Announcing "Ready, Set, Summer" - A Summer Market Collaboration with Grand Bazaar NY on May 21st!

May 01, 2017 by NY Handmade Collective

For Immediate Release

NY Handmade Collective (NYHC) - formerly known as the Etsy NY Street Team, is partnering with Grand Bazaar NYC to present “READY, SET, SUMMER!”

New York, NY (April 28, 2017) - NY Handmade Collective (NYHC)-formerly known as the Etsy NY Street Team, is thrilled to announce *THE* Summer Kickoff Event! *READY, SET, SUMMER!* in partnership with Grand Bazaar NYC-a popular shopping destination located at 100 West 77th St. and Columbus Avenue.

Slated to take place Sunday May 21st from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. this special event will feature a carefully selected roster of 40 talented multi-disciplined NYHC artisans and designers, united through Etsy, an online marketplace for handmade goods.

“Collaborating to produce an outstanding pop-up market with the artists of NY Handmade Collective is a fantastic and really natural partnership”, said Marc Seago, Executive Director at Grand Bazaar NYC. “Part of our mission is to keep New York City creative and authentic, therefore we value and support these talented artists, designers, artisans, entrepreneurs, and small local businesses.”

Shoppers are sure to find something special, one-of-a-kind, exclusively handcrafted and locally made from a wondrous array of exceptional goods-from fine art, paper goods and stationery, jewelry and unique fashion, home decor, amazing skincare products to items for children and pets. “We are proud to present this event showcasing the team’s diversity and skills and talents of the participants who have decided to share their creations with the world.” – Andi B. O’Connor, Co-organizer.

About NYHC:

Representing one of the oldest, largest and most professionally organized teams of local active sellers on Etsy, Inc., the group, created in 2007, has cultivated a long-established, local presence in the NYC metro area by hosting a number of successful and highly curated in-person markets, workshops and events (Holiday Handmade Cavalcade, Crafts in Chelsea, and Celebrate Brooklyn to name a few). NYHC is also known for its all-volunteer organization dedicated to the promotion and marketing of online selling opportunities on behalf of its members through its wide-ranging press outreach, immense social media presence, great blog and beautiful website.

From our hands to yours, NY Handmade Collective.

Visit us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter - and at our Blog and website!

About Grand Bazaar NYC

Open year-round, Grand Bazaar NYC, located at 100 West 77th St at Columbus Avenue is one of the oldest, and largest weekly curated markets in NYC with over 43,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space. It is the only market with a social mission for the exclusive purpose of raising much needed funding for the four neighboring public schools, benefitting over 4,000 children.

For Further Information Contact:

Margaret Spring

m@mspringstudio.com

tel: 415.624.5147

Dipping into Papermaking

April 28, 2017 by NY Handmade Collective

Have you ever wanted to try making your own paper, but thought you needed fancy, expensive supplies? Making paper just for fun can be inexpensive and less daunting than one might think. Of course, one could invest in more expensive materials to make professional, archival quality papers for various art forms. But for the novice, there is an easy, less expensive way. Using scraps of paper, a wood deckle mold, and a kitchen blender...POOF! You will have beautiful pieces of paper with those fancy deckle edges. Here’s how:

Making a Single Sheet

Materials:

kitchen blender
rectangular tub filled halfway with water
cheap plastic trays (to contain the water when sponging it off the paper sheet)
plastic cups (to separate your paper pulps, or holding your torn scraps)
scraps of paper, torn or shredded
sponges
paper towels/newspaper (to absorb water)
wood deckle mold (shown here, about $30. includes support grid, mesh screen, and white dry cloths). You can also make your own mold by repurposing a scrap of metal screen, and edging with duct tape. I have had excellent results with this also.
the fun stuff: dried botanicals, metallic sprinkles, scraps of embroidery floss for texture

Optional Materials:

cotton pulp (Not necessary, but does make the paper stronger when added to scrap paper.)
an iron, if you want the paper dry immediately

Blend a handful of cotton pulp or torn bits of paper with this much water.

Steps:

Blend a handful of cotton pulp and a handful of paper scraps in blender until the pieces just about disintegrate.
With the deckle mold already in place in the tub, pour the blender mixture into the tub of water. Lift the mold to drain. The photo shows yellow paper pulp.
Remove the mold and the support grid from underneath. Place the mesh over the wet paper sheet.
Sponge off the water, gently.. Squeeze the water out of the sponge back into the tub, and repeat as many times as necessary, until yo have sponged off most of the water.
Remove the screen, and place drying cloth, a sheet of paper, or heavy duty paper towel over your new sheet. Flip it over and repeat with press bar, if available, or the sponge.

