You are not going to believe how quick and easy this tote bag is to make. I first discovered this tote bag design after getting one with a purchase from a major retailer. It is simply constructed of two pieces of fabric. Brilliant.
You will need:
|
❖ 2 rectangular pieces of fabric
❖ scissors or rotary cutter to customize fabric sizes
❖ pins
❖ serger and/or sewing machine
❖ iron (optional)
Your two pieces of fabric will determine your overall shape and size of the tote. One piece will serve as the body of the tote and should be wider and shorter. The second piece of fabric will serve as the sides and the strap of the tote and should be thinner (depends on the depth you wish your tote to have) and much longer. For the body of my tote, I’m using some scrap fabric from my studio and you can see that I sewed them together in order to have a large enough piece – so feel free to hinge pieces of fabric together if needed.
Take the two short ends of your fabric piece that will serve as the body of the tote. Iron and pin a 1⁄2” hem and sew. This will create a more finished look for the top edges of your tote.
Grab a bunch of pins and your two pieces of fabric and take a seat. Fold the body of the tote, so that the nice sides are facing each other on the inside. You’ll be pinning your tote together from the inside.
Start by pinning the long piece of fabric to the bottom of the body piece, matching the center/bottoms. Keep pinning as you go around the corner edge of the long piece of fabric. Stop when you get to the top edge of the tote. Repeat on the other side of the tote, starting at the bottom/center of the bag again.
Once the two pieces have been completely pinned together, you are ready to sew. You should also be able to get a pretty good idea of the overall size and shape of your tote at this point.
I’m using a serger, but you can also simply use a sewing machine. First, begin by sewing the two bottom edges of the two sides. The length of the stitch will depend on the width of your strap.
Next, you’ll do two long stitches and that’s it! Begin at one end of the tote and sew over the strap, until you get to the other side of the bag. Repeat on the other side.
Turn the bag inside out and you’ll now have a splendid new tote, perfect for all your toting needs.
———————————————————————————————————-
Bonnie Kaye Whitfield designs and screen prints home textiles + paper goods under the name, Bonnie Kaye Studio. Products are created to inspire memories at home and around the table. A donation is made with every purchase to help feed hungry Americans. www.BonnieKayeStudio.com
Looking for a unique gift for your special someone on Valentine’s Day? Look no further. We’ve put together a list of handcrafted goodies that will make your girl or guy’s day!
First, start with the card! We’ve got a huge selection of hilariously adorable ones by Laura Berger. $4.50 each
Does your lady have a devilish side? How about this Angel/ Devil Ring by Kasie Strohm. Handcrafted from sterling silver with a gold fill halo. $32, various sizes.
This piece by Amy Rice is a hand painted Gocco print of a lillium on correspondance from 1911, how romantic! $60
Looking for something a little less serious? How about this wood heart handpainted with acrylic by The Maple Ridge. Features a saw tooth hook on the back for easy hanging. This art piece is also extremely affordable, at just $40!
Speaking of hearts, we love these anatomically correct ones by Julie Moon. Made from sculpted porcelain, painted gold luster and decals, these brooches can be pinned to your sweetheart’s coat and kept close to his/her own heart! $50 each
Your lady is a total fox and so are you! So pick up this Fox Love Pendant by Audrey Laine Collection. Hand cut from sheet brass and hung from an 18″ sterling silver chain. $65
Your boyfriend (like us sadly) spends far too much time watching cat videos on the internet. I think he needs this belt buckle featuring cats barfing rainbows. Though, who doesn’t need one of these. $24.
Cock Tee. That’s all you need to know. Get it for your man. $28
You just moved in together! Pick up this screen print by Yardsale Press and hang it in your new bathroom, cuz its official! (Also available are Hers + Hers and His + His. I don’t have them online yet but they are available in store. If you’d like to purchase one of those online, just email us) $15
Our regulars know that we will gift wrap your purchases for free, happily! However, if you are weird like me and LOVE to gift wrap, pick up this gorgeous screen printed paper by Bonnie Kaye Studios and Do It Yourself! Or let us do it for you! $6 per roll.
