Tag: philadelphia

Meet The Maker: Jennifer Manzella of JLManzella Prints

*Photo Credit: Ben Pelta-Heller

I’m a local artist, printmaker and educator and I just moved back to Philadelphia after over a decade in Athens, Georgia where I received an MFA in printmaking from The University of Georgia. I love living in this city! I now live in South Philadelphia and I make prints at a studio called BYO Print, a print cooperative located in Sharktown studios in Old Kensington/Fishtown. As a member of BYO I have access to presses, etching mordants, screen-printing supplies and other print related equipment. The medium size Charles Brand etching/relief press is the piece of equipment I use the most in the studio.

The process of printmaking informs my imagery. I work mainly in relief printing with woodblock and linoleum. Sometimes I use a color reduction process where I print all the colors from one block, carving each one away as I print, while other times I print a single image with multiple blocks. The process of relief printing is one of the oldest forms of making multiple images. For me, it usually starts with a sketch directly onto the block. The next step is carving the block where a lot of changes can happen to the imagery. The space around the image is carved so that what is printed is raised, therefore it is in “relief”. Rolling ink over the block with a brayer then inks that raised surface, which is printed by placing paper on top of the inked block and applying pressure. I use a press that allows an even amount of pressure to transfer the ink to the paper.

When printing multiple blocks, I use transparent additives in my ink to create layered colors and gradients. It’s important to use some sort of registration technique to align each of the blocks on the paper, therefore, I use a registration jig to hold the paper in the same place each time I print a different block.

I draw a lot of inspiration from traditional Japanese woodblock prints of the 17th and 19th century and I’m interesting in the intersection between urban and natural landscapes. My own photos are often the source material for the drawings and prints I make and sometimes I’ll combine elements from several different pictures to make something completely new.

Rarely do I have a fully formed plan of how the prints are going to work out because in the process of printmaking there is quite a bit of unpredictability. I work with my mistakes and sometimes rework my blocks. Because I often work in layers it’s hard to know exactly how colors are going to print on top of each other. Pulling the print after carving, mixing colors and printing is the most exciting part.

You can explore more of my print work on my website: www.jlmanzella.net or follow me on instagram @j.l.manzella. My prints will be on sale at the upcoming Holiday Art Star Craft Bazaar this weekend at the Event Space at SugarHouse Casino.

November 14, 2017
Meet the Maker: Nicolette Absil

Hi, my name is Nicolette. I’m a full time studio jeweler and enamelist whose studio is based in the Old Kensington area of Philadelphia, PA. I create jewelry that features hand drawn, nature inspired imagery on enamel. I show my work across the US at craft shows, galleries, and retailers, including Art Star!

From botanical gardens, to state parks, to the plant life peaking through the cracks in the cement in the city – I’m influenced by nature. Currently, I adore drawing flowers. I’m drawn to their gestural forms, their textures, and serene feelings flowers invoke. Most of my work starts with a drawing from life or photo I’ve taken.

Each piece is hand drawn or painted on enamel. Enameling is a technique where I fuse powdered glass to copper in a kiln at temperatures close to 1500 degrees Fahrenheit. After I draw the imagery, the enamel piece is fused again in the kiln. Each piece I work on usually goes through 5 or more firings from start to finish before becoming a finished piece! I then fabricate settings for the enamel work out of sterling silver, or sometimes gold, creating wearable artwork.

I love that I am able to combine my illustrations with such a traditional, historical technique like enameling to create future heirloom quality jewelry. I like the idea that my work might someday be handed down through generations and live longer than I will. I’m excited to be showing at the Holiday Art Star Craft Bazaar this month and I hope you’ll come check out my work in Booth 5!

http://nicoletteabsil.com/home.html
https://www.instagram.com/nicoletteabsil/
https://squareup.com/store/nicolette-absil-studios

November 9, 2017
Shop LOCAL this Holiday Season!

