts, mobiles and plush rattles for babies and kids.  Her grey, black + white palette always includes a nice pop of  color like neon yellow or purple. These simple, yet striking, geometric designs would be a stylish addition to a kid’s playroom, bedroom, or nursery.

    5. The Opposite of Far What kid doesn’t like to play dress up?  Jessica Near of The Opposite of Far is travelling all the way from Indiana to bring Philly her popular line of felt animal masks + tails.  Her vast collection includes zoo, woodland, barnyard animals and more! You can also find a smaller selection of non-animals, including super heros and robots.  And, um, P.S., she also makes adult sizes.

    6. Sewn by Shylo Shylo Egenski makes the most precious clothing + accessories for women and children in Wilkes Barre, PA.  Her peplum + halter style dresses for little girls are particularly adorable and are made from vintage bed linens.

    7. Sundae Matinee Rosalie Hick’s fun + quirky animal portraits are made with stitched fabric + felt and are sure to bring a smile to your face.  Napoleon Longslice, Roxie Fox, Bobby Feathers and others each come with a handwritten “Life Details” card.  Though these aren’t made specifically just for kids, I think little ones will really have a fun time coming up with stories about each of these funny characters.  The little felt pillows and framed portraits would look great in a playroom or nursery too.

    8. Tadpole Creations Renee D’Amico creates an ever expanding line of handcrafted goods for little ones. Her booth is always bright, colorful and cheery and filled to the brim with the sweetest plush toys + rattles, appliqued onesies + bibs, baby quilts, purses, DIY kits and more.  Renee’s creativity is boundless and I always love to check out her latest creations.

    9. The Wind and The Sail Laura Stantz’ line of sweet+ modern plush toys are a favorite among bazaar shoppers and we are happy to welcome her back to our line-up again this year.  Her plushies include hippos, giraffes, kangaroos, and more! Most have move-able limbs and all are superbly crafted and made from top quality materials.  Her collection of goods also includes happy vegetable baby rattles.

  • 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.

  • Awesome new video by Cutesy but Not Cutesy

    Check out this new video by Philadelphia artist & one-of-a-kind stuffed monster maker, Diane Koss of Cutesy but not Cutesy.  I had to share it with you all b/c I think it is AWESOME!  This is the 2nd in what I hope will be a series of videos.  I love this direction that she is going in.  I may have to commission Diane to make my Halloween costume next year.

    see the world without going anywhere. from Cutesy but not Cutesy on Vimeo.

    also check out her stop motion animation that she made with David R. Popolow of  Right Brain Animation http://www.etsy.com/storque/spotlight/monster-compilation-by-diane-koss-of-cutesy-but-not-cutesy-3556/

    Cutesy but not Cutesy will be at our bazaar this year in booth #107, so you can take home a furry friend of your own!

    or visit http://www.cutesybutnotcutesy.com/ to shop now

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