Those are just a few great Valentine’s Day gifts ideas, we’ve got tons more. Come on by and we’ll help you pick something special out. xo – Megan
If you’re like me, you can never have too many notebooks. Small notebooks are especially helpful for on-the-go notetaking or making quick grocery lists. Here’s a quick Japanese-stab binding technique that will get you jotting inside in lickety split.
filler paper for the inside (I’m using kraft paper sheets, but simple copy paper is fine, just nothing too thick)
bonefolder (optional)
needle
thread, ideally for bookbinding
awl, a tool used for piercing holes (could probably also use an ice pick or ceramic needle tool)
piece of cardboard
scissors
pen or pencil to mark holes
Once you’ve gathered your materials, you’ll need to cut your papers to the size that you want the notebook. I cut mine to 6×9”, with the filler paper cut ⅛ shorter on both sides so that they don’t poke outside of the cover once folded. If you cut your paper to 6×9”, you’ll end up with a 6×4.5” notebook.
Fold both your cover and filler sheets of paper in half. Use a bonefolder if you have one to firmly crease the fold. You can also just use the back of your fingernail or another smooth, blunt tool. Next, you’ll mark three dots for your holes along the spine/folded edge of the book. Mark the holes in a line at least a ½ an inch from the spine and tops and bottoms of the book.
Using your awl, you’ll next pierce the holes, prior to sewing. This is going to make sewing a lot easier. I like to use a piece of cardboard or old magazine underneath the book while making the holes. You can also use a small hole punch. Next, measure your thread at least 3 to 4 times the length of your spine and cut. Thread the needle, but do not make any knots.
This Japanese stab-binding stitch might look complicated at first, but trust me, it’s quite easy! You really flow through the stitches starting at the top of the book and working your way down.
Start sewing from the backside of the book, in the top hole.
Leave about a 2” tail of thread and hold it with your thumb. You’ll be able to let go after the next stitch or two. (The only knot you make for this book is done at the very end.)
Thread over and around the top of the book and back through the top hole from the back.
Thread over and around the side of the book and back through the top hole from the back of the book.
Thread down to the second hole. The needle will now be on the backside of the book.
Thread over and around the side of the book, going through the second hole again from the front. Your needle will then still be on the backside of the book.
7. From the back, you’ll thread through the third hole at the bottom. You’ll now be back on the frontside of the book.
8. Thread over and around the bottom edge of the book, going back through the bottom hole from the backside.
9. Thread over and around the side edge of the book, going back through the bottom hole from the backside.
10. Thread back up to the middle hole. Your needle and thread will now be on the backside of the book.
11. Flip your book over. It should look like this.
12. Lastly, remove the needle and tie the two loose ends together. Cut threads, leaving about an ½” tail. Voila!
Once you’ve tied your knot, you may want to crease or score the inside pages at the binding so that the book opens more fully. Up to you. Also, variations include making your holes larger and sewing with a thicker thread-like material, such as cord (pictured with the pink notebook), ribbon or yarn.
You now have a notebook that you can take and use anywhere.
Le Puppet Regime by Genevieve Geer Stained Glass Marionettes + Sculptures “You Never Know Who’s Pulling The Strings” February 13th – April 12th
Opening Reception: Friday, February 13th from6-8pm
We are thrilled to announce a solo exhibition with Philadelphia artist, Genevieve Geer of Le Puppet Regime. Genevieve makes brilliant stained glass marionettes of tattooed showgirls, circus freaks, Siamese twins, mermaids, strong men, minotaurs and more. Each piece has movable limbs so you can contort and pose your puppet in any way you choose.
We first stumbled across Genevieve’s unique work after she applied for our 2014 May Art Star Craft Bazaar. We had never seen anything like it before and it isn’t often that we come across cool stained glass work! Her application definitely gave us goose bumps. We were even more smitten after checking out the work in person. Not only does she make marionettes, but she also makes larger sculptural wall pieces and a line of jewelry.
