September » 2010 » Markets of New York

New Video! Market Signs: Beautiful, Personal, and Helpful

As I wander through the farmers markets, artisan markets and flea markets, I love to look at all the different kinds of signs. Signs are written in chalk, Sharpie, pen, and colored markers, on chalkboards, whiteboards, cardboard, or bits of paper – whatever it takes to get the message out to the customers. I especially like the handwritten ones, and the ones with special messages on them. I also like the straightforward messages about the item and pricing. And the ones that go the extra distance to provide a bit more information, or even a marketing twist: not just a seedless watermelon, but a “Sweet Little Seedless Watermelon.” How can we possibly resist?

The theme song is “Heaven,” by Brooklyn’s own Hilary Hawke and the Flipsides. You can often hear them playing at the Greenpoint/McCarren Park Greenmarket.

Photos of the Day – September 28, 2010: Jennifer Toledo and Wild Rose

In a large section at the back of the Greenflea is Wild Rose, a wonderland of dreamy, ornate, white furniture. High Victorian meets Shabby Chic in Wonderland, with a dash of your dear old granny. Jennifer Toledo finds wonderful old pieces of furniture with loads of character at estate sales. She takes them to her barn in New Jersey, where she strips and sands them, and carefully paints them in a rich, creamy white. You will find antique French Provincial designs, along with more modern pieces, and they all work together beautifully. So regardless of whether you are decorating 400 or 2000 square feet of space, you can find just the right individual piece or an entire set. I absolutely adore the look of voluptuously rounded dressers, romantic armoirs with unknowable secrets inside, and the ruffled mirrors hanging over iron bedsteads.

You can find Jennifer Toledo and Wild Rose at the Greenflea on Sundays, on the W. 76th St. fence near the back of the market.

Photo of the Day – September 27, 2010: Paperelle

Lightbulb Full of Stars by Lauren Donnelly of Paperelle

Paperelle is all sorts of wonderful ideas rolled into one: origami, upcycling, decoupage, design, handcrafting, and whimsy. Talented artisan Lauren Donnelly creates colorful, paper jewelry and other objets, such as this lovely lightbulb full of tiny, plump origami stars, each one made carefully by hand. She also makes bangles and other pieces of jewelry using bits of paper that she carefully selects: Japanese Manga, an upcycled physics textbook, or a map of the State of New York. She even puts junk mail to good use. Paperelle pieces are all one-of-a-kind, dainty, and sweet. And if a lightbulb full of stars doesn’t inspire you to dream, well, we need to talk.

She sells her work on Etsy.com, and she is a member of The {NewNew} Artisan Group, selling her pieces at markets in New York City.

The Maker Faire Comes to New York City

I spent the afternoon at the Maker Faire on the grounds of the New York Hall of Science in Queens on Saturday. It had a great vibe, sort of a mix of a county fair, art market, Renn Fest, Comic Con, inventor fair, and Martha Stewart all rolled up into to one event. I saw some some amazing examples of “makers.” Beautiful handmade crafts, puppets made from garbage, things to do with a bruken computer, robots made from boxes and plastic bottles, there were so many fun, creative, and thought-provoking things to do, see, and learn at the Faire. I learned a few things myself, like how to knit a baby cap and how to lead a plastic-free life. It’s a great event for kids!

Go see the Maker Faire for yourself on Sunday.

So Many Markets This Weekend! Which Ones Will You Visit?!

Wicked Slippers on Sale at th Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Flea Market and Grand Auction

Fall Market Season is officially in full swing! Here are some of the amazing events going on this weekend in New York City!

Saturday, September 25, 2010:

HomeMade: New York City: This weekend-long event is a “showcase for all locally made products and performers.” Sponsored by The Shiny Squirrel, who know how to put on lovely events!

London Terrace Street Fair/Flea Market: The London Terrace Street Fair/Flea Market is a fabulous annual yard sale with loads of amazing finds. Last year someone bought the Frye boots I had my eye on! Not this year, though – I’m ready! On West 24th & 9th in Chelsea.

Madison Square Market: This craft and food fair runs this Saturday through October 23. On Sunday, IndieShop.com, the TV show featuring independent designers and online shop, will be filming shoppers at the market!

Maker Faire: “A celebration of the DIY mindset and creativity, Maker Faire brings together engineers, artists, crafters, tinkerers and scientists.” All weekend at the New York Hall of Science.

The Marte: This family market returns at a new location on the Upper West side – 163 W. 97th St., between Amsterdam and Columbus Ave. Over 50 vendors, plus entertainment!

Sunday, September 26, 2010:

Atlantic Antic: This is the street fair everybody loves! Featuring local shops, local artisans, local food!

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Flea Market and Grand Auction: People plan their annual visits to NYC around this spectacular, unique event. Broadway theaters open their closets and put all their treasures out on in Shubert Alley. Props, costumes, memorabilia, and celebrity sightings abound! Only in New York City!

