Art Star

Tag: handmade

  • Call for Artists: Art Star Pop Up Market at Spruce Street Harbor Park

    We are so excited to be partnering again with our Waterfront Winterfest collaborators to bring you an Art Star Pop Up Market at the new Spruce Street Harbor Park this Summer!
    The Spruce Street Harbor Park will be THE destination for summer fun and relaxation in Philadelphia.  It is situated at the Penn’s Landing Marina, right at Spruce Street and Columbus Blvd.

    From Delaware River Waterfront Corporation’s Press Release: This two-month summer program throughout July and August will bring a boardwalk, urban beach, fountains, and misting areas to the Delaware River Waterfront. The centerpiece of the project is a series of floating barges complete with lily pad water gardens, a pop-up restaurant and bar, and nets that will suspend visitors over the water. The full design of the project including the landscaping and programming will help evoke the maritime history of the area, and will celebrate the River’s industrial past and the bright future ahead for Philadelphia’s waterfront.  Learn more about this exciting new park here.

    The Art Star Pop Up Market will be a small, open air market featuring the work of 10-20 of the finest makers from Philadelphia and the surrounding region.  The Pop Up Market will be held on Saturdays from June 28th – August 30th along a tree lined walkway within the Spruce Street Harbor Park.  Come shop our curated group of vendors between 11am and 3pm every sunny Saturday (we won’t set up if it rains!) Vendors will be selling a variety of handmade goods with most items priced affordably and under $50.

    CALL FOR VENDORS!!
    We are currently looking for artists/crafters who create affordable goods (items priced under $50) to participate in the the following Saturdays of the Art Star Pop Up Market – August 2nd, August 9th, August 16th, August 23rd and August 30th.  Because this is a completely new venture for us, we are offering vendor spaces for FREE!  Vendors will be set up along a walkway that is 12ft wide and long enough to fit up to 20 vendors (2,000 ft).  Because this is kind of a tight space, each vendor will receive 10ft of space wide and then 5 ft of space deep.  You may bring a 10×10 tent to protect you and your goods, but you must keep your work/displays within a 10′ x 5′ footprint, in order to give customers space to walk through.  All tents must be properly weighted, though tents are not required.  If you don’t feel like bringing a tent, bring a large beach umbrella instead – feel free to be creative! There is a parking lot on site for vendors to park for $25 a day, or you can try to find street parking.

    If you are crafter/artist that is interested in vending at any (or all) of these days, simply email us at info@artstarphilly.com with a link to your website OR attach photos of the items you plan to sell AND the date(s) you are available to do.  Please put POP UP APPLICATION as the subject of your email. Deadline to apply is July 24th and we will let you know if you were chosen to participate by the the end of the day on July 25th.  Please email with questions – no phone calls please.

  • Art Star Fun Times – This First Friday!

    This First Friday from 5-8pm we are having a fun little party in the shop!  Our first Artists in Residence, Kelly Kozma will have her studio doors open for you to peek in, meet her and check out her work in progress. We will also have some free beer and snacks from our neighbor, El Capitan.

    PLUS!
    Little Chair Printing will be set up with her heat press.  You will be able to choose from her huge collection of 80’s iron on transfers (think cute kittens, unicorns, etc) and heat press your own Tee.   We encourage you to grab a few, cut them up and create a fun collage.  If you bring your own T-shirt, you can heat press it for just $5.  If not, we’ll have some on hand for you to buy for an additional $5.  Here is a photo of what our customers created the last time Little Chair set up:

    Click on the photo to check out all the pics from our last event with Little Chair Printing!

    Our friends from Cut + Paste Photobooth will be set up with all her fun props for guests to jump in and get their photos taken. You will get one free photo to take home with you too!

    Photo by Chris Kendig, taken at this year’s Art Star Craft Bazaar.

