Etsy NY has fantastic news to chase away your hump-day doldrums this week: Wednesday, June 8th marks the opening night concert for the 37th season of BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! This music festival is one of New York City’s longest running outdoor performing arts concerts. Launched in 1979 to reinvigorate Brooklyn's performing arts scene and to bring people back into neglected Prospect Park, BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! was an early anchor in the park’s revitalization. Across the years, the festival has presented over 2,000 artists and ensembles reflective of the borough’s diversity.

What does this have to do with Etsy NY, you say? We've partnered with BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! for the past five years, and we're excited to work with them again this summer, running the sole merchandise booth!

Everyone loves a memento of an amazing concert experience, and Etsy NY is here to deliver. This is not your typical merchandise tent. Of course we'll have BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! goodies for sale, but you can also check out a carefully curated, all-handmade capsule market chock-full of goods made by Etsy NY local artists – your friendly staff during all the shows. Come in and talk shop to find out more about our handmade market collective, the techniques that go into producing our wares, or just to say hi when you need a dance break. Whether you are a local Brooklynite or a visitor to the borough, we're sure you'll find something to love.

Can't wait until tomorrow to see what's on tap this year? Here's a sneak peek of the Etsy NY makers to tide you over!

Rachel is the force behind Ye Old Stamping Grounds - your source for fun and quirky hand-stamped metal keychains, bottle openers, and carabiners. Her designs are inspired by Brooklyn, music, wanderlust, geek pride, and emojis. Put a smile on your face each time you use your keys. The lightweight and modern designs also work great as gifts.

Designed and made in Brooklyn, traceytoole designs creates everything your picnic needs. Denim picnic blankets, Hawaiian-style pillows, cloth napkins, and even something for the kids. Keep the little ones entertained with their own artist roll-up kit complete with color-me fabric and markers.

Suniq makes one-of-a-kind upcycled clothing and accessories. Upcycling makes her happy as she gives each piece a new life. Her one-of-a-kind designs can be worn many different ways.

Suit Up Peanut was created in 2014 - the day owner Maddy's nephew was born. Using Carter brand's amazingly soft cotton onesies and tee shirts, her clever designs are the perfect addition to any child's wardrobe, all at an affordable price.

Slope Girl Knits specializes in handmade personalized gifts and decorations to make the most special moments matter more. From hats, headbands, and scarves to buntings and tote bags, all items are knit, sewn, crocheted and embroidered in Brooklyn, NY by Emily herself.

Rock That Gem is owned by Molly, a gemologist working in the jewelry industry for over fourteen years! Using her gem skills and expertise, she chooses the very best stones to create fabulous necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings.

Rising Phoenixx makes all-natural bath and body products using simple and uncomplicated ingredients. Each item is formulated by Coleen Phoenixx, a mercurial, multi-tasking, do-it-all diva. Her products keep up with her rock n' roll life style, and yours!

Located in Brooklyn, Prairiefunk specializes in modern, easy-to-wear hammered metal and natural gemstone jewelry inspired by the artisans of antiquity. These elegant, eclectic, and stylish pieces can be worn in multiple ways.

Naturally Susan's products are what your sensitive skin is craving, with ingredients that stay as pure to nature as possible. Susan's products are effective, long lasting, and versatile. You'll want to add these eco-friendly, travel-friendly, and cruelty-free options to your daily routine.

konnichiwagrl makes quirky cards and other little accessories that serve as both an easy way to say "hey!" or a strike up a conversation. What's better than sharing a mutual love of pizza or poop than wearing one or gifting it to a friend?

Kaibelle creates block-printed stationery, textiles, and home decor. All designs are inspired by organic forms, hand-carved, and printed by hand in Brooklyn.

Jes Switaj creates unique and eye-catching graphic designs. These images are screen printed onto t-shirts, blankets, and handmade silk neckties.

J. Topolski hand-carves and acid-etches jewelry inspired by the city and animals. Don't miss the limited release special-edition charm jewelry just created for the Bandshell!

Brooklyn Owl creates magical unicorn horns, monster horns, and mermaid hair clips that are the perfect addition to any imaginative play adventure. Brighten a child's day with these Brooklyn made hair accessories.

Be in the Moment jewelry was established in 2010 with an eye for creating functional and original wearable artisan jewelry. Melissa works to create colorful and unique enamel jewelry as well as beautiful sterling silver bracelets and rings, perfect for every occasion.

