second storie indie market

With an overflowing heart....

2010-12-06T09:55:00.009-05:00

....we say thank you.

Wow. This year's show was a success in so many ways that are impossible to define. Old friends reconnected, new friends made, much laughter and warmth. Even coverage from 3 TV stations! Plus, a lovely article about us over at Hello Craft. Thanks, Claire!

As much as we put into these events, we would be nothing without the steady arms of our friends and volunteers. We'd likely not have our sanity intact if it wasn't for all the help we get each year. Upon walking in the doors, one of the first sights our shoppers get to see is the smiling faces of our friends Jake and Jen. Thank you both for being so incredibly awesome! Setting up the tables, decorations, raffle, and all the million other tiny details, would not have been possible without the help of dedicated volunteers and friends Kirsten Tyler and Caitlin. Thank you so much for your willingness to help in the craziness that is Friday night! To all of you who hung a few posters, talked about us, came out to visit, invited your friends, we thank you. Your help gives us a wider reach.

So much hard work, heart and soul go into pulling this show together every year. But when we walk in the doors on Saturday morning to see the room full of streamers and see our fabulous vendors bustling away with their displays.... well, it just makes it all worth it and then some.

To everyone: our friends, volunteers, family, vendors: thank you from the bottom of our very full hearts. We love you all! Here are some of the best photos we took this year. You can find some more here, here, here, here, here, and here. Did you takes some great photos? Join our Flickr group and share them with us. We'd love to see them!

Thank you!

2010-11-29T09:19:00.002-05:00

No time to say much more than thank you. For coming out to support handmade. For making another event warm and friendly. For showing our out-of-town vendors just how great Rochester is!

Pictures and more to come soon!!

JoAnn

Vendor Spotlight: Second Storie

2010-11-26T12:30:00.000-05:00

As well as pulling this event together every year, we each sell our own wares as well. We thought we'd introduce ourselves this year. We truly can't wait to say hello to all of you in person!

Shanna Murray
Talk about a banner-year. If 2010 belongs to anyone, it's Shanna. Mentions in countless magazines & blogs. Beautiful & inspiring collaborations. A fruitful & grateful life, brought forth in her work. You simply need to see it for yourself.

Karen Stocks: Infiknit

Infiknit is the brain child of self taught knitter Karen Stocks. Soft & Bold, Strong & Delicate. Karen has the ingenious ability to marry pattern, texture and color into the perfect union that is fresh and inspiring! Did I mention that she creates her own patterns for her line as well? Luxurious and impeccably crafted you do not want to leave without one of her beautiful pieces!

Rachael Hetzel: Pistachio Press
Rachael is a master at combining pattern and color, and when she letterpresses them together, her product is perfectly tactile and artful. Drawing her imagery from her life, it's no surprise that her prints and stationary are full, rich, elegant, and humorous.

Cristina Sasso:Luna Bella
Cris makes the sweetest notebooks and some of them are even made with post-it notes! The size is just perfect to carry in your purse, tuck into a Christmas stocking, or maybe even store in your car when you need to jot something down quickly!

JoAnn McGranahan: Vintage Refashioned

JoAnn brings bits of paper to life. Her collages and embroidered vintage maps give new, delightful purpose to ephemera that may have otherwise been discarded.

Stop in, say hello, and shop for the favorite people on your list. There is truly something for everyone!

Second Storie Indie Market
Visual Studies Workshop Auditorium
31 Prince St
Rochester, NY 14607

Saturday Nov 27th 11-5
Sunday Nov 28th 11-4

Vendor Spotlight: Handsome Miss Mock

2010-11-26T08:30:00.000-05:00

You've never seen jewelry quite like this. Geometric. Elegant. Kind of math-y. All things good, in other words! Completely distinctive, Handsome Miss Mock offers all of these things in her necklaces, and perhaps a bit more that is indefinable. I can't wait to see what else she has in store for us!

Vendor Spotlight: Hey Buddy!

