Art that won't break the bank
By: Christina Troup
Special to The Examiner
August 11, 2009
 |
|
In the show: San Francisco painter Eileen Goldenberg is among the local artists participating in the juried American Craft Council Show at Fort Mason this weekend. San Francisco sculptor Michael Szabo’s vases, below, also will be on view and for sale. (Courtesy photo)
|
SAN FRANCISCO — Handmade doesn’t necessarily have to mean hefty in price. The American Craft Council Show — a weekend of juried handcrafted goods, green design and craft demonstrations — takes up shop at Fort Mason Center from Friday through Sunday and offers one-of-a-kind finds you may be surprised to discover are affordable.
Highlights of this year’s show include a spotlight on eco-friendly crafts and up-and-coming indie crafters, a screening of the film “HandMade Nation: The Rise of DIY, Art, Craft and Design” and the oh-so affordable “5 After 5” event, which takes place opening night and includes wine sampling and a meet-and-greet with “HandMade Nation” filmmaker Faythe Levine for $5.
When it comes to scoring a deal at the craft show, Niki Ulehla, 29, of San Francisco advises that the best route is to talk to people and ask questions.
Ulehla, who works with found metal objects, says that a handcrafted piece of her jewelry can take her anywhere from one to about 10 hours to create.
“I am sure a lot of exhibitors are sensitive to the need for a budget,” Ulehla says. “Price ranges will vary both from person to person and within one person’s work.”
Painter Eileen P. Goldenberg, 56, of San Francisco says her rule of thumb is simply to “shop carefully and buy what you love.
“We all need to give our economy a boost,” Goldenberg says. “Spending money and supporting artists who run small businesses will help everyone.”
One of the reasons San Francisco sculptor Michael Szabo, 29, participates in the American Craft Council Show is that it shares his aim of bridging the fine-art world with a section of the public that may not normally step into a gallery.
“Although one of my handcrafted vases may be more expensive than a metal vase from Pottery Barn that is stamped out by the thousands, the most fulfilling [thing] for my customers and clients is the experience of meeting the artist and knowing they have a unique work that someone put their heart into,” he says.
Szabo suggests that even if you see something you like that you can't afford, artists still appreciate it when you express your interest in their work. He suggests taking an artist’s business card just in case.
“I often get calls months or even years after a show from someone who took my card and is now ready to proceed with a project or purchase one of my available pieces,” Szabo says.
IF YOU GO
American Craft Council Show
Where: Herbst and Festival pavilions, Fort Mason Center, Marina Boulevard and Buchanan Street, San Francisco
When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Tickets: $10 to $18, except $5 after 5 p.m. Friday
Contact: (800) 836-3470, www.craftcouncil.org/sf
