Thursday, July 8, 2010

Goody Bags and Parking

Whoah, BLOCK PARTY is this Saturday! That's the day after tomorrow!
If you were were asking yourself either of these questions:

1. Where do I park?
2. Where and how do I get a goody bag?

Well we have the answers!

PARKING: You can park in any metered spot, or in the Fiesta Marketplace Parking Structure. Take Bush Street towards 5th street and turn right on to 5th. The structure is on the right hand side on Spurgeon. Parking is Free!

GOODY BAGS: If you want a goody bag, the only bit of advice we can give is GET THERE EARLY! The event starts at 11 and we have exactly 50 bags to give out. The line for goody bags will start at the entrance which is in the paseo. Below you can see a diagram. We will have a huge sign to help direct you!!



This event is going to be AWESOME and it looks like the weather is going to cooperate, a nice temperature in the upper 70s. We can't wait until Saturday and hope to see you there!

Monday, July 5, 2010

Check Out Some More Vendors...


Take a look at some more of the vendors that will be at the BLOCK PARTY...




How long have you been doing this?
I have been making the style of illustrations you see on my website for the past five years or so, starting after I graduated from the Laguna College of Art and Design. I began making paper and wood adornments with little prints of my work last August, so almost a year ago!

Where do you get your inspiration from?
My main source for inspiration is evidence of the past - simple daily artifacts, photographs and edifices. I especially love to imagine peoples lives as told through the buildings they inhabited, and I think urban settings appeal to me because of the concentration of such stories and their interactions with one another. Recently I lived in a tiny house built in the twenties and would constantly try to envision the people who had lived there through the decades and the details of their lives... the suffering, the triumph, the mundane.

What is your favorite piece of your collection?
One of my favorite pieces is a horizontal necklace pendant featuring one of my paintings of San Francisco depicting the Russian Hill neighborhood at night and a view of the city below. Prominent in the painting is another great source of inspiration for me, power lines and telephone poles... I am constantly amazed at the incredible - if nowadays antiquated - technology that is landline communication. I think, again, it is the thought of all those stories concentrated into wires just above our heads that inspires my imagination.
How would you describe you and your company in a couple sentences?
I currently operate my business under my own name, signing items with "Handmade by Chantal deFelice". Mostly, I create pen and ink drawings on paper and Acryla-Gouache paintings on different types of scrap wood. In my collection of pieces, I think there is a nice contrast between the rich color pieces on woodgrain and the thin black line work on clean white ground. I then mount archival prints of these works onto salvaged wood blocks for quality, inexpensive and read to hang art. The earrings and necklaces have also turned out to be so much fun to both make and wear, I just love the way people respond to them with such interest and enthusiasm - what a great way to make artsy, crafty new friends!





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How long have you been doing this?
I started Boo and Boo Factory in January of this year. I had always wanted to sell jewelry on Etsy but never had the time. As the economy got worse and I found myself out of work in architecture I decided to keep myself busy. For once in my life I had time and That's when I decided to get started.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
My mind is a jumbled mess! I can get inspiration from anything from walking around Los Angeles, art and design blogs (which I love) or from talking with friends. I love to watch movies from the 40's and 50's to get ideas from the fashion of that time. But more than anything, my inspiration comes from my training in architecture. I am fascinated by parametric and algorithmic design, which is reflected in my work. I love repetition and find beauty in anything from vertebrae, cells, nervous systems, anatomy and bio mimicry. I also love abandoned buildings and infrastructure which also can be seen in my work.
What is your favorite piece from your collection?
It's really hard to say! But I would narrow it down to the Molecular Structured hair clips and necklaces.
How would you describe you and your company in a couple of sentences?
I would describe it as native tribal meets urban architectural fashion meets a science experiment gone out of control.