2010-11-25T11:30:00.000-05:00

Looking for something retro? A little vintage-graphic something-or-other for that hard-to-shop-for friend? Dan Varenka of Hey Buddy's got you covered. Or screen-printed, rather. His collection of shirts, messenger-bags and magnets are vintage inspired, somewhat random, and simply fun.

Vendor Spotlight: Cecelia Hayes

2010-11-25T10:30:00.000-05:00

Cecelia Hayes makes just about the sweetest flower pins we've ever seen. Really. Hand-dyed velvet, impeccable workmanship, and the most beautiful color palette. Sure to bring out the girly-girl in all of us!

Vendor Spotlight: Ink + Wit

2010-11-25T09:28:00.003-05:00

Tara Hogan is the artist, designer and driving force behind Ink + Wit. Her unique illustration style is instantly recognizable and oh so beautiful. Come visit her table and find practically everything you need this season: prints, linens, letterpresss calendars and note cards, and even wrapping paper.

Vendor Spotlight: The Violet Line

2010-11-24T12:00:00.001-05:00

Colette from The Violet Line was with us on our very first show. We were all instantly smitten with her beautiful original bird paintings and mixed media collages. She now offers digital prints and card sets of her lovely watercolors. Her table was bustling last year, so make sure you stop in and get your favorite before it's gone!

Vendor Spotlight: Buffalo Craft Company

2010-11-24T10:30:00.001-05:00

You may remember Katie Sallander from last year, with her table of gorgeous metal jewelry. Since last year's show she's has joined forces with husband Mark Farrell to create Buffalo Craft Company. We love the large sized, yet delicately etched surface these pieces have.

Vendor Spotlight: Crude Crafts

2010-11-24T08:55:00.009-05:00

Lizz Switzer of Crude Crafts is a long-time friend of ours here at Second Storie. Working not only in the crafts arena, she is also an amazingly talented artist. Visit her site to see some of her past installation work. It is truly inspiring. Come visit her at our show (in just 3 days!) to snag one of her sweet screen-printed pillows or tea-stained note cards!

What was the inspiration for your business name?
My aesthetics tend towards the under-wrought, simple and natural which is what the term crude means, it was an obvious choice for me.

Do you listen to while you work?
Most of my artwork, both "capital a" and "little a" is created in front of or near a TV. I have a list of movies and tv shows that I love and listen to while working. Buffy the Vampire Slayer or The West Wing being at the top of the list. For me its always felt more soothing. I love stories. On the occasion that I am listening to music, it tends to be The Rolling Stones, or Radiohead. Lately I've been listening to a lot of Antje Duvekot.

Where are you and your studio located?
I live in Buffalo, and I work out of my home. I wish I had a bigger space- but I love that my cats can wander through as I'm working.

How did you get started in your current medium?
I've been making things with my hands since I was a little kid. My mother's favorite story about me is how when I was about 2 or so she brought home a book from the library called "How to Raise a Creative Child" -- I colored in it. She decided she'd done her job and took it back!

A close friend of mine said if I didn't make art I'd probably chew my own hands off. It's true, I love to keep busy. But the act of making is so ingrained into my sense of myself that I don't know what I would do with myself. I'm an artist, its how I enter the world.

I work in a variety of media. In college, I majored in Photography and Drawing- as a Grad student I worked in Painting, Screenprinting, and Mulit-media Installation. Fiber has always been a big part of my work as well- I remember learning to embroider when I was 10- on a mushroom sampler! I learned to knit about 5 years ago from friends and personal experimentation.

What are your current influences?
My fellow artists and crafters are at the top of the list. I obsessively read blogs looking for more and more ideas and inspiration. Joetta Maue's blog Little Yellow Birds as at the top of the list for sure. Beyond that Louise Bourgeouis, Petah Coyne, Kiki Smith and Doris Salcedo are big influences on my work. A lot of my ideas come from books and songs though. I've always loved words and have a background in creative writing. PJ Harvey, Radiohead and Liz Phair are great sources for that.

What is your favorite part about your art/craft?
Absolutely the community. I've met some of the most amazing people through indie markets and gallery exhibitions.