With everything going on in our country right now, it is so important to support small businesses. Not only this holiday season, but all year round! Shopping at a small business benefits your local economy much more than shopping at a big box store – it generates 3.5x more wealth for your local community in fact! It is also WAY better for the environment, as mom + pops are more likely to reuse and recycle materials. These are just a couple of broad examples. A curated shopping experience, better customer service, higher quality products, more unique items….oh, I could go on forever. But I’m preaching to the choir here, right?

I know it is tempting to just sit in your pajamas and buy all your gifts on amazon, but that’s kinda boring don’t you think? Instead, why not get some exercise and explore Philadelphia’s multitude of amazing gift shops. You can easily find gifts for everyone on your list. Of course, we’d love for you to come do all your holiday shopping at Art Star (hey we’ll make your life easier and even wrap it for you!) but we know you can’t get EVERYTHING here. So here is a list of some of our favorite local shops that offer fantastic gift items and a lovely shopping experience.

Omoi Zakka Shop

Omoi
My number one favorite store in Philadelphia. The most perfect design and lifestyle store.

Select 215
Sister shop to Omoi and just as special.

Once Worn Consignment
The BEST collection of second hand clothing. She also tends to get a good amount of designer brands.

Jinxed
If you don’t know about Jinxed, you’ve been living under a rock. The most affordable and awesome selection of vintage stuff.

Swag
Remember Fosters Urban Home (RIP)? This is its replacement. Modern kitchen wares, home goods, baby/kid stuff, kitschy/designy stuff.

Ritual Ritual

Ritual Ritual
The most gorgeous selection of jewelry to be found under one roof.

City Planter
My favorite garden shop in Philly. Great selection of plants, planters, succulents, air plants, and they even have ornaments and herbs. Love it!

Brickbat Books
Best book selection for the discerning reader.

Moon & Arrow

Moon + Arrow
Probably one of the best shopping experiences ever due to how absolutely gorgeous the space is. I could live here.

Smak Parlour
Owned by two local fashion designers that create the most darling, girly clothes!

Lost + Found
One of my all time favorite stores that carries great clothing brands at great prices. They also have a wonderful jewelry, accessories, and vintage selection.

The Clay Studio

The Clay Studio
Their shop offers handmade pottery by leading ceramicists from across the globe. They also offer classes and workshops so you can make your own ceramic gifts to give this season!

Fante’s Kitchen Shop
They have a great selection of cookware, bakeware, cutlery, and more. Basically heaven for the home cooks and chefs in your life.

Fabric Horse
The highest quality cycling bags, backpacks, pouches, lock holsters, hip packs and more
**update** I just got word that her storefront is now closed, but you can still shop her collection online. Everything is still made in Philadelphia here!

Bario Neal
Quality jewelry handmade from ethically sourced materials.

Loop
My favorite yarn shop. High quality yarn and also fantastic customer service. Just go in with an idea of what you want to make and they will give you a pattern and point you to the right yarn and needles!

Last, but certainly not least, I must mention two other wonderful handmade shops – Vix Emporium (West Philly) and Nice Things Handmade (South Philly). Both are owned and operated by lovely women. If we don’t have the handmade item you are looking for, these ladies likely will!

So get out from in front of your computer and shop small! What are some of your favorite local shops?

December 6, 2016
Meet The Maker: Sherry Insley

My name is Sherry Insley of Sherry Insley Designs out of Baltimore, MD. I am an artist, metalsmith, teacher, and maker of things and people. I currently work mainly in jewelry, but do also dabble in small sculptural objects, wall pieces, and photography. I come from a background in photography, and while working on my MFA thesis, I taught myself how to weld to make frames for my photography work. My curiosity about metalsmithing was sparked and I dove into metal work.

