Laura Draper

First Friday focus: The Piazza at Schmidt's

The newly opened Piazza in Northern Liberties is quickly becoming the place to be. With its many galleries and retail spaces, along with the weekend market place for independent vendors and the Sundae dance party, the outdoor venue...

When it comes to the Philly handmade scene, Art Star rules

Long before the economy necessitated a national tightening of purse strings, there were folks who wanted to know where their money was going. It wasn't as much about being thrifty, as it was about purchasing high-quality, individually...

Shopping local on Etsy: Daymaker

To see the finished creations of Daymaker's Ron Ribant is one thing. To watch him carefully cut them from the paper and form them into the 3-D versions that are for sale is another. His concentration...

Handmade documentary showing in Philadelphia tomorrow

This weekend, the city welcomes the Buyers Market of American Craft at the Convention Center. A pricey badge is required for entry to most of the events sponsored by the Market, but the Saturday evening screening of Handmade Nation...

Buying Handmade in Philly 101

Quality handmade jewelry. Beautifully hand-knit scarves. Carefully hand-sewn garments. The list of hand-crafted materials that are available to Philadelphians is endless. In addition to the number of craft fairs that are held ...

New Schmidt's Piazza is teeming with handmade goodies

You've heard about it in one way or another, this summer, but the new Schmidt's Piazza in Northern Liberties is making itself known as the place to find handmade stuff. The idea for the large courtyard was...

Summer craft idea: Transforming an old piece of furniture

The sun is shining, your garden is planted and blooming, and you need a project that won't keep you stuck inside. The process of finding a piece of furniture and sprucing it up into something beautiful is an...

Shopping local on Etsy: Themondayafternext

There comes a time in every fashionista's life when she comes upon an item that induces fits of joy and desire. Carin Sauerwein's designs are bold statements that tread the line between jewelry and apparel. Oh...

First Friday in July offers two enticing options in the Fishtown area

Sure, most folks are heading "down the shore" for the holiday weekend, but even the city slickers who are staying true to Philly need something to do on the night before Independence Day. Luckily, there's First...

Philly's Beadworks provides quality jewelry-making supplies

For most crafty jewelry makers, the local A.C. Moore is a good spot to find beads, wire, and jewelry findings. But the more-than-amateur designer looks for beads made out of natural materials and findings that are...

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