Fleisher Art Memorial hosts a Craft Table at Crafty Balboa Holiday!

We are so excited that Fleisher Art Memorial will be on hand at Crafty Balboa Holiday for a make and take craft project! Sit down with Fleisher and work on a "Handmade in Philly" tag, perfect for all the great gifts you picked up at the show.

About Fleisher Art Memorial

One of the country's first community arts centers, driven by our mission to make art accessible to everyone, regardless of economic means, background or artistic experience.

Description

Founded in 1898, Fleisher is a nonprofit organization committed to advancing the vision of our founder, Samuel S. Fleisher, who believed that art is one of society’s greatest assets and equalizers, and from the doorway of his Graphic Sketch Club, “invited the world to come and learn art.”

Visit Fleisher Art Memorial Here!

Volta Organics has the perfect gift for everyone on your Naughty List!

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. 

For the Bad Kids: Charcoal Soap

Some kids are bad but not REALLY bad, they just need a little TLC in the toe of their stockings. Our Charcoal Hand + Body soap is made with certified organic ingredients and a healthy dose of activated charcoal - cleansing and detoxifying, all in one pretty, jet black bar of soap.

Price: $6.00

Be sure to check out Volta Organics at Crafty Balboa Holiday on December 14th from 11am to 5pm!

Saturday December 14th, StitchPrism at Crafty Balboa Holiday!

Everything by StitchPrism  is made out of a love of exploring textures, colors and materials, repurposing and recycling old things and making styles that are relevant to different gender and fashion expressions.

Saturday, December 14th StitchPrism will be at Crafty Balboa Holiday from 11am to 5pm!

Crafty Balboa Holiday Gift Guide by Betsy Ann Paper!

For the Aspiring Chef: Recipe Cards
Box of 24 double-sided recipe cards featuring a hand-painted watercolor illustration.

Price:$12.00

For Your Favorite Hipster: Stationery Gift Set
Box of 8 notecards with chartreuse envelopes featuring four different watercolor illustrations (scooter, record player, camera, latte)

Price:$20.00

Stocking Stuffer: Cocktail Recipe Cards
Price: $8.00

Betsy Ann Paper will be at Crafty Balboa Holiday on December 14th! 

Crafty Balboa Holiday 2013

Check out our great line up filled with amazing artists and crafters, who will be bringing lots and lots of goodies for everyone on your holiday shopping list! Can't wait to see you there.

AmeliaJaneDesign

Anna Beau Designs

Anna Benjamin

Babil and Bijou

BAM Crafty Mommas

Bathtub Jungle 

Bee Vintage Redux

Betsy Ann Paper

Black Heart Letterpress

Black Ink Art

Bobby Lerza

Bog Berry Dryer Balls

By Yivvie

Charlie and Sarah

Crescent Ceramics

demure de rigueur

VoXevangeline

Dolly & Alice

dop dop designs

Frankadelphia

Gillian Pokalo

Gilbert & Leona

Jay McCarroll Apparel

joeyfivecents

Katie VanVliet

Krista Peel Jewelry

Payton Jewelry Design

Laura K. Murdoch Fine Art

Little Studs

Little Things

Made By Liddy

Mamoucha Soaps

Manayunk Calligraphy

Masters Of None

Mello Press

Old Blood Designs

On 3 Designs

Once Lost Jewelry

Only Meesh Handmade

phea jean

Pupcakes, Bits & Pieces

Rachel Shoshana Jewelry

Rogue Theory

Sarah Draws Things

Sheri Pray Handmade

 Stevie Lynn/ Alloy Theory

StitchPrism

Susan Brandt

Teke Case Company

Threet Ceramics

toDIYfor

Two Paperdolls

Volta Organics

Wise Owl Shop

Works by M. Morton

Wren and Gem

Yardsale Press

ZOLA jewelry//objects

Refreshments by:

Sweet Box Cupcake 

The Soup Chic

Handmade by Angela at Crafty Balboa Holiday

Handmade by Angela

I'm a graduate student at University of the Arts in Philadelphia. I've created obsessively since I was a child. My mom taught me how to crochet when I was little, and it's been one of my favorite things to do ever since.

