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blogFebruary 9, 2010Vendor(s) of the Week: Species by the Thousands + A.S.I.STwo girls, one booth. (Two vendors sharing booth #14, that is. Every weekend.) What's your name and company's name? And what's your hometown? Where do you live now? What do you sell and how long have you been selling it for? What are they cast in? What's your specialty? What's your most memorable sale? What keeps you coming back to the Flea? What do you do for fun? Do you have a website? Thanks Erica! What's your name and company's name? And what's your hometown? Where do you live now? What do you sell and how long have you been selling it for? What's your specialty? What's your most memorable sale? What keeps you coming back to the Flea? Is this your full-time job? What do you do for fun? Do you have a website? Thanks Angela!
February 8, 2010Finders/Keepers Feb. 6+7
A happy gal on Saturday; a vendor root canal on Sunday. The chalice shall return at a later date... Amy (center) lives in the Slope, had been to one Flea last summer. She brunches every couple weeks with her gal pals (Rachel, left, and Gennie) and decided to make the Flea the food destination this time. When they were trying on gloves at the vendor next door, Amy spotted the pretty earrings in the Guru booth (#1 for those playing at home). (She's wearing them today fyi.) Lovely Zein (not pictured; she snapped the pic!) has been pleasing customers with her stunning Indian jewelry and tunics for a couple years at the Flea, and her sparkly stand is reason enough to venture into the back right corner in your One Hanson spelunking.
A Real Flea Scavenger Hunt
Last weekend, lucky gal Amanda's creative husband created a scavenger hunt for her birthday, where friends were challenged to find specific items relating to the b'day gal. So sweet we had to share. Some of the clues included: "Find a pin that's cute as sin"; "Find something that starts and ends with 'A'" (in honor of Amanda)—this became the "Alvara" label above; and "Find something that shows an owl"—as any Fleaster knows, this was exceedingly easy. Anyway, we love the idea, think you should do it too, maybe even this weekend for Valentine's Day. In terms of our own Hunt, we'll have this week's Flea winner soon, once we learn her name and info. (The Sunday vendor had an emergency root canal so just that one item this week.)
February 5, 2010Scavenger Hunt Items: Feb. 6+7
The weather outside could possibly be frightful, but the Hunt will surely be delightful. Scavenge in the snow! When you find one of the items above (click to enlarge), 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. From left: 2. Mid-Century studio-pottery chalice in organic colors and textures, circa 1960s. Vintage (Sunday)
Blown Away by UrbanGlass
World-renowned glass-blowing studio and school UrbanGlass will make a special appearance at the Flea at One Hanson this weekend, and we're honored. They'll have artists selling handmade glass objects, beads, and jewelry at the Flea, and on Saturday you can also stop by the open house at the studio, which is a block away on Fulton St. Now, this is no ordinary craft sale; UrbanGlass is one of the preeminent glass studios in America, if not the world—the real deal. And it's right under your nose. So come to the Flea, Seymour Glass.
Help for HaitiThanks to all the Fleasters who helped us raise more than $500 ($569 to be exact) for the Red Cross relief effort in Haiti through our collection box at One Hanson last weekend. We delivered the cash to their offices last week. Several vendors have been helping out individually, including Flux Productions (on the mezzanine), who's been donating $5 from every sale to the Red Cross in Haiti. And definitely stop by to visit Lionel and Constant, who returned safely from Port-au-Prince the weekend after the earthquake and jumped right back on the horse, vending in booth #2 in the back every weekend. Much love!
February 2, 2010Vendor of the Week: Totally BruceCheck out Chris Goodman and his totally cool stuff. Bruuuuuce. What's your name and company's name? What's the story behind that name? And what's your hometown? Where do you live now? How do you get to and fro? What do you sell and how long have you been selling it for? What's your most memorable sale? Do you make anything else aside from the stuff you find and sell? What keeps you coming back to the Flea? Is this your full-time job? What do you do for fun? Do you have a website?
February 1, 2010Finders/Keepers Jan. 30+31
Another coupla happy Hunters at the Flea at One Hanson this weekend, scavenging for Superman and Mickey. From left: Check back at noon Friday for this weekend's items.
January 29, 2010Scavenger Hunt Items: Jan. 30 + 31
Classic American iconography abounds at the Hunt this weekend. When you find one of the items above (click to enlarge), 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. From left: 2. Walt Disney Co. 1970s Mickey Mouse figurine, approx. 5" tall. Vintage (Sunday)
We're Jammin'
A couple of new foodies to share with you: Anarchy in a Jar, the local renegade jam-makers, and Sigmund, the tasty new East Village pretzel shop, both enter the vault this Saturday, so bring your (extra) appetite. Laena and Liv's innovative jams first appeared at the Flea last year, paired with Salvatore Bklyn's perfect ricotta mini-sandwiches, and now they've gotten production going to a point where they can Flea solo. A sampling of the Anarchy this weekend: ginger-pear, strawberry-balsamic, and blueberry-maple syrup jams, and clementine and lime-and-pandan marmalades. Spread the word, and the jam. (Flea veteran Miss Amy's Preserves is back in the vault this Sunday as well, and she's always a huge hit with her jams, tapenades, and yummy mustard (made with Blue Point Oatmeal Stout). She comes in from Suffolk County, sweet as can be.) Lina opened her cute Sigmund shop at Ave. B + E. 3rd St. a couple months ago with a secret (vegan) recipe for German-style pretzels to much fanfare. We sampled almost all her flavors the other day—everything from classic to seven-chili to gruyere + smoked paprika to garlic-parsley—and aside from the tummy doughache, we thought they'd make a perfect snack for adult and mini-Fleasters alike. In addition to a splendid mustard, Sigmund does nice homemade (and free) toppings like beet-horseradish mayo and herb goat cheese. Yum. We got some more new foodies coming onboard soon, stay tuned!
January 28, 2010BFF of the WeekWe got a regular Sam Adams on our hands....
What's your name and what did you buy here? So you're a regular? Do you live around here? What do you do? Are you a regular brewmaster as well? When you brew, do you share with friends and family? Does it turn out great? Thanks Gary. And enjoy your homebrewin'!
January 27, 2010Citybitz of One Hanson
Joan of Citybitz transforms snips and clips of photos of NYC landmarks into pendants, card cases, mirrors, money clips, and other handy items. She's a good egg. She was inspired by the bank at One Hanson (who isn't?) to launch a few new items that reflect some of the space's myriad gorgeous details. Two card cases (left and right) show the relief concrete lions and that insane blue tile-mosaic ceiling in the lobby (sacre bleu!); and a mirror incorporates pics of the vaulted ceilings, chandelier, and other eye candy. Joan's in #65 on the lefthand wall behind the teller windows every weekend at One Hanson. Get the picture!