The plastic trays help keep the water under control. If they fill up, just pour the water back into the tub, and continue.

The finished sheet. You can iron dry between two sheets of paper, or weigh it down with heavy objects. It will dry in a few days. Brown bag threads give this sheet a nice texture!

*Credit: Szylvia Revesz from Artist/Teacher Institute*

Other Ideas to Try

Recycled newspaper with colorful paper confetti. Before draining your sheet, toss in some shredded newspaper and paper confetti along with your newspaper pulp to achieve this look.

*Recycle newspaper. Toss a handful of shredded newspaper into tub before draining sheet.*

Place string over your first layer of paper so they hang over the sides. Add a second layer of paper directly over it, and sponge off the water to seal the the two sheets together, with the string caught in between. When dry, cut, fold, and assemble as you wish. Be creative!

*Decorative book: Layer two sheets, sandwiching string between sheets of wet pulp. Cut and assemble when dry.*

Post by: Nicoletta Siccone / ETSY Shop: ArtologieDesigns / Website: www.art-ologie.com

Nicoletta is a lifelong artist and art educator, with an M.A. in Art Education and Administration. She travels the world seeking cultural inspiration for her art, and has worked in fibers, acrylics, oils, and sculpture. Her current work is inspired by the reinvention of the mundane zipper, elevated to an art form into unexpected jewelry designs. Nicoletta’s artwork is shown throughout New York/New Jersey area and worldwide.

For Immediate Release: Etsy NY Street Team to Become NY Handmade Collective (NYHC)

April 04, 2017 by NY Handmade Collective

Etsy NY Street Team to Become NY Handmade Collective (NYHC)

New Year, New Name, Same Grassroots Mission

New York, NY (April 4th, 2017) - Effective immediately, the Etsy NY Street Team will now be formally known as the NY Handmade Collective (NYHC).

With a fresh, reenergized mission, name and look, the NY Handmade Collective (formerly known as the Etsy NY Street Team) is thrilled to announce an exciting, renewed focus on the local community and the potential of its creative small-business members. Through education, mentorship and market opportunities, NYHC will expand its possibilities while at the same time continuing its special longstanding affiliation with the Etsy mothership in Brooklyn, Etsy, Inc.

As NYHC grows while holding on to what’s great, this rebrand celebrates the evolution of the team as well as a renewed commitment to its grassroots effort of bringing together master craft entrepreneurs and community to help one another flourish in an increasingly commercial world. The collective in its new iteration also intends to double-down on its work of organizing local artisans to connect and educate the wider world on the positive impacts and overall human value in promoting and buying handmade. NYHC will continue its outreach through its non-profit, all-volunteer social media channels, blog and website as well as through its continued all-in-house design, production and execution of quality-curated, warm and affordable handmade markets in the area and beyond.

NYHC is committed to keeping alive the value of the small-business maker, the legacy of a shared artisan heritage, all while pushing the boundaries of modern creativity.

Diversity and unification, creativity and teamwork.

From our hands to yours, NY Handmade Collective.

Visit us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter!

About NYHC:

NYHC Mission Statement:

The NY Handmade Collective (formally known as the Etsy NY Street Team) is a vibrant, nonprofit group of regional artisans committed to educating and developing the potential of its members through mentorship, market opportunities, and small business development. By focusing on selling events, the creative process, and the promotion of quality handmade goods, NYHC broadens individual possibility while expanding the circle of community in our wider world.

About Etsy, Inc.

Etsy operates markets where millions of people around the world connect, both online and offline, to make, sell and buy unique goods. Etsy also offers a wide range of seller services and tools that help creative entrepreneurs start, scale and manage their businesses. The Etsy community includes creative entrepreneurs who sell on our platform, thoughtful consumers looking to buy unique goods in our marketplace, retailers and manufacturers who partner with Etsy sellers to help them scale their businesses and Etsy employees who maintain our platform and nurture our ecosystem. Etsy's mission is to reimagine commerce in ways that build a more fulfilling and lasting world, and we're committed to using the power of business to strengthen communities and empower people.

Etsy was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York.

NYHC Media Contact:

Cynthia Black

cyn.black@gmail.com

Market Highlights: ID PopShop

March 21, 2017 by NY Handmade Collective

Who can resist a Sunday morning designer market in New York CIty? From organic skin care to home decor, the ID Pop Up at the Chelsea Market event space should not be missed. Visitors will be impressed by the quality and variety of this carefully curated show in a professional, boutique-style atmosphere. The vibe is undoubtedly New York, with artists showcasing the best in locally made handcrafted items. The collection of independent designers featuring high quality jewelry, apparel, visual art and other unique items distinguishes this from your average NYC market. I hope you enjoy these highlights from the ID PopShop!