Her exhibition at Art Star will include her popular marionettes but also some more of her larger sculptural pieces. The show will differ a bit from our typical exhibition. Though the larger pieces will remain up throughout the duration of the show, the marionettes will be available to take home the day of purchase. We will have a back stock to replace pieces as they sell. The show will open the day before Valentine’s Day, so bring your date to check out the show, mix and mingle with the artist, enjoy a beer + snack and pick up a one-of-a-kind art piece for your special someone!
Artist Statement: Genevieve Geer’s stained glass characters are articulated, modern day people, captured in an ancient art. They are holy in their medium, hearkening back to saints and sinners in churches everywhere, but they are living contemporary tales. Instead of stained glass as static object, well placed, well lit, and coveted as an architectural asset, these pieces move themselves to center stage. By pulling the characters out of the allotted window frame, Geer begins to force a reassessment of this medium. Further, by articulating each creature and character, the audience can no longer dismiss the work as sparkly background noise. They must look at each piece and divine it’s story, what it is and where it comes from.
The Artist’s process is painstaking and involved. The first steps are drafting a basic line drawing on paper and transferring the cartoon to glass, using hand mixed powdered glass paint that is then kiln fired. Cutting the glass, coppering, soldering, drilling and piecing together the final figure allows for variations and deviations at every turn, often resulting in creatures that stray from the initial drawing by happy accident. “Powdered glass paint is a medium unlike any other–one can have a general idea of what it will do, but sometimes it’s better than me, it knows what will look best, and when that happens, if I am smart, I lift the brush quickly off the glass, let it dry and get it in the kiln.”
Geer is constantly feeding her work, researching embroidered textiles and antique dishware patterns, ukiyo-e woodblock prints, contemporary couture fashion, Russian movie propaganda posters, illuminated manuscripts, and contemporary illustrators like Yuko Shimizu.
ABOUT THE ARTIST Genevieve Geer is a Philadelphia based artist working in glass, metal, wood and textiles. Originally from Massachusetts, she attended Parsons School of Design for Illustration and The Museum School in Boston for Animation. She moved to NYC soon after graduating and worked as a freelance prop fabricator over the next few years. When she relocated to Philadelphia in 2007, she began to experiment with a new medium, hot glass. She started out as a manager of a local public access glass studio for a year before taking an apprenticeship at Wheaton Village in New Jersey. There she developed her blown glass skills, but was also introduced to casting, kiln forming and flat glass techniques. After two years she returned to Philly and she and her husband built a studio in their Kensington home. In 2012, after seeing a stained glass show by the artist Judith Schaecter in Philadelphia’s Eastern State Penitentiary, a spark was lit and Genevieve began to research and experiment with stained glass. In this one medium she found a meeting place for her training in illustration, animation and hot glass. Her company, Le Puppet Regime, came into being soon after, and features articulated, movable stained glass characters and scenes.
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.
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!
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)
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.
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.
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!)
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.
If you’ve been attending Art Star events for the past few years, you’ve probably seen Matt Eyer and Peter Oravetz’s shared spot full of robots and t-shirts. Matt creates limited edition graphic t-shirts, tank-tops, and hoodies inspired by Philadelphia under his brand Wear Liberty. Peter has been illustrating his Robots! series for almost ten years now in which you can find them in all walks of life from battling giant squids to drinking beers at the bar.
Peter Oravetz
This Fall bazaar will be Matt and Peter’s fifth Art Star event together and to celebrate they did a little interview with each other. Matt goes first with questions for Pete and then Pete follows up with questions for Matt. Enjoy and be sure to stop by their booth (#41) at the bazaar!
Matt Eyer: Why robots? Why not dinosaurs? Peter Oravets: Dinosaurs are so Cretaceous period…robots are the future! Not to mention that they’re made by us…we’ve essentially engineered a new species that could potentially think for itself. It’s inevitable that they’ll have some of the same ticks and hang-ups we humans do, especially when it comes to movement and gesture. It would be interesting to see how a robot might respond to the world with the outlook of an adolescent and a similar range of motion.