January 26, 2010Vendor of The Week: Intaglio Prints + MapsAnatomical diagrams, detailed floral prints, world maps, Brooklyn street maps from the '70s, and fruit innards are just some of the illustrious prints you can find at Intaglio Antiques every weekend for the duration of The Flea at One Hanson. Meet the folks (the cutest couple ever) behind it all, discover the source of their cheap thrills, and even meet a shopper. What is your name and company's name? And what's your hometown? What do you sell and how long have you been selling it for? What's your specialty? What is your most memorable sale? What keeps you coming back to the Flea? Is this your full-time job? What do you do for fun? Buyer: They're gifts for my wife. She is a crafter and a writer and she has some old typewriters. I have bought her a few old Singers off eBay and I think she will really appreciate these. Plus, her grandfather was a typewriter repair man, so.... See? This is my cheap thrill! Thanks Tunde and Ralph!
January 25, 2010Finders/Keepers Jan. 23+24
The Hunt must have been missed, as Scavengers struck early both days this weekend. From left: First-time Fleaster Alisha (right) ventured to Brooklyn from the East Village Sunday and stumbled upon the glow in the dark undies—for men. She said she's gonna wear 'em herself; we'll leave that one alone. Jamie Xmas of Antique Wardrobe was harboring the vintage Day-Glo thong in booth #1, where he holds court with the coolest old-time vintage clothes and tchotchkes, displayed with a sense of whimsy. Not your run of the mill duds with Jamie, he's a total pro. Check back at noon Friday for this weekend's items.
Slideshow January 24: Lights!Winter lack of sun got ya down? Let the Flea light your way to happiness with lamps galore, from '40s antiques to newfangled microphone lamps. Stone cold lampin'.
January 22, 2010Ken Jackson Talk PostponedKen Jackson is super-sick and can't do his Brooklyn history talk tomorrow. So we're rescheduling the event, will have the new date soon. Sorry, folks. Scavenger Hunt Items: Jan. 23+24
The Scavenger Hunt is back, long live the Hunt! Two very different items this weekend at One Hanson. Nuff said. When you find one of the items above (click to enlarge), 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. From left: 2. "Sexy Glow in the Dark Underwear" (mens). Circa 1980s—unused! Vintage (Sunday)
Americana at the Flea
Since we're getting all historical, and since this is "Americana Week" in NYC, we want to highlight some of the antique awesomeness going on at the Flea. You may have noticed a display of beautiful paintings of the Williamsburgh Savings Bank in booth #28 right when you walk into the bank. That's David Sokosh's always entertaining spot, where he sells self-repaired Brooklyn-made antique clocks and shares space with Lon Black and his incredible vintage postcard collection (including some of the bank building). David is one of the only sources for Robert Goldstrom's long-running series of paintings of the bank tower (above), which combine a timeless feel with a truly American style. They're a treat to look at (and chat with David about), and would be right at home in any Brooklyn/NYC living room. (Peep the video on his work below.) Every floor of One Hanson will be packed with treasures this weekend, so if you're in town for the trade shows in Mannahatta, make sure to schedule a jaunt to the most beautiful interior space in Brooklyn too.
January 21, 2010Jess Bites Flea: Milk Truck NYCMmm...cheese.
What: Milk Truck Classic: Gruyere and cheddar on levain bread.
Ken Jackson Does One Hanson
Note: This event has postponed because Ken Jackson is sick. We'll post the new date soon. A little treat for ya coming up this Saturday. Preeminent New York City and Brooklyn historian Prof. Ken Jackson (Columbia Univ.; The Encyclopedia of New York City, ed.; The Neighborhoods of Brooklyn, co-author) will join Stuart Blumin at the Flea at One Hanson to provide a freeform public talk on the history of the Williamsburgh Savings Bank Building and its relationship to Brooklyn as a borough, and formerly as a city unto itself. The approximately 45-minute talk will take place at the kiosk at the main entryway to the Flea/bank, starting at 3:00pm this Saturday, January 23. It's free and open to the public. The market has attracted nearly 10,000 visitors (!) each of the first two weekends at One Hanson, and we want to give Fleasters a chance to learn more about the special significance of the space, beyond the "oohs" and "aahs" and "amazing"s. Professors Jackson and Blumin will delve into the building's architectural details—from the giant golden mosaic map of Brooklyn on the bank's back wall to the wrought-iron depictions of artisans and skilled workers in the stained-glass windows—while linking them to the broad narrative of Brooklyn as a longtime capital of the American working class. They will also answer questions from the public. Watch and learn (and shop)! Note: We found this awesome composite photo but can't find the source now. If you know who made it let us know and we'll add the credit. Great shots! It's by Ryan Lewandowski, who has lots of other gorgeous photos on his photo blog.
BFF of the Week: Athena CalderoneThis week we found our BFF taking stock of her booty (snowshoe, catcher's mask, wicker basket) on her way out the door, but she was nice enough to give us a little tour of her treasures' sources—too bad for her because she was tempted into buying a deer head her second time around. Our mini walkabout led us to Gary (booth #24 every Saturday and Sunday—by the deer heads and the discoball) and Susan at Sage Antiques, where Athena found most of her stuff.
What's your name? Do you live around here? What do ya do? What's your design company? Great, we'll look you up! Thanks Athena!
January 20, 2010Vendor of the Week: City Owl VintageThis week we caught up with the couple behind City Owl Vintage, and learned about the "primitives" they sell, among other design-inspired antiques. You can catch City Owl each Saturday and Sunday for the duration of the Flea at One Hanson, in booth #26. What's your name? And what's your hometown? Where do you live now? What do you sell and how long have you been selling it for? What is your most memorable sale? What keeps you coming back to the Flea? Is this your full-time gig? Do you have a website? People should know we also offer design services and source things for designers, and for people doing film sets and things like that. Thanks guys!
January 15, 2010Flea for Haiti
Many of you know longtime vendors Lionel and Constant, two brothers from Haiti who call themselves Nenenn155 at the Flea and who are among our most-loved characters within the market community, the sweetest guys. They're Brooklynites with families now, and last Monday they returned home to Haiti to see their ailing mother, who they visit regularly. We're hoping that the lack of communication in general to Haiti is why we haven't heard back from them this week, and we speak for everyone at the Flea in saying that we're concerned and thinking of them pretty, well, constantly. Update: We got word late last night that Lionel and Constant are OK! More news as we get it.
So Cheesy!
