A Market within a Market

I'm taking you around the Christmas markets of New York City. I hope you're enjoying the tour! 

Chelsea Market is a place in Manhattan that I often visit. It's a foodie paradise with shops selling food and anything related to food like cooking tools, exotic ingredients, books and gift baskets. 

Locals and visitors come here to grab a bite, buy something "to go", experience a new trend in dining, and possibly bump into a Food Network celebrity chef {the Food Network offices/kitchens are located in the building}. 

Here's how Chelsea Market is decorated for the holidays this year:

A Christmas tree made of real twigs, logs and 

leaves, painted in white.

A new spin on the Hanukkah Menorah.

It's made of nine humble paintbrushes covered in paper bag and twine. During each night of Hanukkah, a paintbrush is unveiled to reveal a flame {an actual Menorah is lit with real flames}. I've never seen anything like this, I think it's cute.

Real and faux plants that tell you the holidays are here.

Inside Chelsea Market is a bakeshop called Eleni's. They make the most adorable decorated sugar cookies!

Snowmen cookies that double as tree ornaments. I think this is a cool idea/presentation for party favors.

They don't only specialize in holiday cookies, they have different themes like this New York City sampler.

At the other end of Chelsea Market is a pop-up shop of Brooklyn's Artist and Fleas, with a collection of handmade creations and vintage finds.

Another market called Jingle runs until December 23.

Markets within a market -- just one of the reasons 

I love the holidays!

The Craftacular

Happy Monday! Now that the holidays are here, I'm pretty sure you're crazy busy. That's why I want to say thank you that you're able to stop by my blog today. 

This week, I'll continue the Christmas market theme. It's one of my traditions where I am able to shop for unique presents and support hardworking crafty artisans at the same time.

At the beginning of the month, I hied off to SOHO for the Bust Magazine Craftacular.

It's held annually and is organized by the wonderful folks at Bust Magazine. Here are a few photos from the spectacular craftacular:

Wooden hand-painted figurines

Pretty prints for a plain wall

Sock monkey hats

Cross stitch kits

Hats, headbands and fascinators

Soft and stripey toys

Jewelry made from watch parts

The fun crowd of sellers and shoppers

Support handmade

May you all have a lovely day!

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.