About the New York Handmade Collective

The NY Handmade Collective, formerly known as the Etsy NY Street Team, is a 501(c)6 nonprofit made up of a vibrant group of artisans who live and/or work in and around New York City.

We are committed to sharing our knowledge, skills, and creations with the community in an effort to foster a greater appreciation of the aesthetic, environmental, and economic importance of handmade products.

We are dedicated to developing the potential of our members through mentorship, education, in-person selling opportunities, and small business development workshops.

Meet the Board of the NY Handmade Collective

Coleen Phoenixx, President & Operations Director

Coleen joined NYHC in 2016 and was elected to the board in February 2021. She's a curious chemist, who prefers the title of Cosmetic Sorceress, and spends her days formulating all natural products for her skincare line Rising Phoenixx.

Rachel Soares, Membership Director

Rachel Soares joined NYHC in 2015, and was elected to the Board in March 2022. Her favorite creative outlet is hand-stamping quirky keychains for her shop, Ye Old Stamping Grounds. She previously worked for 8 years researching diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.

Christa O’Brien, Finance Director & Events Director

Christa O’Brien has been on the Board of NYHC since June of 2021. In addition to her handmade wire and gemstone jewelry business, June 8th Jewelry, Christa works in the financial services industry. She previously spent 15 years working in the fashion footwear industry.

Lina Del Plato, Marketing Director

Lina joined the NYHC in February 2020 and became our Marketing Director in April 2024. She is the owner of Lina Del Plato Designs, where she designs customized baby, bridal, and adoption gifts, as well as apparel, totes, aprons, and drinkware.  When she is not designing, she is an attorney for children in New York Family Court, representing mostly children in foster care.  Most of her inspiration comes from her daughter, who encouraged her to start her business and her blog.

Neil Myers, Partnerships Director

Neil Myers joined the NYHC in Spring 2023 and is one of our newest members of the board.  His handmade pottery business is called The Pizza Potter, a fun focused creative studio that strives to make people smile with their decorative and functional designs.  He works in real estate development at his day job and loves to spend time exploring the world with his partner and their pup. 

HanaKyle Moranz, Recording Secretary

HanaKyle joined NYHC in early 2024 while seeking a community of creators to connect with upon her return to ceramics after a long hiatus. As a massage therapist for over 18 years, she uses her extraordinary sense of touch to finesse each piece she creates to be satisfying to the eyes and hands. Her work is primarily thrown on the pottery wheel, entirely produced in Brooklyn, NY, and is intended to contain what you find precious and mundane every day.