Jammin' Out on Governors Island

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It's finally here...opening weekend at Governors Island! GI is my favorite "undiscovered" spot in New York and with Better Than Jam's shop opening this weekend, I couldn't be more excited!

As Simone mentioned last week, it is curated with some of the best handmade items from Etsy New York artists and is open from 10am to 6pm every weekend during the summer from Memorial Day Weekend to September 3rd. The shop is located this year in one of the island's historic apartment buildings named "The Governors Galleries."

Shop owner, Karin Persan spoke about the store's concept, “Ultimately, the goal of Better Than Jam’s collaboration with Governors Island is to offer visitors a handmade and local shopping experience, with craft demonstrations, all within the setting of a unique, peaceful and historically rich public space.” The selection includes items designed and crafted with the island in mind, and will allow every visitor to take home a tangible memento from their Governors Island visit.

Here's a sneak peak to how the shop is shaping up:









As an added bonus, every Saturday the shop is collaborating with the Etsy New York Team to share their wide range of artistic skills by hosting crafting workshops. For opening weekend, the Team is helping kick off our craft workshop series with a face painting booth at the Governors Island Family Festival this Saturday, May 26th from 12 to 4pm at Nolan Park.

The crafting workshop schedule thus far is as follows:
- May 26th: face painting (at Nolan Park)
- June 2nd: toy making
- June 9th: sun prints
- June 16th: TBA
- June 23rd: beaded ladder rings
- June 30th: card making
- July 7th: sachet making

Happy Spring and we're all very excited to see you on the Island!

-Stacy




Sneak Peek: Better Than Jam on Governors Island

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Better Than Jam and many of the members of Etsy New York are gearing up for another summer on Governors Island. From May 26 through September 3 the Bushwick boutique, owned by Etsy New York team member and Event Director Karin Persan, is bringing the creations of New York City's most talented artists and crafters to the island. This year located in one of the island's historic apartment buildings you will be find the work of local designers, artists, and crafts people, who have turned their creative eye toward the island just off the shores of Manhattan and Brooklyn for inspiration.
A Studio By The Sea
“There’s so much rich history on this island,” says Karin, “Our participating artists have definitely become inspired and are creating some amazing and lovely work.” For example, The Hazel Village is producing little nautical themed outfits for her woodland creatures, J. Topolski is working on antique maps of the island set in lockets, and SARUSTAR is producing her “unsung” jewelry line using some dirt and sand from the island.
Jes Switaj

As part of our collaboration with Better Than Jam, members of the Etsy New York street team will lead a series of craft workshops at the store on Saturdays. Depending on the weekend you can craft a toy, create a greeting card, or try your hand at the summer favorite friendship bracelet. This series kicks off with our face painting booth at the Governors Island Family Festival on May 26th from 12 to 4 pm in Nolan Park.


Simone
groundsel.etsy.com

DIY: And all, that, jazz!

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This weekend is the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governor's Island and I couldn't be more excited! Following The Sartorialist's coverage of the event each year, I know I can't take the suggested 20's attire lightly. A quick search of pricing for authentic 20's attire on ebay made me realize this was going to be a DIY project.

beautiful gown decorated with ostrich feathers

After a lot of research on period clothing, I found this absolutely gorgeous dress in the Vogue archives from 1924 that I wanted to replicate. Now, I'm not some amazing seamstress, but I'm pretty crafty so I knew I could come up with something.

I traced the dress on the back of wrapping paper to make a cheap (free!) and easy pattern

You start with a plain tank style dress. I copied a dress that I currently have that has a more straight shape that is in line with the trends of the time. You have to have room in the dress to dance to all that jazz music. I extended the hem a little as you want the hem of the dress to come right to your knees.

pinned on feather fringe!

