Handmade Cavalcade » Markets of New York

The {NewNew}’s Third Annual Spring Handmade Cavalcade Is Almost Here!

I received this press release from The {NewNew} Etsy Artisans Group, and so I’m spreading the news about their amazing Handmade Cavalcade! Great shopping, great energy, great fun!

WHAT: The Third Annual Spring Handmade Cavalcade
WHO: Over 40 local artists and crafters from Etsy’s The {NewNew} Team
WHEN: Saturday, May 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE: Slate – 54 West 21st Street, New York, NY 10010

New York, N.Y. April 2011 – Lovers of all things local and handmade are in for a treat on Saturday May 7th when the local Etsy Group, The {NewNew}, brings its third annual Spring Handmade Cavalcade to the posh gaming parlor Slate in the Flatiron District. From 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. shoppers will be able to browse handmade clothing, jewelry, accessories, paper goods, bath and body treasures, toys, housewares and more from some of the most innovative and creative local artisans and crafters working today.

“The first 100 shoppers to arrive will receive free goodie bags packed with a unique sampling of wares from the {NewNew},” said Felicity Stiverson, who is running this year’s event. “Slate’s D.J. will add to the party atmosphere, and anyone who makes a purchase from one of the vendors will get a free round of pool courtesy of Slate.” Shoppers will also be able to enjoy food and drink specials throughout the day.

Because the {NewNew} is commited to charity partnerships, representatives from The Creative Center: Arts in Healthcare- a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing the creative arts to people with cancer, chronic illnesses- will be onhand with information for anyone looking to get involved with the important work they do.

For more information on this event, visit www.handmadecavalcade.com, or follow @Cavalcade_NY on Twitter.

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!

Photos of the Day – April 16, 2010: Opening Day at the Brooklyn Flea in Ft. Greene

Last weekend was the opening of the 2010 outdoor season for the Brooklyn Flea in Ft. Greene. It was a gorgeous day, and the shoppers and artisans alike were happy to be out in the sunshine. I thought I’d feature several of the extremely talented designers and artists who are often to be found at the Brooklyn Flea. If you didn’t make it out to the Brooklyn Flea last weekend, make sure you go this weekend!

Yani, Martin, MaryAnne and Kimm are also members of The NewNew Independent Etsy Artists and Designers in the Metro New York Area. The NewNew is holding their 2010 Handmade Cavalcade on April 24, 2010!

Handmade Limited Edition Hats from Rocks and Salt

Vendor of the Week for The Brooklyn Lyceum Spring Food and Crafts Market and the Handmade Cavalcade!

Rocks and Salt makes cool hats. It’s almost as simple as that. But not quite. These hip, limited edition hats are carefully designed for each season, and each one is painstakingly made by hand, using high quality, unusual fabrics. They achieve that extremely elusive balance of retro, current, and trendsetting all at the same time.

There are hats for men and women in the Rocks and Salt collections, and many of them suit both. This year’s Spring/Summer line includes five different styles. The cycling cap is a jaunty addition to any outfit, especially with the printed bicycle gear on the side. This season’s Henley is a stylized bucket hat with a selection of different printed images to choose from, including a computer circuit board and a brick wall. Like all the other styles, the Henley comes in a variety of fabrics, including purple, which I admit is my favorite color. The spring and summer styles are lighter and hand-washable, whereas the winter styles are made of wools and tweeds and other warm fabrics.

In addition to their signature hats, Rocks and Salt designers and proprietors Phil and Sara also create jewelry, clothing, and a fanny pack that comes in a variety of colors and is actually cool. The knee-length skirts have a big pocket and a handkerchief hemline that is young and flattering. Using a variety of chains, silver, leather, stones, and other elements, their jewelry designs range from light, colorful dangle earrings to leather cuffs. The unifying thread is the impeccable design and craftsmanship.

When you put them all together, as in the center photo above, you have the Rocks and Salt look. Edgy, sexy, put-together – and fun!

Rocks and Salt celebrates its fifth year this April, and, as Phil says, “We’re going full steam ahead with lots of great stuff!”

You can meet Phil, Sara and their hats at the Handmade Cavalcade on April 24^th and at the Brooklyn Lyceum’s Spring Food and Craft Market. They also sell their products regularly at the Brooklyn Indie Market.

Toast as Inspiration Part 1: Virginia Kraljevic, Doodler Extraordinaire

Featured Artisan – Brooklyn Lyceum Spring Market and Handmade Cavalcade!

There is something about toast that evokes a sense of comfort, home, breakfast. Maybe it’s the fragrance that wafts through the house, or maybe it’s the crunchy bread combined with the melted butter and jam. So I wasn’t surprised when I started noticing the influence of toast on creative design in the artisan markets around New York City. This is the first of two postings on toast as inspiration for design.

Illustrator and graphic designer Virginia Kraljevic doodled in her school notebooks – a lot. And they were good. She would continue to hone her drawing skills through her professional experience in publishing, fashion design, and window display design. She has created unique artwork for album covers, business cards, stationery, and more. Her work evokes a sense of Edward Gorey and Tim Burton meet Jim Henson; dark-ish yet whimsical.

Virginia’s wonderful notecards feature many of her illustrations, including one with two pieces of toast that caught my eye. The boy and girl toasts are obviously in love with each other, and the caption simply reads, “For the Love of Toast.” It turns out that Virginia likes to create characters out of random inanimate objects, and toast is one of those things with great potential for fun and silliness. When I first met her, she had turned those two toasty lovers into 1” toast puppets with tiny movable legs to amuse her (older) brother, who was visiting her at the market. I thought they must be an important part of her permanent display because they were ridiculously adorable. Imagine my dismay when she told me later that someone else had bought them. I can only hope that I’ll have toast puppets of my own to play with some day…

Virginia finds that organic spelt bread makes the tastiest toast.

You can see her designs on her illustrated website, virginiakraljevic.com, and purchase them on her Etsy shop. I like to check Virginia. The Blog! on a daily basis for inspirational tidbits.

Come out and meet Virginia Kraljevic in person at the upcoming Handmade Cavalcade (April 21) and the Brooklyn Lyceum’s Spring Food and Craft Market (May 1& 2)!