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November 2008« October 2008 - December 2008 »November 28, 2008What's New?
Crazy Old Bags is the excellently named 9-year-old vintage-bag business of cousins Danielle and Kerri, who have literally hundreds of stylish bags and some cool jewelry, scarves, that type of thing. Well-edited, nice gals, worth a gander for sure. E10 The Rise and Fall was a groovy shop in Williamsburg, which Joshua and his wife are bringing back at the Flea. Their beautiful handprinted pillows make excellent gifts and come in styles like a peacock (above), skull, and spider web. E11 We met Dino last week through groovy Jean-Paul from Rue St.-Denis (merci!), and he'll be making his debut with mid-century furniture this Sunday. He's an old-school dealer, welcome him warmly! L11 Habib Wani, a Kashmiri rug seller, magically appeared in our inbox this week, and we're looking forward to checking out his handmade Indian wares on Sunday, just like you. L13 Erin's Shorthand Press features greeting cards, T's and more festooned with the elegant and designy craft of, yes, shorthand. Rly gd lkg! E9 Swell Foop is husband and wife team Otto and Anne's organic/sustainable line of T's (and onesies of course) featuring endangered animals. They're out here from Montana for awhile. Cute stuff! E13 Tom and Marushka have great vintage kids winter jackets and snow suits, which they'll be availing themselves of over the next few Sundays at the Flea. Local flava! B19 November 26, 2008White Sunday
Instead, spend your hard-earned duckets in your community this Sunday, spreading the wealth around to folks who collect antique clocks and design objects, make yummy chocolate and cookies (gift boxes!), paint beautiful pictures, knit cozy hats, print pretty cards--all of which you'll find at Gifted, the fab new holiday market we're launching with Time Out NY this Sunday at the Masonic Temple, across the street from the Flea. (The gorgeous hall alone is worth a gander.) The outdoor Flea was awesome last week--not too chilly, lots of sun, great vibe with hot cider/cocoa and scarves aplenty--and it's gonna stay that way until our last day of the season, Dec. 21. (Stay tuned to the website for exciting future plans around the corner!) The regular vendors are braving the elements to serve devoted Fleasters like you, and their awesome wares know no temperature. So check out Gifted inside, cross the street to grab a spiced hot chocolate or coffee, and find a gift with a history at the Flea. It's like Broadway, only without the cheese, horrible music (Senor and Hermano Flea will be providing fun tunes at the Masonic), grime, noise, and annoying people. The Flea--your eco, 21st Century, local, friendly, interpersonal, feel-good, economy-helping one-stop shopping spot. See ya there! November 25, 2008Finders/Keepers Week 19
Check back Friday at noon for this week's items. From left: John Pomeroy (left) just moved to Brooklyn, to SONYA (South of the Navy Yard), and snagged this pretty scarf (it's tied nicely around his neck) for his lady friend, who happened to be ill in the hospital. Susan Steinbrock was happy to have her creation go to a good karmic connection. She's usually on the Vanderbilt fence around V12. November 21, 2008Scavenger Hunt Items: November 23
For newcomers, when you find the item, which can be hidden in any vendor booth, it's yours, absolutely free! Then we post your photo here on the blog on Monday. Only one winner per calendar month. Items posted every Friday at Noon. Happy hunting! From left: 2. Handpainted crepe de chine silk scarf. New/Handmade November 20, 2008What's New? So it's gonna be a little nippy on Sunday...so wha? This is the time of year to find awesome bargains and get to know the hardcore regular vendors who are as dedicated and resilient as your local mail carrier (rain, sleet, etc.). Or to meet the new vendors who are so psyched to Flea that a forecast of sunny skies in the crisp 40s means nothing to them. Senor and Mr. B are similarly undeterred by such beautiful fall days--so come say hi, share a brick-oven pizza or a mushroom-swiss scone, and find out what's in store for the Flea's future with them. We'll be there, warmin'. Which is like chillin', but different.