All of my patterns are original, and no two pieces are exactly alike. These are not your ordinary stuffed animals. They are made to last and be loved for a lifetime.

Handmade by Angela on Etsy 

Stop by Crafty Balboa Holiday on December 4th, from 11am to 5pm to see all of Handmade by Angela's crocheted curiosities!

Rainbow Alternative answers Crafty's Questions!

RAINBOW ALTERNATIVE

What do you make and did you get your start? 
Rainbow Alternative- hand-stenciled & spray painted t-shirts & apparel by Nicole Krecicki.
Most of my designs are inspired by the LGBTQ community and the lack variety that’s out there when it come to pride wear. I started trying my hand at the hand-cut stencil + spray paint process of t-shirt design in 2008 by making them for myself, family & friends. I decided to take a chance at selling them and used 2008’s Equality Forum/SundayOUT as an experimental venue to offer up some non-slap-a-rainbow-on-it options. Thankfully my designs were well received that day and it gave me the
confidence boost I needed to move forward with what is now my passion. I’m so grateful for the people who have given me such kind feedback & support over the past few years and for the opportunities I’ve had to expand outside of the Pride market into the Philly craft scene.

What are you bringing to Crafty Balboa Holiday?
I’ll definitely be bringing a little bit of everything to Crafty Balboa this year & a lot of it!

Apparel: Hand-stenciled t-shirts, tanks & hoodies, featuring Rainbow Alternative classics like “Don’t Block the Box” & “2 Girls Kissing” + tons brand new designs! These make awesome gifts for just about anyone on your shopping list who likes the break the mold a little and show their support for independent artists! Prices range from $15-$42.

Baby & Kids clothes: Perfect for the hip little guy or girl on your shopping list, Rainbow Alternative is now super excited to offer totally unique baby onesies & kids tees!!! There will be plenty of designs to choose from & I’ll also be taking requests for custom orders.
Prices range from $12-22.

Magnets, buttons & bottle openers: Stuff their stockings with these little nuggets of fun and joy, starting at just $1! You’ll be sure to find something for everyone on your list!

What's the best present you have ever received?
When I was little my absolute favorite thing in the world was my Fisher Price cassette player + my Jackson 5 tape. I wouldn’t go anywhere with out it and I wore the tape out. We were in love. I even got a tattoo of the player and the tape on my calf last year (shout out MJ!). A few months ago my girlfriend (Nicole Wiegand/Night Owl Designs…cough… plug!) found a working model for me and gave it to me for my birthday. It was the best present ever and now we rock out hard.
 
All I want for Christmas is...
To be at a place where I can quit my day job and work on Rainbow Alternative full time!

Rainbow Alternative on Etsy
Facebook: www.rainbowalternative.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/lgbtshirts

Be sure to stop by and say hello to Rainbow Alternative on December 4th at Crafty Balboa Holiday! Maybe she'll bring her cassette player with her ;)

Huldra Press chats with Crafty!

HULDRA PRESS

 

What do you make and how did you get started?
My name is Marianne Dages and I run Huldra Press, a bookbinding and letterpress studio. I make one-of-a-kind handbound books that incorporate vintage and recycled material and print stationery and posters, designed by me, as well. I got started when I took a bookbinding class on a whim, and fell in head over heels in love with the process and the materials. Four years later, I’ve opened up a studio here in Philadelphia, and sell my work online and at craft fairs like this one.

What are you bringing to Crafty Balboa Holiday?
I am bringing a variety of affordable and unique books, prints, and cards that’ll appeal to everyone on your list.

For the gentlemen, a leather wraparound notebook with various recycled papers inside. The cover is made from beautiful, durable leather and the pages are sewn into the book with linen thread, so it’s made to last. It’s also small enough to fit in his jacket pocket, so he’ll always have it on hand.
Price: $32

For your friends, a set of five letterpress “hello” cards, so you can keep in touch. These cards are illustrated with a simple modern design of three feathers and are printed on 100% recycled paper and envelopes.
Price: $15

For your honey, a one-of-a-kind, hardbound journal. I’ll have them in all different colors and sizes, each one with its own unique vintage paper ephemera inside and out. Every journal is entirely made by hand, from start to finish, and will last for many years to come.
Price: $22 - $80

What's the best present you have ever made?
I love when I give someone a book and they put it to work, because the more it’s used, the more interesting it is as an object. So I’d have to say the hardcover journal I made for my boyfriend. He’s a blacksmith, so it really got used, but it makes me really happy to see it get dirty and dog-eared but still going strong.

