Just in time for the spookiest, most mysterious time of year, we proudly feature a Crafty star: self proclaimed “Artist/Recluse” Alicia Justus, aka Miss Red Star Art as October’s Artist of the Month!
We are thrilled to currently have on display Alicia’s gorgeous wood-burnt Spirit boards with matching planchettes, as well as framed paintings of her “Moth Girls” - created especially for our feature - incredibly detailed paintings of women-moth hybrids with an Old World vibe. It’s worth a trip to our shop just to see these beauties up close.
Intuitive and possessing a sixth sense for finding vintage treasures and supplies with which she can work, Alicia said, “I have dreams where I’m in nature - always near water - at the edges of rivers or the ocean, where I’m digging, and I find some fabulous vintage piece in the sand - and then I go out thrifting and I find that piece. It calls to me, and I find it.”
We’ve also got handmade felt flower dolls in lovely outfits, hand-sewn down to the buttons on their boots. And of course, plenty of red-eyed white mice in wedding finery, perfectly detailed dresses with kerchiefs round their necks. Life-sized matchbook story books, paper doll books and tiny illustrated storybooks on vintage paper foretold in a dream, featuring her original character, Little Bird. It’s all got to be seen to be believed!
“It gets to me sometimes. People don’t know how old and rare things are anymore, how special these things are.”
Searching for a unique piece of jewelry for yourself or someone who appreciates the past? Come catch a glimpse of Alicia’s necklaces hand woven with antique silk, Czech beads, and 1930’s Cracker Jack prizes as pendants. Beaded button rings and brooches, colorful tulle hair clips, Dia de los Muertos paper masks, skeletons and skull brooches round out the collection. “I started designing my own paper decorations years ago. I noticed that all the paper skeletons were either too grotesque or insipidly cutesy-pie, and they all seemed decidedly male. Think about it, you never see a lady skeleton. I have some new designs this year.”
Alicia has social media now - you can find Miss Red Star Art on Instagram and Facebook, as well as at the monthly Twilight Rummage sale on SE Hawthorne, and of course, in our downtown shop and at our Art + Craft Market!
By Joanna Kurimsky
Want to make the most of your holiday craft market sales this year? Come learn some new tips and tricks! We're hosting an evening seminar and panel discussion at Mercy Corps Northwest that is all about successful holiday market vending! We've got some great panelists lined up, including Jenn Hill of Chet and Dot, illustrator Jenny Tiffany, and the fine folks of Berkley Illustration! Read more and sign up here: https://www.mercycorpsnw.org/event/18864/
photo credit: Shannon Rowland
September is here and the end of summer is drawing closer (Waaah!). But Portland still feels warm and sunny, and all your garden greenery and succulents are (hopefully) still kicking. Here to capture September’s essence one potted plant at a time is our Artist of the Month, Rachel Ann Austin!
It is pretty easy to surmise by looking at her work that Rachel is a big lover of gardens and tuned in to the quiet beauty in everyday life. Self taught, Rachel has been painting full time for over ten years. Common themes of abstracted landscapes, plants, and maps are evident in Rachel’s handiwork. When not in the studio, she can be found digging in her garden and dreaming up ideas with her family. When we wondered what she’s currently working on, Rachel said, “I am reading lots of books on gardening, plants and cooking this summer - some of my favorite things.”
As someone who spends so much time outside capturing various flora and landscapes of Portland, we had to ask Rachel to weigh in on the whole issue that some Portlanders have about umbrella usage. Here’s what she had to say: “I love umbrellas! They keep you dry, are very cute, and you get to hear the pitter patter of rain as you walk. I take a lot of walks in all kinds of weather and will go back and forth on taking one, but it always makes me happy when I do. And I’m a native Oregonian and think all that umbrella snobbery I hear from people is silly. Go umbrellas!”
We encourage you to come feast your eyes on Rachel’s new original plant paintings we are lucky to have in stock for the feature, as well as woodblock prints and greeting cards that are perfect for any occasion, or find her online at http://www.rachelannaustin.com. And enjoy the rest of the summer season!
Words by Joanna Kurimsky
Please DO NOT email us asking to submit a late application. We do not accept late applications under any circumstances. Please DO NOT email us asking the status of your application. We are busy at work and will be in touch by the deadline listed above.
photo by Shannon Rowland
Applications are OPEN!
Pre-Show Ticketed Shopping Event
Friday, Dec 8th 5:00-9:00pm
Free and Open to the Public
Sat, Dec 9th + Sun, Dec 10th
11:00am - 6:00pm
at the Oregon Convention Center
Exhibit Hall A
777 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd in Portland, OR
PLEASE NOTE: Participation in the Friday night ticketed shopping party is mandatory for all vendors! People can buy tickets in order to shop early for first pick of your goods and without the huge crowds. It's going to be AWESOME! This means that ALL VENDORS will be REQUIRED to load in and set their booth up completely between 10am and 4pm on Friday, December 8th and to have their booths open that evening during the event. Please make note of this and arrange your schedule accordingly. Again, this is REQUIRED and is the ONLY time slot where vendors can load in.
Our application system is entirely digital!
Follow the link below to the apply page on our website. PLEASE READ THROUGH THE APPLICATION FAQs to answer any and all questions regarding the sale and the application process. You will find a link to the application at the bottom of the "apply" page.
We also recommend that you check out our list of handy APPLICATION TIPS before applying.
Don't wait too long!
Applications are due September 3rd!