The {NewNew} Loves Etsy Labs

What? You don't know about Etsy Labs? Well let me tell you a little about this marvelous gem in Brooklyn, NY.

What started out as a few informal craft nights here and there has grown to become international and quite amazing. Etsy Labs is an amazing space located in the Etsy offices where Etsians from all over join to make amazing things and share ideas. The lab is full of fun things, like sewing machines, knitting needles, colorful paper and tons of yarn.

Many of these ideas are found at their CraftNights which are held a few times every month.

You can always check the Etsy Blog to find out when the next Craft Night is going to be held. Below is a short list of what local Etsians got to learn at past Craft Nights.

• Birthday Card Creations with Craft it Forward in conjunction with the American Cancer Society's Movement for More Birthdays
• Stenciled Postcards with Ed Roth from Stencil1

• You can see a ton more fun things here on the Etsy Labs Flickr Photostream!

Not in the area you say? No problem! Etsy Labs has a ton of How To's from their How To Tuesdays to make you feel like your sitting right next to a Brooklyn Crafter! The Etsy Labs have also been traveling across the U.S. and around the world, spreading the word of teaching and crafting!!! Craft on!

Etsy Labs

55 Washington Street

Brooklyn, NY

when: check the blog regularly for the next Craft Night at Etsy Labs!

Alicia

Lingua Nigra

Artist Spotlight: Miniature Rhino

It is a delightful honor to present today's Artist Spotlight: Jessica Marquez, the ever-so-talented gal behind Miniature Rhino.  Not only does Jessica have such an interesting Etsy shop full of curiosities and hand-embroidered goods, but she happens to be absolutely dyn-a-mite in person.  Yup yup, full on crafty girl crush.

1.  Jessica, where did you come up with the name of your shop, Miniature Rhino?
Miniature Rhino comes from the imagination of my young cousin. Dr. Rhino was her imaginary friend and dentist(!). After a few real life cavities she broke it off and became besties with Dr. Penguin. The name "Dr. Rhino" stuck with me and I'd scribble it on notes and use it to sign my name on things I made. It turned into Miniature Rhino. The name for me is playful and speaks to the curious places our imaginations can take us.

2.  What are some of the top influences of your work?
Science and Art are huge influences on my work and just general interests. But this jumble of ideas rises to the surface too... Victorian aesthetics, mementos and remembrance pieces, miniatures, Joseph Cornell, vintage needle work, photography, especially vernacular, John Baldessari,  Ann Hamilton, book arts, Annie Dillard, collecting, cabinets of curiosity, food politics, and more more more...

3.  What's the cutest thing in the world and why?

Pretty much my parent's dog, Buddy Lee. He was not treated the best before he came to my parents, so it takes him time to trust people. But his love is true. He lives for you and wants nothing more than to be snuggled up by your side at all time. And just take a look at his face, come on.

Exhibit A: Buddy Lee on the right

4.  What do you love most about your job?

My job is so DIY. Blows me away when I think about it - I'm my own boss, I love it! I was recently featured in InStyle Magazine and this month, ReadyMade Magazine. Me! I get silly happy sometimes when I can step away from the stress and complications of running my own small business and see that I'm growing, learning and accomplishing a lot just by the work of my own two hands. Once I can get health insurance - this job will be perfect!

5.  What are your most favorite things about your current workspace and its functionality?

Ha! My workspace needs help. I'm trying my best to organize it and am constantly changing things around, but it's still a "before". I'm lucky enough to have a studio to work out of from my apartment. It has french doors to the living room so at night I can close up shop. It's my own mini craft store and Miniature Rhino headquarters.

**You will also want to check out Jessica's blog and flickr for more deliciousness!  And speaking of deliciousness, look what Miniature Rhino is cooking up for Valentine's Day!  

Valentine's Day Gift Box Homemade Baklava & Customized Letter, pretty sweet!

Thank you so much, Jessica, for joining us today!  

Wishing you all a crafty weekend,

Virginia

Virginia Kraljevic

The {NewNew} at the Union Square Holiday Market!

