I am happy to share an incredible gift resources from the amazing artisans of the New York Handmade Collective (formerly known as the Etsy NY Street Team). With the history of New York handcraft artisans as the concept for their upcoming holiday events, NYHC has gathered together themes ranging from “Chic & Edgy” to “Just For Kids,” highlighting the creative and one-of-a-kind gift ideas that will delight your friends and family with something wonderfully unexpected. Four grea

There is nothing like strolling through a beautiful New York neighborhood and coming across a wonderful craft market. Luckily for us, that beautiful neighborhood this weekend is Chelsea, and the craft market is Crafts in Chelsea! Produced by Two Fair Ladies, Crafts in Chelsea features some of New York’s best makers, most of whom are members of the New York Etsy Street Team. This is not your typical street fair, although it is in the street. The neighbors actually look forward

Edward Owl’s Prince Ring, 13K Swiss Blue Topaz Cocktail Ring Some jewelry makes a statement. Edward Owl Design and Ornament goes KAPOW! Architect and Edward Owl Designer Holly Luttrell makes outsized yet classic cocktail rings, bracelets and necklaces. These are pieces that you want to wear all day, every day just because they make you feel fabulous. Women of all ages love Holly’s gemstone designs. Often, mothers will buy an Edward Owl cocktail ring to give to their daughters

It’s finally safe to talk about pumpkins! Any earlier  than October 1 is just not pumpkin season. But we’re in full fall swing, and I have a 10 pound, bright orange beauty sitting on my table. I’m not sure what to do with her. I could carve her into a jack-o-lantern, or I could just let her adorn my living space until Thanksgiving. I think she ought to last that long, right? My dad used to carve up our Halloween pumpkins, bake the seeds and cook down the flesh for Thanksgivin

It has been a big week for marriage equality and civil rights in our country. I am thrilled with the ongoing progress we are making as a civil society, and I am almost smug about my timing, having scheduled to feature this particular designer for this Weekend’s Market Picks! Jenowade drew me to his table at the Pompeii Artisan and Flea Market recently with his striking brass jewelry designs for men and women, the compelling messages stamped on each piece and his fantastic hai

I was recently chastised, and deservedly so, by my favorite Greenmarket manager, who shall go unnamed, for not having tried seasonal strawberries yet. “They’ve been out for three weeks – you should know that!” Right she was. And here they are. Sweet, delicious and juicy. Rhubarb is out now too. So I want to see you all making pies and muffins and such with one of nature’s finest combinations. I want to let you know about the Supply Good Market at 144 Newbury Street in Boston

You may know my friends Sara and Phil of Rocks  and Salt from their stylish handmade hats and skirts. And now they’ve created vegetarian kitchen towels offering instructions on how best to butcher meaty vegetables. Now vegetarians and vegans need no longer miss out on the great fun of swinging a cleaver into a mighty hock, shank or shoulder — of an eggplant, cauliflower or carrot. Chop away! ~Karen Seiger, Markets of New York City Practical, Humorous Hand and Dish Towels for

The 17 year cicadas have arrived in Staten Island already. So what better time to write about our good friends at Bugged Out? Graphic Designer and Architect Dina Lerman and her partner Gerd are the team behind the charming garden creatures and produce that appear on totes, tees, hoodies and onesies. Bugged Out has two recent additions to their Do Not Bug Me Collection, both New York denizens: a hungry rat and a self-righteous pigeon. If truly love New York, you’ll get the mag

This story is long overdue, mostly because the ridiculous amounts of cuteness I have been keeping from you. Little Bunny is a wonderful and whimsical card design company based in Sunnyside, Queens. Owner and artist Jess Chambers draws lovely animals and uses a gocco printer to create exactly right greeting card for any occasion. Her drawings range from tiny bunnies (above) to fearsome sharks (below, where they usually are). Every time I catch up with Jess at an artisan market

The Union Square Greenmarket is filled with flowers and trees for the city’s gardens, balconies and window boxes. I Loads of people were out today, carefully selecting their annuals from the sunny and bright offerings of Van Houten Farms. Maybe some day I’ll have a spot in the sun for my own hot pink and pale yellow azaleas, but until then, I’ll just enjoy them at the market! Weekend Market Picks: Saturday, May 4, 2013 Etsy New York Spring Handmade Cavalcade: This association

LazyLooz is the brainchild of Rakan Ammouri, based on a snack his mother used to make for her kids. LazyLooz are no-bake snack cakes made essentially from biscuits and chocolate, along with other ingredients as desired, such as coconut, peanut butter, coffee or orange zest. One package of LazyLooz includes six satisfying bite-sized pieces. I brought home a chocolate chip LazyLooz and placed it in the fridge. After a dinner, I brought out a lovely pot of tea and the cold Looz.

