My mother’s wedding bouquet was made of Lillies of the Valley. The last time I had a bouquet of them in my own hands was in Paris a couple of years ago. On May Day, or May 1, vendors sell small bunches of lillies of the valley on street corners.
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I saw Kimberlin Brown Jewelry at the St. Anthony’s Market on Houston Street when I first started writing my guidebook. I fell in love with Kimberlin’s botanical designs, especially her boxwood sprig pin with moonstone dew drops from her Midnight Forest Collection. Her work is inspired by plants, flowers, and ocean life. Kimberlin’s pieces are absolutely lovely and unique, perfect for a a resort vacation, a day in the city, or an evening at the theater.
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I have been remiss in waiting this long to feature the amazing work of Matt Shapoff of Handmade on Peconic Bay. Matt uses early printing techniques to create some of the most unusual items you will find in the markets, or anywhere for that matter. At first glance, they may look like rich blue silk scarves and prints, or tobacco brown totes and notecards with lovely natural images or historic curiosities. But once you look closer and learn the story of each individually made piece, you realize that Matt’s collection features true works of art, innovation and technology.
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I’ve admired TESAGE handbags for several years, although I only recently met their designer, Yukiko Sato. But I feel like I’ve known her for a long time through her designs. She makes lovely, feminine bags and totes with beautiful fabrics in a variety of colors and prints. Yukiko is an experienced costume designer, stylist and kimono dresser, and her work reflects a subtle richness that feels distinctly Japanese to me. She creates a variety of styles, including shoulder bags, cross-body bags, totes and pouches. I recently picked up a TESAGE purse organizer, which is a brilliant invention. It is a lovely fabric bag with pockets and a drawstring handle that you can simply transfer from one purse to another with everything you need in it. No fuss, no muss, no forgotten lip gloss.
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I love my LOVE earrings from Gauge NYC. I picked them up last month at the Artisan Bazaar (coming back soon!), and now Gauge is in the great new Springle Market inside Chelsea Market. Paul Smotrys, the metalsmith behind Gauge NYC, creates wire sculptures that are hearts, flowers, single letters,
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