LocalPatron.com

Above Photo – repurposed vintage leathers by mittenmaker

Thanksgiving has come and everyone is stuffed…now what? Avoid the crazy lines and anxious people and shop a local event where you are bound to find something unique that your neighbors won’t have.

St. John’s United Church of Christ is hosting a local art and craft event this Saturday November 26th from 10 am to 3 pm. Come pick from a variety of items such as candles, felted and crocheted items, cards, calendars, ornaments, jewelry, clothing, scarves and much more.

You don’t even need to get in a car to get there! The church is conveniently located 1 block from the Forest Hill MUNI station.

Take the K, L, M, T or buses 36, 43, 44, 52

If  you would like more details here is a list of the following artists.

ARTISTS:

mittenmaker – upcycled wallets, bags, & jewelry

Mimosa Studio Jewelry 

Images In A Lens- nature photography

Slow Poke Felt – variety of felted wool items

Bahia Beads – crocheted jewelry

Bee Naturally Candles – 100% beeswax candles

Allure in Style – scarves

Bird Houses By Kim

Vortex Green Jewelry – eco-conscious jewelry

Bob’s Lamps – made from tea cups

Jenn Art – paintings

Curiosity Designs – aprons, hair clips, jewelry

Aprons by Jennifer

I was intrigued about this company not only because they are located in San Francisco AND make their items locally but also that the owner/creator came from a dance background. The reason this intrigued me is because if you have ever danced in the Nutcracker you know how scratchy and stiff those costumes are. That is what led her to create designs that are beautiful AND comfortable.  Dancing and sewing since she was a young girl she was super excited when cotton/lycra fabric came out. You can find Weston Wear at any Ambiance location in the city or at Anthropologie to name just a few.

Check out Weston Wear for Press and read her story.

I was meeting my sister and her husband in San Jose before they jumped on a flight back home and we just happened across a huge Anime Convention in San Jose. I was impressed with the costumes and elaborate makeup. Enjoy the crazy fun!

US Size 14 and up, will be walking the Runway in Lincoln Centre in Manhattan during New York’s Fashion Week. This is a first for Plus Sized Models to take part in one of the biggest fashion events of the year.

“This show is a validation of the 62% of American women who are plus size” -Nancy Le Winter. Editorial director of OneStopPlus.com

Finally women with curves can relate to styles on the catwalk and see themselves wearing clothes that are fashionable. Older women tend to be curvier but it doesn’t mean they want to be less fashionable.

The economy is now in demand for carrying these plus sizes in their stores because the majority, two thirds of women, are plus size.

Some may debate they are celebrating obesity, others may view that fashion week is finally acknowledging “real women” sizes.

The event Runs until September 16th.

Please send me your thoughts!

-J

TO WATCH THE VIDEO CLICK ON THE LINK TO THE BBC

www.bbc.co/uk

Image from:

453 × 557 - Mark Fast’s plus-size models for SS10 collection myfashionlife.com

Read the article. American Apparel has gone down in production for their own stores because their wholesale accounts are up and, after having to fire around 1500 employees who couldn’t provide legal documentation for being authorized to work in the United States, American Apparel really hurt their production and turn around time.

To me the need  for  Made in America is still highly sought after for retailers and other wholesalers.  Do you think the American Market is spoiled over low pricing that American Apparel felt the need to hire illegally to keep their costs down?

Research in many work related fields needs to be seriously pursued for their hiring process. But, how are customers going to deal if prices go up because companies are actually having to pay living wages? Can American Apparel not afford to pay people higher wages or is it that no one wants to do the work? In a time of recession wouldn’t people want to jump at the chance to have a job opportunity, or does it not pay the bills?

What is your solution for the current lack of production in America? What should we start to do? How will that affect people’s buying habits?

Don’t miss Thread this weekend at the Concourse Exhibiting Center from 11-6pm. Find furniture, jewelry, clothing, and get complimentary makeup in the style lounge. Not from SF? No worries, check out their line up for the Summer and Fall up and down the west coast.

It’s only $10 at the door to get in and $8 to RSVP online. No worries if you can’t spend that much, everything is in the price point between $15-$200 dollars. If you are an artist/designer and want to get involved check out their specs here!

Happy Shopping!

I almost hate to spread the word about this site but was in awe of how it works. Even though it isn’t local designers and earth friendly per-say I am amazed at how shopping online is changing with new technology.

A friend of mine sent me a link to sign up for Shop It To Me  because I am interested, as most woman are, in clothes, shoes, and accessories. The site  shocked me, in a good way, and also scared me at what I am up against. Shop it to Me is an online site for showing you deals at designer websites in your size.

