Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Exhibitor Spotlight: Cowgirl Chile Co. Jewelry

Laura Rutkowski, 
Cowgirl Chile Co. Jewelry
 
Years of Participation in the Arts Fest: 
7

Website:  
www.cowgirlchile.com
About the Artist or Work: 
I'm constantly striving to make something beautiful and meaningful. Sometimes someone will tell me that they wear a piece of my jewelry every day. Or that a piece of my jewelry has helped them through a rough patch in their life. It's then that I know what I'm doing is really working and that my jewelry has meaning for my customer. I believe all jewelry has the potential to become a personal talisman for the wearer. Jewelry marks times and occasions in our lives and because of that, it's important. I do a lot of reading about ancient civilizations and the jewelry that was buried in tombs and graves. It fascinates me.
Where do you find your inspiration?  
Lately much of my inspiration has come from studying the jewelry produced by ancient civilizations. I've had a lifelong fascination with history and have spent a lot of time looking at artifacts and jewelry in museums and, when at home, books. I'm always fascinated and inspired that people have worn beads and jewelry since prehistoric times. On a recent visit to The Smithsonian I marveled over a tiny bone bead which was found in a cave dwelling. That one little bead was so inspiring because I love to imagine the caveman or woman who tied it around their neck on a piece of sinew, and thus adorned themselves with their own personal talisman.

Favorite Shop or Restaurant in Doylestown:
I love Kawa Grill for delicious Indian food. They will make it as spicy or as mild as you want. The portions are huge and they have incredible vegetable samosas that I'm sort of addicted to. Well, I'm also partial to their naan -- especially their cheese naan. It's hot and buttery and the kind of food that feeds the soul. Because they are located right next to my studio and shop, it's also really convenient. I've joked with the owners that we could install a door between our walls and they could just hand the food to me through the wall.

Exhibitor Spotlight: Patricia Allingham Carlson

Patricia Allingham Carlson
 
Years of Participation in the Arts Fest: 
About the Artist or Work: 
Watercolor painting of people, nature and spirit
Where do you find your inspiration?  
Inspiration for art is generated by the act of living; seeing, touching, hearing, existing in this beautiful, poignant, fascinating world. Nature, faces, emotions all warrant art exploration.

Favorite Restaurant or Shop in Doylestown:
Peace Valley Lavender Farms



Exhibitor Spotlight: Megan Horan

Megan Horan
 
Years of Participation in the Arts Fest: 
About the Artist or Work: 
I started creating jewelry about 9 years ago. I initially made pieces with semi-precious stones and crystals but quickly became enamored by seed beads and bead weaving. Over the years, I have continued to grow with my beadwork and now "paint" with beads using bead embroidery. Please stop by my booth to say hello and to see some of my latest creations.
Where do you find your inspiration?  
I love to let the stones and fossils I use in my bead embroidery dictate the way a piece will turn out.



Exhibitor Spotlight: Jennifer Webb

Jennifer Webb
 
Years of Participation in the Arts Fest: 
4
About the Artist or Work: 
Fused glass, plates, bowls and Ornaments.
Where do you find your inspiration?  
Every day I go out to my garden and find patterns and color combinations that I want to put together with glass.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Exhibitor Spotlight: Elizabeth Ashley

Elizabeth Ashley
 
Years of Participation in the Arts Fest: 
2

Website:
About the Artist or Work: 
Elizabeth Ashley is a freelance photographer based in a small town in southeastern Pennsylvania. Upon dabbling in higher education in a Major University Setting and following up with more higher education in an Island Setting (the island of Manhattan), Elizabeth decided the time had come to trade the textbooks for a camera and the classroom for the wide world. She enjoys pursuing her most enjoyable endeavor- that of trapping motion in the space of a photograph- in any setting, at any time, in any place. Working with several established photographers on the east coast, catering to her clientele and spending every free moment with camera in hand, Elizabeth has somehow managed to carve a career from a dream.  “The camera is the least important element in photography.” -Julius Shulman
Where do you find your inspiration?  
People, experiences and nature.