Elephant in the Attic is a wonderful collection of vintage objects at Artists & Fleas that will turn any space into a home. I wanted to move right into the small market boutique of Caitlin Brubacher, curator and owner of Elephant in the Attic and Burnt and Mended handmade accessories for men and women on Etsy. She has an eye for fun prints and pictures too, many of which are framed and hanging in her boutique (left), with many more unframed images to thumb through in the bins

Happy Valentine’s Day! I realize it’s more like Valentine’s Evening, but I couldn’t let this day go by without expressing my appreciation for everyone who visits this site and everyone who makes it possible. Thank you and much love to you all! I’ve mentioned the Greenpointers Valentine’s Market, which took place last Sunday, and I wanted to bring your attention to several people who are new to the market scene, one of whom is Nancy Gesimondo of Gracestones. Nancy creates hand

This is my first Valentine’s Day story for the season! I am the daughter of a genetics professor. Now, there is no one more liberal arts than me, and yet I have little patience for people who don’t know the difference between viruses and bacteria. I also have a big soft spot for Charles Darwin and Albert Einstein. But who doesn’t, right? My eldest sister, Dr. Leslie Seiger, took after our dad and became a biology professor. Her specialty is botany (although her thirsty house

Welcome to the 2012 Holiday Markets of New York City Guide! The city is at its sparkly best during the holidays! Our amazing holiday markets are at the heart of the season here. Shop for everyone on your list in the markets, and make yours the best gifts under the tree. Local, handmade, beautiful. If you have an addition to the list or an update on your event, let us know! Season-Long Markets September 19 – December 31.  Artists and Fleas Fall/Holiday Pop Up at Chelsea Market

Welcome to the first Markets of New York City Holiday Gift List! Obviously, I had to start with the I ♥ New York Gift List: Adornments NYC’s New York Subway Token Necklace, from the Etsy Street New York Team. This hilarious necklace combines a genuine, nostalgic NYC subway token with a charm of one of our local subway rats of unusual size. (Fortunately, these ones are tiny.) (Photo by AdornmentsNYC.etsy.com) Berkshire Berries New York Rooftop Honeyat the Union Square Greenmar

The fabulous New York Etsy Street Team is holding their 5th Annual Holiday Handmade Cavalcade! Here is the press release in full: [singlepic id=1582 w=480 h=640 float=center] NEW YORK, NY (Nov. 1st, 2012) – Santa’s Workshop isn’t the only place to find quality, handcrafted items for the Holidays.  New York has its own enclave of busy craftspeople who work all year long to create one of a kind items that make truly unique gifts for everyone on your list.  These modern day elve

You want a dramatic look? Jewelry Designer Cynthia Rybakoff‘s stupendous Fortress of Solitude Necklace will give you drama. Named after Superman’s Arctic headquarters, this striking necklace features graduated rock crystals in a sterling silver setting. Cynthia’s designs are all quite wonderful. She works with mixed metals, crystals, beads and vintage elements. Her work has a strong nautical influence, as well as a serious streak of high fashion. She has created jewelry colle

This is one of the busiest market weekends of the season! All of the weekly markets are up and running full out, and so this week I am featuring several annual or semi-annual events. They mostly end between 4 and 5PM, so plan to go early, like the crack of 10AM. Saturday, May 19, 2012 Only Bedford Barrow Commerce Village Craft Fair: Enjoy all the charms of Greenwich Village during this annual craft fair that takes place on Bedford, Barrow and Commerce Streets. The fair featu

The thing about this sweet pink hippo from Sweatertoys, the brown elephant, and the red squirrel, is that they seem so soulful. They have expressions and characters all their own. And because they are handmade from the softest of recycled sweaters and vintage fabrics, each little animal is one-of-a kind. Designer and maker Caitlin Wicker has been making these toys for the past six years out of her Brooklyn home. Check out her website to see more of her Forest Friends and rema