Etsy NY Rocks BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn!

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

MEET the ARTISAN: J. Topolski + GIVEAWAY

"MEET the ARTISAN" is a blog series that spotlights Etsy New York Team artisans and their craft. In this feature, we learn more about Jenny, the creator of J. Topolski.

Q: What is J. Topolski? Can you briefly describe your business for us?

A:  I create unique jewelry mostly inspired by animals, along with some urban landscapes. I work primarily by traditional acid-etching, wax-carving (by hand), metalsmithing, and with an eco-friendly resin. Everything is handmade in my studio.

Q: Some artisans develop their products to meet consumer needs, while others craft products based on things and/or experiences that inspire them. What is the inspiration behind your business?

A: I tend to create work that I am interested in, and that I believe is different than the other options in the marketplace. However, when an animal or theme is requested from me repeatedly, I try to find a way to go with the trend.

Q: Oftentimes, each artisan has a different strategy and objective for their business. What are the next steps for you and your business?

A:  I have been introducing gemstones in a more major way, and that's main goal for this year. I have been using small stones to accent pieces for a while now, but I'm excited to start designing around some big rocks.

Q: Can you tell us some of the partners you have made? Retail stores where we can find your product?

A: I have work in the Harvard Museum of Natural History shop, The Brass Owl in Astoria, Better Than Jam in Bushwick, and Space Montrose in Houston, to name a few of my favorites. I also have a partnership with Urban Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitation (NYC's first mammal-focused wildlife rehab group), and a portion of profits from my squirrel necklaces go to them.

Q: As many artisans look to grow and further develop their businesses, do you have some advice that you can share with fellow artisans?

A: Set your business up properly at the beginning, instead of trying to backtrack and get organized as you become more successful. Figuring out sales tax, bookkeeping, licenses, etc. only becomes scarier as you get further behind.

Special thanks to Jenny for sharing with us! You can find her products showcased on her Etsy shop at www.jtopolski.etsy.com. You can find Jenny at her May 1st market event at Artrider at Lyndhurst. And, details of her special product GIVEAWAY are below. Please enter for your chance to win!

Enter to WIN HERE

The GIVEAWAY this month from J. Topolski is a personalized 18" gold-filled chain with lobster clasp with a 1/2" brass locket and elephant charm!

Entry period ends at 11:59pm on Wednesday, April 15, 2015.

published by Susan Ng

www.NaturallySusans.Etsy.com | www.NaturallySusans.com

Celebrate Brooklyn! Artist Lineup Part 3!

pj cobbs

pj cobbs

 

This summer the EtsyNY team is excited about selling for the 4th year in a row at Celebrate Brooklyn! in Prospect Park.   Today we will be taking a closer look at three of the artists that will be featured at the park all summer long.  

First we have J. Topolski who makes jewelry inspired by nature's curiosities. Her products show a fascination with science and the world's organic beauty. Skeletons, insects and the like are traditional art and design motifs, but hers incorporate the biological specifics more than simply the aesthetic. All work is handcrafted in Williamsburg Brooklyn, using techniques such as acid etching, wax carving, and casting epoxy resins. This is her second year at Celebrate Brooklyn. She enjoys being a vendor here because it is an opportunity to connect with people who would not typically attend a craft market.  To see her full line visit her shop at http://www.jtopolski.etsy.com.

                                                              j.topolski

                                                              j.topolski

Another wonderful jewelry line that will be featured at Celebrate Brooklyn is Be in the Moment. Be in the Moment is a handmade collection of enamel on copper jewelry with sterling silver and gemstone accents.  Be in the Moment was founded in 2010 with the goal of bringing beautiful, artisan enameled jewelry to a new audience. They use both new and traditional enameling techniques to create their jewelry, ending up with colorful and affordable statement pieces for every occasion.  See more at www.beinthemoment.etsy.com.

                                                                      &nbs…

                                                                                        be in the moment

Ever been walking around NYC and felt inspired?  The next designer definitely does!  It is PJ Cobbs who is a British-born artist who takes her inspiration from the streets, buildings and people of New York!  A former lifestyles journalist with a love for fashion and design, PJ found herself absorbing inspiration from different lifestyles and cultures around the world. After spending two years in Paris creating paintings and wearable art on silk, back home she found herself inspired by her surroundings while selling paintings in New York’s Union Square. When fans of hers started hanging the pieces as art, PJ began turning them into color-saturated canvases, featuring favorite neighborhoods and local spots like McSorley’s and Second Avenue Deli. These have now been turned into hand-cut 3D art, prints on canvas, shadow boxes and jewelry.  Her work has been worn by Queen Latifah and Heidi Klum, and featured in the New York Times, House & Garden, Continental Airlines and Essence magazines. And for the first time, at Celebrate Brooklyn!  Find more of her work at www.pjcobbsarts.etsy.com.

                                                                      &nbs…

                                                                                                 pj cobbs

Celebrate Brooklyn! starts tonight, June 4, be sure to stop by the EtsyNY booth to check out all of the fantastic designers!

Annie  www.BrooklynOwl.etsy.com