Brooklyn Flea

Just a quick last-minute roundup of new faces in Dumbo this weekend. It's a great, full lineup in both 76 and 81 Front St. yet again, so come on down.

The 76 Front vintage/antiques market is mostly regulars at this point, and the quality on that side is really strong and varied lately--come back even if you checked it out already.

Father Panik jewelry designers Scott and Mika were unceremoniously booted from the Young Designers Market in Nolita a couple of weeks ago. Out of Obama-era respect for the First Amendment, we're proud to welcome him with open arms this weekend. The story made a bit of news this week as well. 81 Front #17/Sat, #27/Sun

Miss Amy's Preserves might just be the next Flea food find--we're excited to have a jam-maker back amongst our ranks. Out in Suffolk County (aka farm country), Amy handmakes fresh-fruit jams (right), a yummy Blue Point Mustard, tapenades, and baked goods, and we think Brooklynites will welcome her warmly--into their bellies. 81 Front #30, Sat/Sun

Our pals from the bleachers in Fort Greene Jacob's Eye make their Dumbo debut this weekend, with their funky handbags, leather accessories, and more. Irie! 81 Front #41, Sat/Sun

Mauro Baiocco sold with The Fair School's booth in Fort Greene most weekends, and now he's coming to Dumbo with his cool urban paintings on woodblocks. 81 Front #12, Sat/Sun

Patti and her mom will be unloading a hodgepodge of nice stuff they've collected over the years: marble clocks, paintings, wedding gifts, fabric and blankets, dishes, etc. 81 Front #19, Sat/Sun

Find Alert: Bonnie is a retired interior designer from Bronxville, downsizing for an upcoming move. She's got: "20 paint-by-number paintings, over 60 pieces of chartreuse pottery--Roseville, California, Haeger--china, vintage furniture, smalls from the '30s and '40s, and design-house textiles." Solid. 81 Front #7, Sat/Sun

Film costume- and wardrobe-designer Lynn Falconer has finally filled her "coffers" enough to do another weekend at the Flea. She had great stuff the first time out last May: mostly clothes, but lots of other interesting objects and stuff too. 81 Front #19, Sat/Sun

Grace Napoleon cruises in from Connecticut with her cute and groovy '50s/'60s vintage housewares (mostly kitchen items, right), as well as her "clothes made from clothes," which are worth checking out. 81 Front #7, Sun

We're officially jumping the shark.

You can now follow the Flea on Twitter: we're "bkflea."

Big story in the Dining section of today's Times titled "Brooklyn's New Culinary Movement," featuring a cool silvery photo with Senor Flea front and center. We're, like, really psyched.

Food is so fun, Fleasters respond to it, and we're proud to help push forward such a vibrant (and growing) local scene.

Come by Dumbo this weekend and sample our wares. To wit, the Salvatore Bklyn Ricotta gals will make a special appearance this Saturday only at 81 Front, purveying delicioso cannolis sopressata (from Esposito's Pork Store on Court St.) to go with their trademark lush homemade cheese. Plus McClure's Pickles, Fine + Raw Chocolate, Kumquat Cupcakery, Consider Bardwell cheese, Itzy Bitzy Patisserie macarons, Hot Blondies baked goodness, Likitsakos Greek yogurt, Miss Amy's Preserves, Plan B Foods condiments, Choice munchies, pupusas, and the Kings County BBQ truck.

Mangia!

Another great weekend in Dumbo!

The Dumbo markets are approaching a prime balance of late among vintage/antiques, fashion, art/crafts, jewelry, and food--there's something for everyone these days.

Somehow there's an infinite wellspring of awesome new vendors out there in the world, and we love the influx of new blood each week, which has become a staple of our markets. Ya never know what you'll find at the Flea!

Here's a quick look at some of this week's newbies. Finds galore!

Yuji has had a Dumbo studio since the '80s, and he'll be sharing his collection of cool vintage guitars and amps (and other musical equipment too), along with a finely honed trove of records for good measure. 81 Front #7, Sat/Sun

Larry from Pennsylvania is the guy at the 25th St. Garage with all the old photos. He's trying us out this Sunday for the first time, and we hope he becomes a regular. Super-nice large-format prints to bizarro pics (right) for a buck or two. 76 Front #10, Sun

Design-industry vets Stu and Janet run an online-only vintage/collectibles shop called Three Potato Four in Northern Virginia, and they'll be making the trek up north to try out the "real" world. They have a great eye for colorful, fun, modern things of all kinds (above). 81 Front #17, Sat

Andrew O. Hughes is an independent glass-blower and designer in Long Island City, and a regular Flea visitor. This Saturday he'll be a vendor for the first time, trying out his sleek and distinctive tumblers, pitchers, vases and more on the open market. (He also designs for the likes of Calvin Klein Home.) 81 Front #20, Sat

