CLOSED. Call for Artists and Makers – 2023 Historic Shell Holiday Shop in Issaquah

The 2023 Applications are now closed. To see future calls for artists please follow us on instagram – @shellholidayshop and @andsothere or sign up for our infrequent newsletter.

Calling Local Artists and Makers!

We’re looking for talented local artists and craftspeople to feature in the ninth annual Historic Shell Holiday Shop in Downtown Issaquah: 232 Front St N.
If you make great gifty goods we want to feature you!

This holiday shop is curated and run by Alison Lang of So, There (andsothere.com); and will focus on fun and unique gifts made by local artists. The shop is open weekends from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve 2023 in beautiful, festive Downtown Issaquah.

No table or booth fees! No booth to tend! Chosen products will be sold on consignment, and artists will receive payment (minus commission) for sales following the shop’s closure in December. Artists will be responsible for dropping off stock on November 19-20 and picking it up on Jan 1-2 (details below).

If you make it, we want to see it! We are looking for handmade: fashion accessories, jewelry, pillows, candles, textiles, home accessories, small furniture pieces, journals, stationery, books, office accessories, gadgets, games, children’s toys, and more! Locally designed items will also be considered (even if they aren’t handmade). Please Note – I do review original art pieces, but hanging and displaying original pieces is extremely difficult in the space, so I am limited in the kind of art I can accept. Typically small items work best.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO NOTE

• Artists must be able to drop off stock on November 19th or 20th, and pick up on January 1st or 2nd. You may ship your work, but you are responsible for all shipping fees.
• Shop commission is 40% to cover insurance, display, processing fees, and venue. Artist will receive 60% of sales, via check or PayPal by January 30th, 2024.
• Artists must affix a tag to each item which includes a business name, item number, and price (pencil is ok!)
• Priority will be given to early applicants, those we’ve worked with in the past, and those that are very local to Issaquah.
• You may provide display pieces or furniture if you like, but they may be used anywhere in the store.

The Holiday Shop also has a web shop, to allow people to browse and buy online for in-store pickup. While I will not require every item to be listed online, it is helpful to get as much as I can listed to make a good showing. For all items listed online I will need a quality photo and description. All items in the store will have an item number (SKU) and price securely attached.


Join Us!

Please fill out our Google form below by October 30 to be considered for the 2023 Holiday Shop. I will send a confirmation that I have received your application within 3 days. If you don’t hear from me within 3 days, or have any problems with the application, please email me at [email protected]

2022 Featured Artists and Makers

akaihana

Artchestra

Beastie and Bone

Beehive Creations

Between Two Pines Shop

Blue Egg Studio LLC

Burns Vegan Bakery

Carlie Williams Art 

Christine Stoll Studio

Coral Reef Printing Co.

Graceful Moon Studios 

Hawk + Handsaw Jewelry

Kitten Mittens

LegendAirey Creations

Liz St.Andre Art

Maison Arbor

MCreativeJ

Mike Hipple Photography

Porpe Artifacts

Rachel Beyer Artist Apothecary

Rainborn Studios

Renee’s Creation 

Robot Mom Creations LLC

Sage on the Mountain

Sandy Perkow 

Silver & Cedar

So There

Starlight Glassworks

Trailcrossings

uzura

Voss Ceramics

World of Woollycraft

WriteSpark Press

XV Studios

Yardia

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The 2021 Historic Shell Holiday Shop is now open in Issaquah!

HISTORIC SHELL HOLIDAY SHOP
Open Friday thru Sunday, 12-5PM
Nov.26 – Dec.31, 2021
232 Front Street N, Issaquah

>> Shop online for same day pick-up! <<

Find great gifty goods from more than 30 local artists at the 7th annual Historic Shell Holiday Shop– jewelry, ceramics, cards, journals, patches, stickers, pins, ornaments, decoration… the list goes on. You’re sure to find something amazing for someone amazing– all while supporting local craftspeople. Curated by Alison Lang (So, There.) with the Downtown Issaquah Association.

A few things are still different this year, but the shop is still packed full of amazing treasures, so take a look at our extra details below, and swing by for a visit– either in-store or online.

THIS YEAR

The in-store limit is 8 people at one time including children. Please take a peek to make sure there is room for your party before entering. If we are at capacity you will be asked to wait outside on one of our covered benches until there is room for you. This is first-come-first-serve, but if you’d like a guaranteed shopping time, please email Alison at [email protected] to see about a personal shopping time outside of our normal hours.

You must wear a face covering at all times while in the store. We will have masks available to you if you need one. Please make sure your mouth and nose are completely covered. Extra points for fun masks. (;

Please use sanitizer before handling anything in the store. Don’t worry, we have plenty to share. Also remember to keep a safe distance from other customers at all times.

