The Renegade Craft Fair

When the season of gift-giving arrives, it's no surprise that fairs and markets find their way to the calendar.  Here's one craft market that I thoroughly enjoyed:  

The Renegade Craft Fair Holiday Market! 

It was held at the East River State Park in Williamsburg, Brooklyn in late November.

Free chalk... 

 ...so anyone can doodle on a board overlooking the

Manhattan skyline.

I think the painted signs on old wood at the 

info booth is blah to TADA! 

Just some of the creative merchandise:

 T-shirts

 Magazines

 Totes, hand towels and aprons for a green home

Animal prints on floral China 

Whimsical paintings on reclaimed wood 

Lots of jewelry 

 DIY kits

 Prints, cards and calendars

A display of pretty linens 

 Chopping boards in the shape of your favorite state

Tables where visitors were encouraged to make their

own gift tags and gift wrap using rubber stamps. 

Snacks for sale -- these are vegan!

I was able to buy a few things that I'll share with you in a future post. I hope that like me, you've been inspired with all the cool crafts from this fair. 

Another Market in Union Square

I'm a big fan of markets -- food, flea or craft. Now, I'm adding "Christmas Market" to the list. The feeling is always festive and you're guaranteed one-of-a-kind products that are wonderful for gifting.

Today, I'm taking you to Union Square, also in New York City.

Union Square is on East 14th Street and Broadway. It's a park, a gathering place, a space to play chess, and an area for protest rallies or pillow fights {whichever you're into}.

There's a Farmer's Market there every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.  And when Thanksgiving arrives at the Big Apple's doorstep, another market emerges:

The Union Square Holiday Market! 

I'm loving the peppermint red and white tents decorated 

with garlands and lights.  

There's a section selling food and drink.

There's art in various forms.

There are home goods, too.

I think I need some of these enamelware.

A few more things that caught my eye:

Cute and cozy for winter weather.

Wood-carved pencils

Lockets with dramatic photos on the cover

Soothing soaps and candles

Body balms

Mosaic lanterns

Sweet and soft tree trimmings

Pouches with an opinion

Drinking glasses made of old bottles

{blah to TADA!}

I especially liked that there was a Lil' Brooklyn - - a lane of Brooklyn-made crafts and food gifts. Go Brooklyn! You're now being noticed as the venue for the hip and handmade.

The Union Square Holiday Market

November 16th – December 24th, 2012

Monday – Friday:  11:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Saturday: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Sunday: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Monday, December 24th closes at 4:00 PM

Situated above the Union Square 

14th Street subway station, 4/5/6, N/R/Q, and L lines

Christmas at Bryant Park

Today, let me show you how Bryant Park celebrates the holidays. 

Bryant Park is located on 42nd Street and 6th Avenue in New York City.  I like this park a lot. It's a patch of calm in the middle of Manhattan's tall buildings and the always busy Times Square. And there's lots to do -- sip a coffee, read on a lawn chair, play petanque, chess or table tennis, take the kids to le carrousel, do some group yoga, and watch a concert or movie in the summer.      

When the holidays arrive, it's decked with 

a skating rink and a Christmas tree!

Ice skating in the winter and in New York City, no less! 

If you prefer to just watch, there's a heated bar

serving drinks and light meals. 

Surrounding all of this are the Holiday Shops -- glass-covered booths showcasing gifts, souvenirs, clothing and goodies to satisfy the tummy.

Get yourself a cup of tea to enjoy while walking around or purchase a canister for the tea-lovers in your life. 

There are at least two shops selling hot chocolate and another selling hot apple cider.

There are food stalls offering French macarons, churros, chocolates, crepes, waffles, popcorn and savory snacks.

Here are just some of the cute stuff you'll find:

 Desk accessories and stationery

 I'm not certain if these are costumes or funny pajamas

Gloves for children in the shape of bear paws 

Fuzzy animal slippers 

There are many tree ornaments for sale. Some can even be personalized! I was drawn to this bunch -- the characters from The Wizard of Oz. 

 Fragrant hand soaps and body creams

Wallets and bags with quirky photos as the main design

Creature clocks with wagging tails

This shop was selling girly merchandise like jewelry and accessories. I love the French country interiors!

 Lovely ceramics like mugs, bowls and wall decorations

This shop, called "Mr. Ellie Pooh's Fair Trade", takes recycling to a whole new level -- elephant waste is turned into gifts like notebooks and greeting cards.

And finally, a shop selling bracelets, clocks and journals made from old vinyl records {blah to TADA!}.  See you back tomorrow!

The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park
October 26, 2012 to January 6, 2013
Monday to Friday: 11 AM to 8 PM
Saturday: 10 AM to 9 PM
Sunday: 10 AM to 6 PM

Bryant Park is situated behind the New York Public Library
in midtown Manhattan, between 40th and 42nd Streets &
Fifth and Sixth Avenues.