SFGallery143.com

I had a last minute run-in coming home to my house with an acquaintance who was passing by in the neighborhood. It turned out to be Jo Boyer, who informed me of her art show that night. I was very excited to see what Jo’s talents entailed.The only experience I have had making ceramics was in high school and I am always impressed when people create works of art with clay. No doubt Jo has talent.Her collection of hummingbirds, some dying, some living, were so delicate with an amazing amount of detail. Her pieces sold like hotcakes, especially the actual bird nests that fit in the corner of the wall. Jo sold her work between $10-$100, which I thought was actually underpricing the worth of her work. There were pots that looked like coral from all the texturing on the outside and were much more symmetrical and lighter than anything I could imagine producing. I highly recommend that you check out Jo’s work at Ruby’s Gallery at 552 Noe St.

This Saturday, I had a whirlwind evening attending two art openings back to back. The first started out at what used to be called “Ellie Herman Studios”, but now is Energy, Health, Strength Pilates (EHS) since it changed ownership. Nancy Myers and Tracey Sylvester decided what better way to have a new beginning than have a Grand Opening Art Party.A great event, there was appetizers of fruit, nuts, a variety of cheeses and crackers, beautifully displayed on top of Cadillac Reformers from Slanted Door, live music with bass, piano and a great vocalist from Lavay Smith Trio, and featured photographer Andrew William Schmidt and Illustrator Rob Reger of the famous Emily Strange. I was impressed how they converted the space to fit everyone. The only downfall was the low ceilings which caused the place to get very warm, very quickly.The place filled up fast with many dressed up attendees and many with kids. Don’t worry Pilates and Art Enthusiasts this won’t be the last time they throw a party. According to Nancy you can catch the fun quarterly. Here are some pictures of the event. Unfortunately I had some camera difficulties so not many came out.

My second stop was at My Trick Pony, in which I had a very informative conversation with the owner/Ring Master Matteo Tachini. If you have attended the site, don’t worry. He assured me the new and improved one will be coming out soon with much more information on the place and actual online sales of shirts.This great little spot located on 14th Street off of Church is lined with Pony Paraphernalia and white walls. Over the last 2 1/2 years it’s been open, they have had monthly art openings every first Saturday of the month. The featured artist this month is a beard fanatic, Sarina Eastman. Her collection, “Weird Beard How You Touch Me”, had many polaroids of bearded men with actual vials of hair you could purchase for $40 dollars. The other wall featured more collage pictures with yarn beards, drawings, and cut outs of beards. My favorite was the flyer and display that had the phrase written in a beard, “I wasn’t sure if I liked beards but they grew on me.”I feel the owner himself is an artist in his own way, and I must say that this would be the place to get your ever intriguing fun T-shirt ideas to come alive. With many graphics and the ability to convert your photograph to graphic drawings, this is not your cut and paste type of shirt shop.Matteo and his intern/lead clown, Mica Phelan, can get your shirt made in a day or two with only a 15 minute wait time during open hours. I think by far the coolest feature is the ability to host your own movie nights in the space and in return get great shirts made for the theme of the night for $30 a person. So check it out!

Are you curious on how to get your business off to a good start? Not sure how it works? At the Small Business Commission they have a lot of useful information including how to locally register your Fictitious Business Name. Just go to the website http://www.sfgov.org/site/sbc_index.asp. Then click on the link Local, State, and Federal Requirements.

Or you can go to the Office of the County Clerk Website http://www.sfgov.org/site/countyclerk_index.asp and go to the FBN Filling Instructions. I suggest that once you know the name you want, do a basic search online before going into City Hall. Also, going in earlier in the morning you can avoid long wait times. Best of luck!

This Wednesday I was able to attend BadUnklSista’s Trunk Show. Located on 7th and Market, the once monthly show brings in new Designers and Jewelers. Seen were names I recognized from the Eternal Spring extravaganza. Nika Tang (who organized Eternal Spring), was there as well. My apologies to those names that weren’t mentioned (I need to bring a notepad and pen next time). Wine and munchies were also provided along with some very moody music. Featured mostly below are costumes made by Anastazia.I hope you find them just as amazing as I do. Anastazia started out making her own costumes for a stilt troop which was mandatory. Surprisingly, she hated it. They liked her ideas so much she then provided the costumes for the whole troop. Now other people, and myself, can enjoy her wonderful costumes and clothing. I guess you can’t ignore talent. Enjoy the pictures!