Find a fringe that is about 5 inches in length. I went with this feather fringe that I found at Mood. If feathers aren't your thing, there are endless trimmings stores in the Fashion District. Pin the fringe around the hem of the dress so it overlaps the bottom just a little bit. Sew (or fabric glue!) the fringe in place. Place another layer of fringe slightly overlapping the first and sew or glue in to place. Repeat with a third layer and you're DONE! Wasn't that easy?


Accessorize with this pretty fascinator from ArtikalNYC, a few strands of pearls, berry lipstick and a 20's appropriate bob and you'll be the belle of the ball! I'll be sure to share some photos from the event on our Facebook page when I'm all dolled up, so be sure to head over an "Like" the {NewNew} so you can see my work in action!

the finished product! I can't wait to wear it!

While you're on Governor's Island, be sure to stop by the Better than Jam Pop-Up and pick up some great {NewNew} goods!

Kelley //

Enjoy Governors Island in August!

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Summer is over halfway through and soon Governors Island will be closing until next year. If you haven't made your way to the island yet, August is a perfect time to take advantage of the smaller crowds and breezy trade winds.


Here are some of the great activities going on at Governors Island this summer:


Better Than Jam Pop-Up Shop: Handcrafted items from over thirty artisans from the {NewNew} team are featured in a pop-up shop in one of the Island’s historic buildings. See www.betterthanjam.wordpress.com for more details.


Bike & Roll: Rent a bike to explore the car-free island! On Fridays, you can take advantage of their one hour of free biking.


Mark di Suvero at Governors Island, presented by the Storm King Center: The exhibition is the largest outdoor presentation of Mark di Suvero's sculptures to be shown in New York City since the 1970s and includes loans from public and private collections, including a number of sculptures from Storm King's own celebrated installation of the artist's work. The exhibition is free and located throughout the island's vibrant public spaces. Learn more about the Storm King Art Center.


FIGMENT 2011 Mini Golf: This summer, FIGMENT is giving its own participatory, free and inspired twist to the unknown and fascinating world of bugs with a return of the celebrated FIGMENT Minigolf Course, themed this year around "Bugs and Features". In the Liggett Hall courtyard, man and bug can putt away in harmony. The FIGMENT Minigolf Course is open and free for the public to play. For more information, visit www.figmentproject.org/minigolf.


Added Value Farm: Come to Picnic Point to take a tour and see the workings of Added Value’s three acre organic fruit and vegetable farm. Beginning in July, visit their Farm Stand where you’ll find locally grown produce, cut flowers and more. For more information, visit www.added-value.org.


See you on  the island!






Karina
Windows of Agate

Stitch A Journal

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Journal by Aperture Agog

The {NewNew}Team on Governors Island presents another craft workshop! Saturday afternoon on July 16th from 2-4 pm you can find Pria, Jean, Melissa, and myself on Governors Island on the porch of Better Than Jam's outpost in Nolan Park stitching up some journals using the stab stitch binding technique. Once you have mastered this technique you'll be able to re-purpose any and all scrap papers you may have lying around the house. Careful, this craft is terribly addicting.  If you can't make it to the island, or want to practice binding a journal before you come to the island, check out this demonstration by Tia of Primrose Press that was recorded by the Eco Etsy Team when they visited New York a few weeks ago.



Watch live streaming video from etsy at livestream.com


See you tomorrow!
Simone
groundsel.etsy.com

Summer Workshops at Governors Island

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A couple of Saturdays ago, Simone from Groundsel and I led a sailor's bracelet workshop at the Better Than Jam Pop-Up Shop on Governors Island. It was a fun craft day that drew in an assortment of great people looking to learn a new skill. Here are some photos from the day:








We've got two more workshops lined up this summer at Governors Island. On July 16th, Pria from PriaVanda will be demonstrating how to stab bind a journal. On August 20th, Lu from LuCrafts will be doing a workshop on origami creatures. Both workshops go from 2pm - 4pm and will be held at House 6B in Nolan Park at Governors Island. Hope to see you there!





Karina
Windows of Agate