Blog

Karen Seiger

May 23, 2012
1 min

The Artisan Bazaar Pops Up at the Roger Smith Hotel

The Artisan Bazaar is a collective of local artisans, designers and makers who create beautiful, high quality products. They are holding a wonderful pop up shop in a lovely corner boutique space at the Roger Smith Hotel LAB Gallery through Friday, June 15th. (Click the full-screen button to enjoy the amazing details in the slideshow!) The current collection of designers includes: Kim Lyons Jewelry Design Ciaran Tully Photography Studio DuArte Jewelry Monkey Barsoaps Carnelian

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Karen Seiger

May 22, 2012
2 min

My Market Treasures from May 19 – 20, 2012!

This past weekend was phenomenal for markets! Several annual and semi-annual events took place. James and I hit the road with our cameras and a resolution to save our pennies. Of course, that lasted until we got to the first market, and then it went right out the window. Our justification is that everyone in his family was born in June and July. So we picked up a ton of birthday gifts. Of course that assumes that I’ll actually want to give any of our treasures away, but that’

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Karen Seiger

May 17, 2012
3 min

Weekend Market Picks, May 19 & 20, 2012: A Whole Lotta Markets Going On

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

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Karen Seiger

May 14, 2012
1 min

Photo of the Day, May 15, 2012: Peonies from James Durr Farm

Peonies are my very favorite flower in the whole wide world. I love all flowers, but there’s a special place in my heart for peonies. They are absolutely gorgeous and romantic, and they smell so wonderful. This weekend James picked up an armload of different kinds of peonies from James Durr Wholesale Florist out of Burlington County, New Jersey at the Union Square Greenmarket. Aren’t they magnificent? Mr. Durr confirmed that he will be back this Saturday with more peonies. I

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Karen Seiger

May 8, 2012
1 min

Photo of the Day May 8, 2012: Sweatertoys

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

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Karen Seiger

May 6, 2012
1 min

Do You Recognize This Earring?

I received an email from the person who purchased this earring and necklace set at the Union Square Holiday Market in December. She has lost one of the earrings, and she would love to contact the jewelry designer who made them so that she can replace the missing earring. But she doesn’t have the name of the designer, and the holiday market team does not recognize these particular pieces. I don’t recognize them either. So I thought I’d post this image here to see if any o

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Karen Seiger

Apr 20, 2012
3 min

Weekend Market Picks for April 21 & 22: Gauge NYC + Earth Day

I love my LOVE earrings from Gauge NYC. I picked them up last month at the Artisan Bazaar (coming back soon!), and now Gauge is in the great new Springle Market inside Chelsea Market. Paul Smotrys, the metalsmith behind Gauge NYC, creates wire sculptures that are hearts, flowers, single letters, and beautiful words. His pieces range from larger letters and words to adorn a wall or a mantle, to delicate necklaces and earrings. Here are my Market Picks for this weekend: Satur

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Karen Seiger

Apr 1, 2012
3 min

“Made” At The Architectural Digest Home Design Show

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

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Karen Seiger

Mar 20, 2012
1 min

West Elm Launches New Line By Claudia Pearson Today

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

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Karen Seiger

Mar 16, 2012
2 min

Shop for the Next Design Trends at SUPER!market

SUPER!market opened late last fall, and it has proven to be a wonderful design destination. I feel like I’m the first to know about the most amazing new trends in jewelry, fashion and design in general when I visit this market. They also feature artisanal food purveyors (food needs to be designed too!), and other unique lines, including travel accessories and all-natural cleaning supplies. I love that the designers are right there, ready to help you find what you’re looking

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Karen Seiger

Mar 10, 2012
2 min

Weekend Market Picks for March 10 & 11 + Spring Flowers from Lyndee Designs at SUPER!market

So much for winter, but HELLO SPRINGTIME! Because it’s so gorgeous out, I’m featuring the sweet, delicate flower blossom necklaces from Lyndee Designs. Together they look like an early spring garden. Individually, they are flattering and feminine, and they come in a lovely variety of gemstones and pearls. Designer Linda Falco shows her full collection of necklaces, earrings and bracelets on Saturdays at SUPER!market, the great new designers market on Mulberry Street. I ca

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Karen Seiger

Dec 20, 2011
2 min

The Art of Creating a Holiday Market Booth with Saskia de Vries

As you stroll through the holiday markets you’ll find that some booths immediately catch your eye. More than ever, the market sellers are putting a great amount of thought and effort into creating unique finishings and furnishings in their booths. One of my very favorites is Saskia De Vries Designs at the Columbus Circle Holiday Market because it reminds me of the amazing experience I had in the Ecuadoran Amazon. I wanted to know more about Saskia’s warm and inviting booth.

