Apply to sell at the Vagabond Indie Craft Fair!

Woohoo, it’s Vagabond time again!

Urban Bazaar will host our Spring Vagabond Indie Craft Fair on May 5th & 6th, noon-7pm.

Get all the deets & apply to be a vendor here! Applications are due by March 25th!

We’re always looking for fun “extras” too. Know a massage therapist who wants to give 5 min. massages to promote their business? Do you make amazing cookies you want to sell out front, to help get people in the door? Have a friend who’s acoustic band wants to play during the fair? Free crafty demos and workshops to offer? If so, email us at UrbanBazaarSF@gmail.com!

Featured Artist: Rubber Ducky Soap Co.

Rubber Ducky Soap Co.

Rubber Ducky Soap Co.

Owner: Kelly Smith

Location: San Rafael, CA

Medium: Bath & Body Products

How would you best describe your work?

Hand made soap and skin care products.  We use fresh, natural, local ingredients to create our skin loving soaps, lotions, lip balms and scrubs.

What inspires you?

I am inspired by people.  I love hearing what people want.  Nature is another huge inspiration for me.  It’s always evolving.  I love that. Yesterday I was picking flowers in the forest to put into soap.  The irony is that the flowers make soap on their own. You just crush them under water and rub them on your skin and you have soap.  The plant is called Ceanothus.  It’s everywhere in springtime.

How did you get started as an artist or craftsperson?

I grew up with an artistic family.  My dad is an oil painter, my mom is a jewelry maker and my brother is a musician.  I’m a little more math oriented so making soap and lotions are perfect for me.  It’s a creative use of chemistry.

When and why did you start selling your work?

Someone gave me a bar of soap they had made when I was in my early twenties.  After using the soap, I was curious about making soap because the soap was so emollient and bubbly.  It took me a year of experimenting until I had “the” bar of soap I had wanted.  At that point I was hooked.  I sold soap at a local craft fair in my little home town of Inverness, CA and sold out!  It was very encouraging.

What is a favorite piece of art you’ve created that you just can’t bear to part with?

I make a lotion called Desire. It’s about wishing.  I make it with Litsea Cubeba, Ylang Ylang & Bergamot essential oils.  It’s sweet and floral but light.  My lotion batches are small runs so when I make a batch I keep a 3rd of it for me.  It’s the one product that I give myself first, everything else is being made for my customers and usually everything I make is already spoken for.  So, it’s nice to treat myself.

Who are some of your favorite artists?

This is a difficult one to answer. I love visuals but I do love David Wong’s art.  You can see his art at www.davidcwongart.com. He is created my logo but I love his monkeys and bunnies that he paints.

Tell us some other important things about you or your work:

I love that my products are used and enjoyed all across the world.  It’s really exciting and validating to receive emails requesting more product or special orders.

Rubber Ducky Soap Co. soaps, lotions, sugar scrubs, and lip balms can be purchased at Urban Bazaar, 1371 9th Ave., San Francisco CA. For more information about Rubber Ducky Soap Co, visit their website at http://www.RubberDuckySoap.com

www.UrbanBazaarSF.com

Featured Artist: Steel Petal Press

Steel Petal Press

Artist: Shayna Norwood

Location: Chicago, IL

Medium: Letterpress printing

How would you best describe your work?

I create high quality letterpress cards and custom invitations with an edge that offer an alternative to Hallmark’s sappy-sweet.  Influenced by vintage illustrations I use clean, simple designs and print every card by hand.

What inspires you?

where the magic happens

I’m inspired by old mechanical tools, vintage objects, collectables and type. The Vandercook and Chandler price presses that i print are from the midcentury and have fascinating cranks and levers and gears. I love the tactility of it all.

How did you get started as an artist or craftsperson?

I’ve always known I wanted to be an artist.  Right out of high school I went straight into art school to study painting.  Since then I have explored many different mediums before finally landing in book arts and letterpress printing.

When and why did you start selling your work?

Because I have always wanted to be an artist, it only made sense that I start selling my work as soon as I could.  I had my first art show while I was living in Los Angeles in 2001 at which I sold some pieces.  That was when I was working in multimedia collage and photography. I first printed letterpress cards to send to all my friend over the holidays in 2008.  I dropped off any extras a consignment craft shop in my neighborhood in Chicago “”Wolfbait and B-Girls.”"  The cards sold really well there and the owners encouraged me to continue bringing in more inventory.  The business just grew from there.

handmade map journals

What is a favorite piece of art you’ve created that you just can’t bear to part with?