Some new folks are joining the Flea food fleet this weekend at One Hanson. You got your Milk Truck NYC—grilled cheese sammies (above) of local/yummy origin—and you got your Kors d'Oeuvres, homemade dips in 6 deelish varieties. Keith did a tasting at Flea HQ last month, lulling us into a prolonged food/cheese coma with his Breakfast Sandwich (Wisconsin gruyere, egg, caramelized onions, rye), Ham + Cheese (country ham, vermont cheddar, Coleman's mustard, rosemary pullman), and a dessert sammy with bittersweet chocolate and orange marmalade on sourdough pullman. Incapacitated via bread and cheese, we limply signed off on his participation, confident that Fleasters would shell out $5.50-$7.50 for a grilled cheese with heart, soul, and well-selected ingredients. Right? New York mag likes him. See you on line. Korey took an hour off from his Isaac Mizrahi day job to drop off his 6 dips at Gifted last month, and we spent the rest of the afternoon savoring the mix of Kors d'Oeuvres' (genius name) flavors and textures, which are straight-ahead but really well-done—a Flea foodie principle of sorts. The Blue Cheese dip? Outstanding. Onion dip? Awesome. Spinach and Artichoke? Totally good. We're not crazy dip people even, but for whatever reason we have a good feeling about Korey and his devotion to dips and spreads, and feel like the on-the-spot or party-pack-to-go options are good for Fleasters. So we enkourage you to sample, savor, and spread. Kors d'Oeuvres are inside the vault (downstairs) on Saturday only, and Milk Truck are in back (through the vault, with the other foodies now) both days. (Here's this weekend's full vendor layout.)
January 14, 2010Jean-Paul's Duds for DudesWhat is it about a French accent that makes everything sound a bit more chic? Even a sweater vest feels sexier when you buy it from a man called "Jean-Paul." Visit him at the Flea at One Hanson every weekend in booth #27. What is your name and your company's name? And what's your hometown? Where do you live now? How come you came here from Paris? What do you sell and how long have you been selling it for? What's your specialty? What keeps you coming back to the Flea? What do you do for fun? Do you have a website? Anything else you want our fine readers to know?
January 13, 2010BFF of the Week: Lucia + MateoThe vintage electric guitar might have stolen all the thunda at Phil Lanigan's Addicted to Vintage booth (teller window #1), because this vintage porn almost went unnoticed. Thank goodness Mateo and Lucia were hanging around the Flea to educate us on what Phil brings to the table!
Flea: What did you guys buy here? For a mere 15 bucks? That's a steal. Are you going to read these together? A book club if you will? Have you been to the Flea before? Y'all from around here? What do you guys do when your not schooling people on very inappropriate behavior? Smarties. Enjoy your books! Thanks guys!
January 12, 2010Slideshow January 9If you weren't one of the thousands who braved the cold to shop at the Flea at One Hanson's big debut weekend in the bank, check out some snapshots here.
December 28, 2009The Flea at One Hanson!
Holy crap. The Flea is taking over the insanely gorgeous former bank at One Hanson for the rest of the winter, starting Jan. 9+10. The clocktower Art Deco building at Flatbush Ave., across from the Target mall, will be our fancy new home every Saturday and Sunday through March, for 12 weekends only. (The bank is now home to Skylight One Hanson for event rentals.) 10am-5pm, 100 vendors, all your favorite foodies, 3 floors (stunning mezzanine, over-the-top bank, awesome vault), past, present, future. We're humbled. More details soon, but we can't wait to see you at the Flea! Note: There is no Brooklyn Flea Jan. 2+3, and we will no longer be located at the DUMBO/81 Front St. indoor location. One Hanson will be the only Flea location starting Jan. 9+10, through March 27/28.
December 23, 2009The Last Minute
For the busy and the belated, Gifted is open 11am to 8pm today, and 10am to 2pm tomorrow. Still lots of great stuff to grab!
December 21, 2009Gift(ed) #39: Loyalty + Blood
What: Bearded-guy tote. Here's the full schedule. See all Gift(ed) items here.
Gift(ed) #38: Very Cool Jewels
What: Handmade lariats. Here's the full schedule. See all Gift(ed) items here.
Gift(ed) #37: Adornaments
What: Handmade Christmas stockings. Here's the full schedule. See all Gift(ed) items here.
December 20, 2009Gift(ed) #36: Ruthie's Antiques and Collectibles
What: Antique trump indicators, including 1920's brass and copper doodads—even one with an enameled front and a brush on the back, perfect for bridge enthusiasts! Here's the full schedule. See all Gift(ed) items here.
Gift(ed) #35: Christina Stankard Jewelry
What: Ruby, peridot, appetite, and amethyst earrings. Here's the full schedule. See all Gift(ed) items here.
Gift(ed) #34: My Little India
What: Red leather clutch, handmade with antique decorative hardware found at the Flea. The "Esteem" line, all made with Italian leather. Here's the full schedule. See all Gift(ed) items here.
December 19, 2009DUMBO!
The DUMBO Pop-Up Market is in full swing again this weekend, for those in the traditional Flea frame of mind. Vintage clothes, antiques, furniture, mirrors—for you or your loved one. 40+ dealers at 81 Front St., 11am to 6pm Saturday and Sunday. Happy Holidays!
Gift(ed) #33: Charlie + Sarah
What: Football sweatshirts for kiddies. Here's the full schedule. See all Gift(ed) items here.
December 18, 2009Get Lucky Week 4: Curated Corner
Week 4 of Lucky's spin in the Gifted Curated Corner features the awesome new Greenpoint antiques boutique Le Grenier, who has all sorts of gifty vintage housewares, wooden boxes, and the like, as well as the second week for Jules Smith's gorgeous jewelry. From left:
Gift(ed) #32: Treasures + Pleasures
What: Rare gilded-wire '70s Maltese cross. Here's the full schedule. See all Gift(ed) items here.
Gift(ed) #31: Liddabit Sweets
What: Artisanal small-batch candy bars, in innovative flavors such as pecan pie, pumpkin pie, PB+J, Lime-in-the-Coconut, the Snacker (their version of a Snickers), and The King: soft peanut butter nougat between a brown sugar-brown butter cookie and a layer of fresh banana ganache, dipped in milk chocolate—holy moley! Here's the full schedule. See all Gift(ed) items here.
December 17, 2009Gift(ed) #30: kg+ab
What: Porcelain mixed-nuts set, cast from vintage molds. Here's the full schedule. See all Gift(ed) items here.
Pupusas Are Back!
Quick but critical note: Pupusas are back! For this weekend at the DUMBO Winter Flea, Rafael will be slingin' his famous corn patties, for the people. Make sure you get to DUMBO this weekend, as this is the final weekend of 2009 at 81 Front St. for the indoor Flea. In case you missed it, check out the pupusa recipe and a video tutorial from Rafael himself with Miss Martha Stewart.
December 16, 2009Shopping Party #3 Tonight
The third Gifted after-work shopping party with Other Music DJs and free Brooklyn Brew Shop beer is tonight from 6 to 9pm. Last week's was really fun—this week it's your last chance to beat the holiday crowd rush. Come after work (or play or parenting or procrastination) from 6 to 9pm, grab a cup of the Brew Shop's home-brewed suds (they had eggnog stout last week), sway to the sonic stylings of Other Music staffer extraordinaire Mikey IQ Jones on the hi-fi, and, well, shop. We've got an awesome crew of new vendors this week—check out our Gifted items of the day for a sampling—and plenty of cute faces to mingle with. See ya there.
