I took a few days off last week to hang out with my mom in LA for my birthday.  Many thanks to my friend and colleague Ed Lefkowicz for photographing the Architectural Digest Home Design Show and contributing this review. [nggallery id=126] Much of the Architectural Digest Home Show at Pier 94 was given over to manufacturers and distributors of luxury products (Aga ranges, Sub-Zero fridges), but a section titled “Made” was given over to a talented group of artists and artisa

So, here’s a story that I know and love.  Last March, national home decor retailer West Elm organized an evening of shopping with a group of wonderful local artisans who sell their handmade designs on Etsy.com.  Among them was Claudia Pearson, a wonderful illustrator who sells her work at the Brooklyn Flea and on Etsy in the form of tea towels, decorative prints, greeting cards, and coloring books. That very evening, the leadership from West Elm invited Claudia to produce a l

I remember my first taste of Raaka Chocolate’s blueberry lavender bar.  It was at the 2010 Columbus Circle Holiday Market.  And it was amazing. Raaka Virgin Chocolate is a Brooklyn based company that uses cocoa purchased through direct and fair agreements with individual producers in the Dominican Republic and Bolivia.  This year, they aim to establish agreements with cocoa producing communities in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, which is a country near and dear to my heart

I am thrilled to feature an amazing jewelry designer, Melissa Draugsvold this weekend. I first heard the buzz about her designs at SUPER!market in January. You know you’re onto something when the other designers are wearing her jewelry themselves! Melissa’s one-of-a-kind designs are intriguing statement pieces made from romantic, evocative, and nostalgic pieces of vintage jewelry. You might recognize an element in one of her necklaces as something your favorite fabulous aun

I was delighted to see Mortgage Apple Cakes at the market. I’ll be honest and say that I haven’t actually tried the original apple cake because I keep getting seduced by the glazed wonder known as Apple Rum Upside Down Cake. Back to that in a minute. Mortgage Apple Cakes is a baked goods company with an inspiring story.  Several years ago, founder and owner Angela Logan had been unable to find work, and her house went into foreclosure.  Rather than sit idly by and let her ho

Hi Everyone! It was an incredible holiday season at the markets!  There were almost 50 market events throughout the city, and they were all filled with festive shoppers. I took a little hiatus to rest a bit, catch up on business, and write a couple of book proposals (more on that coming soon). The photo is my co-author Pantera Azul. Not your usual mouse pad, but much warmer and fuzzier. I want to thank every single person who bought their holiday gifts in the markets. You hav

NEWSFLASH!  Now you’re really down to the wire!  Buy all your last minute gifts in the Markets of New York City!  You’ll be glad you did! Check out Markets of New York City on NY1: Navigating the Holiday Markets!  (List of the designers and markets mentioned.) I am very excited to publish the 2011 New York Holiday Markets Guide! The guide links to over 40 events throughout the boroughs, and we will be adding more as they are announced.  Again this year, there are both traditi

Until the New York Magazine Grub Street Food Festival. I spotted Danny Macaroons on the event map and made a mental note.  Finally, in mid-afternoon, the feeding frenzy cooled down a bit, and I made my way over to see them.  Of course, these little sweet mounds of happiness totally lived up to their reputation. First of all, they are beautiful and festive.  I mean, look at that plate!  You just have to smile.  And then there is their logo, which is actually a smiling macaroon

I remember seeing kudu-lah Critters in Union Square several years back when artist Kenneth Kudulis, Jr. first set out to sell his artwork on the city streets. What I didn’t realize then is that they are a fixed set of characters, or a community of critters, that Kenneth sends into iconic and familiar locations and situations in New York City, like subway stations and parks, and beyond (like the upstate farm in this photo). kudu-lah currently features 16 critters, although som

This Brooklyn-based company currently sells three kinds of caramel sauce: Lavender, Chai, and Habanero.  I love how they span the spectrum from gentle lavender, to the stronger spices in chai, and onto the pow of hot pepper.  Each one is distinct, gooey, and delicious. Last weekend at our Sunday Family Dinner, we made David Lebovitz’ vanilla ice cream with a vanilla pod we got at the beautiful Sullivan Street Tea and Spice Company.  We drizzled the chai caramel sauce over the

