second storie indie market: 2012

Second Storie 2012: your heart will feel good

who:

Thirty eight remarkably talented makers and artists of all sorts;

potters, painters, and printmakers,

glass blowers, stitchers, and coffee roasters,

writers, illustrators, and letterpress printers,

jewelry makers, knitters, and more!

what:

The coziest, happiest shopping in town this holiday weekend.

Our market is just brimming with talent!

On this Small Business Saturday,

shop 39 small businesses under one roof!

(and two more just outside)

when:

Saturday, November 24th

10am - 6pm

where:

Visual Studies Workshop

31 Prince Street

Rochester, NY

why:

Because if you care about someone enough to get them a gift,

you care enough to get them a thoughtful one.

Purchase a special present directly from the person

who created it and your heart will feel good.

We promise.

- - -

photos from

Alana Davis, Rachael Hetzel, and Shanna Murray

a visit with: Penny Rakov

Over the last couple months it's been an absolute pleasure to showcase our 2012 market artists, their work, and a little peek at where they make the magic happen. We hope you've enjoyed this new series as much as we have!

Now that you know a little more about our talented makers, we hope you'll remember to say hello to your favorites as you shop our market filled with inspiring work and familiar faces. See you Saturday!

For our last visit this year, we're spending time with talented glassblower / jewelry designer and returning Second Storie vendor, Penny Rakov...

a visit with:

- Penny Rakov -

What first inspired you to create/make what you do now?

I always loved color, and things that melted. So I was lucky to find glassblowing. But the skill of controlling hot glass took many years, and along the way I assembled scrap color (mine, and other peoples') into different patterns. That gave me a lot of freedom to play. It was in that play that my love of color, melting things and experimentation came together. I made a lot of tiny sculptures this way and I called them "pocket art." Many people told me that they liked them, but I was only able to sell them (which is important if you want to have money to make new work) when my friends who run a small shop in Philadelphia called Art Star gave me the genius suggestion to make jewelry. Which I love doing since it all ties back to my initial attraction to working with function and how objects interact with the human body.

Your advice for someone just starting out

and wanting to sell their work?

Just one? Man, I love giving young business owners/artists advice. So I think, the most important thing is LOVE what you do. It gets you through the tough spots. Don't make something just because you think it will sell, or because it sells for someone else well. The soul of your work reads clearly.

- her studio -

Three things or people who inspire you?

Well, I'm inspired by passionate people. Dick Marquis is a favorite glass artist of mine, so is Kait Rhodes. They are both fascinating to watch as they continue to evolve. And I am always looking at color combinations to give me new challenges. I see many in flowers and sea life.

- her work -

Favorite way to take a break/recharge your creative batteries?

I'm going lowbrow here, but after a big show I spend a few days hanging with my Boston Terrier, and playing Angry Birds while watching Law and Order marathons. Then, when I head back into the studio, I clean. Usually I can't finish cleaning without starting to put together something new, so the cycle begins again.

Get to know more about Penny here:

PENELOPERAKOV.COM

HER SHOP

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a visit with: Shanna Murray

Over the next few months leading up to our November market, Tuesday through Thursday we'll be showcasing one of our 2012 market artists, their work, and a little peek at where they make the magic happen. We hope you'll enjoy this new series, where we'll ask the same questions of each of our makers.

You'll get to know a little bit about our talented makers and what inspires them, read about their favorite ways to recharge their creativity, and learn what experience has shown them to be an invaluable piece of the puzzle in selling their work. Come November, won't it be great to walk into a room filled with inspiring, familiar faces? We think so, too!

Today we're visiting with one of our very own, illustrator and Second Storie co-founder, Shanna Murray...

a visit with:

- Shanna Murray -

What first inspired you to create/make what you do now?

A handful of years ago, at a friend's suggestion, I turned some of my illustrations into decals. The moment I saw the first vinyl garland cut and then hung on the wall, I was hooked!

Your advice for someone just starting out

and wanting to sell their work?

I think the only advice I can give that is universally applicable to whatever your creative endeavor may be is to make what brings you happiness and share with others why this is so. I've found the connection between a product and its maker is something people really value, don't be afraid to tell your story. I'd also add that surrounding yourself with creative friends and peers that you respect and admire can be invaluable, both personally and creatively.