Gift(ed) #29: Melody's Addiction + Page SargissonWhat: Three designers and a wide range of unique handmade jewelry. Here's the full schedule. See all Gift(ed) items here.
Gift(ed) #24: Citybitz
What: Functional and wearable photographic creations of NYC's marvelous details. Here's the full schedule. See all Gift(ed) items here. Re-running this one since we screwed up the photo the first time around.
Gift(ed) #28: Flux Productions
What: Felt, steel, and leather messenger/tote bag. Here's the full schedule. See all Gift(ed) items here.
December 14, 2009Gift(ed) #26: Rick's Picks
What: Pickle paperweight, handcrafted by decoupage maestro John Derian. Here's the full schedule. See all Gift(ed) items here.
Slideshow December 12
December 12, 2009DUMBO Double Dip
The DUMBO Pop-Up Market is in full swing again this weekend, for those in the traditional Flea frame of mind. Vintage clothes, antiques, furniture, mirrors—for you or your loved one. 40+ dealers at 81 Front St., 11am to 6pm Saturday and Sunday. Happy Hanukkah!
Gift(ed) #25: WrecordsByMonkey
What: Wrecord bracelets, made from reclaimed vinyl records. Here's the full schedule. See all Gift(ed) items here.
December 11, 2009In the News
Couple nice writeups on the DUMBO Winter Pop-Up Flea this week, including the Times' Frugal Traveler piece "Going Deep on the Cheap in New York." NYC & Co., the City's excellent tourism and marketing agency, also gave us a shout-out in their DUMBO shopping roundup, featuring a cool pic of Jarontiques myriad owls. See you at the (indoor) Flea!
Lucky in the Curated Corner Week 3Week 3 of Lucky's spin in the Gifted Curated Corner is a doozy, with 3 major up-and-comers. Get Lucky! Thistle & Clover will be unveiling their new private-label jewelry collection at Gifted, created by Max Steiner, featuring three 14K rose gold and vermeil necklaces with four-leaf clover, frangipani, and fleur-de-lis pendants. T&C will also be joined by their pal jewelry-maker Lauren Wimmer. Note that the Lucky vendors are at Gifted Friday to Sunday only. Clockwise from top left:
Gift(ed) #23: Book City Jackets
What: Artist-edition recycled-paper book covers, by local artists like Nishat Akhtar (above), Jing Wei, and more. Here's the full schedule. See all Gift(ed) items here.
December 10, 2009Gift(ed) #22: Blue Canary Vintage
What: "Money clips featuring antique coins or wildlife." Here's the full schedule. See all Gift(ed) items here.
Gift(ed) #21: Reclaimed Home
What: Diorama made from architectural-salvage objects. Here's the full schedule. See all Gift(ed) items here.
Gift(ed) #20: Paste
What: "Hang in There" T-shirt, hand-screened in Brooklyn. Here's the full schedule. See all Gift(ed) items here.
December 9, 2009Shopping Party #2 Tonight!
The second Gifted after-work shopping party with Other Music DJs and free Brooklyn Brew Shop beer is tomorrow night, Wed. Dec. 9. Folks fought the rain last Wednesday and had fun—you may have to do the same. Come after work (or play or parenting or procrastination) from 6 to 9pm, grab a cup of the Brew Shop's home-brewed suds (they had eggnog stout last week), sway to the sonic stylings of Other Music staffers on the hi-fi, and, well, shop. We've got a fresh round of vendors this week—check out our Gifted items of the day for a sampling—and plenty of cute faces to mingle with. This is the second of our 4 Wednesday-night after-work shopping parties: Dec. 9, 16, 23. See ya there.
Gift(ed) #19: Spring
What: Digital Harinezumi 2: a 2GB digital camera that also takes 2-hour digital movies. Gifted is the only place in the city where you can buy this handy-dandy item. And if you swing by the Spring booth today, they'll be giving a demonstration of the camera's movie capabilities. (Perhaps at tonight's shopping party?) Here's the full schedule. See all Gift(ed) items here.
Gift(ed) #18: A.S.I.S.
What: Cashmere and stainless steel necklace. Here's the full schedule. See all Gift(ed) items here.
December 8, 2009Nunu: It Takes a Flea
Nunu Chocolates, purveyors of deeelish chocolate at the Flea since Day One, now have their own shop on Atlantic Ave., and it's a Flea-for-all intravendor collaboration. Andy and Justine's little wonderland features a chocolate factory, a beer and wine bar, and of course chocolate up the wazoo. The Nightwood gals built the furniture (from reclaimed wood) and decorated; Crop to Cup is supplying the coffee; and Rachel from Salvatore Bklyn Ricotta chose the wines (she works for an importer). Quality folks to be sure—and Fleasters all. We couldn't be more proud. Swing by Nunu, grab a drink, and watch the chocolate Smurfs dipping caramels, filling truffle molds, and gathering nibs. Quelle coincidence: Nunu will be at Gifted weeks 4+5 (Dec. 16-24)! 529 Atlantic Ave. (btw. 3+4 Ave.), open 9a-9p daily.
Gift(ed) #17: Jellyroll Vintage
What: 1950s/'60s enamel fondue set, for the retro foodie in your life. Here's the full schedule. See all Gift(ed) items here.
Gift(ed) #16: Brooklyn Junior
What: Geemo, the flexible magnetic building toy. Designed in Brooklyn, made in Japan. Here's the full schedule. See all Gift(ed) items here.
Gift(ed) #15: Father Panik
What: Fingerless gloves, with an attitude. Here's the full schedule. See all Gift(ed) items here.
December 7, 2009Gift(ed) #14: Birdhouse Jewelry
What: Seaweed-branch earrings.
Brass castings, plated with your choice of matte or shiny 18k yellow gold, matte or shiny sterling, or shiny Here's the full schedule. See all Gift(ed) items here.
Gifted Slideshow Dec. 6Gifted was packed this weekend. In case you missed it, here's a slideshow. We're back again on Wednesday!
Scenes from Gifted
December 6, 2009Gift(ed) #13: Melangerie
What: State-by-Celebrity tote features an icon from every U.S. state.
Here's the full schedule.
December 5, 2009Gift(ed) #12: Australian Scent
What: Homemade olive oil soap.
Here's the full schedule.
DUMBO Flea Pops Up!
Jonesin' for antiques, vintage clothing, and furniture since the outdoor Fleas went into hibernation? Fear not! Starting this weekend our 40 best vintage dealers are under one roof in DUMBO, safe from wind and rain for the winter. 81 Front St. (at Washington St.), corner storefront, can't miss it. Saturdays and Sundays, 11am to 6pm. See you at the Flea!
Gift(ed) #11: McClure's Mustard
What: McClure's' (relatively) new mustard, made with Brooklyn Brewery Brown Ale. Nice plump seeds, perfect flavor.
Here's the full Gifted lineup.