Shop online! Almost everything in the Historic Shell Holiday Shop is available to order online, and you can shop anytime. Just pick what you’d like to take home, pay online and let us know when you’d like to pick it up. Please give us at least 1 hour to fill your order.
Pick-up is available at the the Holiday Shop (232 Front Street N, Issaquah) Friday-Sunday 12:30-5PM. Please park near the station and go to the building to request your bundle. If you have any issues text or call 425-281-9083 or email [email protected].
Shipping is also available, see our online shop for details, or email Alison with any questions.

Private Shopping available including before 12 and after 6 on our open days. Please email Alison to arrange a private shopping time.

All sales are final, which is our policy every year, but even more important this year to protect the health of our customers and artists.

Hours and Open Dates are subject to change. We can’t predict the future, so do consider getting your shopping done early. The bonus is that you will have even more options to choose from! You can see the latest news at www.facebook.com/shellholidayshop or contact Alison.

Any other questions? Alison’s your gal- [email protected], 425-281-9083.

All out artists appreciate your support, and I love getting to interact with you all every year.


Artists rely heavily on sales they make during the holiday season, and these couple of years have been extra tricky. If you have the means, please consider supporting artist businesses and small, local businesses.
Your impact is huge, and we 🖤 you.

–Alison Lang: Lettering fiend and letterpress friend at So There, Issaquah.

CLOSED : Artist Call for the 2020 Historical Shell Holiday Shop

Calling Local Artists and Makers!

The Artist call is closed at of October 30. If you have any questions about the shop feel free to email me at info@andsothere.com. See you soon!

It’s been a rough year, but it’s time to share the things you love to make with people who will love to give them as gifts. Please note that this year’s shop will require a few extra steps from artists to ensure that we can continue to represent your work and serve customers in the event that there is a change in our ability to be open for retail hours.

We’re looking for talented local artists and craftspeople to feature in our sixth annual holiday shop at the Historic Shell Station in Downtown Issaquah: 232 Front St N. If you make great gifty goods we want to feature you!

This holiday shop is curated and run by Alison Lang of So, There (andsothere.com); and will focus on fun, unique, handmade gifts of all sorts. The shop will be open weekends, from Thanksgiving to New Year 2020 in beautiful, festive Downtown Issaquah.

No table or booth fees! No booth to tend! Chosen products will be sold on consignment, and artists will receive payment (minus commission) for sales following the shop’s closure in December. Artists will be responsible for dropping off stock on November 22-23 and picking it up on Dec 31-Jan 1.

If you make it, we want to see it! We are looking for handmade: fashion accessories, jewelry, pillows, candles, textiles, home accessories, small furniture pieces, journals, stationery, books, office accessories, electronic gadgets, games, children’s toys, and more! Original art pieces and locally designed items will also be considered– Please note, though, that hanging and displaying original pieces is extremely difficult in the space, which limits the kinds of pieces I can display.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO NOTE

• Artists must be able to drop off stock on November 22nd or 23rd, and pick up on December 31st or January 1st. You may ship your work, but you are responsible for all shipping fees.
• Shop commission is 40% to cover insurance, display, processing fees, and venue. Artist will receive 60% of sales, via check or PayPal by January 30th, 2021.
• Artists must affix a tag to each item which includes a SKU (see below), price tag, and business name (pencil is ok!)
• Priority will be given to early applicants and those that are very local to Issaquah.
• You may provide display pieces or furniture if you like, but they may be used anywhere in the store.

Changes for 2020
The Holiday Shop is very important to me, so even though this year is likely to be a little bit tricky and a lot more work, I feel like it’s absolutely worth it. This year I will be requiring photos for each unique item so that I can list them online for in-store pickup for customers who would prefer that to shopping in person. Each unique item will also need to be marked with an item number (SKU) and price. I’m definitely working to make sure this is as painless a process as possible, and will have more specifics if your work is accepted. I understand that photos can be tricky for some people, but don’t worry- we’ll make it all work!


Join Us!

Please fill out our Google form below by October 30 to be considered for the 2020 Holiday Shop. I will send a confirmation that I have received your application within 2 days. If you don’t hear from me within 2 days, or have any problems with the application, please email me at [email protected]

2019 Featured Artists and Makers

A Tea Leaf
Aline’s Cardboard
Amicreative
Beautiful Mess Press
Beehive Creations
Blue Egg Studio LLC
Christine Stoll Studio
Earth & Clay
Frog & Fern
Graceful Moon Studios
Habitude Paper
Jillian Born
Jim’s Woodshop
Juliette-Ripley Dunkelberger
Kitten Mittens
Lisa Mueller Jewelry
Little Green
MayhemHere Art
MCreativeJ
Melissa Zahradnicek
Moultonology
OOliva
Print Ritual
Rachel Admas
Rachel Beyer
Raincitysews
Sarah Brighton Aromatherapy
Silver & Cedar
So There Letterpress
Starlight Glassworks
Tita Heart Made
uzura
Wicked Kitty Toys
World of Woollycraft
Yardia

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Free Flower Coloring Sheet!

