Summer Color Palettes

June 05, 2015 by NY Handmade Collective

With warm weather, gardening and numerous outdoor events, comes a whole feeling of revival. Being an indie business designer I work closely to seasonal timelines. This past spring I started working on my summer product. Sometimes it is a challenge creating palettes for the warm weather when it is still in the 40's but magazines are my savior. Summer is a time when you can really go bold with however you apply color; your interiors, your garden, your clothing, or sometimes individual things like a new set of bathroom towels, new pillows, new napkins.

I have quite the collection of pantone chips from my days as a mens sportswear designer. It's nice to have a visual and helps me keep focused. Once I start sewing I tend to sometimes start redesigning which slows the whole process and results in a cluttered palette.

Even if you are recreating your room, kitchen or want something to make you feel good. Tape a few pictures to your wall. It helps when working inside on a beautiful sunny day.

Happy Friday!

Tracey

www.etsy.com/shop/traceytoole

www.traceytoole.com

ETSYNY AT CELEBRATE BROOKLYN! VENDOR SNEAK PEAK #3

June 02, 2015 by NY Handmade Collective

True happiness comes from the joy of deeds well done, the zest of creating things new.

- Antoine de Saint-Exupery

When: JUNE 3 – AUGUST 12

Where: AT THE PROSPECT PARK BANDSHELL (9th Street and Prospect Park Entrance)

Back for a fifth season, members of the Etsy New York Street Team will be partnering again with BRIC as the sole merchandise vendor for Celebrate Brooklyn! the premier outdoor summer festival concert series in Prospect Park. Seventeen vendors, from a variety of disciplines, will grant show attendees exclusive access to a carefully curated, all-handmade capsule market chock full of local goods, ALL SUMMER LONG!

Here is the THIRD of a four-part post showcasing but a small selection of the amazing products available this year:

Be in the Moment jewelry focuses on the ancient technique of fusing glass to metal to create modern, fun enamel jewelry. From funky statement earrings to cool bicycle pendants, we have unique enamel jewelry for every style. We create each piece with lead-free enamel on copper, and use leather and sterling silver chains and ear wires.

Wallcojr Designs creates one of a kind art pieces many of which have an urban or humorous theme, all one-of-a-kind and many from recycled materials.

LuCrafts believes that practical should be fun! Light switch covers, magnets, and coasters made quirky, beautiful, funny, and cute. All handmade in NYC.

A JYPSY'S JUNK is an eclectic line of handmade, eco friendly jewelry and accessories, created to capture the gypsy girl (free spirit) we all have the tendency to be!

In total there will be 17 designers and makers representing Etsy NY at Celebrate Brooklyn this summer. Check back for our other featured artists!

Celebrate Brooklyn! starts tomorrow, June 3rd, with Chaka Khan opening up the music festival season!

Melissa Hile and Tracey Toole

MEET the ARTISAN: Spirit of the Druid + GIVEAWAY

June 01, 2015 by NY Handmade Collective

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

Q: What is Spirit of the Druid? Can you briefly describe your business for us?

A: Spirit of the Druid creates handcrafted metal and gemstone jewelry that is inspired by nature and influenced by Celtic themes. I have always been fascinated by the Celts and nature has heavily influenced my art and creativity, and that is how Spirit of the Druid was created - an embodiment of my spiritual, personal, and creative journey.

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: The jewelry that I make is based on things that inspire me. Nature and Celtic themes are my biggest influences, but really, anything can inspire a new piece of jewelry. Sometimes it’s a photo, a dream, a story, another artist, or an idea will just pop into my head. Anything and everything is my inspiration!

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

A: The next steps for me and my business is to continue to learn and grow. I love making jewelry and learning more each day that I create it, so my goal is to continue making and learning, because as my knowledge grows, my business continues to grow as well.

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: Yes! - Always continue to learn about your craft, no matter what you work with. Keep learning and keep an open mind. The more you learn, the more you grow as an artisan and as a person, and the more your business can continue to grow.

Special thanks to Belinda for sharing with us. You can find her products showcased on her Etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/SpiritOfTheDruid. And, details of her special product GIVEAWAY are below. Please enter for your chance to win!

Enter to WIN HERE!

Oxidized Sterling Silver Ring set with White Topaz

This beautiful ring is made of sterling silver which has been oxidized and features a prong setting with a sparkling white topaz gemstone. Inspiration for this ring came from the contrast between the dark, night sky and the pale glow of the moon. White Topaz is a stunning gemstone that is known for its healing and energizing properties.

Entry period ends at 11:59pm on Monday, June 15, 2015.

published by Susan Ng

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

ETSYNY AT CELEBRATE BROOKLYN! VENDOR SNEAK PEAK #2

May 28, 2015 by NY Handmade Collective

Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.

George Bernard Shaw

When: JUNE 3 – AUGUST 12

Where: AT THE PROSPECT PARK BANDSHELL (9th Street and Prospect Park Entrance)

Here is the SECOND of a four-part post showcasing but a small selection of the amazing products available this year:

Bugged Out is a line of screen-printed whimsical bug, fruit, veggie and critter designs on clothing, tote bags, note cards and accessories. All Bugged Out are screen-printed by us by hand in NYC. A percentage from Bugged Out sales goes directly to Multiple Sclerosis research.

Brooklyn Owl is an accessory company featuring unicorn and monster horns, whimsical hair clips, customizable headbands, party garlands, cake toppers, and the best denim bow ties in the world. Everything is handmade in New York City by Annie and her team of talented seamstresses.

