Renegade Craft Fair » 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.

Photo of the Day – Wednesday 6/29/11: Caja Jewelry

Caja Jewelry was one of the first design companies that I met at the Brooklyn Flea when I first started doing research for my book, Markets of New York City: A Guide to the Best Artisan, Farmer, Food and Flea Markets. I immediately loved their nameplate jewelry. It reminded me of the Sex and the City scene in Paris when Carrie Bradshaw finds her missing “Carrie” nameplate in her vintage Chanel clutch and gets her mojo back.

Fast forward to February, 2011 when Caja’s nameplates adorned the models on no less than 20 pages of this year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Not to mention the ads I saw on bus stops and in the 14th Street subway station. Seriously huge deal. And because SI gives credit where credit is due, Caja’s company name appeared next to each photo.

Caja makes a wide range of handcut designs in addition to the name plates. They make name plate cuffs, which I’ve never seen before. And their charms are delicate and whimsical. I love them all, but the cleaver really speaks to me for some reason…

So I am thrilled to report that while they’re business is taking off, Caja owners and designers Andrea and Juan can still be found in the city’s artisan markets. I recently ran into them at the Renegade Craft Fair, and they sell their designs at several local shops, including our favorite Better Than Jam Coop. Visit the Caja Jewelry online shop, and please “like” them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter!

Photo of the Day: Meet The Man with the Horse Tattoo

The handmade dolls by Mimi Kirchner have great handmade artistry and no shortage of fashioned whimsy. I came across her dolls at the Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn last weekend, and I was intrigued by this fine fellow, also known as The Man with the Horse Tattoo. He looks like an old time circus strongman, and he is extremely charming. Ms. Kirchner makes a wonderful variety of dolls, including the wonderful Bird Lady, wily Professor Fox, and this fine fellow’s girlfriend, the Tattoeoed Lady with a Black Bow.

Ms. Kirchner sells her work as mck254 on Etsy, and she writes a fun and insightful blog, Doll. Watch this Etsy Handmade Portrait for a look into her creative world.

Chime Jewelry Made from Recycled Drum Cymbals

Earrings made from recycled drum cymbals by Chime Jewelry

Once again, the Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn blew my doors off with the quality, variety, beauty, wit, intelligence, and pure fun of the designs I saw.

One of the most unique concepts I came across is from a company called Chime. Designer Leslie Wilson creates beautiful, versatile jewelry designs from recycled drum cymbals. She told me that her husband is in the music business, and it turns out that those fine, handcrafted Zildjian and Sabian cymbals do not last forever. They eventually crack from the pounding they take. And then off they go to find a new life as earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and keychains.

Chime’s designs all have a really great back story, and they are also wonderful pieces of jewelry. Ms. Wilson and Chime are based in LA, and I hope she brought home a few of our own Brooklyn vibrations back home with her from Renegade!

Visit Chime’s website and follow Chime on Faceook!

Weekend Market Picks — And Yona’s Gourmet Delights!

Yona's Gourmet Delights Provides the Perfect Snacks for Market Shoppers

I’ve been munching on Yona’s Gourmet Delights for several years now. It never ceases to delight me to find Yona’s delicious borekas and mini-quiches at a market. You can purchase a bag of three, and they make for the perfect snack. Her tables are always my first stop at the Greenflea, and recently saw Yona herself at the 9th Avenue Food Festival with Oreo Cookie Cake, Strawberry Shortcake, and Carrot Cakes. Gigantic and sweet – just the way I like my cakes!

Here are my Market Picks for this weekend – June 11-12, 2011:

Saturday and Sunday

Renegade Craft Fair: The Renegade is like heaven on earth for hand made craft lovers. From the most whimsical to the finest design, every artisan at this event is seriously dedicated and talented. This is a juried event, and it is highly competitive to get accepted into. So trust me when I tell you to set a budget for the day, even though I know you will exceed it with no regrets.

Crafts at Lincoln Center: This wonderful outdoor American crafts show runs this weekend and next. 400 juried craftspeople from around the country bring their handmade treasures to Lincoln Center. The event features continuous entertainment, craft demonstrations, exotic and natural foods. And if you’re driving into the city, you can get a $2 discount coupon for parking in the nearby indoor garage.

Saturday Only

Artisan Market at Fort Greene Park: This sweet market features local artisans who are there in the shade of the black walnut trees outside Fort Greene Park, bringing their work directly to you. It is in its 7th year, and it continues to provide a venue for some remarkable designers, from ceramics, fine clothing designs and hats to handmade soaps and children’s toys. I’ve seen some remarkable products in this sweet market.

Fort Green Greenmarket: I always tune into the happy vibe at this farmers market. It is a distinct and unique feeling based on the great relationships between the market vendors and the community, who find true value and pleasure underneath the market tents. Neighbors stop by for fresh juice and a muffin after a run in the park, or they’ll bring their kids to pick up produce for the week. So go to the Artisan Market and pick up some delicious fresh treats at the Greenmarket just up the hill.

Sunday Only

Hell’s Kitchen Flea Food Truck Bazaar: Don’t have time to chase your favorite trucks around the city? Then come to this one-stop food truck shop for all your favorite treats! Kimchi Taco Truck, Rickshaw Dumpling Truck, Kelvin Natural Slush Truck, and The Cavity Shoppe, as well as the HKFM debuts of Coolhaus, Red Hook Lobster Pound Truck and Two Pitas in a Pod!

Hester Street Fair’s Sunday Summer Picnic: The Hester Street Fair is devoting Sundays to special food events, and this weekend is the first one! They invited over 20 food purveyors because of their picnicky food. How awesome is that? The idea is to come, grab a bite of something delicious, grab a seat, and chat with your neighbors. You can play ping pong and enjoy live music too. Can’t think of a nicer way to spend a Sunday!

Enjoy the weekend! And don’t forget your sunscreen!

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 – June 7, 2010: Beetle & Flor

Ceramic casting of a racoon skull with gold lustered teeth, by Beetle & Flor

I first saw Beetle & Flor’s ceramic animal skulls at the Homemade: Brooklyn pop up store in Kill Devil Hill back in March sponsored by Shiny Squirrel and Sew Moni , and I spent some time under their tent at the Renegade Craft Fair this weekend. Beetle & Flor’s finely crafted ceramic skulls of North American wildlife, raccoons with golden incisors and snapping turtles with gold lustered beaks, make for unusual and beautiful conversation pieces. What I didn’t realize is their connection and dedication to working with artisans around the world to help them turn their crafts into successful livelihoods. Spend some time reading their entire website, and you may learn a few things or realize that you have found some kindred spirits. I did both.