Bath salts by Naturally Susan's

Headpieces by Dora Marra, Headdress NY

Sewer Cover Doormats by Vernakular

Jewelry by Barbara Wilkinson

Transit posters and coasters by LinePosters

For more information on future ID Pop Shop events, and how you can be a part of it, go to: ID Pop Shop.

Post by: Nicoletta Siccone / ETSY Shop: ArtologieDesigns / Website: www.art-ologie.com

Cold Weather Crock Pot Cocoa

March 10, 2017 by NY Handmade Collective

Bracing for another snowy blast here in NYC as winter gets its last licks in, I'm breaking out the mini crock pot for a small, but indulgent pleasure tonight: slow simmered, super rich crock pot hot cocoa. I'm cocoa-ing for 2, but you can double or triple this recipe to for a whole crowd!

Set your crock pot to low heat and gather your ingredients:

(2) cups of 2% milk (try soy, almond or coconut milk for a twist)
(1) tablespoon powdered sugar
(2) ounces of dark chocolate, or any kind of chocolate you like best (you can also use chocolate chips and save yourself some chopping!)
Optional - 2 ounces of brewed espresso
Optional a sprinkle of nutmeg (I put fresh nutmeg on everything, any chance I get)

1. Chop your chocolate into smaller pieces. No need to be neat, we just need it to fit in the crock pot. But, try not to nibble it all away :-)

2. Add your chopped chocolate, powdered sugar, espresso and nutmeg (or any other spices!) to the crock pot and pour in your milk.

3. Leave the crock to do the work while you shovel snow, take a nap, take a bath, read a book, or any other wintry afternoon activity you find relaxing.

4. In 2-3 hours, give your super rich cocoa a swirl, and if all is melted, smooth and silky, ladle into mugs, sit back, sip slowly and savor.

I'm feeling super fancy today, so I went with these sweet little teacups. Cheers!

Post by C oleen Phoenixx

Etsy ° Instagram ° Facebook

For the Fun of it: Experimenting in Other Artistic Mediums

March 02, 2017 by NY Handmade Collective

While most of us on the Etsy New York team focus on a particular craft or skill for our shops, we often love to venture on a variety of artistic pursuits. As busy as I am and as much as I love to paint animals in watercolor (the focus of my shop), I always take some time, whenever I can sneak it, to stretch other creative muscles. I choose discrete projects so I can have a finished product in not too much time, so that these art interludes don’t leave me with lots of unfinished projects that fall by the wayside. I find when I take a short break, it enables me to see my favored medium with a new perspective when I turn back to it. I've done this for most of my life - I recently rediscovered some hand-sewn teddy bears I used to create to relieve stress as a teenager!

Something I always return to when crafting outside my usual painting and drawing is making jewelry. My first Etsy shop actually sold hand-painted seaglass pieces I’d found on the beach, and when the perfect piece calls out to me, I still love to figure out what it’s destined to become and ponder what it might have been in its past life…

Lately I have also been expanding my jewelry horizons by doing a bit of silversmithing. I’ve taken a few classes and the process of filing, soldering, sanding and finishing is incredibly calming. I’m still very much a novice, especially at soldering, but that’s half the fun, even if that means it takes twice as long to finish a piece. I rent bench time at a small shop so I don’t need to own all the equipment; I can just got a few hours at a time when I have some time to work on a little project! Here are a few I’ve completed recently:

In the fall I took an embroidery class and I find the process of the repetitive stitching to be incredibly soothing. As winter fell, taking an hour to watch a silly program on television while slowly embroidering, snuggled up under a big blanket, was the perfect for finding some chilly-day zen.

I even inspired my mom to dig out some embroidery she started on before I was born! We’re stitching matching embroidered cacti shirt pockets at the moment, and might finally finish this 37-year-old unfinished project she discovered.

My father is a bit of an amateur photographer, and it’s fun to also borrow his SLR camera on occasion and refresh my long-dormant photography skills.

In general, in case it’s not apparent, I love taking classes to learn new artistic skills from those who are expert in it, and deepening my learning on subjects I love. I recently took a figure drawing class, which pushed me out of my comfort zone – quick poses, perspectives, and the drawing of humans instead of animals really shook things up! I’ve also tried my hand at machine sewing classes (not my strong suit, but very useful), am signed up for a loom weaving class next month, and just bought my first needle felting kit – that one I plan on teaching to myself with the help of the internet, when I can find a spare moment.

What new projects and artistic pursuits have you tried your hand at lately? I’d love to know!

Lauren

Wandering Laur Fine Art