Old American Can Factory » Markets of New York

Studio Tour: ANGeLRoX Clothing

Roxi Suger is the designer behind ANGelRoX, creating incredibly versatile, stylish, and environmentally friendly fashion designs. I first met Roxi when I was researching my book, and I make a point of visiting her regularly at the artisan markets, including St. Anthony’s Market, Crafts on Columbus, the Renegade Craft Fair, and other fine handmade market venues during the year.

Roxi has boundless energy and spirit, and she never fails to have a new and innovative design trick up her sleeve. Her clothing suits all body types and is made for stylish comfort. All of her pieces have more than one way to be worn, and some have 20+ different styles in just a single garment. Roxi provides fashion training videos on her site to show us how to play with her designs, and thank goodness for them!

I had the good fortune to visit Roxi’s ANGelRoX Studio at the Old American Can Factory in Gowanus, Brooklyn, and I was thrilled but not surprised to see that her creative work space reflects her design values and energy. Here are some images of highlights, details, and quiet corners of the ANGeLRoX Studio:

Roxi working at her cutting table.

Flowing white curtains around the ANGeLRoX Dressing Room

Dressing room and dressmaker’s model.

The Dressing Room at ANGeLRox Studio is Ready

Lush curtains surround the tall, private dressing room.

There is always time for joy in the studio!

ANGeLRoX Garments with Countless Variations

The ANGeLRoX Wrap with a million and one ways to be worn.

The Door to Roxi Suger's Business Office

Birdies on the door to Roxi’s business office.

ANGeLRoX Sleeveless Shirts on a Vintage Rack

ANGeLRoX tops on a vintage rack.

The ANGeLRoX logo is more spiritual than religious, signifying balance in our lives. Roxi tells me that we are all angels.

You can purchase ANGeLRoX designs online, and visit Roxi most Saturdays at the St. Anthony’s Market on Houston Street in Soho. Check the ANGeLRoX website for events.

Video of the Week: Macaron Parlour at the Makers Market

I went to the Holiday Sugar Market at the Old American Can Factory Makers Market a couple of weekends ago. You really have to experience the Old Can Factory Markets for yourself because the handcrafted products and food are always high quality, and the location in the old loading dock of this former factory is really something special. I always meet interesting people at this market and find something amazing to take home.

I couldn’t resist the Sugar Market, and I was not disappointed. It was a beautiful event full of amazing food innovators and great designers, sponsored by Petit Paris, wonderful pastry makers that made my day with their amazing Linzer cookies and other sweet treats. Our friends from P&H Soda Co. were there too, pouring delicious, artisanal sodas. Their hibiscus syrup is to die for, and I can’t get enough of their cream soda.

We caught up with Simon Tung of Macaron Parlour too! You may have seen my review of their gorgeous macarons in August. I asked Simon what his French customers think of the S’Mores macaron. Watch this video interview to find out! [By the way, the macaron collection was a huge hit at our dinner party that night, although there were a few tense moments with a bit of snarling over the Salt Caramel one. So we cut it in 5 teensy but satisfying bits, and peace reigned once again over the table.]

This Sunday brings another top notch artisan event at the Old Can Factory: Holiday Ceramics in Brooklyn Market. I have pieces from several of the city’s top ceramicists, and they are wonderful additions to my home. (There’s a phenomenal piece under the tree for someone very special this year, but I can’t tell you what it is!)

Macaron Parlour will be at the Hester Street Fair’s Big Social Market, starting on from December 17 – 23rd. You can also find three gift box collections of their macarons on IndieShop.com!

The 2010 New York City Holiday Market Guide

Happy Holidays from Markets of New York City!!!

See you at the markets in 2011!!!

Photo of the Day 10/11/2010: Silver Kooshball Ring from Wits Productions

Silver Casting Koosh Ball Ring by Natalia Porter

The jewelry designs by Natalia Porter of Wits Productions is seriously fun. At first glace, her pieces are beautifully cast in silver, with fine details and bright accents. But look a little closer. That star burst ring? It’s a kooshball, cast in silver. Those brightly colored necklaces with bright blue or red cabochon links? They’re fluffy cotton pompoms, the kind that edge the pillows in your grandma’s house. Many of Porter’s jewelry is made from toys and castings from unusual items, like tiny silver pigeon feet earrings cast from taxidermy model feet. Natalia makes pieces for women and men, and you can meet her in person at the Makers Market at the Old American Can Factory.

NOTE: The Makers Market has rescheduled their Minds Over Matter themed markets, which will kick off the Holiday Season on 11/21/2010 with Sugar. So start thinking up your Wish List today!

Natalia Porter’s Wits Productions

Makers Market at the Old American Can Factory

Photo of the Day – October 4, 2010: Darin R. Gehrke Ceramics

Celadon Tea Set by Darin R. Gehrke Ceramic at the Ceramics in Brooklyn Autumnware Show

Sunday’s Autumnware Show, curated by Ceramics in Brooklyn for the Minds over Matter series at the Old American Factory (Makers) Market, featured many talented and unique ceramic artists. The celadon green of this teapot drew me to the wooden table of Darin R. Gehrke of DRG Ceramics. Gehrke’s work has a distinctly Asian sensibility in the colors, decorative details, and the objects themselves. His style combines the “looseness” of the Japanese style with the structure of the traditional Chinese traditional. This combination of great ceramic traditions is not something you see every day. From his artisic standpoint, Gehrke has the benefit of seeing the beauty and value in each of these styles and combining them to come up with designs featuring the most beautiful, and often practical, aspects of both.

