Monday, October 31, 2011

Seller Profile: Olive and Frida Designs

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Carrie Cafiero, and I am the owner of Olive and Frida Designs.  I have always loved costume jewelry, especially pieces that are unique and one-of-a-kind. I began to search for vintage pieces that I could incorporate with newer components. I have only been designing for about 8 months, but it has truly become an obsession. I absolutely love creating unique jewelry.


What will shoppers find in your tent?
Shoppers will find a variety of colorful, unique necklaces and earrings in my tent. All of my designs have vintage components, most of them made with a combination of all vintage items with a modern twist. 


Where do you find your inspiration?
My inspiration comes directly from color and texture. From that I can create jewelry that is truly unique. Whether it’s a statement piece or a dainty piece, they can bring any outfit to life.


Besides Clover, where is your favorite place for art, antiques, vintage or handmade?
I love browsing different shops on Etsy to find all of my vintage items. There are so many unique, talented people creating and selling wonderful things.


What is your most cherished possession?
My most beloved possession-other than my animals-is a very old aquamarine filigree ring that was my grandmother’s. Any time I need a bit more confidence I wear it.



Where can people find your outside of Clover?

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Seller Profile: Hotdogs and Catsup

Tell us a little bit about yourself. 
My name is Lindsey Crissman, and I am a graphic designer at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.  I spend the day creating exhibition graphics and collateral materials to enhance and help visitors engage with amazing works of art. I spend my free time handcrafting adorable little creatures that bring smiles to families, friends, and loved ones. Both jobs allow me to explore my creativity, explore color and design theory, and share my craft with others.

What will shoppers find in your tent? 
I make plush toys, hand puppets, holiday stockings and napsacks (sleeping bags) for toddlers.  Each creation is an original combination of colors and patterns, giving each dog and cat its own unique personality. Each item has a pocket to hold treasures: the plush toys and handpuppets can hold small keepsakes (even teeth for the toothfairy?), the napsacks hold your little ones in one large snuggly pocket, and the stockings hold goodies from Santa. Each piece is also "signed" by a small heart that is a symbol of the care that was taken to make it and the love it holds when given as a gift. I can also take custom orders. 


Where do you find your inspiration? 
Growing up, my mom was always extremely crafty. She made my sister and I all sorts of homemade clothes, costumes, handpuppets, and more. I started sewing gifts for friends and family and loved it so much continued to grow and create new things. 


Besides Clover, where is your favorite place to shop for art, antiques, vintage or handmade? 
Etsy is a great place to find unique creations. I also really love local farmers/flea markets.


What possession do you most cherish? 
He is more like a family member, but I would say my dog, Reilly. Although, I still own and love the napsack that my grandmother gave me when I was a small girl, which served as my inspiration to start creating them myself.


Where can people find you outside of the Market?

Monday, October 24, 2011

New Seller Profile: Hinterland Vintage

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Deidre Wengen and I am a life-long vintage lover. My parents forced me to go on trips to antique stores when I was younger and I eventually grew to appreciate the quality and craftsmanship of pretty, old things. I gravitated towards clothing and accessories and eventually decided to open up Hinterland Vintage on Etsy two years ago. I love hunting for beautiful pieces and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that items I sell will be given a whole new life. I live in the Queen Village neighborhood of Philadelphia with my boyfriend and my beloved dog Berger.


What will shoppers find in your tent?
My tent will be stocked full of quality, wearable vintage fashions from the 1940s through the 1980s. There will be lots of gorgeous dresses, cozy sweaters and timeless separates. I make it a point to stock different sizes, so ladies of all shapes should be able to find something in my tent. You will also find an array of amazing vintage accessories including handbags, hats, shoes, belts, jewelry and a smattering of items for the home as well.


Where do you find your inspiration?
I find inspiration in many different places, but I think that certain pieces I find give me that spark to keep doing this on a daily basis. Every item has a history and a story, and I often find myself imagining where a specific garment was worn or what kind of woman owned a piece before it came into my possession.


Besides Clover, where is your favorite place to shop for art, antiques, vintage or handmade?
Locally, I really enjoy visiting the Philadelphia Flea Markets because they always have exceptional vendors with really special finds. They also host special vintage and antique markets once in a while which are chock full of eye candy. Even if I don't have money to spend, I like to go and browse around. I also have a few haunts in Northeastern Pennsylvania (where I'm originally from) that I frequent every time I go to visit my family. And of course, I am constantly window shopping and buying on Etsy.


What possession do you most cherish?
If I had to pick one thing, I would choose a sterling silver vintage lion-head ring that my boyfriend bought me for my birthday one year. It's a really unique piece of jewelry and I wear it all the time.


