Team Meeting February: 3rd Friday of Every Month!

Becky Lee demonstrated how to create a Treasury

Andrew told us about the Made in Philly catalog

Suzanne told us about her South Street storefront idea


Join us for the next meeting at 6:00 pm on March 20
at the Mew Gallery at 906 Christian St.

Team Member Yasha Butler is a Featured Seller on ETSY Front Page!

Congrats Yasha! What an interesting interview!

September 2008 Craftadelphia!

Another exciting show featuring the Philly Etsy Team at Mew Gallery—thanks to everyone who came out to show their wares and expand the team’s growing reputation as a group of creative artists eager to enliven the Philadelphia art scene. Even the wobbly economy couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the handcrafters and the customers who were wowed by their offerings. This is one cool group and our little corner of Philadelphia is making an impact on the rest of the city. Thanks to everyone who helped make this another wonderful day. Philly Etsy rocks!
Here are a few pictures from the show. If anyone has more to offer, please send them along.
(Text and Images by MWMDesigns)

Ahlen Moin’s science fiction paintings

Miss Koco’s eclectic wonders

Botodesigns’ Japanese-inspired art, dolls and clothing

Grace Christie’s meticulously made jewelry

Becky Augustine’s elegant jewelry designs

Bijoux by Allison’s fun jewelry

Tremundo’s original handbag designs

MWMDesigns setup and individual pieces

A Meeting in July (minutes)

First of all, I'd like to introduce myself in case there's anyone reading who didn't make it to the team meeting this month...
My name is Liza James and I am the owner and proprietor (read: designer) of Altered States Clothing.
This was my FIRST team meeting, and I am thrilled and excited to be a part of this growing community.

Here's me (the blond with no face):


On to business.
Here are a few things we'd like you all to follow up on (or take note of) when you have the time:
~ Please stop by Mew Gallery and pick up flyers to pass around the city! We need to promote!
~ send your upcoming news re shows, etc to artiseverywhere (please comment if this is an email address or an IM name? I'm a little confused).
~ Take a look at the "how to get involved" page (website? Please comment with link).
~ If you know any musicians (acoustic or mild) who'd be interested in playing during a Craftadelphia show, pass on their info! Our current possibilities are:
- Allison't fiance brian plays keyboard.
- Sondra's roommate steve sings and plays guitar.
- Liza is friends with young gene buffalo.
Each of these people will follow up with their respective friends and report back.
~ Beth is putting the group list-serve together, we need to draft and
send out a press release soon for Craftadelphia.


Learning events we'll be setting up (and the folks who will be leading):

Liza has started a google calendar called "Etsy Philly Team". Please search this calendar and use it! It will be invaluable as we gear up to schedule events.
Also, we will need to discuss dates for the following:

~ Class on crochet basics (Angela - 3d toys and creatures) this will be held at the Cheltenham Art Center in August or September.
~ Marketing event at Nicole Carey's place in S. Philly. Draw, paint, and print flyers to color, copy and distribute. Liza will lead.
~ Computer/Web tutorial at Mary's place in Fishtown, lead by Lynn and Liza
~ Meet and greet at Allison's place in W. Philly
~ Swap-a-rama at Beth's place in S. Philly
~ Paper making with Lynn at Cheltenham Art Center (other suggestions?) We need old blenders... keep an eye out when thrifting!
~ Sewing machine basics and hand-sewing with Amber and Liza (September) at Amber's?

Suzanne offered to host an event at her day camp in Bensalem. This
can be a retreat with skill swaps (we could do the paper making class
here, for example). They have pool, lake and plenty of outdoor space. - we were thinking about holding this event sometime on labor day weekend. How does August 31st sound?

We'd still like to learn:
~ knitting basics
~ gocco printing
~ screen printing



Selling events we can participate in:
~ DesignPhiladelphia suggested by Suzanne. Ruth will follow up w/ Beth Van Why.
~ Allison's (bijoux by) neighborhood holds a porch sale in the fall (Powelton Village). It's $20 to participate. She'll tell us more about it when she finds out.
~ Amber mentioned an event/ art sale/ craft sale that tours around
from bar to bar: franks, 700 club, etc. Amber, can you find a link for this, or more info?
~ Open Studio tours: registration may have passed but keep it on the radar - we can pick one member and host a group event at their studio or house. The fee is $80 and they do a nice job promoting this event.



Places to research for sales events:
~ Eastern State Penitentiary
~ Studio 34 across from clark park, near the green line cafe.
~ Jamaican Jerk Hut has a nice yard
~ Zot (society hill) has a FABULOUS space... Liza will look into this.



Suggestions for Promoting US, and YOU!
~ Check out a.viary, a user-friendly imaging software currently in beta.
~ Liza and Lynn will be designing a few "team images" (avatars, buttons, etc) to appeal to both male and female sellers and buyers.
~ update your shop info to include info on the team and Craftadelphia
~ CVS sells folding tables for about $20 if you need one for sales events.
~ credit card sales: pro pay costs $30/yr. Recommended by Grace. some people (not in our group) also use cell phones.
~ If you know anyone at a media organization send their email address to phillyetsy@gmail.com with "mailing list" in the subject line. If you know the person well, we could invite them to an event.
~ Do you have a blog or website? Facebook account? Myspace? Promote the team! Post buttons leading to our blog, post about our events, and leave a comment here with your links, so that Liza can include them whenever your name is mentioned!


A few more notes:

~ Sondra is friends w/ coordinator of the Boston Etsy team. We may
try to connect with her to brainstorm team management.
~ Some teams (chicago, brooklyn) add a "teams" image when posting new items on etsy,
Let's try to do this too. Watch for avatars and buttons from Lynn and Liza in the days to come.
~ Liza's going to take a look at our website and make recommendations.
~ Bring swap materials to the monthly meetings (3rd
Friday of each month) to share.