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: the markets of New York city are the heart of innovation in design, food, decor, and many other trends that we’ll see a couple of years from now in mainstream catalogs.  And this Thursday, September 8th, 2011, the markets are taking part in Fashion’s Night Out in a fun, fabulous, winning way : Manhattan Hester Street Fair Takes Over Henri Bendel on 5th Avenue:  50 of Hester Street’s fine designers, artists, chefs, and craftspeople w

I reported on the new Dekalb Market back in March, and I am thrilled to spread the word that the market is opening this Saturday, July 23rd, 2011!  I have posted their press release below.  Can’t wait to see how it all came together! DEKALB MARKET—A HUB FOR ARTISANS, EATERIES AND CREATIVE START-UPS Brooklyn, NY (July, 2011)—Urban Space is excited to announce that Dekalb Market, a new sustainable hub for retail and community, is scheduled to open on Fulton Mall in Downtown Bro

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. #KarenSeiger #HandmadeDoll #Etsy #Doll #BirdLady #CraftMarket #Brooklyn #EtsyHandmadePortrait #mck254 #RenegadeCraftFair #ArtistMarket #MimiKirchner #MarketsofNewYorkCity #ProfessorFox #TattoedLadywithBlackBow #ArtisanMarket #CreativeWorld #TheManwiththeHorseTattoo #CircusStrongman

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

Saturday & Sunday, April 30th – May 1st Manhattan Crafts on Columbus (Outside, Artisans) This is the first of three weekends! Brooklyn Lyceum Spring Marketplace (Inside, Artisans, Food) Over 60 vendors! Saturday, April 30th Brooklyn Go Green! Greenpoint! Earthday Festival (Outside, Artisans) Educational Activities, music and more! Sunday, May 1st Manhattan New Amsterdam Market (Outside, Food) Theme is “Floralia, Celebrating Green and Growing Things.” Queens Astoria Market (I

A lot of people asked me what I thought of the Brooklyn Flea moving to Williamsburg, just steps away from the new location for Artists & Fleas.  In my experience, several markets in close proximity to each other pretty much always thrive and benefit from the increased number of visitors.  For shoppers, it’s fun  to be able to visit several different markets in easy walking distance from each other.  So I am looking forward to the warmer weather and the throngs of fans of each

There are lots of great markets growing and thriving in Brooklyn these days, and one of the most exciting ones is the coming Dekalb Market, soon to be a home to artisans, farmers, food innovators, and chickens. I was incredulous as I walked along Flatbush Avenue towards the market site last December. I spent a semester studying at Long Island University (LIU) Brooklyn Campus as an undergraduate, and I could hardly imagine a market, let alone a farm, right across the street. [

Professor Chocolate Presents: The Ultimate Guide to Finding Chocolate in NYC – Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn is a labor of love, spanning three years of research and discovery (ie. eating a lot of chocolate!) by two friends, fellow chocolate afficcionados, and elementary school teachers, Rob Monahan and Neill Alleva, who together comprise Professor Chocolate. I am a chocoholic.  No bones about it.  So I was happily surprised when I found a whole slew of chocolate shops I didn’

Chelsea Market Baskets is at the heart of the holiday spirit at Chelsea Market!  The shop is loaded with delicious treats, from chocolates, candies and tins of cookies to pickles, cheeses, and crispy crackers.  They can whip up a splendid gift basket filled with treats and wrapped in cellophane, festive ribbons, and colorful ornaments. I am thrilled to tell you about their gift wrapping service this year!  In addition to their custom baskets and beautiful gift boxes, they hav

Happy Holidays from Markets of New York City!!! See you at the markets in 2011!!! #KarenSeiger #holidayspirit #HolidaySugarMarket #MarketEvents #Christkindlmarkt #MakersMarket #Queens #Brooklyn #AstoriaMarket #SynodHouse #StatenIsland #HolidayMarketGuide #CraftsattheCathedral #UnionSquareHolidayMarket #BerryPark #HolidayShopsatBryantPark #PlanYourWeekend #MarketsofNewYorkCity #UrbanSpace #NewYorkCityHolidayMarket #indieartisan #BryantPark #OldAmericanCanFactory #StJohntheDivi