To brighten your day I turned the popular Grab-a-Greeting flower postcard design into a coloring sheet you can print at home. A version of this design is also available as a set of postcards- you can find them at the Grab-a-Greeting stand at our Issaquah Studio OR at our online shop.

Click above to download coloring page PDF.

(Normal disclaimers- this is provided for free for your personal coloring use, please do not replicate any part for sale or for commercial use without my approval.)

A look at our Letterpress

IMG_1848_lookatletterpress
I wrote this post for our sister blog Adventures-in-Making in October 2015. It gives a little peek into one aspect of our process.

With the weather turning gloomy it’s becoming less practical (and pleasant) to work outside, but I have had more chances to work more with my lovely letterpress. It dawned on me (while I was listening to the clunking and whirring of the machine) that I haven’t ever shared my adventures with this 126-year-old guy, even though he takes up a huge space in my heart (and my bedroom.)

I thought I’d show you a couple of behind the scenes shots, and talk about my printing process.

An old etching of the letterpress model I work with, in the amazing American Wood Type book my mom passed down to me. Synchronicity?

There are a lot of great resources for learning about the history of printing (I’ve listed some resources below) so I won’t get too much into a subject that I’m learning more about all the time.

My first experience printing was at the University of Texas, on a Vandercook press using antique wood type (from the Rob Roy Kelly collection) and modern polymer plates. I eventually acquired a small table-top platen press (a Craftsmen Imperial) and started printing greeting cards and more using the same method I use today on my floor-standing platen press.

Nearly two years ago we moved the one-ton California Reliable into a corner of our bedroom, and it has become a my go-to for printing with love.

IMG_1907_lookatletterpress
Polymer plates before they are aligned on the aluminum base for printing.

While I still use lead type and wood type occasionally, I mainly print with polymer plates on an aluminum base. I draw up the artwork, scan it, clean it up and prep it for the plates, then send the artwork out to have plates made. The plates are somewhat similar to the clear sticky stamp sheets some people use with a clear block; however the material is much harder which allows for much more detail and lets it stand up to the high pressure of the letterpress. The height of the material has to be just right to bring it up to type high on the aluminum block and allow for the ink rollers to roll, and the printer to print.

IMG_1955
Hand carved linoleum blocks being printed on a small tabletop press.

Occasionally I get a wild hair and print from hand-carved linoleum blocks. There’s less perfection in this mode, but you can end up with really great results with lots of character. There’s a trick to raising the blocks up to the right height, but it’s definitely possible.

IMG_1894_lookatletterpress
There’s a long list of things I love about letterpress printing, but color is at the top. I love how each color I print is one solid color instead of being made up of a pointillistic nightmare of Cyan/Magenta/Yellow/Black. (There’s no room in my blue for little pink dots.) Each color on a letterpress print is printed separately; each color has its own plate. I’m a somewhat inexact ink mixer, but I always seem to end up at the right color (and I try not to get ink everywhere.)

IMG_1873_lookatletterpress
Printing the first color of a leafy card.

Alignment (registration) is something that has taken a little getting used to, but I’ve come up with a method that works great for me. Here you can see a couple of polymer plates on my aluminum base, printing the first color of a two-color card.


The opening and closing action on this Gordon-style press is powered by a flywheel and a foot-powered treadle. There is a single magical dance that inks the rollers on the ink plate, rolls them across the printing plate, then presses the paper into that plate to make a print. (I’m learning a little more all the time about the mechanics of this magic, but the first lesson was DON’T LEAVE YOUR HAND IN THERE.) I’m responsible for pumping with my foot/ankle/hip and feeding paper.

IMG_1862_lookatletterpress
Printing on paper handmade from the scraps of other cards.

One of the nicest things about the letterpress is that with a little ingenuity you can print on just about anything flat. Most of my pieces are printed on thick cover stocks, often 100% cotton. I’ve started printing more and more on sheets of handmade paper that I make from the trimmings of those other cards. I love the texture and softness of the paper I make, and I adore the fact that it means I’m contributing less to the landfills. (Want to know more about making paper? 1 2 3)
I’ve also just started to experiment with printing on fabric…. I have ideas….
IMG_1876_lookatletterpress
So that’s my old guy. Our love is still new, but I think it’s made to last.
Time will pass– I will get more ragged and he will get less, and he’ll always have new things to press.
I’ll keep learning.
IMG_1889_lookatletterpress

Resources and Links

Briar Press: A never ending resource for letterpress parts and printers
Letterpress Commons: Developed by Boxcar Press with articles and resources
Boxcar Press: My usual source for polymer plates and some other materials and supplies
Reich Savoy: One of the papers I print on.
Van Son Rubber Base Plus Ink: My preferred ink