On to the newbies:  Kaffeine + Kitsch is an awesome antiques and coffee shop that Amy and Patrick operate down in Milford, PA, and they're taking their show on the road this Sunday. "Mid-century furnishings (boomerang tables, vintage lighting, iconic chairs), kitschy artwork (including paint-by-numbers), fun barware and ashtrays from the '40s to '60s, souvenirs from off-the-wall destinations (above), Atomic Age kitchenware"--you get it. And you want it. L17.
Eliza Pister is a vintage buyer for fashion designers (many of whom frequent the Flea, we hear), so she specializes in pieces with great detail, fabric and rarity, especially Victorian clothing. She's gonna have great stuff, only with us for a few weeks though. L11  Rebecca and her pal are magazine editors--one classy, the other kitsch--cleaning out the house at their Stoop Spot. Everything will be $1, $5 or $10! From the classy side: porcelain plates, vintage Johnson Brothers serving pieces, hand-blocked stationery, decorative silk and linen pillows, vintage frames and artwork, fabric remnants (ginghams to fine silks), cookbooks, and entertaining books. Kitsch: vintage clothes and shoes, Toreador velvet art paintings (right), '50s TV lamps, ceramic log planters, jewelry baubles, TV trays. Go Gadget go! B7
Itzy Bitzy Patisserie is Mitzy's brand spankin' nouveau macaron-making operation. Not macaroons (coconut, Passover), but macarons, the delicious crunchy and smooth French sandwich creme cookie (right). She studied with French master pâtissier Pierre Hermé, and churns out delish-sounding varieties like chestnut with green tea creme, pistachio, and chocolate caramel pecan. Bon appetit! E5  Plan B Basics is the new venture from Amy and Chuck, whose Brooklyn catering biz Loud Food NYC is 20 years young. "After countless affairs at the Picnic House in Prospect Park, cocktail parties in DUMBO and dinners in the Heights, we are listening to our clients and taking 3 of our most popular items on the road." They'll have caramelized onion relish, tomato-ginger chutney, and mushroom ragout, each an option when dinner "Plan A" goes awry. Yummy. W1
November 19, 2008Gifted Announcement
Gifted: A Holiday Market
The Flea has partnered with Time Out NY to present Gifted: A Holiday Market, featuring 40 vendors curated by Senor himself along with TONY Seek Editor Erin Wylie. Gifted will take place inside the historic Brooklyn Masonic Temple--the amazing building with the columns across the street from the Flea--on the 4 Sundays Nov. 30, Dec. 7, 14 + 21, from 11am to 6pm. (The "regular" Flea will of course continue on at the schoolyard during this time, with Dec. 21 remaining our last date of the season.) We curated the mix of vendors at Gifted to be sort of like the Flea: stuff you can only find there; folks selling beautiful, unique items they made themselves; vintage/antique objects that are distinctive and affordable; snazzy jewelry; cool, quality art; and of course yummy foodstuffs. Our goofy tagline is "Edited + Eclectic for Everyone." Here are some highlights: Layla, the gorgeous jewelry and Indian textiles shop in Boerum Hill; Acorn, the classy toy shop on Atlantic Ave.; Els Walleyn's beautiful mohair teddy bears--all the way from Belgium!; Flea regular David Sokosh, who will be featuring amazing antique clocks ("the gift of time for Christmas"); Jezebel Stationery, Moontree Letterpress, Perch! Design, and Mollie Dash's Brooklyn-made cards and goodies; Ornaments + Objects' mid-century jewelry and design pieces; I Lampe's lamps made from recycled Saarinen designs and the like; Pop Judaica's "Shlep" totes and menorah subway-map cards; The Flubber Gallery's vintage toys; Reiter8's totes made from recycled sails; and Fine + Raw's scrumptious raw chocolate gift packs. (Click here to see the full lineup; we'll have a proper Gifted webpage up later this week.) We're really excited about this addition to the Flea, and hope that it becomes a sort of local one-stop holiday-shopping alternative to, say, big boxes or, gasp, Manhattan. Make a connection with the person you're buying from; support someone who lives in your neighborhood; give a gift there's only one of. That's what y'all wanted, right? Right. Gorgeous flyer design by Noel Claro. Continue reading "Gifted: A Holiday Market" November 18, 2008Finders/Keepers Week 18
