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!

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.