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Markets Picks This Weekend – May 21-22: So Many Markets, So Little Time!

WOW! This Saturday is chock full of market openings and events! I’m posting the Market Picks mid-week so you can prepare and plan your busy, hungry weekend. We’re hoping it turns out sunny and apocalypse-free.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Brooklyn Craft Central’s Shop the Archway: Markets of New York City is a proud sponsor of this wonderful artisan and food market! The location is worth seeing too. The photo above is a tote bag from Astor Knot, one of the clever artisan entrepreneurs you’ll meet under the Archway! (Brooklyn)

Agora Long Island City Market: The Agora Market in Long Island City is the second artisan and food market to open in Queens! This Saturday is their second event. I didn’t make it to the opening, but the photos look great! Where you there? (Queens)

Bedford Barrow Commerce (BBC) Block Association’s Ye Olde Village Fair: This neighborhood street fair is back for it’s 18th year! And for the first time, it is featuring only juried crafters and artists. (Manhattan)

Christopher Street Block & Merchant Association Affair: Lucky for us, this neighborhood fair coincides with the BBC event. Nothing better than strolling through the lovely streets of Greenwich Village this weekend! On Christopher St. between Seventh Ave. and Hudson St. (Manhattan)

Bust Craftacular: There’s no denying that the Bust Craftaculars are huge handmade shopping events! They are always wildly popular and loaded with fantastic artisans. This spring’s events will be no different, except for its new location at 82 Mercer Street between Broome and Spring! (Manhattan)

Smorgasburg – A Brooklyn Flea Food Market: The Brooklyn Flea is about to become an even bigger international foodie mecca! Smorgasburg launches on Saturday in the Williamsburg waterfront location between North 6th and North 7th St., at the East River. There will be over 100 food and food-related vendors, including a Greenmarket. Smorgasburg will be a weekly event. (Brooklyn)

Sunday, May 22, 2011:

Astoria Market: The Astoria artisan market is back for its second year at Bohemian Hall! Artisans, craft shopping, and beer – if that’s not the trifecta for a good afternoon, I don’t know what is! (Queens)

Fine Art and Designer Craft Fair on Bleeeker Street: This festival to raise funds for the Greenwich Village Youth Council is in its 16 year! The quality of the artwork and crafts will be very high, so definitely take a stroll through this market in the heart of the Village.

Greenflea and 79th Street/Columbus Avenue Greenmarket: This weekend, the Greenmarket is back on Columbus Avenue after three weekends of being hosted by the Greenflea during Crafts on Columbus, which ended last weekend. I just have to mention my good friend Carolyn of Wacky Magnets, whose funny magnets will crack you right up! Look for her bright yellow tent just inside the Columbus Avenue Entrance! (Manhattan)

All the ongoing weekend Markets are running full Swing! This week’s picks:

Artists & Fleas: The oldest Market 2.0 in the city, Artists & Fleas’ new location is spacious and filled with great talent and products! (Brooklyn)
Arthur Avenue Retail Market: It is Bronx Week! Go celebrate with some incredible Italian delicacies and a hand rolled cigar from La Casa Grande at this market! (Bronx)

I will definitely see you at Shop the Archway, and I’m figuring out how I can make it to the other great events as well! Let me know what markets you’ll be visiting! And welcome to the lovely Italian journalist who contacted me for market recommendations for her visit to our fair city.

This Weekend’s Market Picks: May 14-15, 2011

Wowza! This has been one busy week for me! I’m planning to do a lot of strolling with my camera in tow on Saturday. Here’s where I’ll be:

Saturday:

9th Avenue International Food Festival: I love that they feature local shops and merchants in this street fair, and proceeds go to support neighborhood programs.
West 25th Street Flea: I owe this market some love. I’ll stop by the Antiques Garage also to say hello.

This is also the final weekend of Crafts on Columbus. I went last weekend, and the selection is beautiful and super high quality. And if you are there on Sunday, definitely also cross the street and visit the Greenflea, which is hosting the 79th Street Greenmarket while Crafts on Columbus is running. It’s asparagus season!

I am taking Sunday off to get caught up on all the wonderful market things I want to write about, and to make the Plum Crumb Cake from Beth’s Farm Kitchen’s new cookbook, Cooking with Jams and Chutneys. Book review and photos coming next week! I also need to rest up for the following weekend, which is LOADED with fantastic market events!! I’ll give you lots of advance notice so that you can map out your market excursions.

Note: Beloved Gus’s Pickles is making their triumphant return to the Lower East Side this Saturday at the Hester Street Fair. It’s kind of a big deal.

And thank you to the Meeker Avenue Flea for being open for us 7 days a week! My friend needed a kitchen table urgently, and she found the perfect one here!

Happy Marketing!

Openings and Special Events This Weekend at the Markets (May 7-8)

Another beautiful weekend is in store for us regardless of the fickle spring weather, full of great market events and openings! Here’s what’s going on:

Spring Handmade Cavalcade: So much crafty talent in one place! Don’t miss this event from The {NewNew} Etsy Artisans Group! (This Saturday Only) ♦

Hester Street: Opening Day Saturday May 7! Can’t wait to see what’s new this year! I’ve heard there’s going to be even more food! (Saturday & Sunday) ♦

Madison Square Market Eats: Urban Space NYC is putting on a great food market featuring our favorite restaurants, food purveyors, food trucks, and handmade products. Went there Friday for lunch – amazing selection, beautiful location! (Open daily through June 3)

Crafts on Columbus: This is one of the longest running street craft markets in the city! Great place to stroll with Mom after brunch on Sunday, and it’s right across the street from the ever treasure-filled Greenflea on Sunday. (Saturday and Sunday, May 7, 8, 14, 15. ♦

Hell’s Kitchen Flea – New York Food Truck Bazaar: Another Sunday filled with fabulous fleas, beautiful handmade crafts, and food trucks! Word has it that Luke’s Lobster is launching their truck at the Bazaar this weekend! (Sunday)

Of course I’ll try to make it everywhere, and the little diamond ♦ indicates where I’m definitely showing up! Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, and Foursquare and let me know where you are, what you found, and what you’re eating!