All I want for Christmas is...
PAPER!

Huldra Press on Etsy
http://huldrapress.blogspot.com

Huldra Press will be at Crafty Balboa Holiday on December 4, from 11am to 5pm! Be sure to check them out!

Night Owl Designs answers our questions!

Night Owl Designs 

What do you make and how did you get started?

Night Owl Designs is all of the kitschy jewelry and housewares you could ask for in one place! All pieces are inspired by the pop culture icons and cult oddities that I personally love. I’ve always made things for my friends, but it wasn’t until 2008 when my incredibly talented friend Jeanette asked me to participate in a craft fair with her that I began to entertain the possibility of turning my creative passions into an actual business venture.

What are you bringing to Crafty Balboa Holiday? 

Tons of jewelry and housewares. There will be something for everyone, I promise!

All necklaces and earrings are priced between $6-$22. They feature everything from the Golden Girls, Pee Wee, MJ, and Elvis to the more natural/anatomical  images like the Night Owl best selling Anatomical Heart necklace. A ton of fun for anyone with a sense of humor and nostalgia!

My light switch plates are a great way to dress up any room in the house! Most feature similar images as my jewelry and are a steal at just $5.00!!

I’ve been making bowls from scratched and unplayable vinyl for years. Digging through the titles to find perfect bowl for the people on your Xmas list is so much fun! All bowls are just $5!

What's the best present you have ever made?

I made nicole a huge, hingy Duckie (from pretty in pink) necklace. It’s moveable, so it really looks like he’s dancing around to Otis Redding :)

All I want for Christmas is ...

To keep increasing my productivity with Night Owl. I’d love to be able to do this full time one day. I am so thankful for every compliment I’ve received and purchase that has been made! I don’t ever want to take it for granted!

Night Owl Designs on Etsy 

Visit Night Owl Designs at Crafty Balboa Holiday on December 4th from 11am to 5pm!

Golden Calf Designs answers Crafty's questions!

Golden Calf Designs 

How did you get started doing what your doing?

I started making jewelry when I was a kid. My 10^th birthday party was at a bead store, where we all made necklaces. (Mine had cat beads and leather.) I then became heavily into rummaging. Anything and everything became part of “project”. I came across a parts cabinet with washers, resistors, wires, and other tiny things. All of the little pieces sparked something in my adolescent brain, and I began putting all of these bits together. A piece of jewelry emerged, and around my mothers neck it went. She still wears it. Years down the line, I started attending art school. I always knew I would go to school for art one day, but the direction I was headed was unclear. I loved graphic design, photography, printing, drawing, painting...blah blah blah... but wait! What was that? The school has a jewelry program? It was meant to be. Over the past 5 years, I've been honing my metalworking, woodworking, and embroidery techniques into what you see today!

What can we expect to see from you at Crafty Balboa Holiday?

I'll be bringing with me a variety of necklaces, rings, and brooches. One of my most popular necklace designs, which is a tiny silver sailboat on the water ($35), will be a plenty. I will also have new gemstone rings ranging from $40-$100. I'm still working away, so there will be plenty of surprises!

What's the best present you have ever received?

My sisters trash picked ornate mirror that I had been coveting for years. She got over it, I got to hang it on my wall.

What is the best present your ever made?

I painted a watercolor for my father of me, my sister, and my brother. It's totally not realistic, and absolutely awesome.

All I want for Hanukkah is...

A magical set of stars and planets for my ceiling that stay glowing all night long.

Check out Golden Calf Designs here!

Visit Golden Calf on December 4th, at Crafty Balboa Holiday!

Kristen Solecki Illustration chats with Crafty!

