Philly Etsy Team Members Donate Items to Art Auction & Raffle

Mew Gallery has become an important community hub for artists and crafters in the Philly area. Not only do they hold art exhibits and consign w/ tons of fabulous independent super-talented folks, they also serve as a meeting spot for Philly Etsy Team monthly meetings and events including Craftadelphia. When we were preparing for the Philly Sewing Collective’s Swap-a-rama-rama, Mew allowed us to set up tables and sewing machines which enabled us to work as a team to sew the goodie bags we gave out.

Once a year, Mew holds a Fundraiser. Now you might wonder why a for-profit organization would be having a fund-raiser but have you ever wondered why there aren’t more fabulous places just like Mew? Well one of the many reasons would be utilities and another is rent. Seriously…I want to be sure these guys are here for another year, because they in turn help to ensure that the Philly Etsy Team and all the independent artists in this community have a place to sell their glorious goods and a place to meet year round. So if you are in the area, please consider stopping by so that you can help support local arts and join us for the fun.

When: March 3, 2009 from 6 to 10 pm

Where: South Philly Tap Room, 1509 Mifflin Street, Philadelphia

What: Beer specials, silent auction, raffle, djs, dancing, and general merriment.

How much? $5 suggested donation

Win fabulous stuff (photography, paintings, prints, jewelry, clothing, zines, candles, ceramics, and sooooo much more!!!) from participating artists:

Alina tees & zines, Anna Burke photography, Beck’s Buttons jewelry, Bell Buoy Press, Boto Designs, Faceplant Wasted, Flying Fox, Gray Nation, Isaac Bushkin, J.L. Schnabel, Jessica Liddel, Joy Stember, KnitKnit, Lana Heckendorn, Lauren Lopez, Leslie Albend, Megan Dorien, Mike Geno, Miss Koco, Nicole Rae Styer, Rebelle Couture, Sarah Myers, Shannon McLaughlin, Sideways E, Tiny Airplanes, Tranquility jewelry, Un De Six clothing, WabiSabi, Warren Veith, and COUNTING!!!

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

Friday Night's Team Meeting: Photo Recap

Fun Upcoming Events in September

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

• Saturday, September 20, 11am-4pm
  Craftadelphia!
  Mew Gallery: 906 Christian Street, Philadelphia
  Craftadelphia! is a sale featuring art, independently designed and produced items. The event is held inside and outside. This month's featured artists & designers:
  MWM Designs - Unique jewelry made using semi-precious gemstones and natural materials
  Botodesigns - a little world of Japanese inspired robots and a plant who is far away from home. You can find the lovable characters in many shapes, sizes and forms: painted on canvas, sewn into dolls, pins, tshirts and more!
  Bijoux by Allison - Distinctive handcrafted gemstone and vintage jewelry
  Becky Augustine Jewelry Designs, LLC. - creates simple, elegant, handcrafted jewelry for everyday wear.
  Grace Christie - Sophisticated and meticulously handcrafted adornments to get you out of those sweats.
  Ahlen Moin - Science fiction artist and writer
  Tremundo - Handbags created from original designs and made from new, recycled and unique materials
  Miss Koco - asian oddities, kinky crafts + upcycled wonders

  
  

• Friday, September 26, 2008: 7PM
  Crochet Basics and Intro on 3D Crochet Techniques / Toy Design/ Soft Sculpture Workshop
  Location to be Announced
  $15 to participate
  You will learn the basic crochet stitches and how you can put them together to make different patterns. Supply list will be provided upon registration.
  Instructor: Angela Davidson
  Angela Davidon is a graduate student of Art Education in Philadelphia, PA and a member of the Philly Etsy Team.



• Saturday, September 27: 3-6 pm
  Meet & Greet
  Cerulean Arts is hosting a “Meet and Greet” for the Philadelphia Etsy Team on Saturday, September 27 from 3-6 pm. For those interested in becoming Etsy members, the Meet and Greet is the perfect place to get started! For more information on Etsy, visit www.etsy.com (All members are welcome - those who are looking to get to know more about the team, and those who are already involved.)
  http://www.ceruleanarts.com/
  Cerulean Arts: 1355 Ridge Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19123
  Directions / Map
  T: 267-514-8647

Philly Etsy Team Sews Goody Bags...

On Sunday, the Philly Etsy Team met up at Mew Gallery to sew goody bags, which we will be giving away for FREE at Swap-O-Rama-Rama* on October 19th. The goody bags will be filled with handmade, independently designed items from our team members. So far we have about 50 sewn, but we're hoping to make as many as 300.

[*Swap-O-Rama Rama (SORR) is being held at the Old Pine Community Center: 401 Lombard from 12-5pm. SORR is a clothing swap and series of do-it-yourself workshops in which a community explores creative reuse through the recycling of clothing. ** Please bring clean clothes to swap as part of admission. Admission: $20, $10 for seniors ** This event is being held as part of Design Philadelphia, the largest annual celebration of design to be found anywhere in the U.S.]

Design Philadelphia + Philly Etsy Team: October 18

Sewing Promo Bags!

In preparation for this year's Design Philadelphia, we've started working on promo bags, which we'll be giving out at the Philadelphia Sewing Collective's Swap-a-Rama-Rama on Sunday, October 19th. Mew Gallery was kind enough to donate space for us to work, and supplied us with sewing machines...joy!

Video: Mew Fashion Show on Channel 10!

This fashion show features handmade items from our very own Phea Jean and Nicole Carey! Go team!

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

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.

Philly Etsy Team's Trunk Show at Mew! This Saturday!!

The Second Annual Mew Gallery FUNdraiser!

Mew Gallery LLC Announces: The Second Annual Mew Gallery FUNdraiser! Philadelphia, PA - March 5, 2008 -Mew Gallery will be hosting its second annual fundraiser on March 5, 2008 at North Star Bar (27th and Poplar Streets). The event starts at 8 PM, it's $5 at the door, and 21 to enter.

Last year's fundraiser was a gigantic success so this year the girls at MEW are making it BIGGER and BETTER with musical performances by:Rio VougaRarebirdsMovable TypeSICU, and Nicole Carey. Like last year, there will be a silent art auction and raffle featuring work from Hobo Arona, Itty Bitty Bags, Melissa Crotty, Aviaire, j.l. Schnabel, Alaina G, and many more talented local artists! Raffle tickets give you a chance to win jewelry, ceramics, clothing, journals, stationary, and lots more hand made awesomeness. All proceeds will go toward The Mew Gallery Recession Repression Fund so the art exhibitions, opening celebrations, boutique, craft nights, and general Mew Gallery goodness can keep on keepin' on. Can't make the fundraiser but still want to help out? Sure, Mew Gallery accepts donations!! Visit Paypal to send an electronic gift using the following email address: Mewgallery@yahoo.com. Thanks for your love and support!!!

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

Welcome to the Philadelphia Etsy Team Blog!

The Philadelphia Etsy Team will have a Meet and Greet Welcome Session at the Mew Gallery on Friday, August 17, at 6:30pm. At this meeting, we hope to make some decisions as to the goals for our team and get to know each other, as well as make some logistical decisions, like finding a convenient means of keeping in touch.

If you'd like to join the team, you can email phillyetsy@gmail.com with "Philly Street Team" in the subject (please include your Etsy username in the email!) or simply attend the meeting on Aug. 17.