December 4, 2009Gift(ed) #10: Haptic Lab
What: Hand-stitched quilts based on NYC neighborhood maps, such as Fort Greene (above).
Here's the full Gifted lineup.
Gift(ed) #9: Underground Signs
What: Custom and replica NYC Subway signs. Aluminum and enamel, white Helvetica font.
Here's the full Gifted lineup.
December 3, 2009Nerve.com @ the Flea
Nerve.com took a spin around the Fort Greene Flea asking 7 random strangers about their dating habits and stuff, it's pretty funny. The photos are nice too. Maybe they saw that Time Out called the Flea a good pickup spot, who knows. This guy Jason, 36, looks like a classic Fleaster though.
Gift(ed) #8: Poloppo
What: Design-your-own t-shirt kits for kids.
Here's the full Gifted lineup.
December 2, 2009Gifted Party Tonight!
The first Gifted after-work shopping party with Other Music DJs and free Brooklyn Brew Shop beer is tonight! Come after work (or play or parenting or procrastination) from 6 to 9pm, grab a cup of the Brew Shop's home-brewed suds (that's Brewsters Stephen and Erica above), sway to the sonic stylings of longtime Other Music staffer Amanda Chouette on the hi-fi, and, well, shop. We've got a fresh round of vendors this week—check out our Gifted items of the day for a sampling—and plenty of cute faces to mingle with. This is the first of our 4 Wednesday-night after-work shopping parties: Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23. See ya there.
Gift(ed) #7: Moontree Letterpress
What: Happy Holidays letterpress notecards.
Here's the full Gifted lineup.
Lucky in the Curated Corner
Week 2 of Lucky's spin in the Gifted Curated Corner features a rad roster of Lucky ducks. Note that Tucker by Gaby Basora starts today, and the other 3 start Friday. Get Lucky! Clockwise from top left:
December 1, 2009DUMBO Winter Pop-Up Flea
The Flea is back, long live the Flea! Starting this weekend, the "regular" Flea moves indoors to 81 Front St. in DUMBO, where we held court last winter. Every Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 6pm. We'll have 40+ vendors, featuring our top antique, furniture, and vintage clothing dealers, plus Choice Market pastries, pickles, jams, brownies, granola, and more. It's the single best lineup of vintage/antiques vendors we've ever seen—at the Flea or anywhere. Yes, the Winter Pop-Up Flea in DUMBO is in addition to the Gifted Holiday Market in Manhattan. You can never have enough Flea! We'll post a complete lineup later this week. In the News
Some nice hits this week, including Gifted as the anchor of New York's Nolita gift guide and a WWD blurb on Lucky and the Flea as BFFs. More to come!
Gift(ed) #6: Jessica DeCarlo
What: Signature Swirl earrings.
Here's the full schedule.
November 30, 2009Good Day FleaInsanely awesome Good Day NY Gifted segment ran this morning. Julie Chang chats with vendors, eats a Choice croissant, and even buys Senor's baby. Woot!
Another Shot of Gifted
Gift(ed) #5: Bicycle Paintings
What: Handprinted notecard set. Here's the full schedule.
November 29, 2009Gifted Lookin' GoodSuch a great first two days at the holiday market, thanks to everyone for comin' out. We do it all again today, which is actually the final day for many vendors. (Check the full schedule to see.)
Gift(ed) #4: Re-Surface
What: Solo Pendant Light. Here's the full schedule.
November 28, 2009Gift(ed) #3: Lillian Crowe
What: Necklace pendant cast of a human heart. Click here for full schedule.
November 26, 2009Gift(ed) #2: Reiter8
What: Tote bag made from recycled boat sails.
November 25, 2009In the NewsNice little segment on Ch. 7 Eyewitness News just now. In case you're visiting us for the first time, the Gifted address is 20 E. 4 St. at the corner of Lafayette St. in Manhattan. You can check out all the vendors and dates here.
Gift(ed) #1: SpringEvery day (in theory) from here on out we'll highlight a single item for sale at Gifted, which starts on Friday! (Look for us on Ch. 7 Eyewitness News tonight too, 5pm.)
What: Animal ornaments made of bone china from Staffordshire, England.
VOTW: Eddy of Treewood AntiquesLong Island surfer "Lazy Eddy" talks with us about his luckiest acquisition and the special prized piece he'll be bringing to the indoor Flea in DUMBO at 81 Front St. this winter. Take the wave, Eddie! Name? And what's your hometown? Where do you live now? What do you sell and how long have you been selling it for? What's your specialty? What is your most memorable sale? What keeps you coming back to the Flea? Is this your full-time gig? What do you do for fun? Do you have a website? Anything else you want our fine readers to know?
November 24, 2009Slideshow: Nov. 21Check out these party animals at the final Flea in Fort Greene.
Prepping for Gifted 2
November 23, 2009Prepping for Gifted
November 20, 2009Scavenger Hunt Items: Nov. 21+22
We bid a bittersweet ciao to ze outdoor Fleas this weekend, so come and Scavenge one last time. (Don't worry, the Hunt will roll on at the DUMBO indoor winter market, maybe even at Gifted too.) Mille grazie! 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. From left: 2. English pottery jug, still functional. Vintage (Brooklyn Bridge/Sunday)
VOTW - Osborn Design StudiosThis week we caught up with folks behind Osborn Design Studios to talk about their art and design products. We love the intricate prints handmade by Carla and the fair-trade shoes are perfect for your inner hipster. Check 'em out! What are your names? Where are you guys from? What do you sell? And how long have you been selling it for? What's your specialty? What keeps you coming back to the Flea? What do you do for fun? Where can people find you online? What else do you want the good people to know about you guys? I-15 under the Bridge on Sunday.
November 19, 2009BFF of the Week: Martina + EricGo Seek Antiques probably intended for their candelabra to become a nice interior highlight, but Martina and Eric have other ideas. Oh, and let's hope someone else gets a chance at the lobster rolls before these two come again. Meet our BFFs of the week, Martina and Eric!
What do you have here? Is that true? When's your next holiday party? That's a lot! Do you live in the area? Do you come to the Flea often? Red Hook Lobster Pound? Thanks guys!
Finders/Keepers Nov. 14+15
For the first time last week another vendor won the Hunt. Insanity. We had to check the rules and regs, but found no clause barring such Scavenging. Monkey scoured the Flea all Saturday morning, only to stumble across the beautiful painted wooden bowl in his neighbors Lionel and Constant's booth. Again, insanity. Upon victory, Monkey proclaimed, "I now have a beautiful place to hide my personal green planet." Exactly! Lionel and Constant, as you may recall from their Vendor of the Week, collect all kinds of cool vintage stuff on trips to their Haiti homeland. When their mother passed away in Haiti, they returned to where they were born to find that she left the care of six orphans to her two sons. They were also modest underground hip-hop stars in the 80s, it's true. They're at both Fleas, and will be at 81 Front St. in DUMBO for the winter pop-up, which starts Dec. 5+6. Check back at noon Friday for this weekend's items.