My current work is called the “Crescent Series” and is comprised of welded steel, sterling silver, brass and powder coating. I was influenced by Japanese textile design, the repetitive waves and cloud shapes, and the way positive and negative space is defined. I am also inspired by modern architecture and graphics, as well as more minimalist bold use of line and space. Materially speaking, my interests are in the industrial look and feel of steel, its hardness and durability, vs. the rounded shapes I am forming it into. The steel’s inherent “masculine” qualities contrasting with my design’s softer “feminine” curves. Steel is most commonly associated with building, strengthening, and manufacturing- here through traditionally industrial processes, I am transforming it into objects for adornment.

My process begins with mild carbon steel in wire, sheet and rod. I cut it and form with hammers and stakes into the shapes that I want. Then I weld with a very tiny, very hot oxyacetylene torch. I wear the dark glasses because the flame is so bright it can damage your eyes. Next I grind all the welded joins for a smooth appearance. Filing and sanding is next, then it’s off to the powder coating booth! Powder coating is another industrial process I enjoy, it is generally used in the automotive industry. It protects the metal from oxidizing and rust, and the color options are fantastic. How powder coating works is an electrical current is run through the metal to be coated, then you spray the pigment with a powder coating gun. Lastly the piece is cured by heating in an oven at 400 degrees. Powder coating is very durable and provides a lovely smooth finish. My current color pallet, is Ruby Red, Chrome, and Satin Black.

I work mostly out of my home studio in Baltimore, where I live with my very patient husband, super creative 7 year old son, 2 cranky elderly cats, and 1 rescue Boxer in a wheelchair. I do my welding and powder coating at The Baltimore Jewelry Center, where I rent studio time and space, and also take classes. It is a wonderful community of artists and makers, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without it.

I am looking forward to showing at Art Star Craft Bazaar! Please stop by and say hi!

November 14, 2016
Meet The Maker: David Salonen of EDMM studio

I’ve always liked to understand, create, and build things. So, when I found industrial design it seemed like the perfect fit. My training and experience ingrained in me that good process delivers good outcomes. My curiosity and love of making things motivates me to learn new skills and develop them. I’m pretty sure the combination of these two qualities is how I got here.

There is a part of EDMM studio that’s kind of always been there—doing things the right way, not adding the unnecessary, keeping it simple–but I put a name on it, and started to focus my efforts in late 2014. After leaving a job that was a bad fit and not wanting to go back to welding in a shipyard, I decided to start my own business. The time was as right as it was going to get. I had a few months before my son would be born and my wife was into it—so I got to work. I incorporated, designed and built some furniture, took a bunch of pictures, and put it all on the internet.

Where to build things when you live in a city can be a real challenge. Not owning many tools and not having a garage, I started working out of a nearby cooperative shop that had both woodworking and metalworking tools–mostly on evenings and weekends. Every time I got an order it was a bit of a crunch, but the best kind of crunch. I’m thrilled (and lucky) to have my own shop now, and to be able to work the way I want.

I’m not into “extra” anything. I love the simple, the sturdy, and the dialed-in single-purpose, I think this shows in my work. I start with form and intended use, and then I start sketching. A lot of the time those sketches go nowhere, but when I’m onto something I’ll work it out in CAD. 3D modeling allows me to experiment with proportions, helps me iron out technical details, and lets me preview finishes and materials.

With a finalized design, I move on to fabrication and another layer of problem solving. Often I’m making something completely new and will have to figure out how I’m going to build it. I might be making a tool, a jig or fixture, finding a better way to clamp something, or just selecting the best material for the application—these steps are all part of the process. Then with a drawing and a plan, I can settle into the less brainy and more physical parts of the work—really focusing on my weld puddle, grinding that radius exactly like the last one, or sanding that end-grain so so smooth.