I have a little doll I created back in 2001 (that was a part of the show in LA) called Rebel Ruth.  I made her by putting a Pocahontas doll head on an army doll.  I painted her hair and gave her make up.  She is one of a kind and can’t be duplicated.  I could never sell her.

Who are some of your favorite artists?

Basquiat, DuChamp, Banksy, Cy Twombly, Matisse, Olafur Eliasson, Swoon

For more of Shayna’s work, visit Urban Bazaar at 1371 9th Ave, San Francisco CA or view her website at http://steelpetalpress.com.

www.UrbanBazaarSF.com

Much Craftiness Coming Your Way!

March is a huge month at URBAN BAZAAR for crafting! Here are some upcoming events we have scheduled.  All will take place at URBAN BAZAAR, 1371 9th Ave (between Irving and Judah), San Francisco. (415) 664-4422.

Quick Calendar: March 13th, BYOB Craft Night, 5-8pm …………………….. March 16th, GoGo Craft Workshop: Make Your Own Fingerless Gloves, 7:30-9:30pm …………………………………………………………………………………. March 30th, Collage Workshop, 7-9pm …………………………………………….. March 31st, BYOB Craft Night, 7-9:30pm

BYOB Craft Nights!

Sunday March 13th, 5-8pm and Thursday March 31st, 7-9:30pm.

No, you’re not seeing double… We are indeed hosting TWO craft nights this month! Also known as BYOC (Bring your own craft, bring your own chair), Craft Nights are free, after-hours crafting sessions. All you  have to bring is a project to work on (sewing, knitting, sketching, or anything else you don’t need a machine to do!), and we’ll provide snacks and friendly, crafty company. If you’d like, you can bring a bottle of wine or a 6pack to share, too! (All ages; 21+ if you plan to drink)

Wednesday March 16th, 7:30-9:30pm: Upcycled Fingerless Glove Workshop with GoGo Craft!

In this workshop you’ll learn how to make a shrunken sweater into a pair of cozy fingerless gloves.  Not too handy with a sewing machine?  Not to worry! This low sew project can be completed in under 2 hours with our patterns and a needle and thread.

$20 admission to the event includes all materials for the project, pattern, and expert instruction.

Space is limited – so click here to  reserve your spot now!

Wednesday March 30th, 7-9pm,”A March Burning” Collage Workshop

Join us in this gathering with other women where we will use writing,
intention and FIRE in a process to help us let go of that which no
longer serves us, using discussion, writing and a burning ceremony to
release old ideas and create a beautiful open space in our hearts,
minds and spirits for that which comes next to help us along our
paths.

Warm delicious tea and all writing/burning material will be provided.
Limited space, please RSVP to secure your participation!

Join us and lighten up – emotionally, mentally and literally – as we
gather with other women, collectively releasing the old and welcoming in the new. (Please bring a warm jacket, as this will take place outside for part
or all of it and it is the Inner Sunset at night.)

Sliding scale of $10-$15 to help pay for materials. Register in advance at URBAN BAZAAR (415) 664.4422.

Valentine Gift Countdown: Days 8 & 7!

Every day until Valentine’s Day, URBAN BAZAAR is featuring a socially conscious gift item. These great gifts are handmade with love, and many are eco-friendly, helping us love the earth. They are all either Fair Trade or made by local artisans, helping us show some love for handcrafted art. And all can be found at URBAN BAZAAR, 1371 9th Ave, San Francisco. (415) 664-4422.

Day 8 (we were closed so you get 2 in one): Fair Trade Chocolate from  Divine Chocolate, “Heavenly Chocolate with a Heart”

With flavors like Milk Chocolate with Spiced Cookies, Dark Chocolate with Raspberries, and White Chocolate with Strawberries, you’re sure to impress your sweeties with your great taste in delicious sweets! Large bars (pictured) are $5 each, and smaller bars are $3 each.

Day 7: Flower Lapel Pins from Nepal

These adorable (and very popular) flower pins are handknitted in Nepal from100% wool. They are made by ACP, a fair trade cooperative that offers economic freedom, empowerment, and opportunity to hundreds of Nepali women. These flowers are designed in Arcata CA by sisters Gayle & Andrea Shackleton of Hot Knots & Tara Handknits, a woman owned business.