    And there’s more! Our brand new, handmade games will be set up for you to play!  The Ring Toss was made by Cisco Griffin (bowling pins donated by our friends at North Bowl). Play as much as you want during the course of the evening, but each guest will get 1 game where you can rack up Art Star discounts to redeem this night ONLY!  Each large ring you get on will get you 5% off, and each smaller ring you get on will get you 10% off.  If you get all the rings on in one game, you will get 70% off – though it’s pretty hard to do that. Are you up for the challenge?

    Photo by Chris Kendig. Kids playing our Ring Toss at our recent Art Star Craft Bazaar. Handmade by Cisco Griffin with Bowling Pins donated by North Bowl.

    And just for fun… Play our Corn Hole game handmade by Andrew Zangerle!

    Kids playing the Corn Hole game that was handmade by Andrew Zangerle. Photo by Chris Kendig.

    We hope to see you this Friday for these Art Star Fun Times!  Please go to our Facebook Event to invite friends and let us know you are coming!  Free to attend but we hope you will do some shopping too 😉  We’ve got in lots of new goodies!

     

  • #artstarcraftbazaar Thank YOU!

    We just wanted to thank everyone that played a part in making the Art Star Craft Bazaar such a huge success!  Our small weekend staff, Philebrity, volunteers, the bands, our community partners and sponsors, all the vendors, DRWC – there are too many people to list! Most of all, we want to thank YOU, our customers, for coming out in droves to shop handmade and support so many talented makers.  We REALLY loved how many of you Instagramed your purchases – that was so awesome to see.  Please keep sharing.  We especially love seeing your purchases in action – hanging on the wall, being worn, used, etc.  Be sure to #artstarcraftbazaar so we can see them all!

    Here are some of our favorite customer pics from the weekend – enjoy!  And please continue to support our vendors by going to this link to be directed to all their websites. We’ll keep our vendor page up throughout the year.  And don’t forget – we carry work by many ascb artists, so come by the store to shop in person, year round!

    @alison_lucile shared a pic of a whole bunch of goodies that she picked up at the bazaar. I see a Xenotees Pizza Tank, Red Prairie Press top, Anthropolis Design Print, Andrew Zangerle Drawing, T-Rex by Lenny Mud, print from the 50/50 Company and a few more gems.

     

    @babyjives and her kiddos picking up some felt masks from Opposite of Far
    @caitlinthetoute picked up a new tank from Wear Liberty!
    @chrissylicious shared her entire bazaar haul! Lots of good stuff there – Olive + Bo, The Maple Ridge, Laura George (from us), Leroy’s Place, Trinity Framing, etc.
    Another good haul from @elle_melinda – I spy Seeing In Fabric, Cut + Paste Photobooth, Nice Things Handmade, Mai Autumn, Paper Sparrow (from us), Kayte Terry and more!
    @kittfraser looks great in her new Jay McCarroll Top!
    @leeannfenderson in her new necklace by Old Blood Designs
    @nilorthenile scored these awesome Bowie cufflinks by Leroy’s Place
    @soydark shared her new woodcut by Red Light Press
    @staceydoespics posed in a felt unicorn mask by Opposite of Far and one of our Unicorn masks made by CherryBox
    and last, but not least, @youmisheardme lookin’ cute in a Better Than Jam handprinted dress

    Thank you again to all of our customers for supporting us + our vendors and for generally just being awesome and having great taste!

  • ASCB Shopping List: For the Home

    Whether it is an accent pillow, vase, printed textile, decor piece or whatever, the Art Star Craft Bazaar is the place to find that perfect handmade addition to your home!  Here are a few of our picks “for the home” to help you plan your shopping strategy.