Favorite Restaurant or Shop in Doylestown:
Vine and Fig

Exhibitor Spotlight: Tari Zarka

Tari Zarka
 
Years of Participation in the Arts Fest: 
5+

Website:
About the Artist or Work: 
What drives me to create is what motivates me to be the best person I can be: mood enhancement. When I create something – whether it is a piece of glass, a painting, or a smile on someone’s face – my life’s burdens are lifted. I am also driven by the knowledge that my creations enhance the moods of those who receive them.
Ever since I started creating art in the far away corners of my family’s hosiery mill in Bucks County, I have searched to find ways to love what I do each and every day. If something from me inspires another to move toward a life of happiness then I feel that I have done my job. This is the current in my artistic evolution.
Where do you find your inspiration?  
I find inspiration everywhere – in the glorious landscape, through the face of adversity, within the cashier at a convenience store, etc. Everything and everyone offers a chance for us to learn and grow.

Favorite Restaurant or Shop in Doylestown:
I love Jules Pizza!



Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Exhibitor Spotlight: Wren & Cooper

Wren & Cooper
 
Years of Participation in the Arts Fest: 
3

Website:
About the Artist or Work: 
Wren & Cooper was founded in 2006 by Mariah Wren & Mark Cooper. Our aim has been to design and build clean, contemporary furniture from sustainable materials, right here in the USA.

We believe that well considered design and excellent craftsmanship are the cornerstones of building exemplary furniture. We feel that one of the best ways to make a product truly sustainable is to ensure that it will last for centuries. To achieve this goal, we use solid hardwoods and old style, traditional joinery. We don’t have an assembly line. We build each piece from rough board to finished product, by hand. This method of production ensures that each piece is expertly crafted, through each step of the building process. We use locally sourced, FSC certified sustainable domestic hardwoods, minimizing waste wherever possible.
Where do you find your inspiration?  
Japanese Architecture, Danish Furniture, The Bauhaus, William Morris

Favorite Restaurant or Shop in Doylestown:
We love Ooka, Cross Culture and Paganini's, plus The County Theater.

Exhibitor Spotlight: Kate Welch

Floorcloths By Kate
 
Years of Participation in the Arts Fest: 
4

Website:
About the Artist or Work: 
I studied Fine Art and Graphic Design graduating from Rochester Institute of Technology. After working in NYC in Advertising I decided to go back to my Fine Art roots so I could stay home to raise my 2 children. My daughter is a Lawyer and my son is working in Sports Branding/Advertising in NYC, also graduated from RIT. I started making Floorcloths about 15 years ago but it was 5 years ago I decided to try selling them at Arts Festivals. Doylestown Arts Festival was my first and to this day is still my favorite Arts Festival to display/sell at. Looking forward to this years festival as well.
Where do you find your inspiration?  
I actually get inspiration from listening to customers and their needs/wants. I get inspired by looking through many of my fine art (coffee table) book collection. I actually get a lot of my ideas when I am running! I guess because I am by myself and my mind wanders.

Favorite Restaurant or Shop in Doylestown:
Favorite shop is Lilies. Restaurant? So many fantastic ones to choose from! Probably Bobby Simone's, Knight House, Freight House.



Exhibitor Spotlight: Cynthia K. Prediger

Cynthia K. Prediger
 
Years of Participation in the Arts Fest: 
8

Website:
About the Artist or Work: 
My metalsmithing journey began at Bucks County Community College in 2000 and continues today as I enjoy workshops at fine crafts schools. The ability to form metal with a torch and tools is magical. My jewelry focuses on movement, texture and organic shapes and is handcrafted in fine and sterling silver, copper and bronze. I'm passionate about making chains, and incorporate handmade links in my earrings, bracelets and pendants, as well. .
Where do you find your inspiration?  
Nature is hard to improve upon for design, especially my native Bucks County: leaves, trees, wings, wildlife, full moons, flowing water...simple but powerful shapes, textures, and movement.

Favorite Restaurant or Shop in Doylestown:
Honey

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Exhibitor Spotlight: Andrea Bocchio

Andrea Bocchio
 
Years of Participation in the Arts Fest: 
3

Website:
About the Artist or Work: 
Brooklyn based Peruvian artist Andrea Bocchio started her jewelry line by looking for an escape from the digital platform of her job as a print designer, she began making jewelry at night. The hobby she started with her mother has now expanded to a textile-based collection that includes necklaces and bracelets catering to those with a love for the unique and handcrafted. Bocchio continues to expands her line, which can be found at selected stores and boutiques across the US, South America, Japan and the Middle East.
Where do you find your inspiration?  
Traditional textile techniques, ancient costume and most importantly the materials themselves.