Can Factory Market: This high quality handmade market is holding a season of themed events. This weekend is featuring Botanicals, which is sure to be an incredibly creative and beautiful show.

And don’t forget to visit your wonderful weekly markets too! I will be doing a Book Signing at the Greenflea from 10 – 12:30 on Sunday, September 24!

See you at the markets!

Photo of the Day – September 23, 2010: Eyewear by Sarita

Vintage 1960's Cat Eye Peepers from Eyewear by Sarita at the East 67th Street Market

Whatever your style, Sarita has the eyewear for you. A pillar of the East 67th Street Market, Eyewear by Sarita sells antique, vintage and contemporary glasses. I have tried on glamorous Jackie O style glasses, and the vintage 1960’s French cat eye peepers in the photo. My sister bought a beautiful dark gray frame, also from France, with sparkly aurora borealis crystals in a swirl around the temples. They are truly unique, subtle enough to wear during the day and flashy enough to wear into the night. Sarita also has classic brass readers, bright colors from the 1970’s, and whacky designs from the 1980’s. If you left your sunglasses at home and just need a quick pair to walk around the market, she has those too.

In addition to eyewear afficcionados, Sarita counts among her clients many stylists and costume designers who seek classic or unusual eyewear for their productions. Find her on Saturdays inside the East 67th Street Market.

Photo of the Day – September 22, 2010: Milk Thistle Organic Dairy

Icy Cold Milk from Milk Thistle Organic Dairy

I came across Milk Thistle Organic Dairy at the 82nd St. Greenmarket when I was feeling particularly thirsty and hungry. I tried a pint bottle of their organic chocolate milk. It was velvety, rich and creamy, and just sweet and chocolaty enough to balance out the delicious flavor of the milk itself. Milk does have a flavor in real life. The processed grocery store milk rarely tastes like anything more than white liquid these days. But organic milk reminds you of why babies love it so much!

Milk Thistle is a family-owned farm in Ghent, NY. They use no pesticides or fertilizers, and their cows are free from synthetic hormones and antibiotics. It is a certified organic farm. And every cow has a name. (See Milk Thistle’s site for their Greenmarkets schedule.)

Photo of the Day – September 21, 2010: Urbanrose Handcrafted Jewelry

Classic Lockets with Artful Images from Urbanrose

What woman doesn’t have a soft spot for lockets? Didn’t everyone have a teensy locket with a photo of a beloved grandmother inside, or maybe a weensy photo cut out of Tiger Beat Magazine? Growing up, you had to have a locket and a diary with a lock on it – for privacy reasons, of course. And the contents of both was extra secret. But lockets have been surprisingly difficult to find for many years for some reason. Until now, that is.

Urbanrose creates delicate lockets, both small and large. Each piece is unique and handmade using delicate images appliquéd to the brass lockets. The images come in a variety of themes, from famous works of art, landmarks, and vintage photos, to trees and flowers, 1970’s design, wildlife, vintage labels, and much more. You will definitely find an image that will appeal to every age and every style. I loved the images of these women in paintings and tapestries on the lockets pictured.

I hope I don’t get in trouble for this scoop, but Urbanrose is collaborating with another of my favorite market superstars, Bugged Out! Now you can get Bugged Out’s whimsical bugs, veggies, and fruits on a locket! Only at the Markets of New York City.

You can find Urbanrose’s collections at the St. Anthony’s Market and the Fulton Stall Market most Saturdays and Sundays.

Bugged Out's Whimsical Bugs on Lockets from Urbanrose

Photo of the Day – September 17, 2010: Interesting Old Things

Complete Sewing Kit Inside a Brass Walnut from Interesting Old Things

This tiny brass walnut hails from the 1940’s. It is a replica of the gold and silver originals that fancy ladies valued in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s as they practiced their needlework in the grand parlours of New York and London. Just like the real nut, this one too has a treasure inside. It is lined with scarlet felt, and it contains a tiny sewing kit consisting of needles, thread, and a thimble. It closes with a small latch and has a ring at its tip to hang it from a long chain.

You can find this wonderful artifact and many other miniature antique items from Interesting Old Things at the East 67th Street Flea Market on Saturdays and the Antiques Garage on Sundays.

Photos of the Day – September 16, 2010: Autumn at the Markets with Maxwell’s Farm

Autumn is in the air! We were walking through the Union Square Greenmarket on Monday and noticed that the colors have changed dramatically in just a week! There are a few summer stalwarts – peaches and plums – but fall produce is building up its momentum in the markets.

These fruits and vegetables from Maxwell’s Farm in Changewater, NJ are taking on a distinctly fall-like set of hues, from the golden pumpkins that are now resting where the peaches had been a week ago, to the purple concord grapes, and the deep red, yellow and orange peppers and gourds. What seasonal changes are you noticing in your local Greenmarket?