The site itself allows you to sign up for a weekly, bi-weekly, daily reminder on the day of the week you want it. It also let’s you pick from a list of popular designers from a 3 column list, what you want as far as if you are a man/woman or teen (have to be older than 13) as well as what size you are in tops, bottoms, shoes and intimates. From this list they are able to send you a list of what is on sale from those sites in your size. Brands included are North Face, bebe, BCBG, Steve Madden, 7 for all Mankind, etc.

After signing up you have the option of reffering friends from your email – google included. I personally skipped the referencing 10 friends but if you do, they send you a $10 discount to a few other stores like Starbucks, Jamba Juice or to donate to Avon Walk for Cancer.

I got my first email and looked up the “How it Works” section just to be sure.  It sounds almost too good to be true but when you place a sale it goes to the direct site of the item you are wanting. For example, you want a pair of Ugg boots, it sends you to the Ugg site to make the purchase of the item on sale.

I am praising the person who designed the technology for this to work. What will online shopping look like in the future?

Have a look for yourself.

http://shopittome.com/

CELEBRATING THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY of The Ball that started it all! Join us for an unparalleled night of elegance, dancing, music, theatre, storytelling, circus arts, burlesque, and late-night revelry.

Featuring Gorey tales brought to life on stage by co-hosts Rosin Coven and Vau de Vire Society, plus “Belle of the Ball” Jill Tracy, Miz Margo, Vima Vice Squad, Fou Fou HA!, Delachaux, Kitten On The Keys, ballroom dancing, turn of the century martial arts demonstrations, the infamous Edwardian portrait studio and surprise guests. Plus a special 10th Anniversary homage to Edward Gorey and Edwardian celebrations gone by!

The 10th Annual Edwardian Ball at The Regency Ballroom – 1300 Van Ness Avenue (at Sutter), SF CA 94109. Doors and show at 8:00pm, all ages welcome. (photo: Nightshade from the 2008 Edwardian Ball)

For More Information go to http://www.edwardianball.com/2010.html

For Ticket Information go to http://www.edwardianball.com/tickets.html

There will be local designers and vendors at the show so please come support and check it out! I went to this last year and had an amazing time. Dance across the floor, see beautiful costumes, and get your picture taken.

* Hat by Jasmin Zorlu

Well, we have had a full  fun run of the store in North Beach and these are our last and final days until we pack up shop until our next location pop’s up somewhere else in this wonderful city of San Francisco. So if you haven’t been able to stop by you won’t want to miss our Closing Party. Here are the details…

Where: Local Patron 1418 Grant St (between Grant & Union).

When: 6pm – to 9 (or when we decide to close)

What:

• DJ’s Dominique and Bryan Riate will be sure to have you feeling good.
• Desserts by pastry Chef of Eos Jennifer Riate goodies you don’t want to miss
• Sale 10%-25% off everything in the store.
• Drinks and appetizers on the house.

Check out our Press Page. We were written up on..

• The Chronicle

• 7×7

• NBC Bay Area

• SF Station

• SF Indie Fashion

and Featured on ABC “What’s Hot This Weekend”.

Thank you to everyone who made the store possible. Special thanks to Gregory Bartning, Becky Uline, and Gabe Colaluca for volunteering their time and efforts. Special thanks to Cody Morrison of Danger Deluxxe and Joey, the band Potion, Becky and Friends, Bryan and Dominique for their musical talents. Thanks to Aids Life Cycle and Nest. Thanks to Jennifer Riate and The Key for their passion for food and beer. Thanks to all the wonderful (over 60) artists who participated.

Finally, Thanks to all of you for helping spread the word.

We here at SF Gallery 143 want to thank all of our supporters and enthusiasts for helping us grow in 2009 and following us over to North Beach for our collaboration with Local Patron.

www.sfgallery143.com

Don’t miss our last week of being open at our location and last chance sale. We are having a store wide sale for our full last week and  Closing Party January 10th.

*Closing Party Featuring DJ from Hiest, Dominique, and Brian Riate. Pastry Chef, Jennifer Riate, from acclaimed restaurant EOS will be featuring some of her favorite desserts for you to sample. 6pm-9pm

Where: 1418 Grant Street

When: January 2nd – January 10th

Hours: Monday – Wednesday 2pm-8pm Thursday -Sunday 12pm -8pm

What: Store wide Sale 10%-2o% from January 2nd – January 10th

May the new year bring you joy and happiness!