Where can people find you outside of the Clover Market?
Etsy: hinterlandvintage.etsy.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hinterland-Vintage/195575853440

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Well Hello There

A big hello to the new friends and old visiting here in anticipation of Sunday's Market.  We've got a sold out Market, our largest yet, with over 70 fantastic vendors with art, antiques, vintage and handmade.  Add some food, live bluegrass music in the afternoon, free kids' crafts (and a stellar weather forecast) and you've got yourself a perfect Sunday outing.
photo: Carrie Hill Photography
Want to know which vendors going to be there?  It's easy.  Just sign up for our mailing list using the handy little form to the right and you'll get a confirmed list of vendors each Friday before a Market.  Don't worry, we won't over email you and will never share your information, I promise :)

So... have fun browsing our photos from prior markets and the seller profiles we've been posting here on the blog.  The group coming to sell on Sunday is looking spectacular.  And don't forget the FAQ section for all of the nitty gritty about parking, directions, cash machines, etc.

Hope to see you there and happy hunting!

Seller Profile: Anna Beau Designs

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Anna Thompson and I am an artist working out of a sunny South Philadelphia studio. I have three wonderful kitties and a lovingly supportive fiance, Eli. We are in the midst of planning our Fall 2012 wedding and I can't wait to scour The Clover Market for some great decor ideas! I am an avid reader, Korean drama watcher, sea shell & rock collector with a love for all things well crafted and sentimental.


What will shoppers find in your tent?
Hand fabricated sterling silver jewelry that incorporates vintage costume jewelry components and semi-precious stones. My goal for this fall is to showcase more one-of-a-kind rings & longer pendant necklaces. 


Where do you find your inspiration?
Everywhere! From fashion magazines to a stranger's heirloom signet ring, dried out seed pods to turn of the century photographs. The materials I work with seem to write their own narrative and dictate how I will use them. It is during the process of making that I am the happiest, whether it's soldering a stubborn joint or chopping vegetables for a giant salad. 

Besides Clover, where is your favorite place to shop for art, antiques, vintage or handmade?
Etsy (of course), The Print Center (1614 Latimer) and all the up-and-coming independent shops on Passyunk Ave. in South Philly like Nicethings...Handmade.

photo: Carrie Hill Photography
What possession do you most cherish?
Our house...having moved constantly while growing up I never "claimed" my own space. It's wonderful being able to create a space where we can grow both as partners and artists. Although it can be a huge responsibility when something "goes wrong" it is also so rewarding to make your mark and plant things and host fabulous parties!


Where can people find you outside of the Clover Market?
Etsy: www.AnnaBeauDesigns.etsy.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Anna-Beau-Designs/151379624883000
Stores: Lost & Found (Old City Philadelphia), Willow on State (Kennett Square, PA) and coming soon to Nicethings...Handmade in South Philly and Square Peg Artery & Salvage in the Rittenhouse area.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Seller Profile: Shish Interiors

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Sally Hunsinger, and I am the owner of Shish Interiors.  I have four amazing children and a wonderfully supportive husband. Design has been my passion for as long as I can remember.  Even when I was little, I would lie awake at night decorating houses in my head. I am also a magazine junkie.

What will shoppers find in your tent?
Shoppers will find new furniture made from salvaged lumber with primarily organic finishes; vintage furniture repurposed and refinished with wallpaper, paints and glazes; and antique and vintage accessories.

photos: Carrie Hill Photography
Where do you find your inspiration?
Anywhere and everywhere.  I constantly see colors, shapes, and textures which turn up in my work.


Besides Clover, where is your favorite place to shop for art, antiques, vintage and handmade?
Off the beaten path.




What possession do you most cherish?
A hand colored photograph of my kids and rosary beads that my mother in law brought back from Rome when I was in college.


Where can people find you outside of Clover?
Website: www.shishinteriors.com

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Seller Profile: Dawn Boyer Jewelry

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Dawn Boyer, and I am a voracious reader who became a librarian to feed my reading habit and an avid lover of jewelry who became a jewelry maker in order to always have something to wear. I started making jewelry in high school, and wanted to go to art school to study jewelry design, but my mother wanted me to have a career, so I went to college and majored in Russian instead!


What will shoppers find in your tent?
There will be lots of earrings, made of pearls in soft, pretty colors and vibrant, sparkly semi-precious gems. There will also be fidget necklaces - long chains with clusters of charms and gems as well as more extravagant necklace and bracelet designs. Also, keep an eye out for the alumna collections: my designs in school colors.

Where do you find your inspiration?
A lot of inspiration comes from a love of Indian and Asian art, along with episodes of Doctor Who and bridal magazines. Most of the time, the beads themselves will dictate the design. I carry a notebook with me to sketch ideas and keep pictures of anything that catches my fancy.  Sitting on the floor with my beads spread out is like meditating, and I love browsing through rows of sparkly gems looking for materials to help me create designs.


Besides Clover, where is your favorite place to shop for art, antiques, vintage or handmade?
I love shopping and finding treasures! Some of my favorite places are SoHo, Portobello Road in London, the markets in Delhi and street vendors in Berkeley, CA.



What possession do you most cherish?

My first Coach handbag which I bought from my aunt for $20, my jewelry-making tools, my library card and my passport. (I have trouble picking just one).


Where can people find you outside of the Clover Market?
Website: www.dawnboyerjewelry.com
Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/people/dawnboyerjewelry
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dawnboyerjewelry
Retail: Paris Chic Brides boutique in Northern Liberties and Square Peg Artery in Center City