~Upcoming Events in February~

Just what you’ve been waiting for- more crafting, more parties, more fashion! All of the following events take place at URBAN BAZAAR, 1371 9th Ave., SF CA 94122. (415) 664-4422.

Wednesday Feb. 9th, 7-9pm, You Are the Love You’ve Been Awaiting: women’s heart-centered workshop, $10 admission.Led by Life Coach Corinne Oprinovich, this workshop will be crafty and interactive, and you will explore and celebrate the love of your life- YOU! Single, dating, or in a relationship, self-love is key in connecting with ourselves and the world around us. Join us as we:

• Explore faces of self-love through collage, ceremony and play
• Collage valentine’s day cards and love letters for our cherished selves
• Connect with our joy and other women in a warm, delicious V-day evening

Saturday Feb. 11th, 7-10pm, Love Your Local Artist: a Valentine’s Day Gallery Party.  Join us for an evening celebrating the local artists and craftspeople represented at URBAN BAZAAR. Our back garden, newly re-decorated, will be open, and there will be free wine from InnerFog Wine Bar, coffee from Bicycle Coffee Co., tasty treats from Rosamunde Sausage Grill, and sweets from Sweets La Petite.  Enjoy a fire outside, with supplies for making s’mores. And meet some of the awesome local artists we work with.

Thursday Feb. 17th, 7-9:30pm, BYOB Craft Night. *Free!

Join us for February’s BYOB Craft Night. Bring a project to work on and- if you’d like- a bottle of wine or a 6pack. We’ll provide snacks and crafty company to inspire you in your creative projects!

Saturday Feb. 26th, 7:30-9:30pm, Fair Trade Night of Fashion. Join URBAN BAZAAR and S.E.T. Boutique owner Lindsay Sullivan for a fun night of Fair Trade fashion. Lindsay just returned from Nepal and will be sharing with us her new line of Fair Trade hand-knit sweaters she had created there. There will be a fashion show at 8pm, and plenty of opportunities for trying on her great designs. We will have free wine too, and Lindsay is offering exclusive discounts on her sweaters and other fantastic Fair Trade accessories at this one-night-only event!

Time to get crafty in 2011

URBAN BAZAAR has a bunch of fun events coming up to keep you inspired and creative this year! Read on for details…

Sunday Jan. 16th, 1-4pm. Hipster Robot Plushie Workshop. Join GoGo Craft at URBAN BAZAAR as we present another fun “crafternoon” of make&take projects that are simple and fun to do.

Excited to make your own cuddly plushie, but don’t want another teddy bear? This is the workshop for you! You’ll learn how to hand sew a soft Hipster Robot that is perfect for gift-giving (if you can bear to part with it, that is).

$15 fee includes all materials and instructions. Space is limited, so sign up now! Or if you’d prefer to sign up over the phone or in the store, call or visit Urban Bazaar at (415) 664-4422, 1371 9th Ave (btw. Judah and Irving), San Francisco.

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Thursday Jan. 20th, 7-9:30pm, B.Y.O.B. Craft Night. Come to this free, after-hours craft night at URBAN BAZAAR (1371 9th Ave, SF CA). Bring a crafty project to work on, and if you’d like (and are 21+) a bottle of wine or a 6 pack. Enjoy relaxing crafting time with friends and neighbors! We’ll provide snacks, inspiration, and plenty of crafty company.

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Thursday Jan. 27th, 7:30-9:30pm, Women’s Intention Setting Collage Workshop. Led by local life coach Corinne Oprinovich, this free workshop will help you creatively imagine your goals and aspirations for 2011, and put them down on paper in a fun collage. Space is limited, so call URBAN BAZAAR at (415) 664-4422 soon to register.

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Friday Feb. 11th, 7-10pm, Love Your Local Artist: a Valentine’s Day Gallery Party. Give a little love to your friendly local artist this Valentine’s Day! Celebrate all of the local artists and craftspeople represented at URBAN BAZAAR on Friday, Feb. 11th from 7-10pm. This gallery style party will have free beverages, appetizers from Rosamunde Sausage Grill, coffee from Bicycle Coffee Co, and sweets from Sweets La Petite! There will also be free Valentine making with Samantha Barsky of Note.ify, and lots of talented local artists to meet. This is a party you won’t want to miss!