An Etsy Pop-up Shop

Hey, hey, happy Friday! It's all about Christmas markets on my blog this week. I think they're a fun experience. Plus I'm able to cross off items on my list and leave excited to get my own craft on.

I'm pretty sure you've heard about Etsy, the on-line marketplace for all things handmade and vintage. Well, for a very brief period, they had a pop-up shop in New York City. 

It's described this way on their website: Imagine a magical place where you can shop directly from the collections of guest curators, meet the artists and collectors of the marketplace in person, learn to make something with your own two hands, and enlist the help of a whole squad of Etsy experts for your gift list. It's Etsy in real life!

Pretty awesome, right?

The shop window was interactive featuring a new artist each day. This is Petra Collins completing an installation.

 A mission banner by the door and sparkly paper 

decorations overhead.

Everyday, there was a learning session. Here is Design Sponge's Grace Bonney teaching the group how to make fresh wreaths. The class was free and participants got to take home their creations.

There were also artisans at work...it felt like stepping into their studios and watching them create their products.

You could talk to them and they demonstrated their process, be it letterpress or jewelry making.

Guest curators like Martha Stewart, Tavi Gevinson and Jesse Thorn handpicked items from Etsy sellers. These were displayed on a wall, and I must agree with their choices. Here's a sample:

Handful of heart gloves, Whale tissue box, Feather organic voile scarf,
Linen pajama shorts,  Hand painted coffee cups, Superhero shoes

Made of wood: Wooden veneered sunglasses, Beer Caddy,
Architectural birdhouse, Bicycle, Elevate Bike Rack,
Desk Caddy

For the kiddies: Bear and fox overalls, Linen Teepee,
Drum set and dragonfly onesie, Gnome baby doll,
Teddy bear, Superhero and animal hooded towel

For the dudes: Alcohol free aftershave, Air terrarium kit,
Skateboard stool, Wood iPad smart cover,
Cotton sleeping bag

Things with faces: Nose ring holders, Ceramic magnets,
Pillow girl and boy, Girl face keychain

For the chef: Wooden pinch bowls, Wooden spoons,
Salt and Pepper Bowls, Linen dinner napkins,
Oven mitt, Herbal tea set

Now, if only Etsy can do this regularly or have their own storefront, that would be TADA!

For a list of on-going holiday markets in New York City, check out this guide. Meanwhile, have a fabulous weekend and happy shopping!

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.

Cuddly and Sweet

I was at the drugstore the other day and

I found this really adorable gift:

It's a plush toy with a built-in pouch {similar to a backpack}. You're supposed to stuff it with little thoughtful things like snacks, pencils or wishes to say "good luck", "congratulations", "get well soon" or "just because". I love the concept! Here's my version:

blah: what was once a jewelry pouch

in the perfect Valentine color

Fill it with sweet delights like candy

and pair with a teddy bear.

TADA! A present that will melt anyone's heart!

Costume Party

We're getting ready for Halloween,

and all this week we're making

easy blah to TADA! decorations.

blah: stuffed animals picked up from

different parts of the house

Why not dress them up

for Halloween too?

Meet COW-nt Dracula

Here's Bear the Bandit...

And the Chick Witch!

These costumes were made with an

old black t-shirt and felt scraps.

TADA!

Aussie Style

It's difficult for me to imagine a world without

magazines. News stands in bus stations and

airports without magazines. Waiting rooms at

the dentist or doctor's office without magazines.

I can't bear the thought! So blah!

I guess one day we'll all be totting around some

kind of tablet PC like an iPad or Samsung Galaxy,

the same way we carry mobile phones everywhere.

Good thing there are now many

on-line magazines! TADA!

Today, it's off to Australia to see

some of the magazines they have.

Adore is Australia's first online home &

lifestyle magazine. It's first issue launched

in October/November 2010 and has been

wow-ing its readers with gorgeous homes

and beautifully designed products from

all over the world.

Paper Runway is a bit different from

the magazines I've shared this week

because instead of fashion, food &

decor, it's all about paper! And if

you love paper and the many ways

to create with it, it's worth checking

this one out.

Happy Reading!

Bear-y Christmas!

Hi there! Thanks for stopping by and thanks for

visiting Delia's blog yesterday where I turned a blah paper bag

into a TADA! envelope. Perfect for money gifts and tips.

Today, I have another idea to "disguise" a gift card

(some people may think it's impersonal to give a gift card,

I don't -- I think it's practical and let's the recipient pick

what he or she really, really wants!)

Blah: a teddy bear that was a promotional freebie.

Remove the tag and replace with a small envelope

(I made this using construction paper).

Secure it to the bear with ribbon or small amount of hot glue.

Insert the gift card and finish with a sweet note.

TADA! No one can resist the charm of this bear

who comes bearing a gift!

Have a great day!

Still Sewing!

Happy New Week Everyone!

Thanks for stopping by today -- I really enjoy your company.

If you visited last week, I told you all about this

wonderful book where I'm getting my

current inspirations:

In this book, there are just too many "good things", as Martha herself would say. So this week, I'll be showing some more sewing projects, with my blah to TADA! twist of course!

I love to recycle shirts like I did here, here, here, here and here.

Today, it's a similar blah but just wait

'til you see the TADA!

Add the magic of a pattern, pins, scissors,

needle, thread, buttons, stuffing & felt...

And viola -- a TADA! Teddy Bear who's got

a lot of love to give away.

Remember the pillow I made last Friday?

The one made from a man's shirt?

You can't really see it here but the shirt has a pocket.

It makes a perfect home for dear Teddy!

This can be a great gift for a little boy

(or girl) using Dad & Mom's old shirts,

don't you think?