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tangyfruitgirl.etsy.com
How long have you been doing this?
I've been drawing my whole life and started working in the fashion industry about seven years ago. This inspired me to fuse my love of fashion and art in my own way. I created my t-shirt line in 2005 and started creating art prints this last fall, launching my Etsy shop in November. This is my first season of doing craft shows and I'm so excited.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I collect vintage clothing and vintage wrapping paper. My favorite era for design the '70s because that was the first "retro" period. In the '70s they were inspired by art nouveau and recreated that style in brighter colors and in looser, eclectic way. I also try to live a creative lifestyle, infusing creativity into everything I do. There's so much potential in the world and am inspired by all the creativity around me.
What is your favorite piece from your collection?
My newest pieces are always my favorites because my skills are always improving - and I get bored easily! I love the jewelry collaboration I did with Le Modern Trinket (http://lemoderntrincket.blogspot.com). Christina Sanchez creates upcycled vintage jewelry and she incorporated my vintage style characters into her lovely pieces. They will be featured both at her and my booths!
How would you describe you and your company in a couple sentences?
My fans say that I'm always smiling and my work is happy- this is great! I hope to bring a ray of sunshine to people's lives through my art and inspire everyone to create every day!


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Thursday, July 1, 2010

More Vendor Spotlights..


CHECK OUT SOME MORE VENDORS THAT WILL BE AT THE BLOCK PARTY....



sawdustbear.com

How long have you been doing this?
I've been sculpting for years, but I've only been making monsters for a couple years now. it's funny, I spent years trying to find my own "style" and the first time I sculpted something sort of grotesque and ugly, I knew that was it!

Where do you get your inspiration from?
Bad science fiction movies, Dungeons and Dragons and really cute kittens.
What is your favorite piece from your collection?
I can't really have favorites, otherwise I get too sad when I sell them. I'm pretty fond of most of my monsters with glass eyes in them though.

How would you describe you and your company?
I make monsters.

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doublesidedtape.etsy.com

How long have you been doing this?
I've been a graphic designer for 10 plus years now and for the last 2 years, I've gotten into gocoo and screen printing.
Where you get your inspiration from?
My surroundings, nature and coffee mugs.

What is your favorite piece from your collection?
I like the "Love Trail" note card. It's sweet and I love bicycles. (first picture below)

How would you describe you and your company in a couple sentences?
Hello! I'm Myra Greenlee and I am the soul designer at double-sided tape. I enjoy the thrill for clean and simple design. Along with my obsession for paper and all the things lovely, I am delighted to offer custom designed stationery for life's special moments.







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zfla.etsy.com

How long have you been doing this?
2 1/2 years in business.

Where do you get your inspiration from?
Inspiration comes form all around - nature, architecture, fashion design, fine art and an occasional misshapen vegetable.

What is your favorite piece from your collection?
Favorites change, but right now I'm enjoying making the dogs the most. Each one comes out a little different. (pictured below)
How would you describe you and your company in a couple sentences?
Zazu Faure/Los Angeles makes toys of reclaimed materials--using all the discards and scraps to fashion one of a kind animals without formal patterns. The plush designs are striped down to their essential forms, using a limited amount of moves to render each animal's essential characteristics. Each animal is unique--made of laundered repurposed wool and cashmere sweaters filled with organic cotton. Our motto is "flotsam and jetsam repurposed."





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How long have you been doing this?
I've been sewing for 15 years, but baby by stevie got started 9 months ago when I couldn't find a tie I liked for my 6-week old baby boy.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
My main inspiration is my son. Like all boys, he looks so dashing all dressed up, but there was a serious lack of stylish neckwear for little boys out there. I like to choose fabrics that I can't take my eyes off of.
What is your favorite piece from your collection?
The hot pink and grey striped necktie has such a unique mix of colors. I love the differing stripe widths and the way it goes with almost any shirt or suit. (first tie seen below)
How would you describe you and your company in a couple sentences?
I have a BS in clothing design and worked as a patternmaker for Vera Wang in NYC before moving back to California and starting baby by stevie. The crew at baby by stevie all share my vision: revising the lack of studly styles available to all the little guys out there!






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FoundDays.etsy.com

How long have you been doing this?
I've been making art for about 17 years, and have had my etsy shop for almost a year

Where do you get your inspiration from?
I love collage/mixed-media, I'm not sure why, but I do. So I like to use a lot of found thing from the everyday, unprecious and uncostly.. can be more free with it that way, I think. My favorite materials are postcards and glue, favorite artist is Robert Nickle.
What is your favorite piece from your collection?
Hollyhock Seeds (first picture when you scroll down to see her work)
How would you describe you and your company in a couple sentences?
I'm an artist and a special education teacher living in Long Beach, CA with my husband Chris, two step-daughters and cat, Mr. Pibb. in my studio, FoundDays.etsy.com. there are small mixed-media originals and prints, some of the work includes collaborations with a few of my good artist friends.