Old Blood Designs at Crafty Balboa Holiday on December 8th!

A 2009 graduate of the University of the Arts Jewelry/Metals Program, I have been making jewelry for as long as I can remember. It started by picking up treasures on the ground and wearing them as a child and in a sense, that's still how it remains! 

I started Old Blood in 2012. Naming a business is no simple task but the name came easily to me as I see Jewelry as more than just an art form. It is a human impulse and it is just as old as we are. I draw my inspiration from the world we have built around us that is heaped upon all that came to pass before us, with a great respect for the earth where all material comes from and returns.

Old Blood Designs will be at Crafty Balboa Holiday on December 8th!

Next Saturday at Crafty Balboa Holiday, Threet Ceramics!

Stefani Threet creates handbuilt ceramics with unique hand drawn designs through a process called scarcity. She makes functional wares such as butter dishes, coffee mugs, platters, bud vases, and holiday ornaments.

Threet Ceramics will be at Crafty Balboa Holiday on December 8th!

Typsy Gypsy Tees at Crafty Balboa Holiday!

I'm a mother, Artist, Painter, Illustrator, and all around lover of everything artistic and crafty! My tee shirt designs are mostly inspired by my wonderful and artistic eight year old son, Declan. A few of these designs are actually drawn my him!! Other designs are things from my sketchbooks of present and past. I hope you enjoy them!

All my Tees are printed using earth friendly inks and all are hand printed in my home. So every shirt will be slightly different and a unique piece of art for you to wear! Most of the Tees I sell are made in the USA.

As for the name, well, my son was the inspiration for that as well. His favorite bath toy is that of a fierce pirate/ viking warrior who, out of the blue, he named Typsy Gyspy, which is still super funny if you think about it. Mr Typsy has kicked some serious sea creature butt in the tub over the years and seemed like a perfect name for this artistic endeavor.

Typsy Gypsy Tees will be at Crafty Balboa Holiday on December 8th!

Penelope & Anastasia answers Crafty's questions!

Tell us about Penelope & Anastasia!
My name is Pamela and I’m a Jewelry Designer, Mom to our daughter, wife to my patient husband, vintage rummager, spur of the moment kitchen dancer, home renovator, finder of lost library books, and bad cook. Since 2004, Penelope & Anastasia has been a corner in my life over which I have complete control and I am happy when I sit down to my highly disorganized but sparkle-filled worktable.

The name Penelope & Anastasia was born out of my childhood. When my sister Andrea and I had misbehaved, our imaginative Mother would tell us stories of bad little girls named Penelope (if I was the culprit) and Anastasia (for Andrea). So there you have our imaginary evil twins.

I often create with vintage baubles that I only too happily rip apart as inspiration strikes for a new piece. Always a yard saler, thrift shopper, and flea market maven, Penelope & Anastasia now allows me to justify my vintage obsession to my understanding husband and I couldn’t ask for anything more.

What's your favorite gift item you will have at Crafty Balboa Holiday?
All of them ... duh!? This is an awful question! It's like asking a mother to choose her favorite child (Marcella). Seriously, I almost can't answer this, as all of my pieces are so very different from another and change often. Twist my arm I'll have to say, a piece including vintage, something not many other women will own. I have a new bracelet design made with vintage brass mesh & chain components I picked up at a vintage jewelry wholesaler in NYC. They wrap around the wrist four times for a total statement and at only $35, you get a great piece of yesterday.

My favorite thing about the holiday is...
I have a Penelope & Anastasia Holiday Open House each year that I LOVE hosting! I have wonderful clients and friends that come armed with lists of jewelry they need for gifting. I spend the afternoon laughing, giving & receiving a zillion hugs & kisses, drinking wine and chatting about jewelry. This is a perfect day in my book!

Penelope & Anastasia  will be at Crafty Balboa Holiday on December 8th!

Huldra Press chats with Crafty!

Tell us about yourself!
My name is Marianne and I make letterpress prints, cards, and books under the imprint Huldra Press here in Philadelphia, PA.

What's a great gift item you are brining to Crafty Balboa Holiday?
My one-of-a-kind handmade books, made with a mix of vintage paper, are a thoughtful and unique gift for both men and women.

All I want for Christmas is....
To see you at Crafty Balboa!

Huldra Press will be at Crafty Balboa Holiday on December 8th!

N.R.S. at Crafty Balboa Holiday Next Saturday!

All my items are one of a kinds made by me. Every item is unique..embellished with funky vintage lace...layers of frilly girly lace to add depth to the garment!  You are sure to be  the talk of the party in ONE OF A KIND N.R.S WEAR!

Nicole Rae Styer will be at Crafty Balboa Holiday on December 8th from 11am to 6pm!