    1. Boutique Textiles Lauren Rossi’s small local company, Boutique Textiles, prints the most gorgeous, colorful patterns on tea towels, napkins, pillows, fabric yardage + more! Booth #25

    2. Hannah’s Hannah Simmons is the lady behind this line of products all made from local, sustainably harvested cherry trees.  Simmons, along with her father Jonathan, create everything from hair accessories to these very useful and aesthetically pleasing IPhone Stands. Booth #100

    3. happydespina ltd Every home needs a chalkboard!  Lucky for us, Chicago based artist, Despina Papadeas cuts them into cool shapes.  Find everything from the United States, hot air balloons, instruments, to any adorable animal you could think of, and much more! Booth #274. jennyjen42 Baltimore based, Jennifer McBrien, draws birds with her sewing machine on fabric. The result is really beautiful!  She also adds elements of felt applique, which adds a splash of color that contrasts nicely with the simple black stitching. Her line includes pillows, kitchen aid / sewing machine covers, pot holders and more! Booth #63

    5. littlegreenthings Leah Boelman of littlegreenthings makes unique, reclaimed wood art pieces that she paints and also hand embroiders.  Each piece is one-of-a-kind and her selection is huge, which makes it kinda hard to choose – there are so many good ones! She stitches up outlines of states, rvs, bikes, love notes, inspirational sayings, pretty much anything you could think of.  Find the perfect piece to hang in your home! Booth #30

    6. Nikkuu I love Melissa Moore’s line of wood planters!  These are made from a variety of woods and cut into different geometric shapes.  Some are painted with a pop of bright yellow or turquoise, while the wood is left to shine on others.  These are great for air plants.  Buy a bunch to set on your windowsill or coffee table. Booth #81

    7. Peg and Awl Husband + Wife duo, Margaux + Walter Kent’s goods always begin as an item that they need for their own home and family.  All their products are made from old things – reclaimed wood, antique gunsling leather, vintage zippers, etc, that are given new life in the form of housewares, accessories, jewelry and journals.  This apothecary cabinet is made from reclaimed cypress and finished with milkpaint.  Made to hang in your washroom to store all your toiletries. Booth #93

    8. redraven studios Pittsburgh based artists, Amy Hamley, makes this gorgeous line of porcelain keepsakes. The home collection includes planters, jugs, good luck horseshoes, whiskey decanters, and more.  The pure, white porcelain shines in each piece and is sometimes accompanied by a line of gold luster or a pop of color.  Booth #78

    9. Rider Dirt Work I am in love with local Philly ceramicist, Lauren Rider’s, line of henna inspired pottery.  Each wheel thrown porcelain piece is glazed and food safe.  Use as your everyday dishes or for display. Booth #84

    10. Taylor Ceramics Art Star artist, Cara Taylor, is traveling from Easthampton, Massachusetts to sell her porcelain planters, vases, pots, and jewelry.  The surfaces of her pieces are kept to a minimal so the simple, yet beautiful details in her forms, carvings and glazing can be appreciated.  Delicate line work, hand formed ridges and beading adorn these stunning pieces.  Booth #103


    11. The 807 Faye Zimmerman of The 807 makes unique wood shelving for the home.  Display your collections in an interesting way with her triangle, gem, arrow, and zig-zag shapes.  She also makes fun, hand cut wood banners with phrases like “uhghhh” and “cheers bitches”.  Booth #48

    12. Trinity Framing Last, but certainly not least, our friends from Philadelphia’s premier custom framing shop will be selling their awesome ready made frames that they hand make from reclaimed wood.  Bring all the prints you score at the show over to them and pick out the perfect frame.  I also hear that they will be giving out coupons for custom framing with purchase.  Booth #53

  • An Interview with New Academy Press

    New Academy Press, founded by Justin George and Michael Burch, is a collaborative screen printing shop in Pittsburgh, PA.  New Academy Press will be vending at our Art Star Craft Bazaar for the first time this year, so we were interested in learning more about them.  Check out our interview and come visit them at the bazaar at booth # 110!

    Art Star: What will you be selling at the bazaar?
    New Academy Press: We will be selling screen printed paper goods, such as illustrated prints, postcards, bookmarks, and paper sculptures.

    AS: Describe your process.
    NAP: We take original illustrations and designs and screen print them by hand.  Some of our prints are then cut, torn, folded, and glued to create 3-dimensional paper sculptures.

    AS: Are you professionally trained?
    NAP: Justin holds a BFA in printmaking and Michael has one in photography.