Wholey Deserving
Australian Scent just started selling their natural skin-care line at the Tribeca Whole Foods, a deal that came about through a Flea interaction. They're also in the cool new Dumbo shop Trunk, also from a chance Flea encounter. We still get misty-eyed when this kind of stuff happens, and like to share it with you. Especially since AS' Megan and Eddie are some of the sweetest folks at the Flea, and we're not just talking about how they smell, which is lovely and, well, organic. Their balms, lotions, and potions are free of chemicals, parabens, and pretty much anything that's not straight from a seed or plant. Their Balm of Gilead (above) is a big seller. Look for Megan and Eddie at the final outdoor Flea this weekend, and every week of Gifted.
November 16, 2009Slideshow Nov. 15: Take A SeatStools, benches, lounges, and chairs—we got em'. After hours of shoppin' in the gorgeous fall weather, sometimes you just need to take a seat—from the Flea!
November 13, 2009Community Site LaunchesWondering what the new "Community" tab on the site is all about? (We know you didn't notice.) Starting this week, dozens of Flea vendors have started writing their own posts, on everything from what they're bringing to market this weekend (a Steampunk doghouse, e.g.) to their latest pumpkin pie recipe (thanks Whimsy + Spice). The best part: you can post there too! Just join the Community and then you can ask the vendors to find you, say, a George Nelson coffee table, or an old Brooklyn map, or a new flavor of pickle. What other flea is so virtually advanced? It's new, it's hip, and we have no idea what to expect—always the best recipe for fun. Check it out, and let the fireworks begin.
Scavenger Hunt Items: Nov. 14+15
We're gearing up for full Fleas this post-Martha weekend, so you'll have to be quick on the draw to Scavenge these items, which are artisan and art, respectively. Prepare to Hunt! 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. From left: 2. "Quail": 8"x10" limited-edition print, signed and numbered. New/handmade (Brooklyn Bridge/Sunday)
Sokosh So Good!
David can always be found in ye olde L9 in Fort Greene (although not this Saturday) and F-5 under the Bridge, with his pal Lon Black and his postcards. David is always changing up his old-fashioned-feeling booth: vintage Brooklyn clocks most of the time,
November 12, 2009Vendor of the Week: Joseph SiposWe caught up with Joe Sipos over the weekend, a primetime vintage dealer whose milkshake brings all the boys and girls to the yard: his shoes, dresses, sweaters, jackets, and jewelry are fit for co-eds and co-stars alike. Joe also can also spin tales of celebrity gossip til the cows come home. We learned some interesting stuff about what he does on the record, but off the record found out that he recently sold 5 bags to a certain celeb at the Flea—we're surprised the "paparazzi" weren't following her around! Name? Hometown? What do you sell and how long have you been selling it for? What's your specialty? What's your most memorable sale? What keeps you coming back to the Flea? What do you do with your time while not Fleaing? How can accessory-driven people contact you? Anything else we can expect from Estate of Art Vintage soon?
BFF of the Week: Aaron CarambulaWho knows where you'll find inspiration for your art or your coffee table—either way, ze Flea got the goods, as our new BFF Aaron knows.
What do you have there? What are you going to do with your new purchase? What's the website all about? So do you come to the Flea to find stuff for your projects? Are you a local Brooklynite? Thanks Aaron!
November 10, 2009Gifted + Winter Flea
Thanks to everyone who watched the Flea on Martha TV today, we thought the market looked fab. Since we're getting a lot of emails asking, here's a quick refresher on the Flea's winter plans. Our Gifted Holiday Market kicks off Friday, Nov. 27, and runs through Dec. 24, at 20 E. 4 St. (at Lafayette St.), with 50 vendors selling design objects, small antique items, cool clothes, pretty jewelry, yummy food, interesting art, handmade housewares, and all kinds of unique affordable stuff. (Do you like Digi the Reindeer, Gifted's mascot?) The complete dates are as follows: Fri-Sun, Nov. 27-29; Wed-Sun, Dec. 2-6; 9-13; every day, Dec. 16-24. Hours will vary from day to day, but will mostly be in the noon to 7pm range. Will there be food? We're workin' on it. Also, with the outdoor Fleas' last weekend Nov. 21+22, we're moving back indoors to 81 Front St. in DUMBO for the winter, starting Dec. 5+6 through March. 11am to 6pm there, with about 50 vendors all winter, same mix of classic Fleasters. We're also nailing down an additional indoor winter location to open in January, more on that soon. Just keepin' ya posted!
Martha TV!
That whole Martha at the Flea thing? It's airing this morning at 11am on NBC on her TV show. We hear she's cooking pupusas with the Red Hook Food Vendors on-air (insanity) and that there's a whole segment on ze Flea. Will Senor and Mr. B make a cameo? Stay tuned.... Check here for your local listings. Update: You can view the entire show on Martha's website now.
November 9, 2009Finders/Keepers Nov. 7+8
Not much boo! in the Hunt this weekend, but it was a treat for the winners. Clockwise from top left: At 11:02 am Deb (right) heard someone say, "Please tell me no one found it yet. Oh man is that the Hunt shirt, I would die for that." Scavengers! Needless to say, Riley was psyched to find the Beach Boys/Black Flag mash-up T (so cool!) in the Miss Wit booth, before scurrying back to work. Deb churns out timely and funny political ("Witty"), pretty ("Fancy"), and youngster ("Kiddies") T's that fun people of all ages love. Vendor Nick Kass-Johnson (left) transcribed the Sunday Hunt thusly: "Robert (right) lives near South St. Seaport and is a retired medical-records administrator. Nowadays, he seeks out original animation cells and has a superb collection of Walt Disney's Fantasia, though he is on the lookout for cells of the dancing Chinese mushrooms. He originally heard about the Flea in Fort Greene in a newspaper." Robert found The Beatles' The Beatles Again/Hey Jude LP among Nick's crazy-awesome records—everything from early U2 to rare Sonic Youth to a split John Cage-Steve Reich LP from 1970 that Senor has on repeat at home. Such good stuff! Nick's also in a far-out band called Acorn Chainsaw when he's not in E31 in Fort Greene and I-56 under the Bridge. Check back at noon Friday for this weekend's items.
Jess Bites Flea: Nunu ChocolatesThis week we sampled the Hand Dipped Salt Caramels over at Nunu Chocolates, which called out our name, but we'll be back for the Organic Raspberry, Espresso Brandy, Prosecco Ganache, and the Chocolate Covered Grahams. Yum!
What's it like? Smoky and smooth soft caramel, covered in rich dark chocolate, lightly flecked with sea salt. The taste is layered and complex and oh so decadent.