Penelope Rakov at Crafty Balboa Holiday!

Penelope Rakov, aka Penny, is a glass artist based out of Philadelphia. She designs and pulls her own version of venetian style murini, which she then incorporates into blown glass, sculpture and jewelry. Her work contains a fresh colorful palette incorporated into modern pieces with a vintage flare.

Penelope Rakov will be at Crafty Balboa Holiday on December 8th from 11am to 6pm!

Next Saturday at Crafty Balboa Holiday, Kathryn Kelly Workshop!

These are a few of the things I love making: Note cards and books, Things made of wood, Little leather notions.

Each item I sell is made the old fashioned way- by hand-from silkscreened cards to one-of-a-kind books. For as long as I can remember I've loved making things. It started out with drawing when I was a kid, moved on to making models out of cardboard, then later to architecture school where both of those skills were used daily. After a period of woodworking and throwing pottery, I finally settled into the delightful world of silkscreening. 


Take comfort in the fact that every item I sell is made in a little workshop with love by me. It's all limited edition and if you look close enough, you'll see that each piece is ever so slightly different.

Kathryn Kelly will be at Crafty Balboa Holiday on December 8th from 11am to 6pm!

Geekboypress at Crafty Balboa Holiday!

Geekboypress is all baout my fun, geeky creations based on various bits of pop culture influncing me to create comics, t-shirts and other assorted types of art.

Geekboypress will be at Crafty Balboa Holiday on December 8th from 11am to 6pm!

Saffron Creations chats with Crafty!

Tell us about what you do!
Saffron Creations jewelry is made from vintage cookie tins and tea tins that may have otherwise been tossed in a closet or even thrown away. I've found a way to reclaim and highlight their unique artwork and patterns by transforming them into lovely jewelry.

What a great gift item you will be bringing to Crafty Balboa Holiday?
My current favorite item for gift giving is my recycled tin Skinny Bangle. It can be worn alone, but looks spectacular when stacked two or three at a time. $34 each, set of 2 for $55, set of 3 for $72. I will be offering a special lower pricing on these at the show!

All I want for Christmas is....
A little elf to help grind, sand and smooth all those sharp tin edges. It's a never-ending job!

Saffron Creations will be at Crafty Balboa Holiday on December 8th from 11am to 8pm!

Volta Organics at Crafty Balboa Holiday!

Volta Organics soap and bath + body is handmade in small batches in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.   We are seriously committed to a simple idea:  providing high quality bath and body products that are made from organic and all-natural, eco-friendly ingredients. 

Volta Organics will be at Crafty Balboa on December 8th!

Next Saturday at Crafty Balboa Holiday, Wider Awake!

I'm Courtney, an illustrator and screen printer, heavily armed with pens and a sketchbook. I carry these things around with me while camping, snacking, sitting in the sea, hunting for UFOs and satellites while staring at the sky, and while daydreaming about all of the animals I someday hope to have while living on my imaginary farm grazing in my someday giant garden. 

My printer in crime, Justin, and I, turn my drawings into hand-pulled, single and multi-layered, vibrantly colored silkscreen prints, cards, and garments. We would also love to work with you to create a product that caters specifically to you and your art, business, or special event OR to bring your already existing design(s) to life in our screen printing shop!

Wider Awake will be at Crafty Balboa Holiday on December 8th!

Bee Vintage Redux at Crafty Balboa Holiday on December 8th!

Bee Vintage Redux got its start when, as a small child, I decided that I was a fashion designer. This consisted of a bunch of hand made business cards that read "Heather B. Fashion Designer."

A few years later, as a slightly older small child, new business cards were made, advertising "Bee Line Fashion," a line of tee-shirts, mainly white ones stolen from my dad's wardrobe, that I took a box of fabric crayons to. The result? A unique and colorful, ahem, redux.

And here we are now, in the present day, and this is Bee Vintage Redux. An outlet for me to parlay my love of vintage and my creativity into lovely things to share with you...

Bee Vintage Redux will be at Crafty Balboa Holiday on December 8th!

Kaye Rachelle at Crafty Balboa Holiday!

Kaye Rachelle Designs combines refined aesthetics and modern design with hand screen printing to create unique textiles and wares for the home. Inspired by urban living and a relaxed lifestyle, we design and hand-make throw pillows, tea towels, placemats, cloth napkins, and aprons.  Every design has a story, every color is mixed by hand.  Based in Philadelphia, PA & Summit, NJ.

Visit Kaye Rachelle at Crafty Balboa Holiday in South Philadelphia on December 8th!

On3Designs at Crafty Balboa Holiday December 8th!