A collaboration from the start based on their love of NYC and the need to make art. NYC Vinyl Dreams has created iconic images as well as the more unnoticed subjects of this great city. This year their canvas will be records. Nothing like the charm of an old record and now an even better way to display them.

We spoke with PJ: "My New York Neighborhoods start out as paintings on silk: I love the way it takes color in such a saturated way, which is perfect for reflecting the energy and vibrancy of the city I've called home. Painting in Union Square (I moved from London and Paris to the East Village) inspired me to capture my surroundings in living color, recreated as 3D art, canvas prints and art coasters."

In total there will be 17 designers and makers representing Etsy NY at Celebrate Brooklyn this summer. Check back for our other featured artists!

Melissa Hile and Tracey Toole

Etsy NY Team at Celebrate Brooklyn this Summer

May 21, 2015 by NY Handmade Collective

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

― Mae West

When: JUNE 3 – AUGUST 12

Where: AT THE PROSPECT PARK BANDSHELL (9th Street and Prospect Park Entrance)

Here is the first of a four-part post showcasing but a small selection of the amazing products available this year:

Sophisticated casual cotton linen picnic blankets, napkins, tea towels, runners and aprons. Natural fabrics, unexpected colorways. Made in Park Slope.

Prairiefunk features chic, hand-hammered metal and gemstone jewelry with an emphasis on natural shapes, to create modern pieces inspired by antiquity.

Citybitz’s focus is on NY details. The urban collection features original photography combined with metal, resin and glass as well as cuff links, card cases, cigarette cases, compact mirrors, flasks, money clips and mirrors.

rose petals and lavender bath salts from Naturally Susans

Susan's products are made with all natural ingredients, so that you can enjoy nature's beauty. Her skin care portfolio includes moisturizers, lip balms, body scrubs, facial masks, dry shampoo, hand sanitizer, bug spray, and more. Made in NYC.

Bubbles App is a Harlem based small business that produces natural, vegan candles and soap focusing on locally sourced ingredients, with some natural butters sourced from Ghana. The body products and the candles produce are vegan and biodegradable, and our candles are made of eco-friendly and sustainable palm wax.

In total there will be 17 designers and makers representing Etsy NY at Celebrate Brooklyn this summer. Check back for our other featured artists.

written by Melissa Hile

Composting in the City 101 : Lower East Side Ecology Center Compost Drop Off

May 18, 2015 by NY Handmade Collective

Nothing is as healthy for the planet like composting. I'm serious. Composting is one of the best ways for humans to manage food consumption, waste and give back to the Earth.

There are plenty of ways to compost in and around New York City and the surrounding area that does not include worms, or even getting your hands too dirty. Yes, it may involve not using your freezer for food items, but composting does involve some give and take. Keeping that in mind, here is an easy option for those interested, but not willing to commit to a patch of compost in your back yard, or maybe you don't have a back yard, so your counter top.

Photo courtesy of http://blog.christinekern.com/

Lower East Side Ecology Center Composting (Around NYC)

Since 1990, the Lower East Side Ecology Center has been offering recycling and composting options around NYC. Offering compost drop off locations around NYC during Farmers Markets, they are one of the easiest ways to compost in New York!

Participants can drop off their kitchen scraps at 38 City-wide drop-off locations. The collected materials are transported to East River Park and processed in their in-vessel composting system. After three months, the finished compost makes its way back to the Union Square Greenmarket, where it is sold either as compost or as part of our potting soil mix.

Hours of access at the Union Square Greenmarket are 8am-4pm Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. A full list of locations and hours is available on the Greenmarket website.

Acceptable for Composting:

All fruit and vegetable peelings and pits
Non-greasy food scraps or leftovers
Rice, pasta, bread, cereal, etc.
Coffee grounds with filter, tea bags
Hair and nails (animal or human)
Egg and nut shells
Cut or dried flowers, wreaths
Houseplants and potting soil

Not Acceptable for Composting:

Meat, chicken, and fish
Greasy food scraps or leftovers
Fats or oils
Dairy items (cheese, butter, yogurt, etc.)
Dog or cat feces, kitty litter
Coal or charcoal
Coconuts
Diseased and/or insect-infested houseplants and potting soil

This is the method I use and have been using since I discovered the option. While it can be a pain to carry the scraps weekly, or a few times a week, it is easier to do than to store them for one drop off. If freezing the compost (see below), it will get heavy, so plan your drop off schedule accordingly.

I freeze my compost scraps to avoid bugs and smells, but if you plan on composting every day available, then you may not want to freeze. You'll notice as it gets warmer that freezing your compost scraps is better. If you make leftovers and store them in your freezer, this option may not be for you. My freezer is usually empty, so it makes storing compost scraps a breeze! I use produce bags from the grocery store to store my scraps (I double bag them as I put coffee grinds in my compost and if there is any liquid it may leak out.) Most drop off locations have bins for users to throw their used plastic bags and containers. I believe they are recycled. However, I'm not 100% certain where they go post drop off.

There are definitely messy elements to composting, but the benefits of composting are great. I hate the idea of throwing food out. And composting forces me to be aware of the things I buy and eat and the things I don't eat. You'd be surprised by how aware you become by composting and then carrying your scraps to be composted!

I encourage you to give this method a try if you're not too keen on having a bucket in your apartment, or don't have garden space to compost on your own. In my next article, we'll discuss in-home composting bins and outdoor composting. Stay tuned!

If you compost now, please leave a comment and let us know your experience. Again, we learn together - that's what makes us a community!

Sara - S2 Stationery & Design