November 6, 2009Scavenger Hunt Items: Nov. 7+8
At long last, some classic fall Flea weather is on tap for this weekend. In its honor, we're doubling down on the Hunt this weekend, with four items (we screwed up and there are 3 for Saturday and 1 for Sunday). All are nice and worth Scavenging for. Can you tell we want to see you this weekend? 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. Clockwise from top left: 2. Surfin' Safari meets hardcore-punk mash-up T. New/handmade (Fort Greene/Saturday) 3. "The Lost Keys": This keychain is host to a family of key charms. What mysterious doors might they unlock? Vintage + Handmade (Fort Greene/Saturday) 4. The Beatles' Hey Jude LP: Original 1969 pressing on Apple Records SW385. (The title is The Beatles Again on the green apple sticker on the record.) Vintage (Brooklyn Bridge/Sunday)
Flea as Pick-Up Spot
Central Park, the Wonder Wheel, even Pianos—all time-honored NYC pick-up spots. Now add the Flea to that list. Time Out is correct in scoping out the Flea as a swingin' singles scene: the bleachers are basically a brothel, and half the vendors sell every week so they can check on the "foot traffic." And that's totally cool with us—it's all love yo. We're #17 in TONY's list/slideshow (above), but if someone knows why People's Pops is relevant to this feature, pls explain. Ever hook up at ze Flea? Let us know.
What's New This Weekend?
Beatrice ran the esoteric antiques and furniture shop Atlantis (above) on Van Brunt St. in Red Hook, which was a great place to get lost among the ephemera after brunch at Hope + Anchor. She's now doing a lot of prop styling too, and wants to start Fleaing. (We always thought they'd be a perfect fit.) So here she'll be, under the Bridge this Sunday, with "'50s lighting, sets of Pyrex, some furniture, great stuff." Check it. F-29, Bridge/Sun Kelly describers her online shop Hiberna Curios as a "cabinet of curiosities, specializing in objects of mystery and wonder." She planned to debut her jewelry and art featuring stuff like taxidermy, doll eyes, and antique keys on Halloween, but something came up. So she's starting Sunday, go say a belated boo. E36, FG/Sat As we mentioned yesterday, Yolanda Ceron of the Red Hook Food Vendors crew and her arepas and chuzos debut in Fort Greene on Saturday. F4, FG/Sat You've met Doug of Record Grouch at both our Superstar DJ Record Fairs and possibly when he sells vinyl on a Union St. stoop in Carroll Gardens. He was also part of EAT Records in Greenpoint until it began morphing recently. He's got great stuff at good prices, goin' solo Saturday, and is one of a plethora of dope record vendors this weekend. E14, FG/Sat Paul Vano did the Flea a bunch two summers ago, and once randomly paraded around the market in a tattered tuxedo with a young blonde in a vintage wedding dress for no apparent reason. He's an old (antiques) Garage head, has furniture, smalls, art, all kinds of crazy stuff he collects down in Pennsylvania. He's back Saturday. V15, FG/Sat
November 5, 2009BFF of the Week: Rebecca BlissAmidst the ghouls and goblins at the Flea on Halloween, a scarved lass by the name of Rebecca appeared prancing through Rue St. Denis, rummaging through a huge bin of pretty things.
Is this your first time at the Flea? What did you buy today? So you you're not going to use them in your Halloween costume tonight? Alright, thanks for talking to us, Rebecca! Happy Halloween.
Flea Design Co-op v.2
The Design Co-op is in full swing every week at the Flea, and Lena Corwin has lined up another top roster of top talent for the November go-round. It's never too soon to think gift, and always easy on the eyes in the Co-op tent. Such good stuff! Double-booth B20+23, near the handballs to the left when you come in. Here's who's on tap starting this Saturday:
Food Finishes Strong
Anyhoo, this Saturday in Fort Greene Yolanda Ceron (above) of the fabled Red Hook Food Vendors takes a turn by the bleachers for the final three weekends, taking the place of the Vaquero elote (grilled corn) stand, which has packed up for the season. Yolanda, the longest-running Red Hook stand (35 years young!), brings her Colombian specialties like arepas (cheese-filled corn patties), chuzos (grilled skewers of marinated meat, yum), fried pork with cassava, and more to the Flea. Arriba! We love how Forrest and crew at Choncho's Tacos do fish tacos and fish tacos only. Until now. He's been ladling out a new Mexican chicken tortilla soup flavored with lime and kissed with those hand-ground tortillas for a couple weeks now, and it is mid-fall bliss. Check it. Choncho's is rocking Saturday and Sunday now fyi. Similarly, the Asia Dog folks are testing out the Sunday waters in addition to Saturdays starting this weekend under the Bridge, so you can double your dog with kimchi/pork belly/sesame slaw/Japanese curry action. Score Flea-style hot chocolate from Whimsy + Spice (Earl Grey-flavored and perfect) and Nunu Chocolates (spicy style) now that the leaves have turned. And a quick shout-out to the Red Hook Lobster Pound for its recent mention in the Times Dining section.
November 4, 2009Vendor of the Week: Carter AndersonCarter Anderson is always full of tall tales—the way you want a Flea vendor to be. Jess learned about the time he sold baby bottles filled with lead paint to 90 cynical, design-hungry New Yorkers, among other tidbits. Dig the new VOTW format? Name Hometown? Where do you live? How long does it take to get here? What do you sell and how long have you been selling it for? What's your specialty? What's been your most memorable sale? What keeps you coming back to the Flea? What do you do for fun? Got a website?
Double Dutch (Bike Co.)
The Dutch Bike Co. folks are back this Saturday and next in Fort Greene with their rock-solid, retro-modern bicyclettes, which everyone loved in their debut two weekends ago. They're testing the waters to open a Brooklyn shop in the spring for the Dutch-made classic models, including the "Bakfiets" Cargo model (above), which someone bought last time! Susan and pals want you to test-ride their bikes around the block and ask them lots of questions—so go sit and spin. Of course, if you prefer the vintage route, our man Shane Da Bikejack is holding it down by the bleachers like he does every week. (Shane's got crazy great new records too.)
November 3, 2009NEW! Jess Bites FleaA new feature here on ze blog: Jess Bites Flea, wherein Miss J samples and surmises the legends and secret stars of the Flea food scene. We launch with the lobster grits from Red Hook Lobster Pound, known of course for their deelish lobster rolls. Must be a claws in their contract about finding new products...
What's it like? Warm and comforting grits with a parmesan bite, topped with big ole chunks of buttery lobster and a dabble of shaved scallion.
Finders/Keepers Oct. 31+Nov. 1
Not much boo! in the Hunt this weekend, but it was a treat for the winners. From left: Barbara's (center) lived in Brooklyn since '95 (old-school!), calls the Heights home (like many Bridge Fleasters), she's a creative services professional. Barb was overjoyed to discover the vintage brass shark pendant necklace in Loyalty + Blood's booth on Sunday. L+B's David (left) and Maggie are: a) hyperloyal Fleasters, taking the rain or shine seriously; b) megatalented designers of T's, jewelry, and totes (the ones with all the ornate letters on them, plus the legendary Flea Bag); and c) supersmart vendors who update their stock every week to keep it fresh for loyal shoppers like you. We like them. B3 in Fort Greene, I-12 at the Bridge, every week. Check back at noon Friday for this weekend's items.