Have any special events coming up before Second Storie that you'd like everyone to know about?
Just after actually, I'm part of a group show at Studio Hart on Allen St in Buffalo opening December 3rd called "Winter Wonder" curated by Cynnie Gaasch -- I'll be debuting some new embroidered pieces.

Vendor Spotlight: Concepcioun

2010-11-23T12:00:00.000-05:00

Christine Walker of Concepcioun makes the most beautiful reusable felt notebooks. With hand-stitched inserts for your to-do lists, your addresses, travel plans, your favorite wines, or blank for just about anything, she's got you covered. Well, your notebooks, at least. Check out her line of wedding guest books as well. They are stunning!

Vendor Spotlight: Pearl & Marmalade

2010-11-23T11:00:00.000-05:00

Pearl & Marmalade have a perfect combination of lovely, sophisticated and quirky. Their line of letterpress stationery & prints can be best summed up in their own words"

"With an emphasis on interesting typesetting, modern and classic compositions, coupled with sumptuous graphics we have created something different, approachable and new for today's corresponding public"

Vendor Spotlight: Secret Pocket

2010-11-23T09:04:00.004-05:00

You will likely remember Mackenzie Sasser for her lovely display of fabric covered magnets. This year, you'll find a whole new Secret Pocket with a table full of her beautiful, soft (and I mean soft) handwoven scarves.

What was the inspiration for such fun name?

My husband and I were brainstorming and he said secret pocket, and immediately it clicked for me, because I grew up as a young girl who's greatest dream was to have a coat with secret pockets (that's what I actually called them) like my dad's suits where he kept tic tacs. So it just seemed perfect, even though I don't make anything with secret pockets in it (a frequent question).

What music do you like to listen to while working?

Calm stuff, like Sufjan, or girl singers like she and him, or St. Vincent. I am totally biased toward girl singers.

Where is your studio?

In a spare bedroom in my house.

How did you get started in weaving & knitting?
I had an opportunity to learn how to weave from a friend's mom, and I have always wanted to learn. Every week in the summer I went to her house and got lessons.

What are your current influences?
I am really inspired by Japanese styling, and minimal Scandinavian design.

What is your favorite part about your craft?
Being an avid knitter, I love the quiet solitude and repetitive nature of weaving, and that I can put on a movie and work for a few hours.

Vendor Spotlight: The Sweetie Pie Press

2010-11-22T11:30:00.000-05:00

Becky Johnson of The Sweetie Pie Press has a knack for mixing the sweet and the silly together with a bit of the off-beat. The result? Fun. Just take a look at her self affirmation buttons - that can only be read while looking in the mirror! Come see her and check out her array of quirky buttons, zines, DIY mini-installation kits and (my personal favorite) secret messages.

Vendor Spotlight: Herriott Grace

2010-11-22T09:12:00.005-05:00

Oh, my. So few words can describe how utterly beautiful Herriott Grace's items are. Hand carved spoons, scoops & rollings pins. Ribbon-topped cake flags. Kitchen linens adorned with feathers. All so subtle and austere. I can't wait to pick up one of her wooden spoons and just hold it in my hand. I'm certain that it will fit perfectly.

Vendor Spotlight: Paperdoll Woodshop

2010-11-19T11:00:00.000-05:00

So you want your space to be more fun, & mod? Look no further than Paperdoll Woodshop. They make the coolest stuff out of wood. Magazine holders, coat hooks and wine racks shaped like robots.Yes we said robots. You need these things. And if you don't, you have friends that surely do.

Vendor Spotlight: Humunuku

2010-11-19T08:00:00.000-05:00

So clean, so pretty, so fresh. Alana of Humunuku has an acute eye for the austere and the absolutely lovely. With a wide assortment of stationery, gift tags & wrapping and other fun paper & cloth goods her table is sure to be a bounty of holiday goodness in black, white & kraft. We're thrilled to welcome her to our show.

