images of “images”

We had a great time last weekend! Lots of folks stopped by to check out Mike’s stained glass work. Unfortunately, I neglected to get a photo of the artist himself! But here’s some of his best work: baby Ellie, a collaborative project with wife Wilder.

Wilder and Ellie

This piece sold quickly, a dramatic stained glass wall hanging.

"Ariel"

The jewelry was a big hit too, earrings and pendants with and without vintage images.

earrings by Mike Scott-Straight

The fiddle player canceled at the last minute, but our friend Bill Hangley came by and played some of his songs instead. He was tremendous! Thanks, Bill!

smiling partygoers

Our next event will feature painter Julie Abrams — stay tuned!

images under glass

Please join us for our next in-store event, featuring new work by a longtime West Philly resident, Mike Scott-Straight. His jewelry, bits of stained glass and broken pottery set in metal, has been a perennial favorite here at VIX. He is now incorporating found vintage images into some of his work, jewelry as well as some larger pieces, like this Art Deco inspired mirror. Trey will set the mood with his nineteenth century fiddlin’, and refreshments will be served. Join us, won’t you?

tell me something good…

Oh yes, it was good. The N2N festival was an awesome way to spend Labor Day.

The weather was gorgeous. What huge crowds there were on our little corner! There were tons of vendors, food and of course, great music. The headliner was, of course, the one and only Chaka Khan.

crowds at 50th & Baltimore (you can see VIX in the background)

ms. khan herself

She didn’t stop by the store, but plenty of new faces did. It was great to meet so many new people and spread the word about VIX.

Hope everyone had a great Labor Day weekend!

chaka khan… chaka khan…

let her rock you

This Monday, Sept. 1st, Labor Day, is the annual Neighborhood to Neighborhood festival at 50th and Baltimore. Right outside our door, in other words. It’s a huge spectacle, with a parade, carnival rides and live music.

The headliner this year is none other than Ms. Khan herself. Right outside out door. Last year it was Mos Def. VIX will be open, needless to say. We’re usually closed Mondays, but I guess we’ll make an exception just this once…

Stop by, if you can make it through the crowds. (Don’t drive. The 34 trolleys will be diverted too, but you can get close on the 13.)

yay party!

Thanks to everyone who came out to our holiday party last night. We had a swell time!

This box is a special souvenir.

Lorraine made this box at our party. It depicts the party, partygoers, artists and me taking pictures of the party. On the sides are notes of music, some very complicated ones to represent Brendan’s skillful mandolin playing. So it’s a craft made at a craft party of the craft party. And here are some of the pictures I took. You can see that I took pictures because it shows me doing it on the commemorative box.

I only wish I had taken more pictures of the party, like one of the making of the commemorative box that shows me taking pictures of the party. Oh well, no party is perfect.

We played with Lindsey’s handmade stamps and linoleum blocks as the smells of mulled cider and artfully burned wood filled the air. We had beer from Dock Street and egg nog as we chatted and shopped. A fine holiday party indeed, and many lovely gifts to change hands soon…

Join us for the next one, won’t you?

holiday party!

West Philly Handmade Holiday Shopping Party!

We’ll have festive refreshments, oh yes.

We’ll also have a handful of featured artisans in attendance, sharing a bit about what they do and how they do it, such as:

• Paper artist and book designer Kristina Bonning of B. Inspired Designs
• Fiber artist Elissa Kara, crocheter and maker of handspun yarn
• Pyrographer Lorraine Dalessio (pyrography = the art of decorative wood burning)

Live music by Serpents of W.I.S.D.O.M. who can play the mandolin like you never did see.

Friday evening, December 14, 6-10 pm.

Join us, won’t you?