Kristin Solecki Illustration

What do you make and how did you get your start?
I make traditional mixed media art, everything from silk screens, wood blocks, paintings and drawings. Since I work in such a varied media I am able to apply my artwork to a variety of products including apparel, prints, and fine art. I got started selling my work and finding new avenues for my work in college. I didn't want to just make paintings or just make clothes, I wanted to speak to as many audiences as possible with as many forms of the craft as I could and this seemed perfect!

What are you bringing to Crafty Balboa Holiday?
I am bringing original silk screens, hand printed baby apparel, and small woodenornaments each with an original painting on them. I think it is important to give a gift with meaning and something that is unique, that no one else will have! Price range for all my work $3-$50.

What's the best present you have ever received?
My mom gave me a small caroler from when she was little. I still look forward to getting it out every year!

All I want for Christmas is...
To see my family and friends over the holidays!

Check out Kristen's website!
Crafty Balboa Holiday - December 4, 2010 - 11am to 5pm Kristen will be there! Will you?

Lindsey O. talks to Crafty!

Pottery by Lindsey O.

What do you make and how did you get started?
Pottery for gifting or just for yourself. Mugs, sets of mugs, and planters/organizers. This was my major in college, but I’m currently teaching elementary art and making pottery to feed my soul.

Tell us about what you are bringing to Crafty Balboa Holiday.
Mugs, Sets of Mugs and organizers. Who wouldn’t love to receive a mug with with either a “best” or a “friends” on it for the holidays? Sets of mugs start at $30

What's the best present you have ever made? 
Wedding sets of “Mr.” and “Mrs.” mugswith a vessel that has their wedding date on them.

Stop by Lindsey's table and say hello on December 4th from 11am to 5pm at Crafty Balboa Holiday!

Exit 343 talks to Crafty!

EXIT 343 Design 

What do you make and how did you get started?
My name is Stephanie Harvey and I frequently work under the business name
Exit343Design. I primarily work in silkscreen, making fine art prints, greeting cards,
handmade books, and printed fabric goodies. I started selling my work at shows during
college in 2006 and never expected anyone to buy anything . . . but they did, and here I
am!


Tell us about what you are bringing to Crafty Balboa Holiday.
I always have an arsenal of hand-printed short run prints, ranging in price from $5.00
to $80.00, something for everyone! Last year, I began printing and sewing small plush
animals, perfect for kids or adults; they start at $8.00 and I currently have small paisley
birds and penguins in stock. I also have a range of Christmas cards sold in small packs,
the perfect handmade touch for the holiday!

What's the best present you have ever received?
That would be a tie between my SX-70, a three drawer flat-file, and my Macbook. Can
you tell where my interests lie?

All I want for Christmas....
AWacum tablet. For real.


Exit343 Design on Etsy

Exit 343 Design will be at Crafty Balboa Holiday, December 4th, from 11am to 5pm. Come talk computers with them!

Rachel Shoshana answers Crafty's Questions!

Rachel Shoshana Jewelry

What do you make and how did you get your start?

I run Rachel Shoshana Jewelry. I make sterling silver gemstone jewelry. My whole life I have wanted to make jewelry. Four years ago I started to take some adult education classes to learn to silversmith. After taking classes for a while I applied to a craft show. After getting in I realized started my business and haven't looked back since.

Give us a sneak peek into what you are bringing to Crafty Balboa Holiday.

I now have a whole line of Braille necklaces that feature a gemstone that relates to the meaning of the word written. Right now I have 9 words available: Love, Hope, Dream, Believe, Create, Peace, Joy, Luck and Forgive. Each necklace comes on an 18" chain and is available for $45. 

One of my personal favorites is my stacked ring sets. These sets all feature 3 rings that can be worn together as a stacked set or separately as dainty rings. These sets feature combination like Moonstone, rose quartz and onyx or labradorite, rose quartz and prehinite. These rings are great for any lady on your list. They are great for everyday or for a special night out on the town. All my stacked rings sets are priced at $54. 

What's the best present you have ever received? 

That would easily be my birthday present this year of a trip to Italy. I have wanted to go for ages and it was a great time. I also got a whole bunch of beautiful pearls in Rome so that was an extra bonus.

All I want for Christmas is....

World peace... or maybe just a new purse. Either or I'm flexible. 