Vendor Spotlight: Imaginary Monsters

2010-11-18T11:30:00.000-05:00

Dudes, have no fear! Our show is not just for the lasses! We've got comic-book-writing-and-illustrating guys as well as all that jewelry and clothing! Pete Lazarski is one of our favorite dudes and the man behind Imaginary Monsters. His style is a little bit cute, and a little bit sinister. In other words: perfect. Come check out his zines and posters and take a moment to chat with Pete. He's just about the nicest guy around.

Vendor Spotlight: Foundling

2010-11-18T08:31:00.005-05:00

Betsy Carr of Foundling has pretty much won our hearts a few times over. Her jewelry, made from recycled snippets of dictionaries, maps and fabrics is simple and sweet. Every single one of us here at second storie own at least one of her pieces. And we usually snag another at every show! Take a look and you'll see why.

2010 vendor Spotlight: Second Seed

2010-11-17T11:00:00.000-05:00

Nancy Topolski of Second Seed is another vendor who has been with us from the very beginning. She is a woman of many, many talents and each year she has something new to add to her table of wares. Knits, felted-bead jewelry, hand-bound books, and collage to name a few! New this year are her adorable stuffed toys made from recycled sweaters. You really must see her display for yourself, so make sure you stop in to say hello! In the meantime, you can check out her work here and here.

2010 Vendor Spotlight: Sara Silvio

2010-11-17T09:13:00.004-05:00

We're always excited to have a new jewelry vendor to our show. This year we welcome Sara Silvio, a local jewelry designer whose work you can find at a number of shops around town, including the Memorial Art Gallery gift store. She brings a sophisticated and elegant style to our show and we couldn't be happier to have her on board!

2010 Vendor Spotlight: Carving My Initials

2010-11-16T12:00:00.002-05:00

Jim Delucia is an extraordinary painter. Seeing his work in person, full-size is something to be experienced. The next best thing? Snagging one of his affordable, archival prints of your very own. Find them at our show (coming up so fast!) or in his shop.

R

No. 2

Medusa

"Fabulous" Letterpress Calendar. A collaboration with Pistachio Press

Jim also has a pretty great blog, too.

2010 Vendor Spotlight: Dulcie Miller

2010-11-16T09:26:00.007-05:00

We've known Dulcie and her beautiful ceramic work since our very first show in 2007. We all instantly fell in love with her sweet and elegant tumblers and bowls. We've watched her style grow and change with each event and this year is no exception. We can't wait to see what she has in store for all of us this year!

Where are you and your studio located?

My studio and I are located in Utica, NY in a renovated building that was once a Grainery in the late 1800s.

What do you find influences you the most?

My current influences would be mostly animals both wild and domestic. I have always been fascinated with the natural world and that plays a part in my pottery as well. I also have a thing for anything antique and sometimes that shows through my work as well.

How did you get your start working in ceramics?

I had always taken ceramic courses in highschool but never thought of it becoming a career. I started at Wells College as an Art History major and took a clay course there. I was hooked! My neighbor growing up was a ceramics professor at Hamilton College and suggested I transfer to RIT to pursue ceramics. I did just that and have been working in clay ever since.

What do you love most about clay?

Clay is so versatile! You can make it look like anything. I love working with a material that I can really manipulate and touch. I also love making things that are functional that the user can create a relationship with.

You can find Dulcie's work in her shop and her beautiful new website.

2010 Vendor Spotlight: The Great Lakes

2010-11-14T21:03:00.006-05:00

We're so happy to welcome Rose Lazar of The Great Lakes to Second Storie for the first time. We've long been fans of her witty and fun hand printed goods.

Where are you and your studio located?
After being surrounded by the Great Lakes for so long, I have now since moved to Brooklyn, NY. I live and work in my Bed-Stuy apartment.

What was the inspiration for your business name?
The inspiration for my business name came about from living around the Great Lakes for most of my adult life. I went to school at SUNY Buffalo and was surrounded by Lake Erie and it's wonderful lake effect snow. And from there I moved to Chicago where Lake Michigan was now the body of water causing my winter weather troubles. But, more seriously, I have always had an affinity for nature and its bodies of water and something about the Great Lakes reminds me of cabins, wooded lands, summer days and a great deal of nostalgia all of which is what inspires me.