EDMM gives me the opportunity to do all these things, while addressing familiar household design problems, making beautiful and durable artifacts, and hopefully giving my clients a richer and more positive and personal experience with both me, and with my product than they can get with mass produced goods.
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EDMM is a first time Art Star Craft Bazaar Vendor and will be showing at our November 19th and 20th show at the Simeone Musuem! Find his work at http://www.edmm.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/edmmstudio/

November 3, 2016
Events We Love: Still Divided, An Election Party and Exhibit

We are very excited about this event, which has been organized by our friend Hope Rovelto of Little Chair Printing. We hope to see you there!

Still DIVIDED: AN ELECTION PARTY AND EXHIBITION
Witness History Direct from Ringside at the Ice Box

November 8 – November 10, 2016
Opening Reception: November 8, 7-11pm
2^nd Thursday Opening: November 10, 6-9pm

(PHILADELPHIA – November 8, 2016) The ICEBOX at the Crane Arts Building will host a unique exhibition and election viewing party featuring the work of local, national and international artists. The main event will occur Tuesday, November 8, during one of the most highly anticipated Presidential elections of our time. Beginning at 7:00pm, live feeds of the election results from multiple news sources will be projected alongside an exhibition including politically themed broadsides, newspapers, ceramics, live screen printing of posters and t-shirts, an interactive map of the United States, Zine making with The Soap Box Community Print Shop & Zine Library, live post painting by Yomi and more. Dock St. Brewery will be debuting their newest brew: Pathological Lager.

The goal of the exhibition organizers is to capture and critique the spectacle of political discourse in our media landscape. The division of the gallery into blue and red spaces will mimic and call attention to the passionately divided supporters of Republican candidate Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. From the organizers: “The Still Divided exhibition and election party seeks to mimic the tension of our two party system. Even in the midst of a ‘united’ rhetoric, we remain a divided country.”

With an admission price of $25, Attendees will receive their choice of a handmade ceramic cup, beer, games, art, music, and a chance to watch history being made with artists and citizens from the Philadelphia area. Anyone who shows up with an “I voted” sticker receives a $5 discount. Students with a current ID get the “Debt Relief” $10 discount.

For more information about the exhibition, or to speak with the organizers, please contact Hope Rovelto by calling (585) 615-2184 or emailing at hope.rovelto@gmail.com.
Facebook Event Invite

October 26, 2016
Meet The Maker: Mariko Iwata of Miks Letterpress

Hello and welcome to our Meet the Maker blog series! Twice a week we will be profiling one of our talented vendors who will be participating in our Holiday Art Star Craft Bazaar on November 19th and 20th at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum. This is a great way to get to know each of our artists better. Learn more about their process, get a glimpse into their studio, and meet the person behind the beautiful products they create! We will be posting these every Tuesday and Thursday until the show. Join our Facebook Event so you are notified as soon as a new post is up. Enjoy!
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Hi I’m Mariko and I design and print modern and funny letterpress greeting cards as well as minimal wedding invitations.

photo by Jon Moses Photography

I am all about the hand written note. Nothing says “you’re worth it” than someone who gets out a pen, thinks of something to write, licks the envelope and rifles through their drawer for stamps. Oh, yeah and then remembers to send the letter.

The sentiments printed on my cards are modern and funny as well as gushingly sentimental. I try to think of something unique that people today want to say like “i wait to watch tv shows with you” to express love. Most cards also have a blind impression that you can only see if you’re up close, like a secret message.

photo by Jon Moses Photography

photo by Jon Moses Photography

I love printing. I have a heidelberg windmill letterpress machine in my studio in Mt. Rainier, MD. It’s heavy and large and quite awesome when it comes to letterpress printing. I got it two years ago when I decided I’d pour my heart into designing and printing stationery and wedding invitations.

photo by Jon Moses Photography

There are a number of steps involved in printing, starting from the design and concept, getting plates made, inking up your machine, setting up a design on the machine to then finally print. Here is a video that I did with Below the Park that shows the multiple steps.