Ready for the holidays?  Need to get your shopping on?  Well, you will have six whole weeks to stop by one of the busiest outdoor holiday markets around -- at the Union Square Holiday Market!  Starting Friday, November 19 and going strong until December 24, pop on by to the {NewNew} booth where you will find everything from jewelry, accessories, ceramics, artwork, ornaments, and fashion wear from these local Etsy artisans:

EnchantraGirl.Etsy.Com

KnitKnit.Etsy.Com

ClaudiaGPearson.Etsy.Com

KimmChi.Etsy.Com

LennyMud.Etsy.Com

WabisabiBrooklyn.Etsy.Com

JTopolski.Etsy.Com

RocksandSalt.Etsy.Com

VirginiaKraljevic.Etsy.Com

LolaFalkDesigns.Etsy.Com

Joyella.Etsy.Com

Find us at the south end of Union Square at West 14th Street.

Open Every Day from 11AM - 8PM

November 19 - December 24, 2010

(Closed Thanksgiving Day)

Subway: N, R, Q, L, 4, 5, or 6 Trains to Union Square/14th Street

All Knotted Up

Thank you to everyone who made it out to Governors Island for a day of crafting and fun!

Governors Island is the most perfect setting for the bi-weekly Yelp! Summer Camp Series. The last event co-sponsored by The {NewNew} and Etsy: Making Sailors Knot Bracelets was a success! A quick boat ride - literally only a few minutes from Brooklyn or Manhattan - instantly transported from the hustle bustle of the city, we all gathered for a craft spectacular. Making sailors bracelets was the main event. Relaxed on blankets scattered on the lawn just in front of The {NewNew} Treasure Chest shop, the knotting began. It was reminiscent of summer camp from days past.

It was the most perfect day, in a perfect setting with a great group of crafters.

We knotted, pulled, twisted and turned our rope into one of a kind bracelets! The day was led by Peter of Yelp!, Meli Anna of MeliAnnaA, Jen of Mellowbeing and Corey of Sans Map. Thanks to everyone involved for helping to create a sucessful event!

Even the youngest of us all enjoyed the day...

Join Yelp! for their upcoming Summer Camp Series on Governors Island - view their schedule of events by clicking here. And of course don't forget to visit The {NewNew} Treasure Chest shop where all the hidden handmade treasures of the summer are waiting to be discovered by you...

Yelp's next Summer Camp event on Governors Island is on August 7th: "Get Baked with Yelp!" a gigantic bake-off! So get your apron on and get baking!! yum!
until next time!


corey // sans map

Around the Corner: Governors Island.

So yes.  It's that time again.  I'm back with another free thing to do.  And no surprise, today I take you to Governors Island!

Yep, Governors Island, NYC's hidden treasure, is just a free ferry ride away.  Open to the public Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through the summer, this gem always has amazing things to do or see.  You can do everything from renting a bike, seeing a concert (there are many throughout the season!), checking out the galleries, to even shopping at the {NewNew}'s very open Etsy pop-up shop, The Treasure Chest.  Check out G.I.'s list of 2010 events here.

En route.

The ferry.

Lady Liberty in the distance.

Arriving to G.I.

Landed!

The island is shaped like a foot!

These are just some photos of the beginning of the island, you'll have to visit to check out the rest of it!!

Until next time,
Virginia

Before and After: the Treasure Chest at Governors Island

Who doesn't love a before & after?  Well, I for one simply love transformations of all sorts and that is why I am going to take you on a little adventure from the very beginning of our Governors Island project to now!

Governors Island, you ask?  You know, that lovely little island just off of Manhattan -- just a free five minute ferry away.  What's there you ask?  Among the beautiful tree-lined roads and turn of the century houses, The {NewNew} and Etsy proudly present to you the Treasure Chest, a shop full of locally handmade treasures (from jewelry and home decor, to artwork, clothing, and more!).

Day 1.  We scouted the place out.

Day 2. We explored and measured.

Day 3.  We moved into to our summer home.

Days 4 and so forth.  We decorated!

And decorated...

Until finally... drumroll please...
Ta Dah!

We welcome you to the Treasure Chest - where each weekend the artisans themselves are at the shop to answer your questions about their craft, our shop, our Etsy Street Team, and even New York.

Open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from now until September 5th!  Stop by and say hello!
And for more info, please go here.

Reported by
Virginia Kraljevic