Do you listen to music while working?
Music is also a big part of my life and creative process. I use a lot of song lyrics as inspiration for my cards and goods so music is always playing. Always favorites are Simon & Garfunkel, Elliott smith, tears for fears, the cure, Linda Perhacs and Roy Orbison. New favorites on repeat as of late are El Perro Del mar, Twin Shadow, Night Gallery, Fabulous Diamonds and Charlotte Gainsbourg.

What got you started in hand printing?
I originally went to school to study painting, but didn't feel as challenged as I would have liked to feel. I took an intro to prints class in my second semester and instantly fell in love. It had all the things I loved to do- science, math, repetition, pattern. I specialized in screen printing and intaglio and now I mostly do screen printing and some printing by hand methods.

What are your current influences?
I am always watching and listening for inspiration. My line involves a lot of text most of which is influenced by movies, music, books, etc. My art heroes are Louise Bourgeois and Felix Gonzales Torres. I just recently was in the UK and saw an amazing installation at the Tate by Ai Weiwei, a Chinese artist, who commissioned a work of millions of hand made and hand painted porcelain sunflowers seeds. It was a sight to see. David Sedaris is an endless source of humor and inspiration for me. The shakers and their handicraft influence me on a daily basis.

What is your favorite part about what you do?
My favorite part would have to be that I get to make whatever I want whenever I want. I love the sense of immediacy that making a print can have. You can make 1 or you can make 1000. It all depends on the project or your state of mind.

What else is The Great Lakes up to right now?
I just recently did a poster project with a friend called the accidental joke. In our attempt to poke a little fun and humor into people's lives we made a poster that is comprised of a bunch of little drawings based on jokes from when we were kids, everyday awkward observances and misread and misunderstood conversations. The poster was published by Drag City Records and is for sale now!

2010 Vendor Spotlight: Previously

2010-11-12T09:31:00.008-05:00

Oooh.... are we ever excited to welcome Elide Endreson of Previo usly to our show! She makes the most beautiful 1920's vintage reproduction garters. All made by hand, in the exact way they were made back then, they feature gorgeous ribbon flowers & details. They make you want to get a smart little dress and head out for a night of swing dancing!

What was the inspiration the name Previously?
I chose the name Previously because I wanted to focus on the vintage reproduction aspect of the garters I make. I knew that any other accessories I made in the future would be heavily influenced by or close reproductions of vintage items.

Where are you and your studio located?

I'm running Previously out of my studio, an extra room in our Chicago apartment. I moved here in 2001 to pursue a master's degree in fine art and along the way, decided Chicago was home.

How did you come to make garters and accessories?

I have always liked to sew and construct things with fabric. Before I started Previously, the art I was making revolved around themes such as the labor of sewing, women's work, and with memory. I've always been drawn to objects and places that represent the past and the ways people used to live. I took a garment construction class between semesters of grad school, which gave me a much better understanding of some of the techniques used to finish garments. It also helped me to realize how much I enjoy the process of putting something together, when the pieces fit into place like a puzzle. I prefer to make small, detailed things, so making accessories seemed like a good fit.

What influences you?

I drew a lot of inspiration from the Illustrations of George Barbier, a fashion illustrator in the 1920s, for the current line. Looking at those images gave me a sense of what color combinations were often used in the 20's. I'm always on the lookout for art deco architectural details when I'm out in my neighborhood and I'm fascinated by the way things used to be made. I spend a lot of time looking at objects, illustrations and photographs from the 1920s to understand how the garters I make should be constructed and styled. When I look at antiques and ephemera from a particular period, it's like I'm trying to understanding a particular language, and I try to make my accessories with that dialect in mind. The challenge is to speak that language using contemporary materials and to keep the garters authentic looking while at the same time relevant to today's design
sensibility.

What is your favorite part about making these accessories?

The research and development stage is always the best part of the process for me because it's full of discoveries and possibilities.

You can find all of these amazing garter boxed sets in her shop, and you can keep up with Previously by checking out her blog. Don't forget to stop by our event to say hello and see her incredible work in person!