Craftadelphia this weekend!

Don't miss the Craftadelphia! Sale this Saturday at Mew Gallery (906 Christian St. next to Sabrina's) from 11 am - 4pm. The vendors will all be Philly Etsy Team members with fantastic gifts for everyone on your holiday shopping list. A great way to shop local and support the handmade movement!

Be sure to check out the Temple News article written about this show!

Photo Recap: October 11th's Craftadelphia!

Saturday's show featured live music by David Janes,
(Shown: David and Emily)

...live music and vocals by Brian Dilts,

...crocheted and handcrafted assessories: Jade Vixen/ Mousse Au Chocolat,

...fine art prints: Lemondrops,

...sculpture & handcrafted bags: KJ Buck,

...funky handcrafted jewelry: Klaatu Collection,

...elegant handcrafted jewelry: Grace Christie,

...fun handcrafted jewelry: Bijoux by Allison,

...and greeting cards and books: Flying Fox Design.

Exciting Events in October

There are a lot of great events to check out this month! Here's a quick list so you don't miss out:

October 11
Craftadelphia, to be held at Mew Gallery in Philadelphia. 11 fabulous vendors plus live music by Brian Dilts; David Janes and Emily Shick.

October 18, 2008
Craftadelphia, to be held at Mew Gallery in Philadelphia. This event is part of Design Philadelphia 2008, so vendors will be focusing on green and sustainable design.

October 19, 2008
The Philly Etsy Team will be giving away 100 FREE goody bags at Swap-O-Rama-Rama which is being held by the Philadelphia Sewing Collective on October 19th. The goody bags will be filled with handmade, independently designed items from our team members. Swap-o-Rama-Rama is being held as part of Design Philadelphia 2008.

Event Date: October 19, 2008 Time: 12:00pm – 5:00pm Location: Old Pine Community Center 401 Lombard Street Philadelphia, PA 19144

Description: Swap-O-Rama Rama is a clothing swap and series of do-it- yourself workshops in which a community explores creative reuse through the recycling of used clothing. ** Please bring clean clothes to swap as part of admission.

Admission: $20, $10 for seniors **
For More Information: sorrphilly.wordpress.com

Design Philadelphia + Philly Etsy Team: October 18

Pictures from August's Craftadelphia!

Thanks to everyone who participated in this month's show, we couldn't have done it without you: all of the artists and designers, the musicians, and our host, Mew Gallery. We really are building a community of handmakers. It's taking some time, but we're building self sustaining micro economies. Good job guys. And to the public: thanks for the support! This show was really well attended. (I guess it helps to have a press release!)

So here are a few pictures from the show. I'll be adding more as Heather Randall, this month's photographer sends them my way. (Thanks Heather!) If anyone else has photos, or would like to just write about the event, please feel free to contribute.

(Images: Angela Davidson's crocheted creatures, MWM Design's necklaces, masks made by Anna Cherniahivsky and Jon Vital, & greeting cards by Flying Fox Design.)

This Saturday: Craftadelphia! from 11am to 4pm

As seen in the City Paper & Uwishunu...

Join us tomorrow, August 9th, 2008 from 11am to 4pm for the second of many Craftadelphia! shows. What is Craftadelphia!, you ask?

Craftadelphia! is a sale featuring art, independently designed and produced items and tons of handmade goodness. It's brought to you by the Philly Etsy Team (http://phillyetsy.blogspot.com/) and Mew Gallery (http://www.mewgallery.org/). The event is held at Mew Gallery, inside and outside: 906 Christian Street Philadelphia, PA 19147.

Subsequent event dates: September 20, October 11, October 18 (special Design Philadelphia event), November 22 & December 6.

Additional info regarding August's Craftadelphia!:
Live music by Nicole Erin Carey and Horsey.

Featured artists & designers:
v girlscantell: original screenprinted designs
v nicolecarey: one of a kind clothes, jewelry and accessories
v allisonostertag: photographs and original paintings
v AngDavidson: fun, colorful and unique crocheted toys
v aardwolf: handmade plushies and stationary by Flying Fox Design
v mwmdesigns: jewelry made using gemstones & natural materials
v vivametal: original chainmaille and classic wire jewelry
v LemonDrops: photography, prints & crocheted accessories
v horsey: unique and unusual art

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

two.one.five magazine: slideshow

Check out the slideshow of photos* from Craftadelphia! on two.one.five magazine's site. The show, which was held at Mew Gallery last weekend, featured Phea Jean custom handbags and hats; jewelry, clothes and accessories by Nicole Erin Carey; greeting cards and one of a kind plushies by Flying Fox Design and artwork, clothes and accessories by Boto Designs.
*Photos by Evan Molyneaux

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.

Craftadelphia! THIS SATURDAY!

This month's Craftadelphia will be featuring art, handmade crafts and live music by Nicole Erin Carey.
Event takes place THIS SATURDAY, July 12th at mew gallery: 906 christian street from 11am to 4pm. Now's your chance to buy handmade items directly from the artists. This month's vendors will be selling independently designed and produced purses, hats, jewelry, greeting cards, etc.

So, what's so great about buying handmade? According to the lovely folks over at buyhandmade.org, here are three reasons you can be proud to join the handmade movement...

1/ Buying Handmade makes for better gift-giving.

The giver of a handmade gift has avoided the parking lots and long lines of the big chain stores in favor of something more meaningful. If the giver has purchased the gift, s/he feels the satisfaction of supporting an artist or crafter directly. The recipient of the handmade gift receives something that is one-of-a-kind, and made with care and attention that can
be seen and touched. It is the result of skill and craftsmanship that is absent in the world of large-scale manufacturing.

2/ Buying handmade is better for people.

The ascendancy of chain store culture and global manufacturing has left us dressing, furnishing, and decorating alike. We are encouraged to be consumers, not producers, of our own culture. Our ties to the local and human sources of our goods have been lost. Buying handmade helps us reconnect.

3/ Buying handmade is better for the environment.

The accumulating environmental effects of mass production are a major cause of global warming and the poisoning of our air, water and soil. Every item you make or purchase from a small-scale independent artist or crafter strikes a small blow to the forces of mass production.