- her studio -

Three things or people who inspire you?

Poetry inspires me, specifically the words of Mary Oliver.

My sweetheart inspires me, mostly for his capacity for kindness, but also for his gorgeous work as a waller. The album Graceland, by Paul Simon, is something I can always return to and feel full, when my creative well runs dry.

- her work -

Favorite way to take a break/recharge your creative batteries?

At the top of my list is time with my beloved dog, Ollie, at our favorite creek. The quiet and the company do wonders for me.

Any news or upcoming events you'd like to share?

New this month: my collection of holiday carol stationery created specially for Terrain. Also, I will be launching a small holiday line in my own shop this Friday!

Get to know more about Shanna here:

SHANNAMURRAY.COM

HER SHOP

HER BLOG

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a visit with: Cris Sasso of Luna Bella

For our last visit today we're spending time with one of our very own, Second Storie co-founder, Cris Sasso...

a visit with:

- Cris Sasso -

What first inspired you to create/make what you do now?

I've always been in love with art and making things. Even

though I have a degree in graphic design I have learned that I would rather be elbow deep in glue and paper and using tools than in front of a computer cursing out illustrator!

Your advice for someone just starting out

and wanting to sell their work?

It's ok to be confused and scared and completely inept at times. It's ok to get messy and experiment and sometimes not have a clue as to what the heck you are doing. It is often the things that don't work out that inspire and create the thing that you actually end up enjoying making.

- her workspace -

Three things or people who inspire you?

Oh, the list is so long and varied. It's funny that the things that often inspire me have nothing to do with what I actually make!

Cooking inspires me. I love cooking shows and experimenting, knowing that one ingredient can change the course of what you are making. I read the blog Joy the Baker religiously and love her outlook on life and all its craziness. I read it and think, great! I'm not the only one!

Reading inspires me. I love books, all books. I love the look, the feel, the crispness of a new one and the delicacy of an old one and the plain old dog-eared corners of a well loved one. Hmmm. Maybe that is why I am obsessed with paper and all it can be and do!

People in general inspire me. Good friends who encourage me to explore and create and laugh. Family who stands behind you and believes in you even when they aren't quite sure what you are doing. People who give of their talents and time and just enjoy life make me want to be better and do more.

- her work -

Favorite way to take a break/recharge your creative batteries?

I've realized how much a workout at the gym can clear my head and focus my thoughts! BUT - travel is the best way to recharge! If only I could hop on a plane and transport myself to somewhere more often. Until then I will enjoy exploring everywhere I can until the gas runs out in my car!

Get to know more about Cris here:

Cris's plans for a spot online are in the works!

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a visit with: Katie & Mark of Buffalo Craft Company

For our first post this morning we're visiting with talented jewelry designers and returning Second Storie vendors Katie Sallander and Mark Farrell...

a visit with:

- Katie, in their studio -

What first inspired you to create/make what you do now?

When Kate first started doing shows she had gone through the jewelry program at Buffalo State College. She was doing very different work than what we do today. After a year of shows and heavily competing with other jewelers with similar products, she decided to start making work that she wasn't seeing at shows. That is when she started the etched metal jewelry.

From there we've crafted what you see today. The etched metal allows us to make very unique pieces of jewelry. The process also lets us create a piece from start to finish. We make all of our own designs and etch all of our own metal.

Your advice for someone just starting out

and wanting to sell their work?

Just go for it! If you think it's a good product, other people will too. Make things that you like! People always want to get something the artist is passionate about over something made to make a quick buck.

- Mark, in their studio -

Three things or people who inspire you?

Kate's father, Dennis Sallander, a self taught jeweler from AZ in the 70's. Blain Lewis. His support, connections, and skills are amazing! Street art as a whole; tags, murals, and the cutting edge of outsider fringe art.

- their work -

Favorite way to take a break/recharge your creative batteries?

Walk to one of the two coffee shops near our house in downtown Buffalo. Mark gets a large redeye with an extra shot and Kate gets a medium skim latte.