November 18th will be exactly 10 years since Cedar Park’s craft and gift shop VIX Emporium opened its doors to customers at 5009 Baltimore Ave. To celebrate the shop’s 10th anniversary, owner Emily Dorn invites everyone to a party this Saturday from 6 – 9 p.m.

It’s also the opening party for two new 2018 wall calendars by two local artists. One features 12 tiny oil paintings of West Philadelphia architecture by Russell Brodie (see image below), and the other, by Loretta Gary of Radical Hearts Print Lab, highlights 12 prominent social and political activists.

Both limited-edition calendars will be available for sale.

And last but not least, you can head start on your holiday shopping at VIX. Your purchase of $50 or more during the party will be 10 percent off. Also, stay tuned for more details about the annual Go West! Holiday Craft Fest, which will take place at The Rotunda on Sunday, Dec. 10.  Continue Reading

Go West! Craft Fest, the bi-annual celebration of local arts, crafts, music and food, will be back at The Woodlands on Saturday, Oct. 7. Over 100 vendors will participate in the Fall edition of the festival, so stop by The Woodlands (40th and Woodland) beginning at 11 a.m. this Saturday to check out a galore of unique, handmade wares – jewelry, ceramics, knitted accessories, clothing, prints, original art, stationery, home wares, childrens’ items, soaps, candles and more.

The festival, organized by VIX Emporium, will also feature food trucks, live music, activities for children, and acrobatic performances by Tangle Movement Arts.

The popular outdoor event, which is now in its 7th year, will be held from 11 a.m. till 5 p.m. (rain date is Sunday, Oct. 8). It is open to the public, kid and dog friendly, and free to attend.  Continue Reading

Clark Park Farmers Market (archived photo).

Those who shopped at Clark Park Farmers’ Market this past Saturday noticed something different about it – all the vendors were positioned in the middle of 43rd Street instead of the sidewalk, while the street was closed to traffic. Just like you, we wondered if it was just for the day or long-term. The Food Trust, the nonprofit that hosts Clark Park and many other farmers markets around the city, says the new location for Clark Park Farmers Market on Saturdays is here to stay:

“After 20 seasons on the sidewalk, we’re moving our vendors into 43rd Street to enhance the shopping experience,” reads a message on The Food Trust’s Facebook page.

So come check it out on Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Continue Reading

The Baltimore Avenue and Lancaster Avenue Business Associations are teaming up again to provide a unique holiday shopping experience for neighborhood residents next month. The Winter Express Shoppers’ Trolley (W.E.S.T.), connecting two of the busiest West Philly streets and commercial corridors – Baltimore Avenue and Lancaster Avenue – will return on Saturday, Dec. 3.

From noon till 5 p.m. this free trolley will travel along both avenues, stopping along the way at designated shopping and dining destinations. Businesses will welcome riders with specials, promotions and giveaways, as wells as with some delicious treats.  Continue Reading

Get a head start on your holiday shopping at the Art Star Craft Bazaar happening on Saturday, Nov. 19 and Sunday, Nov. 20, 10-5 p.m. at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum (6825 Norwitch Drive). Northern Liberties-based purveyors of handmade goods, Art Star, has once again selected a line-up of top art/craft vendors who will be set up among one of the world’s greatest collections of vintage race cars. The Simeone Foundation Automotive museum is a true hidden gem located in Southwest Philadelphia, and the bazaar is a great opportunity to check it out with the entire family at a discounted price!

Find something truly unique and made by hand for everyone on your holiday list.

Each vendor will be setting up shop in a 10-foot-by-10-foot space within the museum. Shoppers can expect a selection of unique, quality goods handmade from a variety of materials by some of the most talented makers from the region and beyond. Jewelry, Pottery, Furniture, Photography, Holiday Ornaments, Cards, Home Goods, Clothing, Lighting, Fine Art Prints, Original Art/Sculpture, Baby Gifts, Stationary, Tee Shirts, Bags, Macrame, Hand Knits, and More! Avoid the mall and support small business this holiday season.

The vendors will be bringing loads of great gift items that will not break the bank!

Go here for the full vendor line-up.

Continue Reading

The holiday edition of the popular Go West! Craft Fest returns to The Rotunda (45th and Walnut) on Sunday, Dec. 13. The number of local artists and craftspeople participating has reached 100! As always, Go West! is a great chance to shop for unique, handmade gifts, such as artwork, jewelry, ceramics, clothing (including warm knitted items), prints, stationery, soap, candles, home accents, children’s items, and more. Check out the vendor list here, and also follow Go West! Craft Fest on Facebook and Instagram.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Go West! Craft Fest Instagram page screenshot.