Gherke is a studio potter with the TriBeCa Potters and teaches advanced adult ceramic classes at the Educational Alliance Art School.

Darin R. Gehrke Ceramics

Ceramics in Brooklyn

Minds over Matter, The (Makers Market) at the Old American Can Factory

Photo of the Day – July 6, 2010: Ceramics by Michiko Shimada

Humpty Dumpty Sat On Your Bookshelf - Ceramics Designs by Michiko Shimada

This Sunday is Summerware: Ceramics in Brooklyn! This inaugural event “brings together the New York community of clay artist, potters and progressive ceramic designers.” Some of my favorite ceramics artists will be there, including Michiko Shimada, who creates fine, lovely, and unusual pieces in her Brooklyn studio. I first saw her distinct designs at a Homemade Brooklyn pop-up shop, and then again at the Renegade Craft Fair in McCarran Park. This Sunday, you can find her at the Makers Market at the Old American Can Factory.

Michiko’s tiny stump card holder is a sweet conversation piece, and this Humpty Dumpty is the perfect adornment for every bookshelf. Her Vita collection of vases is more abstract, representing both the curves of the body and its internal forms. Michiko will be on hand to talk with you about her work this Sunday. For a preview, visit her lovely Etsy shop.

Summerware: Ceramics in Brooklyn at the Makers Market at the Old American Can Factory, Sunday July 11, 11AM – 5PM

Photo of the Day – April 7, 2010: Adair Vinyards

Cayuga White from Adair Vinyards, Community Market at the Old Can Factory

I tasted the Cayuga White from family run Adair Vinyards in the Historic Hudson Valley and was blown away by the strong caramel flavors. Cold and refreshing, this wine is perfect for a springtime picnic. You can find this and other wines from Adair at the Community Markets Farmers Market at the Old American Can Factory.

Photo of the Day: March 31, 2010

Makhani Simmer Sauce from Calcutta Kitchens

Using traditional methods and spices combined with the freshest ingredients, Calcutta Kitchens make it easy for us all to enjoy wonderful complexities of Indian cuisine. The Makhani Simmer Sauce that I brought home took me no time at all to heat up with chicken, and it made for a sensational dinner! Calcutta Kitchens is a part of the Community Markets organization, and you can find their chutneys, simmer sauces and other Indian delicacies at these markets in and around New York City. (Market Schedule)

The chutneys and simmer sauces from is the perfect way to satisfy your frequent cravings for Indian Cuisine!

Community Markets

Meow Meow Tweet – Vegan Soaps Handmade in Brooklyn

Markets of New York City is an official sponsor of the Brooklyn Lyceum’s Spring Food and Craft Market (May 1 & 2). This week’s Vendor Spotlight is on Meow Meow Tweet!

This morning I finished up the last teensy sliver of Fennel Orange Oats soap from Meow Meow Tweet. I bought a whole stack of their great smelling soaps over the holidays at the Makers Market at the Old American Can Factory, thinking I would put them in people’s Christmas stockings. But I didn’t. I used a Black Tea and Honey bar and decided that everyone else would be getting jellybeans. Yes, I totally gave the soaps to myself.

Meow Meow Tweet proprietors Jeff Kurosaki and Tara Pelletier set out to create healthful, natural inspiring soaps, and I am happy to report that they have succeeded! The soaps are made from “an all-organic base of olive, palm, castor, and coconut oils with an addition of shea or coco butter.” They are vegan and never tested on animals other than humans.

The soaps are inspired by flavors, like Grapefruit Mint, and Lavender with Lemon Peel. The Cinnamon Coffee is like a breakfast appetizer in your shower. The ingredients are widely known to nurture your skin, such as tea tree oil, oats, kelp, and honey, and coffee grounds and black walnut powder are natural exfoliants.

I also save the labels because they are tiny works of art in and of themselves, each one drawn and printed by hand by Jeff or Tara on 25% hemp and 75% post-consumer recycled paper. I love that the images don’t necessarily have to do with the ingredients in the soap, except for the Yeti and raccoon in a pine forest on the bar of Citronella Fir (this bar is actually designed for campers).

You can buy your bars of Meow Meow Tweet soaps on their website, or you can meet Jeff and Tara in person on Sundays at the Makers Market at the Old American Can Factory. Meow Meow Tweet will also be participating in the Brooklyn Lyceum’s Spring Food and Crafts Market on May 1 & 2, 2010!

Photo of the Day: March 16, 2010

Shaya NYC ’s beautiful geometric jewelry is just the touch you need for any occasion. Light and airy, these earrings, necklaces and rings are perfect for a casual weekend or for a meeting with your biggest clients. You can meet designer Shay Mehubad at the Makers Market at the Old American Can Factory and at the Old Cathedral Market on Prince Street (between Mulberry and Mott).