“Squid” by Peter Oravatz / graphite on paper (also available as a print)
Matt: How long does it take you to complete your big pieces? How many hours total and over how long of a time period do you work on them? Pete: They can take a tremendous amount of work. The more detailed pieces like “Squid” or “001” took about a month each but that was when I had more time to produce them. I’d say close to 60 hours a piece (not including preliminary sketch time). The small ones are much quicker but do take a lot of consideration and brainstorming as well.
“First” by Peter Oravetz / graphite on paper
Matt: Have you ever collaborated or do you plan to collaborate with any Philly artists or others? Pete: Yes, I have collaborated with a now ex-Philly artist…my friend Mike Studebaker of Studebaker Metals. We were getting into the business of making toy soldiers, lapel pins, and other tiny metal versions of the Robots but it never got off the ground. Partly because he moved away to Pittsburgh. He produces excellent work, I highly recommend his line of mostly male oriented metal-ware (tie-clips, mustache combs and the like.) Recently I have collaborated with Printer Martin Peeves to help produce my new series “Catastrophe”. Screen prints of those will be available at the Fall ASCB too.
Matt: Why black and white and no color? Pete: I have no simple answer for that. One of my works, the Robot Normal Rockwell self-portrait was re made into a color piece. It came out great but took forever and had to be done digitally. I have never been particularly good with markers and water-color and, truly, I would have to introduce that kind of medium into the Robots. They benefit from the precision and clean straight lines a pen offers. Beyond that, some of my favorite illustrators and cartoonists worked mostly in B+W. Perhaps the next evolution of them will be in color.
“Drunk on Oil” by Peter Oravetz / graphite on paper (also available as a made to order, hand inked print)
Matt: What’s next for the robots? Or will there be a new theme/series?
Pete: Like I just said maybe I’ll introduce some color! T-shirts are a must, that will happen soon; a lot of people have been asking if I have a book of them made. That might be my next big project… I’d like to make a children’s book of the bots telling a story without any sort of caption or written word, just images to get them thinking critically and come up with a story of their own. Kids have such great imaginations like that.
A new series of drawings! Yes! I have started a new, albeit depressing, series of drawings titled “Catastrophe” that deal with natural disasters and urban destruction. You won’t want to miss it. Great gifts for the holidays.
———————————————————————————————————
Matt Eyer
Peter Oravetz: Wear Liberty is a specifically Philly themed line of apparel. Do you simply tell the designers “Give me Philly!”? Or do you ask for more specific themes like the Philly Skyline, Ben Franklin, or City Hall? Matt Eyer: All Wear Liberty designs are my ideas and concepts but I collaborate with a few different artists to come up with the final product. Usually I give them a very rough sketch (sometimes digital mock up) of what I’m going for and then tell them to incorporate their style into the design. So yes, it’s always very specific.
Pete: In the past your clothes have been displayed on the runway by beautiful models. That’s a big jump from craft fairs. How has that helped/hindered you? Has it inspired you to find other creative ways of getting the word out? Matt: Having Wear Liberty worn on the runway opened up a whole new side of things for me. I never considered myself a “Fashion Designer”, but when grouped with other mediums of art, t-shirts fell into the fashion world for the events I’ve done. It gave me a chance to present my brand to a new audience and it was very exciting to have beautiful models wearing my shirts! Because of those events, I’ve met people I might not have otherwise and it certainly helped in expanding the reach of Wear Liberty.
Philly Famous Zip hoodie by Wear Liberty
Pete: People always seem to ask you for screen prints of the designs on your apparel. Are you planning to make that happen?? (I promise I won’t get mad if we continue to share a booth, so long as you won’t get jelly when I sell robot t-shirts, just sayin’). Matt: I’m actually planning to have a small run of screen prints at the Fall ASCB! This will be the first time I’ve ever done it, so I’m just doing a small run to see how it goes. This one guy has been asking for a print of my Ben Franklin design since we started doing Art Star events in 2012. I hope he shows up to this one!
