Where to Find the {NewNew} May 22 + 23

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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.
Elements4InspirdLivng: One-of-a-kind fashion accessories and unique decorative items for the home.
PriaVanda: Unique hand-woven stationary.
Location: Hester and Essex Street, Manhattan. Saturday and Sunday, 10am - 6pm.


The Brooklyn Flea continues to be a strong presence on the local handmade scene, and the {NewNew} table has yet another strong line-up of vendors. Keep an eye out for CardsInStitches, AdornmentsNYC, and BhekiPainting this Saturday at the Fort Greene Flea.
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




*The tea towels I'm referring to are from Cakehouse and ClaudiaPearson. I love both designers!

Where to Find the {NewNew} May 1 + 2

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Handmade Shopping Tip #2
Interacting with the Artisan

The wonderful thing about buying at handmade marketplaces is the opportunity to meet the person behind the product. Unfortunately, so many buyers don't take advantage of talking to the artist while they are perusing items. However, you can learn so much about the artist's inspiration, the materials they use, and their process if you just ask. Most artists are so happy to answer these questions - it shows an appreciation for their work and their craft. Particularly, the {NewNew} artisans have a reputation for being the nicest artists around. The next time you see them, be sure to smile back at them and ask a question or two. I'm sure you'll gain so much more respect for the great product you're buying from them!

Just to whet your appetite, did you know...

VirginiaKraljevic uses a technical pen with a very fine tip to create her beautiful illustrations. Her more intricate illustrations take up to 40 hours to complete!
MayLuk's gorgeous platters, bowls, and plates are made by high fire to cone 8 - 1268 degrees Celsius in an electric kiln.

LinguaNigra's stunning jewelry uses a process called reticulation, which requires melting brass to create beautiful ridges and valleys. This melting process takes hours to complete.

This weekend, find {NewNew} artisans all around the city and beyond! Check them out at...

Always a fabulous event, the Brooklyn Lyceum's Spring Food and Craft Market consistently draws in record crowds with incredible artisans and food vendors. This year, the market is taking over two floors of the Brooklyn Lyceum's building. Check out the following {NewNew} vendors at this event!
* Wall art and clothing by ApertureAgog
* Papergoods by CollectiveElements
* Unique cards by Designs By Aliza
* LuCrafts & LuCraftsCandles with scented soy candles in vintage tea cups and other unique containers, lightswitch covers, and art magnets
* Lenny Mud with witty and colorful ceramics
* Nordea Soaperie's soap and body product lines
* Oonagh Naturals with bath and body products
* Off The Mat with yoga inspired goods
* fine art prints and illustrations by Virginia Kraljevic
* j*topolski with jewelry, prints and ceramics inspired by nature and a touch of the macabre
* Stationery Designer Alton Weekes will be selling fabulous one-of-a-kind paper cards
* May Luk Ceramics will have her gorgeous ceramics.
* Painted-with-pins cards and lampshades by warpeDesign
* Citybitz will be there with her NY accessories
* Panda With Cookie will have delightful plush monsters, children's clothing and tote bags
* KnitKnit with unique knitted and felted accessories
* One-of-a-kind toys for infants and children by Windows Of Agate
* The {NewNew} Team table will have work from KimmChi, Adornments NYC, Wish By Felicity, Lingua Nigra, Peppersprouts and Groundsel
Location: 227 4th Avenue (between Union and President Streets), Park Slope, Brooklyn. Saturday and Sunday, 11am - 7pm.

Karen Seiger, author of the new book Markets of NY, will be selling her book at the Brooklyn Lyceum this weekend. Many {NewNew} artisans are featured in her book and blog, and they are offering a promotion when you buy a copy. Check out their offers below!

LuCrafts/LuCraftsCandles 20% off purchase
Virginia Kraljevic 20% off purchase
May Luk Ceramics 20% off handmade ceramics
Rocks and Salt 10% off hats
KnitKnit 10% off any one item
Nordea Soaperie free 1.5 oz. body polish with $45.00 purchase


{NewNew} artisans Elments4InspirdLivng and LoellaMedina will be at the Hester Street Market this Saturday. Last weekend was an incredibly successful opening with press coverage all over the NYC papers. Be sure to stop by and see what everyone is talking about!
Location: Hester and Essex Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan. Saturday and Sunday, 10 am - 6pm.

Brooklyn Indie Market in gorgeous Carroll Gardens will have Lady Three Designs with handmade and revamped vintage jewelry along with hand printed gift tags and cards.
Location: Red and white striped tent on Smith Street between Union and President, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. Saturday 11am - 7pm. Sunday, 11am - 6pm.

IreneCStudio will be selling beautifully crafted modern metal and gemstone jewelry at this bi-monthly market at the Old American Can Factory.
Location: 232 Third Street at Third Avenue, Gowanus, Brooklyn. Sunday, 11am - 5pm.