Miks Letterpress – Clones from Below The Park on Vimeo.

photo by Rachel Lynn Photography

This year I’ve been focusing more on my modern wedding invitation line. The wedding line is minimal, simple and great for the couple who wants their wedding invitation suite to be unique and different. I use gold foil, letterpress and watercolor in my work.

photo by Rachel Lynn Photography

I’m so excited to be at the Art Star Craft Bazaar this year. I’ll have a number of new items that I don’t have yet online and will be debuting at the show. I’m super excited to be in Philly this year with other super talented makers.

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Mariko Iwata is the creative force behind Miks Letterpress +. When she is not printing and being a boss lady she is hanging out with her husband (the inspiration for many of her cards) and 8 month old son (who frequents craft fairs with her and will be at Art Star). Follow Miks Letterpress + on instagram (@mikspress) and check out her site mikspress.com

Photos by Jon Moses Photography & Rachel Lynn Photography
Video by Below the Park

October 18, 2016
Meet The Maker: Kimberly Frey of Happy Land Handmade

I started Happy Land Handmade in 2010 to put a name to what I do, which is crafting art objects, wearables, home goods and pottery out of ceramics. My husband and I derived the name from the title of a 19th century Scottish hymn as a ode to our faith. It seemed fitting to touch that vein as an identity piece because I find that the identity of an artist illuminates the work that we make. The pretzel happens to be a symbol I use which touches this vein too. The history of this beloved food is that it was conceived by Italian nuns and labeled as the “trinity loaf.” Besides my faith identity, it represents my heritage as the great great grand daughter of an Italian immigrant who ventured to establish himself as an American citizen and pretzel shop owner on 2nd street in Philadelphia.

I studied fashion design at Moore College of Art in Philadelphia before transferring to Tyler School of Art for crafts and ceramics. I still pull influence from my time in fashion school into my ceramic work. I am inspired to create wearable porcelain jewelry as well as styling and photographing my own photoshoots of people I meet in my own life. I absolutely love the process of creating my own photos of my work. It enables me to have full control over the marketing aspect. I also take it as an opportunity to make art in another medium; photography. So I’m not just interested in photographing a ceramic pot on a gradient background, but more about creating an interactive environment for my work and then photographing that. Though I’m mostly self taught, I truly am a novice of many art forms and am nearly always, unapologetically seeking out another opportunity to try my hand in something new.

I work at my home studio in Happy Valley Pennsylvania which is completely perfect for me. I am an artist mother and being in the home while I practice my craft is essential for this season of life. I am able to seamlessly float between domestic and motherly duties back to the ebb and flow of the ceramic process; one that is both meditative and ever undulating. I work with various ceramic processes such as hand building, throwing, mold making and slip casting. My recent work is inspired by various fashion trends, food, color and material. Honestly, I am an alchemist at heart so this medium a lot of times, informs itself. I will both interpret color and texture from real life into my work or uncover color and texture in my work and expound on it. I see mastering ceramics as a life time of testing and follow through. Each body of work that I make uncovers new insights on the endless possibilities of material, color and form. It’s really fun; at least when things don’t go disastrously wrong, which, any ceramist knows to always account for waste.

I am learning to be business minded as Happy Land debuts this July for its first real deal craft event. I am excited to bring well made and designed, affordable ceramics to the market place and to meet you and the other makers. And of course, to enjoy the sun and surf, which is where I would live permanently if I could! Till then, take care and see you soon.

Find Happy Land Handmade Online and at our Upcoming Art Star Craft Bazaar in Asbury Park, NJ on July 30th and 31st.

July 5, 2016
Meet the Maker: Morgan Kazanjian of Awl Jokes Aside

My name is Morgan and I create books and cards under the name Awl Jokes Aside (partly because my last name is too complex to just use my name, and partly because I love puns). In addition to enjoying long walks on the beach and candlelit dinners, I also love all things bookbinding and paper.

I was introduced to bookbinding during my senior year of college when I took a class to help complete my printmaking concentration. It immediately became my favorite craft, because I didn’t have to have some deep, meaningful explanation of why I made what I made – I could just make something because I liked it.