Aperture Agog is a mischievous blend of photography, stationery, and textile art inspired by dirty NYC. You won't be able to resist these unique pieces of art!

Follow along with our adventures on the Etsy NY BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Facebook page!

See you at the Bandshell!

Wednesday, June 8th is the free opening night concert featuring Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings (6:30PM Gates, 8:15PM Show). Motown comeback queen Sharon Jones, and the Dap-Kings, the beating heart of Bushwick-based Daptone Records, are hellbent on topping their legendary 2010 closing night show. Check out the video for a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings' 2014 Grammy nominated album "Give the People What They Want."

Post by Rachel Soares // xoxo from NYC // Ye Old Stamping Grounds // Instagram // Facebook

Webbed Ware by Courtney Webb

If you are a regular reader of this blog you probably are aware of who the Etsy NY Street team is, formally the newnew. If not here is a brief descript, designers, artists, crafters who are etsy shop owners who live in NY City. NYC is compromised of the 5 boroughs; Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, The Bronx and Queens. We support each other in all sorts of ways and also team up to do markets together. This summer is my first time joining EtsyNY for Celebrate Brooklyn. I recently moved to Brooklyn, from Hells Kitchen in Manhattan, and being so close to Prospect Park where this festival is held I applied to be in it. Yes you need to apply, we have over 200 members in our group!

Celebrate Brooklyn is a summer long event held in Prospect Park at the band shell organized by BRIC arts and media. I interviewed a few of the artists and designers to find out more on why they choose this festival:
Why did you decide to sell in Celebrate Brooklyn?

Annie of Brooklyn Owl says "The vibe and energy at the concerts is amazing. I am so excited to spend the summer going to celebrate Brooklyn with my husband and daughter and spending time in the Etsy team booth." While Melissa from Be in the Moment commented that she "decided to join Celebrate Brooklyn because it sounded like a unique place to sell my jewelry, and it was also a great way to get me out there enjoying more of the free summer events that NYC has to offer! What better way to discover some new (to me) bands than work some shifts at our tent there. Not to mention, I liked the idea of having a fixed location for my wares for the summer season. I’m trying to do less “lug your tent” weekend markets and get into more stores and permanent locales this year.

Brooklyn Owl

2. Have you sold in it before this season?

Lydia from Pure Spa Squared is in her second season: "his is my second year selling at CBK and I returned because it is such a great venue & the team is super fun.
Although I sell my goat's milk & honey lotions, I created a new product last year "Bug Off" based on the suggestion of my teammates. This Vegan based bug repellent has been a big hit at the concerts. Made with cat nip, essential oils, aloe gel & distilled water...this product is now carried by Green in Bklyn a green base store on Myrtle Ave.

Also in their second season is Persuede. "This is my second season at the celebrate brooklyn general store. As a lifelong brooklynite I've always loved cb - the music, the park and the sense of community is wonderful. Usually, as makers of things and vendors, our audience is brought together by an interest in shopping handmade"

Persuede

3. What product are you selling? Do you design more than one product and if so how did you choose what to sell in CBK?

Melissa from Be in the Moment sells jewelry. "I make and sell enamel jewelry. I chose a limited selection of popular items from my line to bring to Celebrate Brooklyn, including my bicycle pendants and my textured trapezoid earrings. I also created some brand new Brooklyn designs just for the event."

Be in the Moment

4. What is your favorite or least favorite part of this event?

I answered this one. It seems to be the music is the most fave of everyone but the food from the Farm on Adderley comes in a close second.

5. How does this event compare to other events you participate in?

Lydia of Pure Spa: "The concerts are amazing and a fun way to spend the evening. While working the tent we love tasting the food & ice cream. My experience at CBK has allowed me to expand my product line and build great friendships with fellow etsy ny sellers."

Pure Spa2

6. Any addition comments you would like to share with the public or etsyNY Team members to encourage them to come by The General Store Etsy NY Team Booth?

Dina from Bugged Out "Come to our shop, great shopping and great music all at the same place!!!

Bugged out

There are 16 fabulous artists and designers participating in CBK. Unfortunately I cannot show off all of their product here but please visit their shops below to see what you can find at this year's Celebrate Brooklyn:

Bugged Out