Striking colors, bold graphics, interesting surface design and fashion - these are just a few of the things I am passionate about. As a self-educated artist, I learned over time that creating original textiles is the “perfect art” for me. My goal is to produce hand printed fabric for women who carefully collect and curate fashion accessories to cultivate their personal style.
My current collection of handbags embodies my personal style mantra that was influenced by my grandmother’s “I wear it because I like it” attitude. Adding the screen printed fabric to my handbag collection provides a wearable art option that bypasses the trends and provides a functional yet eclectic twist to a classic fashion accessory.

Visit On3Designs at Crafty Balboa Holiday on December 8th!

Dop Dop Designs Chats with Crafty!

Please tell us about Dop Dop Designs!
I design limited edition aprons, kitchen accessories and tableware. Color theory is what dop dop is all about...how colors, when combined, can evoke sentiment and emotion. With color, I hope to inspire you to create, entertain, and have fun with whatever it is you do! Or at least look good while doing it!

What are some great gift items you will be bringing to Crafty Balboa Holiday?
All of my products make fabulous gifts! Nothing says, "I'm here to enjoy a nice hot meal" like a swanky set of handmade potholders ($25)or waist apron ($28). For the kiddos, doodle kits ($20) are a stocking stuffer must!

My favorite thing about the holidays is....
making cookies with my two boys who insist on wearing their aprons. Love it!

Check out Dop Dop Designs at Crafty Balboa Holiday on December 8th!

Crinoline at Crafty Balboa Holiday!

Please tell us about Crinoline!
I hand sew quirky plush and other creations out of felt made from recycled plastic bottles and embellish with soy paint. Everything I make is wool-free and vegan friendly!

What's your favorite gift item you will be bringing to Crafty Balboa Holiday?
I really love my plush broccoli for $16! For vegans and vegetarians and cruciferous vegetable lovers - and kids seem to love this one too!

My favorite thing about the holiday is....
Christmas Eve spent with my family watching holiday movies (White Christmas, Elf, and The Muppet Christmas Carol are on our list), opening gifts and eating lots of snacks!

Visit Crinoline at Crafty Balboa Holiday December 8th from 11am to 6pm!

Tadpole Creations gets chatty with Crafty!

Please introduce yourself!
Greetings, I am Renee - the designer and craftsperson behind Tadpole Creations.I create hand crafted soft toys, accessories, and apparel for babies and children. Tadpole Creations was established on Etsy in 2007 when my children were still quite small. Five years later, my little Etsy shop has grown into a full time pursuit with branching out into the greater Philadelphia craft fair scene.

In your opinion, what's the best gift item you'll be bringing to Crafty Balboa Holiday?
Stuffed Elephant Rattle for any Age - $26

All I want for Christmas is...
Sleep!

Tadpole Creations is so excited to be part of Crafty Balboa Holiday this year! Come by on December 8th and say hello!

Rainbow Alternative answers Crafty's questions!

Tell us about Rainbow Alternative!
I use hand-cut stencils + spray paint to create totally unique t-shirt and apparel designs! My brand, Rainbow Alternative, is a fun mix of pro-LGBT and random 80's pop culture themes. There's a little something for everyone... especially if you dig Hall & Oates.

What's a great gift item you will be bringing to Crafty Balboa Holiday?
My baby onesies make a great gift for the little ones (or soon to be little ones) on your shopping list. They are $12 each, or 2 for $20!

My favorite thing about the holidays is...
The feeling! I'm a summer person- 80 degrees, sunshine and sand are what I long for during the winter months. But, there is something to be said about the feeling of the holiday season- the decorations, the cozy snow days spent with that special someone- the magic in the air!

Rainbow Alternative loves doing custom orders! If you have an idea in mind, fire away- in person @ Crafty Balboa Holiday or on the interwebs atnicole@rainbowalternative.com!

Little Flower Designs chats with Crafty!

Tell us about Little Flower Designs!
Little Flower Designs is my handmade pottery studio. I hand form each piece then illustrate my wares with quirky flowers, birds and other nature themed designs.

What are some Little Flower Design gift giving ideas?
I often give individuals a mug($42) and lunch plate($35). To create a personal set. Or a sweet vase ($40). For weddings a teapot and matching tea cups is a favorite! For the wee people in my life I often give ornaments and personalized cups and bowls.

All I want for Christmas is...
A green planet, world peace, for everyone to see the good in everyone else. But if someone wants to buy me a gift I hope it will be handmade. I'm girly so jewelry, knit scarves and hats, and lovely home items are always welcome!

Little Flower Designs will be at Crafty Balboa Holiday on December 8th from 11am to 6pm! Be sure to stop by and say hello!