What To Do This Weekend
Far from your average clothing swap, the extra “Rama” is a series of DIY workshops in which locals can explore easy, creative and sustainable ways to upcycle used clothing and textiles. Here’s how it works: while not mandatory, those who come with at least a bag of unwanted clothing will save $10 on admission and once all the donations have been collected, everyone will get to dive into the massive pile of gently worn treasures like wild (yet courteous) scavengers. Finally, skilled local artists will help Swappers work their creative mojo and revamp their new duds. You can spruce up a boring tee with a screen-printed image with Candy Depew of the Philly-based silk-screen studio, school and showroom, Candy-Coated or with a simpler version of designer Nicole Rae Styer’s unique embellishments. Amber Zaraza of Phea Jean and the crafty folks of Handmade Philly will even show you how to transform an article of clothing into a one-of-a-kind accessory. Saturday, 12pm. $10-$20. @ Broad Street Ministry (315 S. Broad St.)
Spring 2012 Art Star Craft Bazaar
Just in time for Mother’s Day, Art Star has hand selected over 140 local and national artists to set up shop and sell their wares outside at Penn’s Landing for the spring edition of their beloved art fair/craft show. Basically, anything and everything you can think of and then some. Some local vendors to keep an eye out for: exit343 design, Concrete Polish, Black Heart Letterpress, BirdQueen Designs and Bob Dix Illustration. Going through the long list of vendors, I’m going to be on the look out for Moonlight Bindery, Spread The Love and Inedible Jewelry. As usual, there will also be live music from local bands, vegan/vegetarian friendly food and interactive art demos like sculpting/mold making with The Philadelphia Sculpture Gym and recycled crafts with NL Arts. Saturday, 11am-6pm. Sunday, 11am-5pm. Free. The Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing (Columbus Blvd. at Chestnut St.)
Breaking Away: 2012 Fashion Show
This annual fashion extravaganza in conjunction with Moore College’s commencement celebrations will feature 28 innovative senior collections as well as designs by junior and sophomore students of the college’s acclaimed fashion design department. The showcased designs include swimwear, bridal, childrenswear, menswear, sportswear and last but not least, eveningwear. The theme “Breaking Away” is specifically for the senior eveningwear finale. There will also be a closing reception for “Emerging Artists and Designers,” featuring the best work from their senior students in fine art, graphic design, illustration, interior design photography and textile design. So come out and help congratulate the Class of 2012 Who knows—you may wind up discovering America’s next big designer before everyone else. Saturday, 8pm. $25. @Moore College, Aviator Park (20th & Ben Franklin Pkwy.)
Pennsylvania Guild Fine Craft Fair
While fine art might be a bit of a snooze-fest, fine crafts are a whole different story. For their signature premiere fair, the PA Guild of Craftsmen has invited 140 of its finest crafts artists to pile into Rittenhouse Square this weekend and showcase/sell their exceptional one-of-a-kind creations. We’re talking everything from handcrafted jewelry, designer clothing and contemporary furniture to functional and decorative pottery, limited edition photography and fine porcelain. Will these items be pricey? You betcha! But there’s sure to be some affordable pieces. Either way, everything else is guaranteed to be worth the price. Fri.-Sat., 11am-7pm. Sun., 11am-5pm. Free. @ Rittenhouse Square
If you’re having trouble finding the perfect Mother’s Day gift (and somehow PW Style’s incredibly awesome and comprehensive Mother’s Day Gift Guide didn’t help), why not just mom out to the KOP Mall so she can pick out something herself? While there, be sure to stop into Free People where they’ll offering complimentary tea, coffee and other refreshments as well as a free flowers for the mommas (unless you show up late). You may want to also grab something for yourself since you’ll receive an exclusive soy candle by Candles with Love with a purchase of $250. Sunday, 11am-6pm. Free @ Free People, King of Prussia Mall (452 Mall Blvd.)
What To Do This Weekend
This Saturday, Free People is celebrating V-Day by hosting one of four different DIY events at each and every one of their U.S locations. Here in their new Philly home, they’ll be setting up a craft station with everything you’ll need to make an unraveling love letter—all while marveling at their stunning merchandise and enjoying complimentary Valentine snacks and drinks. Saturday, 12pm-3pm. Free. @ Free People (1625 Walnut St.)
Tomorrow and Saturday, Three Potato Four is hosting a shopping event at their Manayunk brick and mortar store showcasing an array of local, handcrafted goodness. In addition to TPF’s selection of salvaged/re-purposed furniture and décor, you’ll find hand-bound journals by Peg and Awl, Giant Dwarf’s recycled fabric hair accessories and really awesome prints/posters/illustrations by The Heads of State. The event kicks off tomorrow night with a party from 6-9 p.m with live bluegrass music, treats from Sweetbox Cupcakes, Say Cheese’s mobile grilled-cheeses and bangin’ cocktails by Art in the Age. Friday, 6-9pm. Saturday, 10am-6pm. Free. @ Three Potato Four (376 Shurs Ln., Bldg. A)
Having attended the first edition last Sunday at Tattooed Mom, I can assure you this is one Valentine’s DYI event worth attending. It’s simple: walk in, choose from one of Blackheart Letterpresses’ four different V-Day cards, decide who you want to send it to, pick out the letters of their name, hand it to the nice gentleman and BAM!—you’ve got yourself a free, handmade card to send to a loved one. They’ll also be bringing along their selection of funny and Philly-centric coasters, bookmarks and prints should you want to get a cheap gift while you’re at it. Saturday, 4-8pm. Free. @ Community Cultural Exchange (706 South St.)