Brooklyn Flea

Lil' rain can't stop no Flea no way no how. Just pics from Fort Greene this week, as Senor celebrated his first Father's Day on Sunday. Shopping in a drizzle is mighty fine, try it sometime.

About half-full at the Flea today--i.e., bargains galore. Furniture, salvage, summer frocks, lamps, jewelry, bikes (incl. Recycle-a-Bicycle kids models), Stumptown Coffee, and a gorgeous 48-star hand-stitched American flag.

Come on down!

Remember, we're now doing the Hunt at both markets every weekend: Fort Greene on Saturdays, Brooklyn Bridge on Sundays.

When you find one of the items above, which can be hidden in any vendor booth, it's yours, absolutely free! Then we post your photo with the generous vendor here on the blog on Monday. Only one winner per calendar month. Items posted every Friday around Noon.

Happy hunting!

From left:

1. Pair of amber-colored glass candlesticks. Vintage (Fort Greene/Saturday)

2. Black T-shirt featuring artwork from the upcoming documentary Soul Power, about "Zaire '74" a 3-day music festival that revolved around the famous "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match in Kinshasa, Zaire. New/handmade (Fort Greene/Saturday)

3. Silkscreened-fabric pillow stuffed with balsam-fir tips. New/handmade (Brooklyn Bridge/Sunday)

Ceramic twin cats, antique tin airplanes, turn-of-the-century French wicker potties (seriously--with a flap to cover the hole), all in one glorious and sunny spot in the yard at Fort Greene, hosted by Karen and Albert of Antiquinaires.

Partners in marriage and in business for more than 30 years, they know how to make it shine. He upholsters by day, she writes, their passion for the collectibles stems from a need to educate the masses about investment in antiques and art and how to incorporate these objects into your homes. Sign me up!

Karen and Al come in every Saturday from Long Island, and sometimes they bring their sons Ethan (14, budding designer) and Angus (19, merchandising master on his way to the Navy!).

In addition to finding and collecting and selling and fleaing, Karen and Al just expanded their Long Island gallery to a larger space in Baldwin where they rep emerging artists, hold events and sell their goods. You can also peep them on their new Antiquinaires website, where soon you can participate in online auctions.

Oh, AND they loan and sell props to films and theaters, shop for estate sales to keep the business flowing, and strategically donate much of what they buy to local non-profits and shelters. I'm tired just reading this. Check the slide show and check Antiquinaires every Saturday at the Flea in W16.

If you didn't make it to the gorgeous double-dip in Fort Greene and under the Brooklyn Bridge, relive the memories through this virtual slideshow! Pics galore of setup, the view, and action under the Bridge, including our bullhorn-fueled press conference with Marty!

So the Time Out Curated Corner was a massive success under the Bridge on Sunday.

Selling items donated by a dozen-plus designers and collectors, Erin (above) and crew raised $3000 for the Madison Square Boys + Girls Club's Navy Yard location's cultural programs. Holy cannoli!

Job well-done all-around, thanks to all for participating--and shopping!

The Hunt sprawled to both Fleas this weekend, but neither location took long to produce a winner. Scavenging knows no bounds!

Left to right:

Michaela is not only a Scavenger, she's also a vendor, having sold at the Flea a handful of times. As a Fleaster, she loves the tacos and Christina Stankard's delicate handmade jewelry. Here's Michaela (left), who calls the Chelsea Hotel home, with Christina and her new gorgeous freshwater pearl necklace. Christina's in E30 in Fort Greene every Saturday, and I39 under the Bridge on Sundays.

Lisa made her first trek to the Flea from Hoboken on Saturday, and around 1pm she discovered the polka-dot clutch in FunkyFanny's booth (where everything was $10 last week). Here's Lisa (left) with Funky Serci and Lisa's pal Brian from Jersey City. Lisa "likes winning." Simple. Serci Fanny moves around on Saturdays, but she's often near W5 or 6.

The inaugural Bridge Flea was a huge smash, and Maureen from Hopelawn, NJ, was feeling the vibe when she spotted the Ice-O-Mat hand crusher in Les and Loretta's Sarsaparilla booth. Here's Maureen with lovely Loretta. Maureen's daughter likes flea markets and found the Flea online. Les and Loretta will be back soon.

Check back Friday at noon for this week's items.

Metromix has posted a great slide show from the debut of The Flea under the Brooklyn Bridge yesterday. Check it out here. By the way, the comments should be working again so don't be a stranger.

The Hunt is back, long live the Hunt! Senor couldn't get his act together last week--something about a bambina delivered by the Flea stork?

We'll be doing the Hunt at both markets from now on: Fort Greene on Saturdays, Brooklyn Bridge on Sundays. Just one special item this Sunday to kick the Scavenging up a notch. Bam!

When you find one of the items above, which can be hidden in any vendor booth, it's yours, absolutely free! Then we post your photo with the generous vendor here on the blog on Monday. Only one winner per calendar month. Items posted every Friday around Noon.

Happy hunting!

Saturday/Fort Greene, top:

From left:

1. Genuine chrysophrase and white freshwater pearl necklace, hand-knotted. New/handmade

2. 1980s white + royal polka-dot clutch. Vintage

Sunday/Brooklyn Bridge, bottom:

1. 1950s Ice-O-Mat hand-crank ice-crusher. Vintage

This Sunday under the Bridge only, the Flea has partnered with Time Out NY for a Curated Corner with a twist--all the proceeds from sales at its booth of donated items will benefit the local Madison Square Boys + Girls Club's cultural programs. (The Club is located near the Brooklyn Navy Yard and is popular with kids from nearby public housing.)

Time Out's stylish editors have curated a plethora of new and vintage items from rad designers and cool collectors--with nothing over $100! Check out this list:

Twinkle by Wenlan; J.Crew; Cheap Monday; Clu; James Coviello; Tracy Reese; Pegleg; Matt Bernson; Jackson, Johnston & Roe; Ashley Watson; Cri de Coeur; Bahar Shahpar; Heather Huey; Madewell; By Robert James; vintage wares from Treasures and Pleasures; quirky housewares from Kiosk; gear and decor from Smith + Butler; surf-themed threads from Tauk; and much, much more.

You can check out a preview of items that will be sale here, with their deep-cut prices too.

Thanks a zillion to everyone who donated items. And thank you for Fleaing for a cause!