*WHEW*

I think that's everything... please, please comment... your input as members of the Philly Etsy team is invaluable!

Hugs and sauerkraut,
-Liza

Craftadelphia!

Thanks to everyone who stopped by on Saturday! Next month's Craftadelphia! event, taking place on August 9th, from 11am to 4pm at Mew Gallery is already completely booked with vendors, so it promises to be a great show.

Urbancheek Interview

(Interview with Kara of UrbanCheek by Jen McCleary)


Tell us a bit about yourself (name, location, affiliations, personal stuff).
I am a 32 year old work-at-home mom, married with two small boys. We just moved to the Philadelphia area (Belmont Hills) last summer. I'm originally from Akron, Ohio but have spent the past 6 years in Louisiana, following my husband where his schooling and jobs take him. I should add that he (Scott) is the other half of Urban Cheek. Scott is an architect, and he teaches architecture at Temple University. He also runs a not-for-profit called the International Design Clinic which does humanitarian design-build projects around the world. In my former life (pre-Mom), I was a special education teacher for 8 years. I enjoyed teaching, but my favorite part of the job was the creative part (making materials for lessons), and I've always been an avid crafter.

Apart from creating things, what do you do?
I love to cook, but cooking for two little picky eaters has added an element of difficulty to putting dinner on the table. My cooking over the last few years has morphed from an eclectic mix of adventurous ethnic dishes to hidden vegetables in something that looks like toddler food. I guess that's still creative in nature! I also love to read, and often have about 5 books going at once (which drives me crazy, but somehow it still happens). I do finish them all. Usually. I wish I could write a long list of interesting hobbies here, but the truth is that being a full-time Mommy takes up most of the minutes in my day. I'm fortunate that they still take naps, which is when I get crafty.


What first made you want to become an artist?
I struggle with this question, because I'm not sure I consider myself an artist. I have always been a crafter, and have loved making things since I was small. I was about five when my mom first taught me to cross-stitch and sew, and I've loved giving handmade gifts ever since. Art class was another story. I didn't have outstanding drawing or painting ability, so art teachers didn't spend much time encouraging my skills (I have vivid memories of one art teacher in particular who was very DIScouraging). Perhaps if we had more of a variety of mediums in my school's art program (fabric/sewing especially), I would have experienced more success. Despite that, art was still one of my favorite classes! And I had plenty of confidence in my artistic ventures outside of school, making and selling jewelry to classmates, sewing things for family and friends.





Please describe your creative process (how, when, materials, etc).
It's a two-person process. Scott and I brainstorm ideas together and sketch them out. He polishes them up (it is he who has the natural drawing ability) and puts them into Illustrator. Once we have a final design, I cut the stencils by hand and bleach the shirts. It has been fun to see how each of our strengths are utilized to create something we both love. And it has been a treat to collaborate on something that isn't related directly to our house or kids -- although our kids are our inspiration!

What handmade possession do you most cherish?
My husband designed and built a hope chest for me when we got married. He was quite the romantic back then, and its design is chock-full of symbolism and sap. I adore it. Ironically, it's still being stored at my parents' house.

Name your top five books, movies, songs/musical groups, and web sites
(besides Etsy).
Books: The Kite Runner, What is the What, Blue Like Jazz, The Hundred Secret Senses, The Bible

Movies: The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Amelie, Almost Famous, Love Actually, Oh Brother Where Art Thou (quite an eclectic mix, I guess)

Music: Also an eclectic mix. . .I love Counting Crows, Cowboy Junkies, Billy Bragg, and whatever is on an indie station at any given time.

Websites: Craftster.org is fun, and I spend way too much time on Facebook and MySpace, but I've moved so often that those are the best ways to keep in touch with my friends!




What do you like most about selling on Etsy?
I have seen friends struggle to succeed with their own website, and that is what kept me from taking the leap and trying to sell items online. Etsy is such an opportunity, because it brings traffic to my shop that wouldn't otherwise be there. It is also a great place to connect with other artists/crafters and feel supported. I also appreciate the heart behind Etsy. There is a real movement away from the Stuff Mart mentality, back to supporting independent artists and craftsmen. I'm proud to be a small part of that.


How do you promote your work? Do you show/sell your work anyplace other than Etsy?
I'm on TrunkT and various social networking sites online. I carry business cards with me and give them to anyone who seems remotely interested in what I do! I sell my tees on consignment at Vix Emporium in West Philly, and also at Mew Gallery in South Philly. I was recently a vendor at Baby Loves Disco (also in Philly, it's a monthly event). In addition, I've had wholesale orders from boutiques in a variety of states. Still, most of my orders come from family and friends!

In ten years I'd like to be...
"out of the red" in this business venture! I hope by then that Urban Cheek will be a second income for our family. I've been so blessed to work from home right now and give my boys the attention they need. I'd like for it to continue!

VISIT URBANCHEEK ON ETSY!

Raising the Bar of Awareness

Did you do your holiday shopping yet? Were you planning on buying your special someone the same gift that everybody else gets at Target or would you rather buy something unique, something that tells a story about the artist from the extra thoughtful touches like what materials were used, instructions on how to care for the item, or what region it was made from?

Please come and shop at our First Fridays Trunk Show at Mew Gallery (www.mewgallery.org) which starts at 6:30p.m. on Friday, December 7, 2007 for some terrific gift ideas made from our very talented, local artists.

You can be confident about buying handmade!

-- Grace