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Karen Seiger

Nov 28, 2011
1 min

Holiday Giveaway: Blue Kyanite Earrings from Over the Moon Jewel

Lucky us! Barbara Wilkinson, the talented designer behind Over the Moon Jewel, is giving away a pair of gorgeous and stylish Blue Kyanite Gemstone Chandelier Earrings! They are 24K gold plated over silver with a matte finish and 1 1/2 inches long. Please like Over the Moon Jewel on Facebook and Twitter! To win this lovely pair of earrings for the holidays, simply leave a comment below by next Sunday, December 4th at 11:59PM! I’ll pick the winner randomly from all the comme

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Karen Seiger

Nov 28, 2011
1 min

And the Winner of the Wacky Magnets Paper Dolls is…

Thanks to everyone who left comments about Jodie, the fun, sweet and clever magnetic paper doll handmade by Carolyn Smith of Wacky Magnets! And the winner is… Jean Bromage!! I hope Jean doesn’t mind, but I am happy to let you know that she too is a artisan entrepreneur. Her company is Dancing Light Candles, and she too sells her wonderful handmade candles at the Greenflea on Sundays! Another awesome Holiday Giveaway coming soon! Stay tuned! #KarenSeiger #MarketsNYC #Danc

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2011 New York Holiday Markets Guide (Updated 12/22)

Karen Seiger

Nov 18, 2011
1 min

2011 New York Holiday Markets Guide (Updated 12/22)

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

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Karen Seiger

Nov 8, 2011
1 min

Photo of the Day November 8, 2011: Movie Theater Cookie by FattyCakesNY

The one that woke me up today was the “Movie Theater” cookie. The concept is around making a cookie with the things you’d find on a movie theater floor. Mind you, FattyCakesNY does not source their ingredients from movie theater dumpsters. The idea is that movie snacks are such a guilty pleasure, and we stuff them into our cookieholes all at once anyway, usually before the actual movie even starts. This particular cookie starts out as a classic chocolate chip, to which th

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Karen Seiger

Nov 2, 2011
1 min

All Peppers All the Time from Eckerton Hill Farm

Wednesday was a glorious, sunny fall day, a far cry from this past weekend’s insane snowstorm. These wonderful, colorful peppers in the bright sunshine made me very happy. They come from Eckerton Hill Farm in Lobachsville, PA at the Union Square Greenmarket. Their sign said, “All Peppers, All the Time.” They weren’t kidding! I have no idea how many kinds peppers they have, as the lunchtime crowd was too big for me to chat with the farmers. I’ll find out if you really wan

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Karen Seiger

Oct 18, 2011
4 min

Cookbook Review: My Sweet Mexico by Fany Gerson

Fany is an accomplished writer, with two published cookbooks. I am thrilled to provide some insights into her first book, My Sweet Mexico: Recipes for Authentic Pastries, Breads, Candies, Beverages, and Frozen Treats, a 2010 James Beard Award Nominee. Fany pours her spirit into these recipes and provides a personal story for each one. On a personal note, my family used to spend Christmas and New Year’s in Mexico when I was a kid. The recipes and photos in My Sweet Mexico

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Karen Seiger

Oct 14, 2011
2 min

Weekend Market Picks, October 15-16, 2011 and Pumpkins!!!

Also this weekend I am taking a wonderful bunch of ladies on a Markets Tour! We have a great agenda and a lot of ground to cover. I cannot wait to see what catches their eye, what peaks their curiosity, and what makes it back home with them. Pictures will definitely be posted. Saturday and Sunday Brooklyn Lyceum Fall Market: The Brooklyn Lyceum is a former bath house, and it is now a great performance space and market venue. The semi-annual artisan market takes place thi

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Karen Seiger

Oct 12, 2011
2 min

Photo of the Day, October 12, 2011: kudu-lah Critters

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

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