Save The Date: Spring Handmade Cavalcade May 7, 2011

The {NewNew} is happy to announce that the Spring Handmade Cavalcade will be held on May 7, 2011 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.  This year we will be in New York City at SLATE, 54 West 21 St. (between 5th and 6th).  More details will be coming as the event gets closer, stay tuned here and on the Handmade Cavalcade website.   Follow the Cavalcade on Twitter http://twitter.com/Cavalcade_NY

Get By With A Little Help

"It is not so much our friends' help that helps us as the confident knowledge that they will help us." ~ Epicurus, Greek philosopher

Friendship Pack Mini Bean Bag Dolls, from HoneyPieTree

Winter in the tri-state area so far has been cold, damp, and seemingly determined to last for quite some time. Whenever I find myself cussing at the dark that descends way too early, my first instinct is to reach out to a friend and make a little bright spot in the evening. Whether its drinks, dinner, a movie, or crafting in companionable silence, we all find ways to remain connected and to draw on the support our connections provide.

Making New Friends, from Malathip

The {NewNew} is a vibrant collective of cross-discipline handmade artists devoted to supporting one another in developing our creative and business potential within the New York tri-state area. We share the tremendous resources New York City has to offer, mentor new craft business owners, and seek out new marketplace and business opportunities for our highly eclectic membership.

The aspect of the {NewNew} team I most enjoy however is the sense of community. I know if I'm struggling with how to take better pictures for my Etsy shop, need a table at the last minute for a street fair, or simply want words of encouragement for a new venture, someone in the group will have an idea or even a possible solution.

Secret Handshakes print, from My Zoetrope

Lets Be Friends recycled felt pillow, from Alexandra Ferguson

As a team, we work well together to make events like our Spring Handmade Cavalcade and our Governor's Island Handmade Treasure Chest pop-up shop -- both happening again this year -- great places to shop for truly unique handmade goods. I like to think the care we take in supporting each other is reflective of the care each of us takes in crafting our items.

Finmore and Finley, from McFlashPants

Perhaps that's why shopping with the {NewNew} on Etsy sometimes feels like hanging out with an old friend. It's familiar, but you still don't know what they might say to surprise you.

I Ate Paste Blue Print, from LennyMud

Click here to spend a little time with some friends from the {NewNew} on Etsy.

Sue De
persuede.etsy.com
made for you

Sneak Peak of SHC Raffle Prizes!

With every purchase at the SHC, you'll receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of six uniquely embellished lunchboxes filled with handmade goodies.

Each lunchbox will be loaded with exciting full-size items from some of our vendors, among them prints by Allene La Spina and Aperture Agog; jewelry by Wabisabi Brooklyn and J. Topolski; candles by Lovely Day Designs; and cards by Littlebunny and Waisze Designs; and that's just a taste!!!

Don't forget to fill out a raffle ticket for EVERY purchase.

We will tape the live drawing and post it online so you can see the results. All raffle prizes will be mailed to winners.

Special thanks to our team embellishers: Tanya of Luckx4, Aliza of DesignsByAliza, Alexis of LadyThree Designs, Lauren of Paperelle, Alicia of Lingua Nigra, and Kari of Ikyoto.

See you at the Handmade Cavalcade!


--molly shoelace

Sneak Peek: Spring Handmade Cavalcade

With Earth Day (April 20th) turning 40 in just a couple days and the {NewNew}'s very own Spring Handmade Cavalcade (SHC) just around the bend (April 24th), today's tutorial takes you behind-the-scenes of a SHC craft night where a few {NewNew}ers get together and try out some green craft ideas.

Q: What do plastic bags, a stack of old magazines, and a bunch of clear glass bottles have in common?
A: Fun & Free Craft Projects!

Quick Papier Mache project:

Boil 1 Cup Water with 1 Cup Flour.  Pour into large bowl.  Mix until you have a smooth consistency of glue (you can work with it hot).  Take your favorite fashion magazine or newspaper, rip or cut out strips of images that catch your eye, and proceed to dip each strip into the glue, and squeeze excess out with fingers.  Now your damp paper strip can be applied to most surfaces or folded into neat shapes.  We made triangles and mini roses:

Try this idea.  Clear glass bottles rescued from the recycling bin are washed and painted.  Rolled up plastic bags are shaped into flowers and inserted for such an effect:

Magazine tear sheets are adhered together to make a fancy tablecloth.  Magazine strips are woven with wire to create a ruffle effect to adorn the table:

Fused bags (plastic bags that have been ironed between two layers of wax paper) and rolled up plastic bags can create large flower decorations like the one shown here:

Want to see more?  

Well, there will be much, much more this weekend.  Make sure to check out the Spring Handmade Cavalcade this Saturday, April 24th from 10AM - 5PM at Berry Park in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.  Over 25 {NewNew} artisans will be selling their eco-friendly handmade wares and wearables at this super cool locale!  

See you there!

Virginia Kraljevic

Save the Date! April 24th is the Spring Handmade Cavalcade!

Shop Sustainably this Earth Day with the {New New} at the Spring Handmade Cavalcade.

 This spring, make eco-conscious shopping and gift-giving a part of your Earth Day tradition. Join the independent artists and makers of the {New New} at the second annual Spring Handmade Cavalcade, where local designers and makers will feature the best of their handmade collections.

Why Earth Day? Because {NewNew} member artists care about New York and its sustainability.  To reduce waste, {NewNew} member artists use little packaging, recycle and upcycle materials, and create and sell locally.  At the Spring Handmade Cavalcade, you will find a variety of these sustainable goods including housewares made from post-consumer waste, jewelry made with recycled metals, and much, much more.

The Spring Handmade Cavalcade will take place on April 24th, from 10am - 5pm at Berry Park, 4 Berry Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.  Be among the first 100 people to arrive and receive a free, limited-edition goody bag full of wonderful eco-inspired giveaways.

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{New New} ECO TIP #1 - When shopping, skip the plastic bag and use a tote bag instead.  You can make your own tote bag using an old t-shirt.  For this and other DIY tips on how to recycle, upcycle and reuse items to create new treasures and live more sustainably, come back for more tips and ideas!

The Spring Handmade Cavalcade is proudly sponsored by Etsy, Lion Brand Yarn, and Swap-Bot.

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A {NewNew} vendor eco-story from:

Groundsel refashions unloved textiles and plastics to infuse them with a different identity. Her products include recycled tie bags, fused plastic purses, and felted sweater bags and accessories.  This year, Groundsel is excited to introduce embellished messenger bags made out of recycled cotton.

To see more vendors, visit handmadecavalcade.com

And the winners of the Spring Handmade Cavalcade raffles are...

Did you win one of our fabulous raffle prizes? If so you will be contacted by email, so check to see if your name is in the video!

A big thank you to everyone who stopped by the Spring Handmade Cavalcade this weekend! We hope you enjoyed shopping with us, and found great handmade gifts from our local artists and designers!

Don't forget to sign up for announcements on future special events (on the right side of this blog)! We look forward to seeing you next time!