Brooklyn Flea

The H&M crew came and shot a pretty rad three-minute video at Skylight One Hanson a couple weeks ago, and it just went up on their site. It stars several bedrock Flea vendors—Damian + Sarah (All Seeing Eye), Rebecca (Windsor Pl. Antiques), Brian (WrecordsByMonkey), Peter (Anodyne)—and it hits the bullseye of what makes the Flea great. Plus, it's loaded with eye candy. We like!

None other than big star Anne Hathaway shopped at Gifted over the weekend—news of which made it all the way to People's "Caught in the Act!" today. Ms. Anne showed up at 10am sharp, and frankly who were we to turn her away even though the Design*Sponge terrarium workshop was happening. So she shopped peacefully for an hour or so, then jetted. Thanks for comin' by!

Don't forget: Gifted is open through Thursday 11am-7pm for your last-minute shopping needs.

Gifted is still going strong! We're open at the bank through Thursday, Dec. 23, 11am to 7pm every day. Three floors of a landmark, 100+ vendors for every person and taste on your list, easy to get to, mellow, tree trimmed with vendor trinkets, plus snacks.

Resources:

Vendor pics and links

Market layout/map

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Unveil the "Secrets of the Brooklyn Flea" in the Wall St. Journal's latest "Walkabout" video tour, as Senor and Lee Hawkins stroll Skylight One Hanson, amble through antiques, eat a pupusa, and admire the architecture. Past "Walkabout" guests include Paris Hilton and Wyclef, so this is a biggie for us. Shout-out to Lee and Hilde for their quality production!

Some big 2011 news for us to announce: We're launching a new/second outdoor location, on the beautiful Williamsburg waterfront! The skyline/river view is stunning, the location near the Bedford Ave. L is great, and we're psyched to be part of a new Brooklyn community.

Of course we'll keep the Saturday Fort Greene market going (forever we hope). But starting in April, on Sundays you'll find its mirror right at the edge of the East River, between N. 6 + 7 St., in a lot just south of gorgeous East River State Park. We also have the space, which is the same size as Fort Greene (40,000sf) and part of the EDGE development, on Saturdays, so we'll be experimenting with new projects to see what works best. Stay tuned.

New York's Daily Intel broke the news this morning, check it for more info and quotes from Mr. B.

A fleet of Fleasters have joined forces to donate items to a raffle to benefit Food Bank NYC this season, a charity that's always immediate in its impact. You can buy raffle tix for $5 from Gifted vendor Bonbon Oiseau (aka Deb)—she's in booth G57 near the foodies on the ground floor—or donate/enter/learn more through her website, where tix are $10.

Here are the generous/nice vendors whose items are part of the prize so far: Jessica DeCarlo Designs, Hortensia Handmade, Loyalty + Blood, Species by the Thousands, and Faune Yerby. Kudos to all!

While we're on the topic, Bonbon Deb's jewelry/money clips/cadeaux are hot shizz right now; check out her interview on Brooklyn Based yesterday.

Our Gifted partner/pals Design*Sponge have announced the details of their special DIY series this weekend at the market, and they're pretty awesome. Saturday morning is a how-to on terrarium-making led by the Flea's own Twig (also Gifted vendors); and Sunday morning D*S editor Amy Merrick teaches you how to make your own wreath. You'll go home with your own finished item, either of which would naturally make a perfect gift. Special bonus: illustrator Julia Rothman is custom-designing labels to add to your snazzy selfmade gift.

Sign up here—and do it soon, as space is limited to 30 per event, first come first served. More details below.

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Event: Holiday Terrariums with Twig

Description: We will make terrarium ornaments (2 per guest) or small terrariums (your choice) to be gifted or taken home as holiday decor.

Date: Saturday, December 18th

Time: 10am–11am (Gifted will open early for us, so you can walk around and find decorative details to place in your terrarium!)

Cost: $20–$30 per person (Cost includes instruction, all materials and sticker gift labels from Julia Rothman. Price depends on whether you make ornaments ($30 for a small and large) or a small moss terrarium ($20).)

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Event: Holiday Wreaths with Amy Merrick

Description: We will make (10-12 inch wreaths) wreaths from greenery, pinecones, berries and succulents to take home or give as gifts.

Date: Sunday, December 19th

Time: 10am–11am (Gifted will open early for us, so you can walk around and find decorative details to add to your wreath.)

Cost: $40 per person (Cost includes instruction, all wreath materials and sticker gift labels from Julia Rothman to place on your bows if you want to give your wreath as a gift.)

Note: No Scavenger Hunt this weekend—just too much going at Flea HQ!

Two new vendors climbed aboard the Good Ship Gifted in the last few days, both from the botanical realm.

Windowfarms' plastic-bottle plant/veggie-growing system is all the rage at the moment, recently making the rounds at The Martha Stewart Show, Good Morning America, and NPR. Their focus is on simplifying the process of urban food-growing to increase familiarity with the food chain and all the good stuff that comes with that. Designed to function in a dimly lit 4'x6' NYC window, the vertical hydroponic gardens are elegant and affordable. We're big fans, and think these guys will be a surprise hit at Gifted.

Tim from 4mula runs his own "farm market pop-up" down in Philly's Rittenhouse Square, where he's also a vendor, selling things like wreaths, "living ornaments"—terrarium-like orbs that are "born" at Christmas as ornaments and "resurrected" at Easter by breaking the orb and planting it in your garden, etc.—advent pillars, paperwhites, and other plants and assemblages. He'll be filling up the entry foyer at Skylight One Hanson Friday-Sunday, Dec. 17-19, with all manner of winter wonderland greenery; he'll also be there this Sunday, Dec. 12.

The grand finale of Gifted previews has arrived! Thanks for tuning in.

Now that you've gathered up your sack o' pretty packages at the beautiful bank, we have a snazzy way to seal the deal. Brittany Mahps, a Flea vintage-clothing vendor by day, is setting up a gift-wrap station using recycled and vintage fabrics (along with conventional paper) to put the finest finishing touches on your precious finds. Find her in the quirky room next to the Choice pastries and coffee, to the right of the main-floor entrance. Prices vary according to size, naturally, but are perfectly reasonable. Annnnd it's a wrap.

See the full Gifted vendor lineup here.