Founding Fathers Tee by Wear Liberty
Pete: Do you have any advice for the young creative type dreaming of starting their own clothing brand? Matt: Reach out to your favorite artists and/or brand owners. There are so many smaller, independent clothing companies these days and most of them are very willing to share their experiences with you or pass along some advice. Also – do events! Present yourself to the public. Even if you have the coolest clothes ever, no one will buy them if they don’t know about them.
Pete: You freaking love Pugs. What’s up with that? Matt: There’s not a logical explanation for that, which kind of bothers me cause I’m a very logical person. My family didn’t even have a dog growing up. There was just a point when I fell in love with them. Their cute faces, their funny grunts and snorts, and their amazing energy and personality. Oliver (my pug) will be 8 in November and my life has been ever the better since I’ve had him 🙂 I also have a pug tattoo!
Ben Franklin Tee by Wear Liberty
Pete: Have you considered a Wear Liberty line for dogs and/or babies? Matt: I have! I’ve been planning a Wear Liberty doggy line since the beginning, I just wanna do it right. I recently found a lady on Etsy who makes custom dog collars…so I think it should happen soon. Maybe Spring 2015? Stay tuned!
Pete: What’s your favorite color to wear? Don’t say grey, that’s really boring. Matt: Funny you say that cause I used to hate heather grey, but now it’s definitely one of my favorites. Recently I’ve really liked “coffee” colored shirts and also “cranberry”. Pretty much any of the American Apparel tri-blend colors. It also helps that their super soft and comfy. And I could never deny how good a design looks on black, plus black goes with everything.
Pete: What’s next for Wear Liberty? Matt: Wear Liberty will be expanding into more than just Philly designs very soon. I love Philadelphia which is a major reason why I started this brand but I feel that I’m limiting myself. I want to create designs that people worldwide can appreciate, but the roots will always be here in Philly.
The women behind Forge & Finish jewelry collective invite you into their Philadelphia studio to catch a glimpse of their creative process through these fun short films.
You can find their work at Booth #20 at our upcoming Fall Art Star Craft Bazaar on November 8th + 9th! Look out for more Guest Posts by participating vendors in the days leading up to the show. Enjoy!
This past weekend marked the opening of Spruce Street Harbor Park and our first Art Star Pop Up Market of the season! People came out in droves to check out the park, lay in the hammocks, play the boardwalk games, and shop our market. The weather was perfect and the energy was amazing! On market wasn’t the only thing happening at the park. Candy Coated was set up providing hands on screenprinting, there were face painters and craft tables for kids, performers, a DJ, and our friends over at Inliquid brought in knitter Melissa Maddonni Haims to yarn bomb the flagpoles (amongst a handful of artists scheduled to create on site installations throughout the season). Also on view are murals by 8 Philadelphia artists (more on that soon, we are waiting on final placement of two important murals) It really felt like a celebration of how awesome our city can be! Please come check out our next Pop Up Market this Saturday from 11-3. Our full vendor line-up can be found here.
Here are some photos from the day – please check out our Flickr set for more.
Anthropolis Designs at Art Star Pop Up MarketAs The Crow Flies and Co at the Art Star Pop Up MarketBonnie Kaye set up a little picnic to display her hand printed textiles and accessories at our first Art Star Pop Up Market!Candy Coated busy providing hands on screen printing for SSHP visitorsKasie Strohm was selling her super cute sterling silver animal “ear” ringsTadpole Creations – We captured this adorable moment with Renee and her daughter. SO CUTE!Wear Liberty’s was set up and selling his awesome silkscreened teesYarn Bombed poles at SSHPOur friend + neighbor, John with his pup in the #visitphilly chair
First, start with the card! We’ve got a huge selection of hilariously adorable ones by 
Does your lady have a devilish side? How about this 
This 
Looking for something a little less serious? How about this 
Speaking of hearts, we love 
Your lady is a total fox and so are you! So pick up this 
Your boyfriend (like us sadly) spends far too much time watching cat videos on the internet. I think he needs 
You just moved in together! Pick up
Our regulars know that we will gift wrap your purchases for free, happily! However, if you are weird like me and LOVE to gift wrap, pick up 
7. From the back, you’ll thread through the third hole at the bottom. You’ll now be back on the frontside of the book.
