Handmade Shopping Tip #3
Finding Your Favorite Handmade Artisan Again
You stroll through a spring market and pass by a booth with stunning handprinted tea towels*. You backtrack. You buy one, take it home, and realize it's not only the most beautiful thing in your kitchen, but it's super soft, super absorbent, and easy to clean. You want to buy 10 more as gifts for your entire family. But wait - the tea towel doesn't have the designer's name on it. You paid with cash, so you don't have a receipt. You go back to the market the following weekend and search through all the booths to locate the mystery tea towel seller, but you can't find her again. What to do?
The wonderful thing about handmade products is that it lacks that huge tags emblazoned with a company's logo. Unfortunately, it also means that you might not be able to find that artist that you love. Here are some tips to relocate your favorite handmade artisan.
1. Sign up to be on "the list". Many artists send out newsletters with information about new products, upcoming craft fairs they'll be selling at, or when there are special promotions. Be sure to join - you can always unsubscribe later.
2. Take a business card. But don't just grab a business card, throw it in your shopping bag, and throw it out when you get home! Take a second to make a note on the back about what product you like, or to write a reminder like, "Great gift idea for Aunt Sara!" That way you won't forget why you picked up that card.
3. Put the business cards you collect in one place rather than let them collect in your junk drawer. I like to punch a hole in the top left hand corner and then put them all on a
metal book ring to keep them all together.
4. Find out if the artist has a blog. Then subscribe!
Now, put these tips into action this weekend, as there will be plenty of opportunity to shop for amazing handmade items from the {NewNew}!
This Saturday, Karen Sieger, the author of
Markets of New York, will be doing book signings at the
Brooklyn Indie Market. To help celebrate the event,
{NewNew} artisans will be selling their wares! Stop by and check out
WabisabiBrooklyn,
KimmChi,
KnitKnit,
OffTheMat,
OwlidayInn,
MetropolisSoap,
Fofolle, and
MayLuk.
Location: Red and white tent at Smith between President and Union, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. Saturday, 11am - 7pm.
Hester Street continues to get great press and large turnouts at this hopping Lower East Side Market. Get a taste of old NYC by visiting this historic hotspot. This Saturday you'll find the following vendors:
HeartFelt4Kids: Colorful and charming natural fiber and eco-friendly wool and bamboo felt children's apparel.
Location: Hester and Essex Street, Manhattan. Saturday and Sunday, 10am - 6pm.
Location: 176 Lafayette Avenue between Clermont and Vanderbilt. Saturday, 10am - 5pm.
The
{NewNew} team will have a curated table at the famous
BUST Spring Craftacular with fantastic items from a variety of
{NewNew} artisans. Be sure to look out for them at this fabulous spring event!
Location: The Warsaw, 261 Driggs Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Sunday, 11am - 7pm
Karina
This amazing location has gotten some terrific press and if you haven't been yet, now's the time! Read all about it here.
The NewNew will be at the Brooklyn Flea on Saturday from 10:00-5:00. It is located at 176 Clermont at Vanderbilt.
Join the NewNew at the Hester Street Fair on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 - 6:00 at the corner of Hester and Essex. On Saturday, see Irene C. Studio, Enchantragirl, and Allene La Spina. On Sunday, Designs by Aliza, Wish by Felicity, and Saskia DeVries will be there.
Lu
As you already know, the {NewNew} is hosting a pop-up shop on the sandy banks of Governors Island. Over thirty vendors have their products displayed at one of the historic homes in Nolan Park. All summer, you can take the free ferry to Governors Island from Friday to Sunday and enjoy the free bike riding, concerts, and family activities while also doing some handmade shopping. 
The Brooklyn Flea still remains the staple for craft enthusiasts all over. This week, the {NewNew} tent will be inhabited by YaniaCreations, IreneCStudio, and PureSpa2.
If you haven't stopped by the Hester Street Market, don't delay! Wonderful food and artisan vendors take over this historic location every weekend. {NewNew} members WishByFelicity, MShoelace, and PriavandaPatel will be there this Saturday. 
The {NewNew} continues to have a strong presence at the outdoor Brooklyn Flea in Fort Greene. This Saturday you'll find CardsInStitches, AdornmentsNYC, and BhekiPainting.
Artists and Fleas is a hip, Williamsburg weekly market that showcases emerging and independent artists, designers, vintage collectors and DIYers. This Saturday you'll find LadyThree with her handmade and revamped vintage jewelry along with hand printed gift tags and cards.