Check back Friday at noon for this week's items. From left: Denise Siebe (middle) visited us (and her Brooklyn pal, right) all the way from Knoxville, Tennessee! She checked the blog that morning for the first time, and by 11:01am she was the winner of the snazzy German porcelain birdbath vase (which evaded Senor's lens somehow!). Peter (dba Anodyne) was pleased as punch to be part of the Hunt. He and his cute family sell inexpensive tchotchkes and clothes in W47 every Sunday. November 17, 2008Rick + Martha
Here's the segment, titled "Spears of Influence," which is the name of one of Rick's award-winning jars of love. Rick's at the Flea somewhat randomly, but you can always check his website for fresh picks, not to mention gift ideas! If you happen to be upstate near Rosendale this weekend, don't miss the 11th Annual International Pickle Festival, featuring Rick and fellow Fleaster Bob of delicious McClure's Pickles. Pickle on! November 14, 2008Scavenger Hunt Items: November 16
For newcomers, when you find the item, which can be hidden in any vendor booth, it's yours, absolutely free! Then we post your photo here on the blog on Monday. Only one winner per calendar month. Items posted every Friday at Noon. Happy hunting! From left: 2. Recycled bombshell bangle, fashioned from 155mm bombshells dropped on Cambodia during the Vietnam War. Hand-cut by silversmiths in a Cambodian fair trade collective. New/Handmade November 13, 2008What's New?
Michaela and Barret run Avalon, their mid-century furniture and lighting biz, out of Center 44 in Midtown, and they're pals with Garage vets like Joseph Sipos (Estate of Art Vintage) and Susan Blank (frames galore). They shop the Flea a lot; this time they're on the other side. V11
Prop stylist (always a good sign) Wendy Schelah is doing her big closet clean-out (always a good sign), including Danish Modern hanging lamps, Italian table lamps, and vintage housewares (meow). Her pal Anna, a published author (including Yummy Mummy Manifesto) and contributor to Elle (always a good sign) and Conde Nast Traveler has a "mountain" of vintage handbags, dresses, and accessories. Beware the deluge! W38
Planet Clare is Clare(duh) from Philly's trove of goods collected from her world travels: Mexican folk art (right), Central Asian wedding hats, Uzbeki and Turkmeni embroidered cloths (aka "suzanis"), and the like. We're pretty selective about stuff from the "world crafts" interzone, have a good feeling about Senora Clare. B18 Somethin' (Free) for the Kids
Rafael, George and, Carole will let youngsters shopping with an adult pick an item from the kids jewelry at the Flea--absolutely FREE! We think that's pretty cool and generous, and right in line with the positivity of our new era. T+P is in L8/9 every Sunday. (While we're on the holiday tip, stay tuned for news about Gifted, our awesome holiday market, starting Nov. 30 at the Masonic Temple, that gorgeous building across the street from the Flea. T+P is just one of the 40 or so snazzy vendors--regular Fleasters and non-- we're curating over 4 Sundays. More news soon!) November 12, 2008Jay in the Backstop
Jay was a last-minute addition last Sunday (shout-out to Shane da Bikejack for the hookup), and he'll be back from now on in a permanent location in the backstop (W8)--where Senor and Hermano Flea spun this summer--where he can provide some mellifluous tones for marketgoers and vendors. No stranger to the 1's and 2's, Jay came up through the NYC disco/house primordial soup with Larry Levan and the Paradise Garage crew in the '70s and '80s; now he holds court at the legendary Central Park roller-disco scene near Sheeps Meadow (above). And ya don't stop... Getcha Turkeys Heah!