May Fair

The Church of the Holy Trinity is hosting their May Fair where IreneCStudio will be selling beautifully crafted modern metal and gemstone jewelry.
Location: East 88th St between 1st and 2nd Ave, Upper East Side. Saturday, 11am - 6pm.

Hoboken Arts & Music Festival


The Hoboken Arts & Music Festival will have over 300 artisans, local businesses, and food vendors along with three stages with live music. Stephanie of Metalicious will be there with her award-winning, contemporary sterling silver jewelry and Joan of Citybitz will have her NY accessories and a few Hoboken items for sale.
Location: Washington Street - Observer Highway to 7th Street. Sunday, 11am - 6pm.



Karina

Where to Find the {NewNew} April 10 + 11

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The Brooklyn Flea opens up the Fort Greene season this Saturday and continues at the One Hanson bank building on Sunday. Lots of {NewNew} artisans will make your trip to this famous handmade marketplace worthwhile. On Saturday, see KimmChi, WabisabiBrooklyn, AdornmentsNYC, NordeaSoaperie, and YaniaCreations. Then on Sunday, check out LoellaMedina, LittleBunny, and OonaghNaturals.
Saturday Location: Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School, Lafayette Avenue between Clermont and Vanderbilt Avenues. 10am - 6pm.
Sunday Location: One Hanson Place, Brooklyn. 10am - 5pm.

The success of last weekend's opening of the Brooklyn Indie Market marked the beginning of what looks to be a great season for this Carroll Garden hot spot. This weekend, make sure to stop by and see {NewNew} members BhekiPainting with her art prints and bags, Fofolle's chic skirts, and IreneCStudio's modern metal jewelry.
Location: Red and white striped tent on the corner of Smith and Union Streets. Saturday, 11am - 7pm and Sunday, 11am - 6pm.

Where to Find the {NewNew} April 3 + 4

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You know that spring is here when the Brooklyn Indie Market opens up for a new season! The {NewNew} will have a presence here, with members WabisabiBrooklyn, KimmChi, Fofolle, HeartFelt4Kids, Elements4InspirdLivng, RocksAndSalt, OffTheMat, and MetropolisSoapCo representing. Take a trip to lovely Carroll Gardens for this great emerging designer market.
Location: Red and white striped tent on Smith and Union Street, Brooklyn. Saturday 11am - 7pm and Sunday 11am - 6pm.

The Brooklyn Flea finishes off its' final full weekend at the One Hanson location this weekend. For the rest of April, this famous market will resume at the outdoor Fort Greene location on Saturdays and the One Hanson bank building on Sundays. {NewNew} artisans will be enjoying the friendly vibe and selling their fabulous handmade wares, with NordeaSoaperie, WishByFelicity, and YaniaCreations on Saturday and IreneCStudio, Vyphuisdesigns, and LittleBunny on Sunday.
Location: One Hanson Place, Brooklyn. Saturday and Sunday, 10am - 5pm.




Karina

Where to Find the {NewNew} ............. March 26,27,28

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On Friday March 26 from 7-10pm, {NewNew} members Rocks and Salt, Kimmchi, and Wabisabi Brooklyn will debut their 2010 Spring designs at Better Than Jam Handmade Co-op, which is owned by {NewNew} member Karin Persan.

It will be a chance to sip some wine, chat with the designers, and be the first to see their new Spring creations. They will also be raffling off a gift certificate to the shop!

Location: 1095 Flushing Avenue, Bushwick Friday March 26, 7-10pm



The Brooklyn Flea continues to draw huge crowds at the beautiful bank building at One Hanson Place. With just a little over a month left in this location, you're sure to find lots of buzz around the fresh designers selling handmade and vintage goods.

This Saturday, find {NewNew} members ApertureAgog with her needlecraft graffiti, MulryJewels and her swarovski crystal jewelry, and WabisabiBrooklyn with her decoupage penny earrings. On Sunday you will see LittleBunny's whimsical gocco printed greeting cards along with jewelers WabisabiBrooklyn and YaniaCreations.

Location: One Hanson Place, Brooklyn. Saturday and Sunday, 10am - 5pm.

And while we're at it, here are some dates to keep in mind for upcoming spring fairs:



Karina

Where to Find the {NewNew} March 20 +21

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The extraordinary popularity of the Brooklyn Flea at One Hanson has led to an extension of the original market dates. Now you can find fantastic vendors at the historic Williamsburg Savings Bank clocktower location every Saturday and Sunday through April 3 + 4, and after that every Sunday in April.

This weekend, you can find {NewNew} artisans YaniaCreations, WishByFelicity, and Meekiyu on Saturday and LittleBunny, WabisabiBrooklyn, and WishByFelicity on Sunday.
Location: One Hanson Place, Brooklyn. Saturday and Sunday, 10am - 5pm.

We're looking forward to the next couple of months when the weather warms up and great spring fairs are back. These biggies are sure to be great, so mark them in your calendar!




Karina