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.

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 – May 13, 2010: Sole Arts Jewelry

Sole Arts Jewelry made from real New York City traffic lights!

Diane Detzel, creator of Sole Arts Jewelry, makes beautiful and unique earrings and necklaces using the most unusual components: old New York City traffic lights! She hand cuts the colored lenses and then tumbles them like sea glass to remove all sharp edges. She then makes one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces, some resembling the original stop lights, and some simply highlighting the beautiful shapes and colors of the glass. She has another line of gorgeous, Steampunk style jewelry made from pieces of old watches.

Meet Diane in person on Sundays at the Greenflea! And take home a little piece of New York City.

Big Weekend for Markets in New York City!

Handmade Cavalcade, April 24, 2010 at Berry Park in Williamsburg

Market Season is definitely upon us! Here are some great events to help make this a spectacular weekend:

Saturday, April 24:

Spring Handmade Cavalcade – Sponsored by the NewNew Artists Group, featuring over 25 vendors selling their wonderful handmade designs. Berry Park in Williamsburg, 10am – 5pm

Saturday and Sunday, April 24 & 25:

Brooklyn Flea Annual Plant Sale – In partnership with GrowNYC, Greenmarket vendors will be selling “annuals, bulbs, herbs, perennials, vegetable starters, you name it.” Don’t miss this once a year event! Saturday at Ft. Greene location and Sunday at One Hanson.
Crafts on Columbus – The American Arts and Crafts Alliance, Inc. hosts this long-standing craft fair over three weekends through May 9. Make it a day by visiting the Greenflea and the Greenmarket on Sunday too! Columbus Avenue between 77th & 81st Streets.
Hester Street Fair - The Hester Street Fair launches this weekend. Loaded with artisans, farmers, food vendors, and flea vendors, Hester Street Fair brings the traditional markets of the Lower East Side back to life. Hester & Essex Streets, 10 – 6 pm

Also launching on Friday, April 23:

Homemade Brooklyn - Homemade Brooklyn opens a week-long pop-up store featuring artists, artisans, a film screening and more. 522 Metropolitan between Union and Lorimer, 12 – 8 pm

See you on the streets and lots in the city. Rain or shine, it’s all good!

Photo of the Day: April 5, 2010 Yona’s Gourmet Delights

Delicious Borekas from Yona's Gourmet Delights

Yona’s Gourmet Delights are the perfect snack food for walking around markets all afternoon. This artisanal food purveyor got its start selling borekas (puff pastry snack foods originally from the Mediterranean region) and mini-quiches at the Greenflea Market on Sundays, and now you can also find them on Saturdays at the East 67th Street Market and the Roosevelt Island Farmers Market. The mushroom and the spinach/cheese borekas are addictive. Pick up a half dozen and pop them into your mouth as you wander and shop.

Toast as Design Inspiration Part 2: Toaster Central

Toastmaster Automatic Pop-up Toaster ca. 1926-1930, from Toaster Central

If you have been to the Greenflea in the past several years, you may have seen a dapper gentleman in a top hat, surrounded by some of the very best of examples of American industrial design in history. Michael Sheafe, proprietor of Toaster Central, sells toasters and other kitchen appliances manufactured from 1920’s to the 1950’s. He guarantees them all, but very few of them ever come back to him because these machines were built to last.

Scheafe has done extensive research on the appliances he restores and sells, the companies that manufactured them, and the brilliant design that went into creating them. They are made from high quality, durable materials, including brass, copper, steel and chrome. He prefers to deal in appliances made by Sunbeam and Toastmaster because the craftsmanship is superb, although he works with several other excellent brands as well. Carnegie Steel Mill would send a daily trainload of steel to Sunbeam in Chicago. Toastmaster was the largest consumer of chamois cloth to make sure all of their toasters shined like the top of the Chrysler Building, to quote a phrase.

Sheafe sells many gorgeous toasters, waffle irons, corn poppers, egg cookers and more. My personal favorite is the Toast-O-Lator, or “Walking Toaster,” because it more of a catwalk for toast than a mere toaster. You place your slice in one side, and you can watch through the peephole as it struts past the heating element. It exits the other side perfectly hot, fragrant, golden brown – and irresistible. It was produced in the New York area between 1937 and 1950, and it was beautifully billed to be “New as Tomorrow.” There is even a Facebook fan page for this toaster. It’s that great.

Sheafe once had a customer whose family lost their beloved childhood toaster in a divorce. To make matters worse, it was their stepmother who took it away with her. Sheafe was able to find four of the same model toaster in perfect condition so that all four siblings could have one of their own.

In addition to setting up his tables outside at the Greenflea when weather permits, as well as the London Terrace Street Fair (which will be September 21 this year, but I’ll remind you), his beautifully descriptive website is full of vintage kitchen treasures. Sheafe uses white and cinnamon toast to demonstrate his wares, but his personal bread of choice is a fresh loaf from Agata & Valentina’s at 1^st and 79^th.

So go online or meet Michael Sheafe in person at the Greenflea in good weather. Let me know which shiny toaster is your favorite!