    AS: Are you able to make your work full time?  If not, what do you do for your day job?
    NAP: We work full time hours for New Academy Press, but to stay afloat we also spend additional time as a bartender and restaurant manager.

    AS: Where would you like to see your art/craft business in the next 10 years?
    NAP: We would like to move our operation out of our living room and into a larger, dedicated workspace allowing us to increase our creative output, and eventually spread our love for art making through teaching classes and workshops.

    AS: Any exciting projects in the works?
    NAP: We are currently working on a suite of new prints for a gallery show in August at the Irma Freeman Center for Imagination here in Pittsburgh.

    AS: What are your favorite things about Philadelphia?
    NAP:  So many things! Michael spent a brief time living in Philly, and the things he misses most are the Museum of Art, bicycle lanes and beautiful old buildings. Justin enjoys the Mutter Museum and Ben Franklin.

    AS: What are some of the inspirations for your work?
    NAP: We are heavily influenced by past eras of scientific exploration, design and manufacturing. We love learning about the people who have spent their lives searching for answers and discovering new things about the natural world.

     

    AS: What are you reading / listening to?
    NAP: That is a very big question.  We love talk radio, podcasts and audiobooks that teach us about this crazy universe, but when it comes to getting thing done we like really loud rock music.

     

  • ASCB Shopping List: Clothing, Part 2

    Part 2 of our Clothing Shopping List.  Click here to check out Part 1. Find all these vendors at our upcoming Art Star Craft Bazaar! (please note: the vendors may not be selling these exact styles. It is just an example of the type of work they make)

    6. Ace Blakley by ChaCha N’Kole
    Local Philly designer ChaCha N’Kole  creates classy and stylish pieces with an edge.  The best part is that she makes a wide range of sizes to fit all body types – Small – 3X.

    7. Better Than Jam Brooklyn based Karin Persan’s pieces are handmade from start to finish.  Each piece is one-of-a-kind and made from her own hand printed fabrics.

    8. Jay McCarroll
    This Season 1 Project Runway winner will be back with all his latest spring designs.  Jay expertly pairs bright patterns and colors that you would never think to put together, but it really works!  I love his new line of maxi dresses!

    9. Luksin Daria Norviaan will be joining us all the way from the coast of Maine.  Her line of earth friendly clothing is made from organic cotton and other sustainable fabrics.  Each piece is hand dyed and screen printed with her own original drawings. 

    10. Nicole’s Threads
    Nicole’s Threads is an eclectic line of handmade women’s clothing, using mainly organic cottons, bamboo, hemp, end of the mill fabrics mixed with vintage prints to create one-of-a-kind looks! You’ll also find cute button jewelry, cuff links, and other sewn accessories. 

    11. Phea Jean Amber Zaraza of Phea Jean hand sews the cutest summer dresses and capelets made from primarily vintage and upcycled materials.  I love how she mixes color, pattern, and texture to create her one-of-a-kind pieces.

    12. Pretty Pretty Rebel
    Leah Delfiner creates “fun pretty girly rocker clothes for badass chicks”. Her adorable line of clothing is inspired by 80’s punk rock music + cult icons.  Think lots of pink, lace, & skulls!  She will also be debuting her rockin’ line of kids clothes!

    13. Sardine Clothing Co.  Maryanne Petrus Gilbert is the lady behind this line of skirts + accessories made from recycled clothing.  She brings new life to some of the most awesome t-shirts that she finds at thrift stores by turning them into the perfect A-Line Skirt!

  • ASCB VENDOR LINE UP ANNOUNCED!

    Image Credits from Left to Right: Ace Blakley by ChaCha N’Kole, Anastasia Alexandrin, Lenny Mud, redraven studios, The 807, Megan Auman, Khara Ledonne, Pretty Snake, Opposite of Far, Inedible Jewelry, Bmore Papercuts, and Field Guide Design

    The full vendor-line up for our upcoming Art Star Craft Bazaar at Penn’s Landing has been posted!  We are humbled by the amount of talent that is participating in the show.  We have 139 vendors total and 69 are completely new to the show! There will be something for everyone, so bring the entire family!