Trove, some of our favorite furniture rejuvenators/decorators from down PA way, are in town this weekend. They have a clean simple vibe to their decor (right) that's very NYC, and fix up old pieces with serious panache. 76 Front #23, Sat

Unni is a longtime dealer from Westchester County specializing in ephemera, collectibles, pottery, and some folk art. She debuts Sunday. 76 Front #19, Sun

Find Alert: Bonnie is a retired interior designer from Bronxville, downsizing for an upcoming move. She's got: "20 paint-by-number paintings, over 60 pieces of chartreuse pottery--Roseville, California, Haeger--china, vintage furniture, smalls from the '30s and '40s, and design-house textiles." Solid. 81 Front #41, Sat/Sun

Harold scored a last-minute booth for his vintage clothes, modern art, and tabletop items. High hopes for Harold's hodgepodge. 81 Front #21, Sun

Plan B Basics did Fort Greene a few times, and Chuck and Amy's fab condiments have been a big hit. Caramelized onion relish, tomato/giinger chutney, mushroom ragout--take your pick. 81 Front #42, Sun

We're going all techno here at the Flea, boldly taking markets into the future. OK, the present really.

In the coming weeks we'll be launching an e-newsletter to keep devout Fleasters like you updated on the latest market news: awesome new vendors, guest curators, onetime food offerings, special events (record fair, etc.), giveaways, photo slideshows, and other cool stuff.

It'll be a little like the blog and website rolled into one happy fun email--and if Senor can get his act together you'll get it every Thursday or Friday.

Signup is mega-easy: just enter your email address in the box in the upper-right corner (follow the arrow), then confirm your sign up when you receive an email immediately after.

Stay in touch!

The Flea fantasizes about being relevant to Fashion Week, and perhaps this weekend our dream materializes. This Saturday and Sunday only, the snazziest fashion blog/online retailer Refinery29 is curating the front-window space at 81 Front--aka the "Curated Corner"--with 4 friggin' awesome Brooklyn and NYC shops: In God We Trust, Thistle & Clover, Smith + Butler, and Honey in the Rough. We are simply kvelling with pride and anticipation.

Here's what's on tap (pics at right):

In God We Trust

Designer Shana Tabor is bringing a selection of her hand-crafted (made in Brooklyn) jewelry and accessories. She'll also be offering custom-engraving on select pieces, which is a popular item on Refinery29. We're huge fans of IGWT.

Thistle & Clover

Really rad co-owners Rand and Camilla of this snazzy Dekalb Ave. shop will be selling a large selection of discounted/sale items featured on Refinery29, including items from indie designers Rachel Comey, Lorick, Secrets of Charm, Noble Youth, and more--sort of a best of Thistle & Clover. The gals will also have a nice assortment of top Brooklyn jewelry designers and emerging up-and-comers from their shop.

Smith + Butler

This new Smith St. boutique is offering an assortment of merchandise for men, women, kids, and home. Items include St. James children's clothing and women's and men's hats, Flea vet M. Carter bags and T-shirts, Makr wallets, vintage Pendleton flannels, as well as a selection of vintage clothing and home items.

Honey in the Rough

The coolest dress shop on the LES (Rivington/Clinton), Honey in the Rough will be bringing a pre-spring perfect array of feminine dresses and accessories at sample-sale prices. Other items include Tsumori Chisato tights, jewelry, and wallets; Eley Kishimoto shoes and tights; Hoss belts; Alice McCall leggings and dresses; as well as an ample selection of dresses from Samantha Pleet, Emma Cook, Built by Wendy, Secrets of Charm, Mociun, and more.

We're not going head over heels with Valentine's Day stuff in Dumbo this weekend, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't make a one-stop shop for chocolate, flowers, jewelry, unique gifts and more at the markets.

The fine folks from Groundworks, Carmen and Alice's awesome Bensonhurst greenery biz, are bringing out special scented and aphrodisiac plants for Valentine's Day, including jasmine (left), the suggestive pitcher plant (center), and of course orchids (right). Let love bloom! (81 Front, Saturday only.)

Friendly fella Stan has a cute thing going as "The Elegant Thrifter," and he joins the Flea fold for the first time this Saturday. His "Hooch Bags" (right) are vintage bags (which Stan gives names like Dolly, Carla, and Grace) filled with "funny money, a little something sweet (a Hot Blondie, of course!), a vintage surprise, and a nip or two of booze. Everything you need for a good time Saturday night basically. Stan's a hoot, go chat him up. (81 Front, near the entrance.)

Our man Tutek has been satisfying our neo-preppy cravings for Brooks Brothers, J. Press, tweed, seersucker, and Bean duck boots at Fort Greene and now Dumbo (76 Front side) for nigh a year now. This week, he's going "pop" and pulling out some killer metal T's and 3/4's for the nostalgic/ironic and still-shredding among us.

The motley assortment includes Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Poison, Crue shirts, and many, many more. This one goes to 11.