Favorite Restaurant or Shop in Doylestown:
Life on the Leash


Exhibitor Spotlight: Eric Boynton

Eric Boynton
 
Years of Participation in the Arts Fest: 
8

Website:
About the Artist or Work: 
I have been a potter for about 25 years. In addition to a few festivals my work and the work of about 30 other local artists can be found in my gallery Clay Rat Studio in Souderton Pennsylvania. I make functional pottery tiles and mosaics.
Where do you find your inspiration?  
I am primarily inspired by the beauty of nature and art from the American arts and crafts movement.

Favorite Restaurant or Shop in Doylestown:
Moravian Pottery and Tileworks & Font Hill Museum

Exhibitor Spotlight: Laurel Fish

Laurel Fish
 
Years of Participation in the Arts Fest: 
6

Website:
About the Artist or Work: 
Laurel Fish has been creating functional stoneware pottery for more than fifteen years. She earned a BFA degree in Ceramics at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and furthered her studio work at the Bucks County Community College. Her designs are inspired by a wide variety of sources ranging from nature to architecture.

All my pottery is wheel thrown, one of a kind, food, microwave and dishwasher safe.
Where do you find your inspiration? 
I am influenced by items I see in everyday life. If I see it, I try to create it in clay. I love clay because it is so malleable and the possibilities are endless.

Favorite Restaurant or Shop in Doylestown:
I love The County Theater in Doylestown. It is the only movie theater in Bucks County where you are able to see more interesting films.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Exhibitor Spotlight: Karen Houser

Karen Houser
 
Years of Participation in the Arts Fest: 
6

Website:
About the Artist or Work: 
I spend my summers in My Studio constantly changing and growing. Incorporating fused glass into mosaics is my passion! I love to take old mirrors, windows, frames, doors and more and recreate them into something new and beautiful. My art pieces include: fused glass jewelry, mosaics, wind chimes, fused glass and mosaic platters and trays, night lights, lamps, and more!
Where do you find your inspiration? 
I find inspiration all around me everyday, but mostly inspired by yard sales, junk yards, trash day, Etsy and Pinterest!

Favorite Restaurant or Shop in Doylestown:
Rob's Bar!

Exhibitor Spotlight: Creative Wood Designs by DAMI

Creative Wood Designs by DAMI
 
Years of Participation in the Arts Fest: 
4

Website:

About the Artist or Work: 
“Furniture has been called accessible sculpture because we all live with it, touch it, and interact with it every day. I design my work so that it is both artistically interesting and functional. The goal of each piece is to stretch my creative instincts and craft skills as well as produce an item that will give the owner years of good service.”
A native of Ohio, David L. Spray learned basic wood construction from his grandfather and uncle. For over 30 years, he has experimented with the design possibilities of wood furniture. While his craft-work was originally an inexpensive way to make furnishings for the house, he soon realized he enjoyed the creative process and started branching out into furniture that was not only functional but expressive. He set up a home-based wood working shop and became an avid hobbyist, which evolved into working part-time as a custom furniture designer and creator. Currently, he is a full-time wood crafter. His work has evolved through several styles as he discovered new ways to express himself through furniture making
Where do you find your inspiration? 
Everywhere I look -- on a walk, in town, at a show. There is always something interesting to see and that translate somehow to an idea for product or change to our product.

Favorite Restaurant or Shop in Doylestown:
Panera Bread




Monday, August 05, 2013

Sponsor Spotlight - MKJ Creative



"Our team is excited to contribute to a vibrant community and is proud to support the arts as a sponsor of the Doylestown Arts Festival." 

                        - Jen Whitesell, Owner and Creative Director



Founded in 2003, MKJ Creative is a full-service print and digital graphic design studio based in Doylestown, PA. MKJ Creative delivers dramatic results for clients across a wide range of industries including the life sciences, healthcare, the arts, community development finance institutions and more. Through a diverse knowledge base and commitment to service, MKJ Creative creates innovative, cost effective, and results-driven solutions for each client’s individual needs. For more information, visit www.mkjcreative.com.

MKJ Creative will be hosting an open house on Sunday, September 8th from 10am til 2pm to mark the culmination of a yearlong celebration of 10 years in business. The public is cordially invited to celebrate with the MKJ team and take a tour of the studio, which is located at 72 North Main Street, Suite 1A in the center of Doylestown borough. Light refreshments will be served and people of all ages will enjoy surprise giveaways.

To R.S.V.P. for the open house, please register here. An R.S.V.P. is appreciated for planning purposes but not required. Free parking is available at the Broad Street parking deck, just a few blocks from the studio.

For more information about MKJ Creative, please visit mkjcreative.com or contact Kristi Hughes at 215-816-2954 or Kristi@manavistapr.com.