The fine folks from Greene Grape Provisions on Fulton St. will be taking pre-orders for their Tom Terrific Thanksgiving birds: heritage and free-range turkeys, geese, and capons. Just like in ye town squares of olde, stop by your local market (the Flea) and chat with the bird expert, who can tell you how big a fowl to buy, how to know when your goose is cooked, and just what exactly a capon is. (The expert is from top turkeys D'Artagnan.) They'll also have samples of the delish deep-fried that Myrtle Ave.'s Jive Turkey churns out. Now, Jive Turkey's birds are first come-first served for Thanksgiving--which is why the lines go around the block this time of year. Greene Grape has magically scored a few Jive boids for pre-order, and they're reserving some of those just for Fleasters like you. Come quick before those Toms are gobbled up! Also! Empire State cheese galore. Try an Old Chatham Camembert from, er, Old Chatham; Cave-Aged Tilset from Harpersfield; and Kunik Triple Cream and honey lavender fromage blanc from Nettle Meadow Farm in Warrensburg. Try some/buy some. November 10, 2008Finders/Keepers Week 17
Check back Friday at noon for this week's items. Top left: Top right: Bottom left: November 7, 2008Scavenger Hunt Items: November 9
For newcomers, when you find the item, which can be hidden in any vendor booth, it's yours, absolutely free! Then we post your photo here on the blog on Monday. Only one winner per calendar month. Items posted every Friday at Noon. Happy hunting! From left: 2. Sterling silver swirl hoop Earrings. New/Handmade 3. Artisan raw creamy chocolate. New (duh!) What's New?
Without further ado, the November 9th newbies: Setting a new long-distance record for Flea-vendor travel, Mike and Rebecca of Rivich Auction are hoofing it all the way from Chicago this Sunday. In light of recent national events, we'll gladly welcome some good vibes from the Windy City, and since we met it's become clear that Rivich is a major Midwest source for awesome, usable antiques--their stuff has graced the pages of Elle Decor and Domino. Welcome them warmly! W19/20. Spotted is the New Milford, CT, shop (above, left) of Jennifer Floyd, a veteran of the Broadway/Grand, Chelsea, and Brimfield fleas, not to mention vintage shops on Christopher St. and in the Meatpacking District--i.e., the real deal yo. Her speciality is mid-century modern furniture and home accessories, and she'll also be porting in Patrick Wise (above, right), a character who specializes on funky-fancy jewelry. Check 'em out. B9
Mary Ellen and Keith of Walker's Antiques + Collectibles are coming up from SE Pennsylvania with a promising double-spot full of "early to mid 20th century, including farm primitives, industrial, factory, or shop pieces, as well as painted and galvanized metal items...work tables and benches, butcher benches, metal tool stands, metal cabinets, small tables, and stools. We also carry galvanized buckets, metal bins, wire baskets, wood and metal tool carriers and various containers and stands that could be used for indoor or garden decorating." Sounds amazing! W15/16 The vintage-clothing-collecting duo of Gabriel Roman + Jason Frank call themselves Archives when they sell their '20s to '60s men's and women's wares at Manhattan Vintage and the Pier Show. Sounds like classy stuff, high hopes. W42 Back home in Clinton Hill, local fella Cornelius Freeman recently started a home staging business, and he's acquired a lot of mid-century pieces and modern '70s items. O Fleasters, please help Mr. Freeman avail himself of this stylish burden! L14
Kristine (dba "KJ's Closet") is similarly unleashing her deep closets upon the Flea: "Ladies coats, dresses, tops, sweaters, pants, shoes, bags and accessories...ranging in price from $12-$60--everything either gently used or pre-owned, but never worn. Brands include Burberry, Tahari, Gucci, Versace, Tracy Reese, Sweeties, and Velvet." Spidey senses tingling... W45 The cool Smith St. skateboard/coffee shop Homage Brooklyn debuts at the Flea Sunday, where we're hoping boarders of all ages will come through for their snowboards, clothes, sneakers, longboards, and skateboards. Killer! B23