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This weekend I attended this great show that blended local artists, performers, and designers. A great taste of what San Francisco is about. If you have ever been to SomArts you know it is an enormous warehouse space. Located on 934 Brannan street next to Bed Bath and Beyond, the place was packed by the time I got there. With a “suggested donation” of $7 and cheap drinks it was well worth the money for a night out of entertainment. The event went from 2 -10pm with an afterparty until sunrise. I missed the various dance performers and bands but made it in time for the Fashion Show from 8-10pm.

Here are some pictures from some of the clothing designers. Just to list a few in the show were: Fati Beloved, SAA.Z Design, JewelryByRisto, Wild on the Inside, Wildlife Works, Little Red Sparrow, Antoniya Ivanovna and the last, but definitely the most memorable, BadUnklSista.

The feeling from a lot of the vendors were things you would see at Burning Man… a lot of fur, a lot of skin, and a lot of character.

Not included in the fashion show were other local designers and jewelers such as: Fluidance, Foxy Monster, Paper Organics, North Beach Taylor, Sequoia Emmanuelle and Pandora’s Trunk.

Check the Eternal Spring website for more information, and links to all the people involved, the list goes on and on.

I had a conversation the other day that sparked the topic of why people should buy locally. One of the topics we talked about was the price of gas/oil in just transporting goods from other states and countries.Shopping locally helps support the environment as well cut gas use, and keeps re-circulating money. You are putting money back into the place you live, versus putting it in let’s say…China.For a more extensive list of reasons, the site for San Francisco Locally Owned Merchants Association gives a top ten list of reasons why it’s better. This site is great so check it out and keep these thoughts in mind next time you want to go shopping.

Okay, I know this isn’t art related but it was a great event for a future Olympian. I give major kudos to Chris Horton who has been selected to try out for the 400, 800, and 1500 meter dash for this June’s try outs in Eugene, Oregon. He has to make it to the top 32 to qualify. Check out his site at www.chrishortononline.com.

Held at the Chardonnay Golf Course in Napa Valley, the benefit not only was for Chris but for the Hume Center, providing culturally sensitive and comprehensive behavioral health services. Here are some pictures; featured are some of the Oakland Raiderettes who fueled the football spirit. Many thanks to Fatemeh Bani-Taba who helped organize the event and kept things running smoothly.

Have you thought about starting your own business? Check out the Renaissance Center downtown at 25 Fifth Street (between Folsom and Howard), or go to their website: www.rencenter.org The Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center has on going workshops ranging from one day to 14 weeks. These classes range from step by step guidance to your business, marketing, how to use QuickBooks, finance, to helping with grants. They offer scholarships for those who qualify but be sure to enter in early, they fill up fast. They even have the ability to link possible buyers to the graduate’s websites of the program.Happy Searching!

This week we are featuring Kerstin of DAKA. I had the privilege of getting to know her at the SF Gallery 143 Opening Party in December. I decided her bags were just too cute to not have in our store.

As seen in this photo Kerstin picks some of the softest and creative pattern leathers out there, which are basically in the shape of the animal. The charge is by the square foot, ranging from $3 - $4 something per foot. These leathers are so soft I wanted it as a pillow.

Kerstin then hand draws her own creative designs, such as birds, trees, or dots; she then cuts out sections of the leather. For the current bag she is making the dots represent berries, so this retro pattern looks great for the variety of colors.

She uses grommets for the handles because the leather is soft, this protects it from being ripped.

The handles are usually made with a thick cotton fabric or leather. Even though these two bags as her most popular designs, she also does custom made bags, eye pillows, and coin purses. Kerstin is currently working on designs for wallets that could match the bags. My favorite aspect of her messenger bag is the picture window. You can slide a post card or picture in to change up the design of your choice.

Find these items in the future at SFGallery143 or visit her site at www.dakabag.com!

On Friday, January 18th, Ross Mirkarimi (Board of Supervisors for District 5) had his monthly art opening. The featured artist just happened to be Gregory Bartning of Belle Images. His work was featured at SF Gallery 143 in December.

His newest collaboration with Trapeze World was a hit. There was over 150 people that came through during the 2 1/2 hour show. Many people commented it was the best show yet. Go Gregory!! If you happen to be in San Francisco for the next month, be sure to stop by Room 282 at City Hall! Check out some photos below.