Mask Making with Steve Pogni at Exploratorium

What an amazing time we had at Carnival "Mask Making with Steve Pogni" at the Exploratorium in San Francisco this weekend! We had such a blast meeting new faces and showing people how to create their own masks. Thanks to the Exploratorium for having us there. We look forward to coming back soon!

 

Iconic Masks Infographic

Thought this was worth sharing!

Original source: http://visual.ly/40-years-iconic-music-masks

October Schedule -- Tons of New Halloween Masks

Find us at the following events this month:

10/6 Castro St Fair in San Francisco

10/12 Zydeco Festival in Sausalito

10/13 Santa Rosa Italian Festival

10/19-20 Campbell October Fest

10/26 Noe Valley Harvest Festival

Leading up to Halloween, find us at Castro St @ Market or the Ferry Plaza Monday through Friday. 

Text us before coming and we'll let you know where we are!

Scary masks, fun masks, happy masks, silly masks, old fashioned masks, spooky masks, kids masks, pet masks, super hero masks, feather masks, princess masks, sexy masks, rock n roll masks -- you name it, we got it -- or could make it for you. 

Have a wicked fun & safe Halloween!

Where to find us this September -- Great new mask designs for Fall

The Fall is a beautiful time of year, although it is usually warmer here in the Bay Area than summer itself, yet the Fall also has an eery air about it, particularly when accentuated by the cold, dense foggy nights. Yes, Halloween is quickly arriving...what will your mask be this year?

Having just finished reading the Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (highly recommended read), the way some of our fans seek us out reminds me of the reveurs. We are certainly fortunate to have a loyal following. Thank you all. Merci. Namaste.

We've been getting all kinds of awesome requests for masks for the Fall and Halloween. Got an idea for us, please let us know. We are going to do our best to show up to as many events and hot spots as possible so our fans can find us. 

We've got an amazing lineup of events! Here is where you can find us this month:

9/7 and 9/8 Mountain View Art & Wine Festival 2013

9/14 to 9/15 41st Annual Castro Valley Fall Festival 2013

9/21 Polk Street Blues Festival in San Francisco

9/28 to 9/29 Milpitas International BBQ & Festival

Also, feel free to call or text us at 415.246.3848 to find out where we are!

New Masks - May and June Calendar

We are back to blogging again! Apologies to all of our fans for the long delay. We have been busy making new Italian-style masks, and finding sources that carry the best quality and most affordable masks in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Here is our schedule for the next two months:


May 18-19 Boogie on the Bayou in downtown Campbell
May 25-26 2013 Carnaval San Francisco
June 1-2 Union Street Festival in San Francisco
June 9 - Haight Ashbury Street Fair in San Francisco
June 15-16 North Beach Festival in San Francisco
June 22-23 San Anselmo Art & Wine Festival

Comedy-Tragedy Duo

See you soon!

Jolly, Merry Masks! Holiday Schedule

Tis the season for spreading joy and getting someone that special gift! We will be at several local locations in the Bay Area this season. Stop by and see our latest selection of Italian-style masks, party masks, holiday masks and 'just jolly good fun' masks.

December 8-13: One Market near Ferry Plaza in San Francisco

December 14-15-16 and

December 22-23-24: Telegraph Street Fair in Berkeley

December 31 (New Year's Eve): Ringing in 2013 at the Sea of Dreams "LunaSea" at the Concourse in San Francisco -- wow, it looks like an amazing show again this year!

Thanks to everyone (my family, friends, fans, customers, and fellow street fair artists) for their love and support throughout the year. I couldn't have done it without you. Wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday season.

Venetian Masks for Dogs in San Anselmo

It was a gorgeous day in Marin County California on Sunday, perfect for the San Anselmo Street Fair. There were some extremely talented artists, and mascherari Steve Pogni was one of them. People of all ages had fun trying on masks, even the pooches!


A quick look at the history of Italian "Carnival of Venice" masks and maskmakers, from Wikipedia: "Masks have always been a main feature of the Venetian carnival.Traditionally people were allowed to wear them between the festival of Santo Stefano (St. Stephen's Day, December 26) and the start of the carnival season and midnight of Shrove Tuesday. They have always been around Venice. As masks were also allowed on Ascension and from October 5 to Christmas, people could spend a large proportion of the year in disguise. Maskmakers (mascherari) enjoyed a special position in society, with their own laws and their own guild. Venetian masks can be made in leather or with the original glass technique. The original masks were rather simple in design, decoration, often had a symbolic, and practical function. Nowadays, most of them are made with the application of gesso and gold leaf and are all hand-painted using natural feathers and gems to decorate."