 Rachel Shoshana on Etsy

Rachel will be selling her jewelry at Crafty Balboa on December 4th, stop by and say hello!

Bernardo Margulis is talking!

Bernardo Margulis 

How did you get started doing what your doing?
I am a graphic and web designer by training and trade and started my crafting recently while in grad school. My friend Becky encouraged me to take the work I had created for my projects and transform them into prints and posters. I make posters and digital prints that range from hand-lettering to illustrations and patterns; all the things I love to create for my designs turned into frame-able pieces.

What can we expect to see from you at Crafty Balboa Holiday?
I'm bringing digital prints and posters of my lettering and patterns (and perhaps a surprise or two).
My ONE LINE ONLINE is a collection of hand-lettered posters on the Internet and how we use it. It would be a great gift for any Internet geek, but the messages are universal to anyone with an email address and a taste for beautiful and ornate lettering and fun wordplay.

What's the best present you have ever received?
The day after my twenty-sixth birthday I was babysitting my four-year-old cousin. At one point he insisted on walking to Trader Joe's and as much as I tried to talk him out of the hour-long walk he mysteriously insisted on going, without telling me why. I figured we'd start walking and he'd get tired and ask to walk back. Forty five minutes later, he spots an Acme supermarket and insists we go in. After questioning his motives many times—he was keeping his reasons secretly—he finally confessed: "I want to buy cookies and soda for your birthday". So we did and when we got back home we had our own little celebration. Best present ever!


All I want for Christmas is...
A Charlie Brown Pathetic Christmas Tree (although for me it would technically be a Charlie Brown Pathetic Hanukkah Bush, if I ever decide to give into temptation).

http://www.etsy.com/shop/bnard 
Bernardo will be at Crafty Balboa Holiday on December 4, 2010. He says he's bringing surprises!

CHRMNG Industries answers our questions!

CHRMNG Industries

What do you make and how did you get your start?
Tees, hoodies, crew neck sweatshirts, buttons, stickers, and totes. We started in February 2010 during that amazing snowstorm because we really had nothing better to do. Well after we were done running around like kids in the snow.

Tell us about some gift giving options you will be offering at Crafty Balboa Holiday.
Percy the Cat Tote – He’s a bummed out kitty because he’s been dressed in a bad outfit and we can’t blame him. He can be gifted to the cat lover in your life for the cost of $10.

Winter Tree Tee – It’s an icicle covered tree on a super soft light blue tee available for both men and women. This is perfect for the person who just loves the winter. $15

I [pretzel] Philadelphia – It’s a Philadelphia take on an iconic design. Everyone loves (or should love Philadelphia pretzels) so this tee is a perfect gift for anyone! Available in both men and women cut tees. $15


What's the best present you have ever made?
A 6 year wedding anniversary poster for my wife. We were married on Friday the 13th and this past year was the first time it landed on a Friday again so I decided to do something a little extra special rather than just buying some lame card.


All I want for Christmas is...
A case of Pabst. We’re low maintenance.

www.chrmng.com

Come say hi to CHRMNG Industries on December 4, 2010 at Crafty Balboa Holiday

It's Almost Here!!!!

One month to go until Crafty Balboa Holiday! 
December 4, 2010 11am to 5pm 
315 South Broad St. Philadelphia, PA
Check back daily for posts about our vendors, show information, and start writing up that holiday shopping list!

CRAFTY BALBOA HOLIDAY 2010

It's about that time....applications for Crafty Balboa Holiday will be coming out soon!
Let me take a minute to tell you a little more about the event....

Saturday December 4th, 2010.
11am-5pm
Broad Street Ministry
Philadelphia, PA

This year's CRAFTY BALBOA HOLIDAY is going to be a one stop shopping event! We are out to create a holiday show with the greatest variety of high quality, affordable vendors and offer customers limitless gift giving options!

40 vendors will be chosen based on the quality and uniqueness of your craft, how your products fit into the idea of holiday handmade gift giving, product category and the need to diversify the products available.

To find out keep your eyes peeled for the CRAFTY BALBOA HOLIDAY application!
In the meantime check out flickr.com for last year's event.