    Keep checking the website for updates – Make + Takes PLUS the full music line-up will be posted very soon!!

  • Featured Artist: April Hale


    April Hale is a traditionally trained metalsmith who has been practicing her art for over ten years. Creating jewelry in her small studio in Bozeman, Montana, she derives her designs from forms and colors that she sees in the landscape. Because of her jewelry’s connection to the environment and her desire to create sustainable jewelry, all work is made from a minimum of 50% reclaimed materials. By using reclaimed steel or roofing copper as a base for colorful enamel, hand-forming earwires from recycled sterling silver, and forging steel baling wire into rings, bracelets, and components of necklaces and earrings, April creates jewelry that transforms everyday materials into expressive, finely crafted adornment.

    When she is not working in the studio, April can usually be found wandering in the woods, either on foot or cross country skis, looking at birds and finding wonder in her surroundings.

    “Flowers on Branches Necklace” by April Hale / forged steel, enameled copper, and sterling silver.
    April in her studio.
    Dangling Flower Earrings in Blue + Green by April Hale / sterling silver and enameled copper
    Enamel + Steel Linked Bracelet by April Hale / forged steel, enameled copper, and sterling silver
    Flower Post Earrings by April Hale / enamel + sterling silver

     We are so happy to be carrying April’s line of bright + colorful jewelry! Check out our entire collection of her work here.

  • NEW! Nugget Planters by Nikkuu Designs

    Even though we are supposed to get snow later today (ugh), it actually is spring!  We just got in these awesome new handmade wood planters by local Philly artist Melissa Moore of Nikkuu Design.  Cut from a variety of woods (oak, pine, walnut), these planters are the perfect size for air plants or succulents.  If you are like me and can’t keep plants alive, these will be perfect for you!  If you kill these, you really aren’t meant to own plants! Comes in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors.  Some are painted with splashes of bright white or aqua paint for a pop of color, while others just show off the wood grain.  Grab a couple for your window ledge to try to evoke some warmer weather! $12-$38, each comes with an air plant.



  • Art Star + School of Vintage

    If you have been to our shop recently, you may have noticed that our whole back gallery space is now a little School of Vintage pop up shop that will be up through April.  If you haven’t been by to check it out, do it soon! Their stuff is the absolute best!  We have loved working with Erin + Jeannine of SOV and have become friends in the process.  I think our shops really compliment one another, so we hope to continue to work together outside of their Art Star pop up.

    We recently opened up a tiny little space with them inside the Tuckerton Emporium.  The emporium has been family owned and operated for the past 20 years and is home to a bunch of little shops in one big, beautiful old house in Tuckerton, NJ. Our space is located right by a big, bright window and you will find a nice selection of SOV clothing, accessories, jewelry and some housewares.

    an assortment of Art Star prints

    We sent them 2 boxes of our merchandise and Erin + Jeannine were kind enough to set it up for us.  We decided to start off small to see how their customers respond to the types of work we carry.

    You will find affordable prints like this one by Paper Sparrow for $12

    Right now you will find an assortment of prints, soy candles by Melo, wallets by Shara Porter,  Necklaces by Julianna Swaney, a couple Horrible Adorables, Farmhaus Candle Holders, Coin Pouches by So Softies, Cherry Box Eye Masks, Printed Tea Towels from Art Goodies and some small ceramic pieces. So if you live out in that area, please stop by and pick up a little something to adorn your home, find a special gift for a friend, or treat yourself to a little handmade goody. If we do well, we will stock more products.  And please let us know if there is anything in particular that you’d like to see there!

    Our necklaces by Julianna Swaney, Wallets by Shara Porter, and Coasters by Yardsale Press are amongst the Art Star goods you will find at the Tuckerton Emporium.

     The Tuckerton Emporium is home to a bunch of shops that sell a variety of goods, including vintage, antiques, new items, and some art + handmade items.  Here are some more photos I snapped inside the Emporium:

    A collection of School of Vintage housewares

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