Amy Kreiling makes leather and canvas bags as well as some jewelry and handmade books, while her pals Laura Fortune does whimsical enamel jewelry and objects. (They both happen to work at the Ted Muehling store, where Senor scored his perfect wedding band.) E34 The 2009 I Heart Brooklyn Girls calendar will make its public debut on Sunday, offering "foxy, feisty femmes from Brooklyn fashioned after images made popular in the '40s and '50s by pinup artists Elvgren and Vargas." A portion of proceeds from calendar sales benefit the Lesbian Herstory Archives. No pics here, come see for yourself! E24
So many new vendors! Gotta save space, here's who else is onboard: Illustrator Drew Morrison is on the surreal/carney tip with his affordable prints. W37 Erika Lively is a one-timer, cleaning out some good vintage furniture and clothing. She's also a veteran of the Organic Grooves music/style scene. B5 India Haylor needs to unload a closetful of designer duds. E35 Smash + Grab is Jenny and Martha's vintage-clothing collection. Check out these up-and-comers. E14 Ross + Leo is Jessica's brand spanking new line of magnets, designed by all sorts of local artists and pals. E16 Ken runs SA Swank, and he'll have chunky, colorful jewelry made of stones, glass, bone and more--all straight outta South Africa. B18 Leslie Torre will be selling at her first Flea, unveiling her tote bags "with an NYC flair." E15 November 5, 2008Take A Seat
To arrange a pickup this Sunday, just drop Molly a line (chairloom@gmail.com) and y'all can work out the details (fabric, pillows, etc.). The Flea: Living the good life made easy, friendly, and affordable. Moto Bene!
So when we heard about Dave Sclarow's mobile brick-oven Pizza Moto, we knew: a) that it would be huge, fast; and b) that the Flea had to have it. With "b" accomplished over the last month, "a" is upon us--witness today's New York Times Dining section profile on ze mobile maestro for evidence. Go Dave! On a day of grand exultations, add one more. November 3, 2008THE FLEA IS BACK THIS SUNDAYJust a quick note before we get to our regular weekly posts that the Flea returns this Sunday, Nov. 9, at its regularly scheduled time: 10am to 5pm. We'll be there until Dec. 21, and stay tuned here for news about our upcoming Holiday Market and other exciting developments. See ya Sunday! |
The time has finally come to announce our holiday market, which has turned out to be way awesomer (and more work) than we imagined when we concocted it--all of a few weeks ago. 
Sparkly Susan also does the Garage, focusing on vintage jewelry and mid-century objects (right). She's also a roller-disco fan in Providence, and we think it's 
"Lazy" Eddy and Katrina are double-decade flea vets--Broadway/Grand, Stormville, Brimfield (right)--and now their Treewood Antiques calls Oceanside, Long Island, home. Whaddatheygot? "Furniture, lighting, and accessories from 19th century to industrial to mid-century modern." They Flea'd last week, but came onboard too late for ze blog. Find 'em, they're good. W11
Carroll Gardener 
The lovely lads of Treasures + Pleasures are already getting into the giving spirit. They recently came across a trove of '60s Lucite children's jewelry--candy-stripe bangles, necklaces, smiley rings, and the like--some of which you can see festooned on the teddy bear at right.
We like this one, just fits in with the Flea somehow. 
More antiques! Ellen and Kenn were born and raised in Brooklyn, and now live on Staten Island. Their Zazalooie Antiques promises loads of well-picked smalls, glass, silver, serving items (right)--the kinda stuff you love to stare at...and then buy! W1
Alana has designed for Ralph Lauren, Urban Outfitters and Lilly Pulitzer, and she's been coming up to the Flea every Sunday from Philadelphia to her old 'hood. Now the shoe's on the other fashionista foot: She's dubbed her clothing collection (right) Petersen + Petersen Design Cartel and sharing it with you: "Military-inspired, beaded dresses, motorcycle boots and jackets, strappy heels, vintage sweaters from the '40s to the '70s." Her husband will also have some bright modern paintings for sale. Dig, baby, dig! E24
Desiree and Tino just opened a screen-printing shop in Greenpoint called Seshwan, and also co-operate a very cool T-shirt line called 
Christopher Starling hand-turns all the wood in his awesome pens, corkscrews and bottle-stoppers (right), magnifying glasses, and other items. He's new to the vendor scene, looks like great stuff. E36 
We mistakenly touted Isabel Roxas as starting 2 Sundays ago. 