After four years of intense artsy-fartsy classes, I took a long break from making anything artistic or creative, but when I started feeling inspired again last year, I immediately got right back in to bookbinding.

For each book, I start with large sheets of Strathmore drawing paper and tear it down by hand to give it the deckled edge. Then it gets folded and marked for sewing, and I’ll use an awl (get it now? Awl Jokes Aside? Ha!) to create my guides. I then sew it all together and reinforce the spine of the paper with acid-free glue while it sits in a press.

When I’m making a hardcover book, I’ll cut down bookboard and cover it with either fabric or silkscreened decorative papers – I’m a big fan of earth tones and floral right now, so they make a fairly substantial appearance in what I make. I also love adding decorative elements, like a leather-band closure, a wrap-around cover with a clasp or a leather tie.

For softcover books, I use upholstery vinyl and sew right in to the fabric, so it has a great decorative spine where you can see the stitching. Each book, hardcover or softcover, takes me about 4-6 hours.

After making invitations for my sisters bachelorette party and bridal shower, it seemed inevitable that I’d make my way into making cards as well. While I do make cards that are embossed or have die-cuts, foiling is what I enjoy doing the most. I love seeing people laugh when they read them, and the foil effect really ties together the saying and the font to make a complete piece.

This will be my first year doing the Art Star Craft Bazaar in Asbury Park, and I can’t wait to meet some new friends! So swing by the Awl Jokes Aside booth and come say hi (even if you aren’t interested in handmade journals, sketchbooks or cards, I invite any and all who want to talk about dogs with open arms), and check out my website, Facebook and ‘gram. xoxo

June 30, 2016
Upcoming Exhibition: Night Garden by Christine Lindstrom

Night Garden by Christine Lindstrom

May 21st – July 17th , 2016

Opening Reception: Saturday, May 21st from 6-8pm

Art Star is pleased to present a solo exhibition with Asbury Park, NJ based artist, Christine Lindstrom of Mai Autumn. The show, titled “Night Garden” will include the artist’s latest series of watercolor and acrylic paintings. The exhibition will be on view from May 21^st – July 17^th 2016. There will be an opening reception with the artist on Saturday, May 21^st from 6-8pm. The reception is free and open to the public and will include light refreshments.

Christine Lindstrom creates illustrations under the name Mai Autumn for her collection of art, stationery and surface patterns. Mainly working in watercolor and acrylic, her work takes on an ethereal quality that has been described as dreamlike. Her main inspiration stems from memories from childhood, where her afternoons were spent exploring the forest and letting her imagination form a mysterious bond with the magic of nature and the unknown. Each piece has a sense of a hidden memory that has been tucked away and not fully visible.

The artist states, “With this collection of paintings, I am attempting to capture a sense of emotions and dreams through color and form. If I could project my imagination onto a wall, I am engulfed in a summer garden at night, surrounded by the shadows of flowers, their luxurious smells, and sounds that I cannot find their origin. Each piece may either represent a dream, or the glimmers of the garden itself in the dark. Oftentimes, our minds create an interchangeable reality that is difficult to separate from the imagination. These pieces are meant to blur the lines between what is real and what is imagined.”

Christine has been painting all her life and went on to study at Savannah College of Art and Design, as well as Monmouth University, where she received her BA degree in art in 2008. Her work is sold through many national and international retailers. She previously curated the critically acclaimed handmade collective, Fey Handmade. Her illustrations have been published in the books, I Heart Stationery and The Custom Art Collection – Art for the Contemporary Home. Her curatorial and illustration work have received praise from Lucky Magazine, Real Simple, Southern Living, Dwell Magazine, and Apartment Therapy, among many other prominent publications and websites. She currently lives in Asbury Park, NJ with her beautiful one-eyed cat, Boo. This is her first solo exhibition.

May 11, 2016