Tag: Shop Small

  • 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?

    storefront

    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
    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

    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

    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-40th-anniversary-680uw
    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?

  • NoLibs + Fishtown Holiday Shopping Spree

    The annual NoLibs Holiday Shopping Spree is back and this year we’ve expanded to include our friends in Fishtown!  Mark your calendars for the largest Holiday Spree to date!

    Art Star is pleased to present the annual Holiday Shopping Spree, which will be held on Saturday, December 6th  from 11-8pm and Sunday, December 7th  from 11-6pm.  The spree will take place in the Northern Liberties section of Philadelphia and has expanded this year to include Fishtown shops as well. 16 retail shops will be participating in the spree.  The more you shop at each location, the more you save!

    Here is how the spree works:
    1st Participating Store: Customer receives 10% off their purchase + a spree card w/ one sticker on it

    2nd Store: Customer shows spree card  w/ 1 sticker & gets 15% off their purchase + a 2nd sticker

    3rd Store: Customer shows spree card w/ 2 stickers & gets 20% off their purchase + a 3rd sticker

    Once the customer’s spree card has 3 stickers, they will receive 25% off at any additional participating store that they shop at throughout the event.

    Participating Shops
    NoLibs: City Planter, Philly Phaithful, Ritual Ritual, Art Star, Casa Papel, Once Worn Consignment, Bloom, Swag Boutique, Jinxed at The Piazza

    Fishtown: The Art Dept, Adorn Boutique + Showroom, Toile, Catch & Release Merchants, Craft Foundry, Jinxed Fishtown, Two Percent To Glory

    The spree was conceived in 2006 by local retailers Art Star, Arcadia Boutique, and Conspiracy Showroom as a way to encourage shoppers to support independent boutiques in the Northern Liberties neighborhood.  Now in its 8th year, the spree has become a shopping tradition for hundreds of Philadelphians looking for unique gifts to give for the holiday season!

    Each shop will be serving up light refreshments and plenty of holiday cheer!  Support your local independent retailers this holiday season!

    Special thanks to friends + neighbors at Liberties Parcel for sponsoring this event!

  • Art Star Holiday Market Shopping Guide for 11/29

    We cannot believe that the Art Star Holiday Market is now LESS than a week away!  I’ve put together some eye candy to get you pumped and ready to shop.  These are the artists you will find on opening day – Friday, November 29th from 11-8pm.  And remember, the mix of vendors will be changing each day, so keep coming back!!

     Black Heart Letterpress makes cheeky greeting cards, coasters, and bookmarks.  Expect some great letterpress holiday cards too!

    Bregga + Co makes impeccably well made leather wallets and card holders.  Any of his items would make perfect gifts for the special dudes in your life.

    Cutesy but not Cutesy has been a staple at all our shows throughout the years.  She makes the most adorable plush monsters that I am sure you all know and love by now.  These monster hoodies are her latest hit – they just got a full spread in Real Simple Magazine! Go Diane!

    Endless Hats are another craft bazaar regular.  Their hats are extremely well made from recycled textiles and like their name states, their styles seem to be endless. I’m sure they will have a ton of  cozy winter hats to warm your noggin while you ice skate.

    Fabric Horse makes top notch bags, utility belts, lock holsters and more for the lady or gent on the go.  My hubby got me one of these superhero utility belts in my favorite colors – pinks/reds/oranges and it is seriously my most prized possession b/c it hold everything – cell phone, wallet, keys, tools, bike lock, etc.

    Fuzzy Ink makes the best silkscreened T-shirts, hoodies, cell phone covers + more.  His illustrations are quirky, cute and typically involve a mustache or two.  I am in love with this new barber shop quartet T.  So many dudes on my holiday list would appreciate this.

    Julie Moon is currently a resident artist over at my old stomping grounds – The Clay Studio.  She is originally from Toronto and makes incredible ceramic sculpture.  We carry her line of jewelry and skulls at the shop, which is what you will most likely see from her at the holiday market.  I just added the above Tribal Necklace to the website- it is one of my favorite pieces in the shop right now!

    This Totes Amazeballs bag is made by local master printmaker, Marisha Simons.  Marisha teaches various printing classes at the University of the Arts and is in the midst of rolling out a line of products that will be debuting at the Art Star Holiday Market.  Expect beautifully printed cards, totes, mugs, table runners, dishes and more!

    Erin & I have both been huge fans of Megan Auman’s jewelry for years now, so we were tickled pink when she accepted our invitation to participate in the market.  Megan has both her BFA + MFA in metalsmithing, so you know her jewelry pieces are built to last.  Pick up a bold statement piece like the necklace pictured or opt for a simpler leaf design in sterling silver or steel.  She also makes a line of vibrant pillows and scarves in fabrics she also designs – girl does it all!

    Mimi McPartlan is a new artist for us.  She is from Cape Cod and is currently a resident artist at The Clay Studio as well.  She received her BFA from Alfred University and worked at Klein Reid in Brooklyn before coming to Philly.  She makes stunning slip cast ceramic work. Expect modern and well designed functional pieces like mugs, plates, cream + sugar sets, butter dishes and more!

    Another craft bazaar regular, Peg + Awl, will be set up selling their ever expanding line of reclaimed wood housewares and accessories, hand bound leather journals, jewelry and more.  Margaux and Walter Kent are the husband/wife duo behind this incredibly popular handmade brand.  What I love about them is that all of their items were first made for themselves and their two little boys to use in their daily lives.  That in itself makes each piece truly authentic and really made with love.

    Stay tuned for my Shopping Guide for 11/30 + 12/1, which includes a new mix of artists!
    www.holidaymarket.artstarphilly.com

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