August » 2011 » Markets of New York

Photo of the Day – August 8, 2011: New York Artifact Art

New York Artifact Art: Necklace Made from a 1820 Dinner Plate by Scott Jordan

The works of art by Scott Jordan of New York Artifact Art have to be some of the most fascinating objects in the markets of New York City. Scott visits construction sites throughout the city and retrieves bits and pieces of our city’s history, buried in the layers of dirt and old construction that have piled on over past centuries. Before something new gets built, Scott goes in and excavates the old buried treasures on the site.

The piece in the photograph is a necklace from the new Primitive New York Collection, made from a porcelain dinner plate shard circa 1820. Scott documents every piece he finds. This particular one was buried in a lot beneath Elizabeth Street and Prince Streets in Soho. His design partner, Dolhathai S. (aka Pooh) creates rich jewelry designs using the fragments of porcelain and glass, keys, and other objects. Scott himself creates collage art, often with porcelain dolls, pottery fragments, old pipes, shells, and so much more.

There are many wonderful and incredible aspects to Scott Jordan’s work, and his website has photos and stories that tell his tales. He also has a lovely new book out, Past Objects, which I highly recommend for history buffs, archeologists, and anyone who loves New York City.

You can meet Scott and Pooh on Saturdays at the St. Anthony’s Market on West Houston and Sullivan Streets, and Sundays at the Greenflea.

Weekend Market Picks and Corrente Leather Handbags!

Tenille and Corie of Corrente Leather Handbags

By now, you may know that I get excited about entrepreneurs raising funds in clever ways to grow their businesses. Last weekend, I featured Brewla Bar’s Kickstarter Project. And this weekend, I’m thrilled to feature Corrente Handbags’ Kickstarter Project!

Corrie Humble is the wonderfully creative designer behind the Brooklyn-based Corrente, and she is raising money to produce an exciting new line of handbags. Please have a look at her Kickstarter project and contribute, or share the link with your friends! It all helps Corrie meet her goal!

This Weekend’s Market Picks in the Meatpacking District!

Some of the world’s best known designers have boutiques in the Meatpacking District. And now there are amazing independent and emerging designers in the neighborhood as well, not to mention one of the finest food markets in the city. So I thought I’d feature two designer and one food market together as one great way to spend a day in Manhattan.

Chelsea Market: This food market is open 7 days a week. It is filled with specialty food shops, from imported Italian products, freshly baked breads, and fresh fruits and vegetables, to cheese, fish, and meat shops. You can visit this market for lunch or dinner, and you can also stock up on fine delicacies for your weekly home menu. It’s also the perfect place to find gifts for the foodies in your life.

Independent Designers Pop Shop at Chelsea Market: This is the second market event for this group of artisan entrepreneurs from around the city. The list includes clothing designers, a lovely variety of jewelry and accessories, lingerie, handmade bath and body products, and more. So come to Chelsea Market for food and for this incredible opportunity to shop directly from some of New York’s best and brightest designers. And I’m not just saying that – this group is really talented! It runs through Monday, August 8th.

Young Designers Market in the Meatpacking District: This market has been a pillar of Nolita for years, and they recently opened a second location on 14th Street. If you like jewelry, you will find an amazing variety of designs and styles here. New and independent fashion and accessories designers also sell their high quality products here.

You can spend half a day wandering through these markets, and then pick up a picnic at Chelsea Market for a stroll along the entire length of the fabulous High Line Park!

Photo of the Day – August 4, 2011: Robicelli’s Rocky Road Whoopee Pies

You’re welcome.

Supreme bakers Allison and Matt Robicelli launched their new Rocky Road Whoopee Pies last Sunday at the Dekalb Market. Three words to describe the flavor, texture, and finger-licking goodness: Oh. Mah. Gah.

I owe a debt of gratitude to my friend Kathy Blake, a.k.a. The Experimental Gourmand, for sharing her stash of two when we met up at the Brooklyn Flea on Sunday afternoon. We sat on the stairs in a small patch of shade and dug in.

The Robicellis’ take on this traditional, all American snack is a wonderful success. Chocolatey cakey outsides are super moist, and intensely rich. They are immediately offset by the smooth, creamy, cool white filling, which is punctuated with tiny, flavorful nuggets of roasted almonds. You can clearly see the scrumptious qualities of this sweet confection in the photo, but you really have to taste it for yourself.

Congratulations to the Robicelli’s on the opening of their first shop at the Dekalb Market. Lucky for us, they’re open 7 days a week. I predict their converted shipping container bakery will become the meeting place of choice in downtown Brooklyn.

Photo of the Day – August 3, 2011: Vernakular

Vernakular is the brainchild of photographer and designer Raoul Calleja, creating clothing and accessories that feature fine photography by a group of photographers hailing from New York, Chicago, Portland, Singapore, and beyond.

The photos are selected and then printed on t-shirts, messenger bags, wallets, journal books, and smaller memo books. There are currently 9 photo collections. The subway image on the wallet pictured is by Raoul himself in the Etc. Collection. This particular image first caught my eye because it’s a familiar sight. But then I noticed the beautiful angles, clarity and qualities of the photo itself. That combination is the essence of Vernakular’s designs: excellent artwork featured on personal, usable objects.

Vernakular accepts photo submissions on a rolling basis. So if you have some compelling images that you think would look great on products, visit the Vernakular submissions page for details.

You can find Vernakular every weekend at the Young Designers Market. And today through Monday, August 8, you can find Vernakular and 25+ other designers at the Independent Designers Pop Shop at Chelsea Market! (Trust me – I went to the first Independent Designers event, and you do not want to miss this one!)

Photo of the Day – August 2, 2011: Devils May Care

Devils May Care is the confluence of the photography of Jamie Greenberg and a great idea for a design brand.

Jamie, a photographer trained at the International Center of Photography (ICP), began by creating a collection of solid belt buckles that really make a statement. Each buckle is a limited edition of 250 and engraved on the back with the Devils May Care logo, so you know it’s authentic and handmade. She later added a line of graphic T-shirts, thermals, and zip-ups with her images on them.

The flame belt buckle in this photo is called Perdition. (Yeah, I was going to say it’s “hot,” but I refrained because it’s so damn cool.) The image is printed on fine art canvas and protected with a waterproof sealant. It looks fantastic with a pair of jeans, and it’s a great gift for a guy, although it’s completely unisex.

Devils May Care’s design collection has a great vibe. Jamie puts it all out there, and her designs appeal to bikers, bad-asses, and anyone with an attitude.

You can meet Jamie in person every weekend at the Nolita Market, on Prince Street between Mulberry and Mott, or visit the Devils May Care website!