November 2, 2009Slideshow October 31In case you were making mischief and didn't make it to the Flea on All Hallows Eve, check out what you missed. Trick or treat!
October 30, 2009What's New?
Welles + Graham Workshop is a new sister-duo biz who make cool clocks (above) and flasks from vintage materials out of their Red Hook studio. Brittany and sis also make and refurbish furniture and lamps which they'll be rolling out if the Flea goes well. I-24, Bridge/Sun We believe there can never be enough records at the Flea, or any flea. Steve has a retail shop called Iris Records in Jersey City and does fairs all over, now runs his own, the Record Riot, which happens at Warsaw. He's got mostly vinyl, some CDs, no bootlegs, and comes from the comprehensive school, which means heaven for diggers. (For a few boxes of expertly chosen "out" stuff, head to Nick Kass-Johnson's booth, both days.) I-54+56, Bridge/Sun
David Makowski and his lady love auctions and The Hunt, not quite pros though. They like the mid-century, '60s/'70s furniture/lighting (who doesn't really?), Buddhist icons, and handwoven rugs from the Stans. They have a shop called Twice Upon A Time in cute Brattleboro, VT, making their debut trek to ze Flea tomorrow. Welcome them warmly! L13, FG/Sat More antiques. Randy has been in the game for 15, own shop in CT for 12, daughter lives on Washington Ave., so she knows the Flea. Her biz Stockintrade runs the gamut—vintage jewelry, clothing, housewares, pottery, furniture, and on and on. V16, FG/Sat
Kallie is in town for one weekend only, so she'll be hawking the jewelry from her 31 Bits non-profit Saturday and Sunday. The snazzy pieces are made from recycled paper by women in Uganda, and the proceeds provide income/jobs and community-building opportunities. Do right. E14, FG/Sat; I-41, Bridge/Sun Couple new furniture designers in the mix under the Bridge this Sunday: Bret Cavanaugh builds modern furniture out of recycled and new materials, looking for new venues to sell, especially for the lower-priced line he's rolling out. He's also moving studios and has some floor models to part with, so you should find good deals on serious pieces like the gorgeous bed (right, below) and some nice coat racks. F-9, Bridge/Sun
Scavenger Hunt Items: Oct. 31+Nov. 1
Fun, useful, pretty things this week. Don't be so scared you don't Scavenge—you can trick, treat, and Hunt! 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. 1. Bicycle screenprint, matted, 9"x12". New/handmade (Fort Greene/Saturday) 2. Vintage brass shark pendant on 18" chain. New/Handmade (Brooklyn Bridge/Sunday)
Spooklyn Flea
Flea vendors know they're a no-brainer source for unique costumes and accessories, so they'll be bringing out the dead (stock) to wow the life out of you. And trick-or-treaters should totally make the rounds of food vendors—Liddabit, for example, is concocting baby caramel apples among other special sweets for the day. We're dying to see the scene unfold!
October 29, 2009BFF of the Week: Alice HsiungLast Sunday the Flea's snazzy Design Co-op switched to Sunday to impress Miss M with their craft-tastic wares. We caught up with one lass purchasing some notecards from Maptote. Welcome Alice.
Where are you from? And you're here visiting? Are you staying in Brooklyn? Did you not know that Brooklyn was the place to be before you booked? So how did you find out about the Flea? What did you buy here? What are you going to do with them? Did you know that Martha Stewart is here today? What was the last crafty thing you did, the last thing that would make Martha Stewart proud? Do you think you'll be coming back to Brooklyn anytime soon? Then we'll see you again! Thanks Alice!
Vendor of the Week: JarontiquesJaron was a sales and marketing executive at a major record label for years. Over the last 10 he started collecting antiques on the side, slowly filling his garage in Kensington (which he likes to call "South Slope"). When it started to burst at the seams, he knew what he had to do. He had to sell. And sell he did. Dubbing himself "Jarontiques" (where everything is "Jaronteed!"), Jaron's first public foray into "the business" was Day One of the Flea, and it was nothing less than inspiring. For the next he year plotted his transition from Executive to Dealer, closing the deal this spring and going full Flea. When Jaron was a wee tween, he scoured with his grandparents—they collected antiques, he baseball cards. Now fully bearded, Jaron specializes in mid-century modern Blenko Glass—brightly colored, clean lines, highly sought-after pieces—decorative arts, table clocks, and other perfectly unique pieces for the home. J-Rock always comes correct at the Flea: constantly switching up his booth, giving 110% on his display (all yellow one day, all wood another, grouping random things together), and dedicating himself to the art of collecting in a way that makes him a leader of sorts among the Flea's next-gen coterie. (He's even got a super-snazzy new website now, too.) And owls. Part of marketing and selling is paying attention to the market—and in this one, owls dominate, says J. He's gone deep into research on the habits and variations of owls, and the quality and quantity of owl items in his booth never ceases to amaze. Check out Jarontiques in Fort Greene (V5) and under the Bridge (F-12) pretty much every durned weekend. He's a hoot!
October 28, 2009The Incredible Brooklyn Flea Market!
We're just quoting Martha, not being cocky! OK, maybe we're milking this a little, so sue us. In advance of her Nov. 10 TV show on Brooklyn, Martha blogged her Sunday visit to the Flea, complete with a 40-photo slideshow, including this snapshot with Pizza Moto Dave. Photo Credit: The Martha Blog
Teamwork!
More cross-pollinating among Flea vendor-pals, as Flux Productions has designed the latest fabric for Osborn Design Studio's groovy shoe line (above). Many Fleasters have introduced a Flux T or hoodie into their wardrobe, whether it be designer Ryan's tree-silhouette, undulating-wave, intertwined-leaves, or other abstract-cool pattern—his stuff is practically de rigueur around Flea HQ. In fact, Senor sported a Flux tree T pre-Flea that he bought from Ryan's (still) regular Prince St. spot in Soho. His shoe design is printed on Japanese denim btw. Carla and Aaron started out as Heartisans last year—their felt squirrels were and are well-loved—and have since evolved into the more sophisticated Osborn Design Studio. In addition to the line of shoes now featuring Flux, Carla produces intricate, magic-tinged drawings that are very "Brooklyn apartment," and also often has these giant fungi that look like driftwood and/or elephant ears, which she scavenges down in her native Guatemala. She and Aaron have all their crafts—shoes included—manufactured by a small women's cooperative there, which thrives on their sales up north here. Looks good, feels good. Both vendors will also be at Gifted, naturally.
October 27, 2009Finders/Keepers Oct. 25
In the midst of the Sunday hoopla, the Hunt was almost overlooked—almost. Donna Jo's lamp lit the way to Scavenge heaven.
Jessica Fish (left) lives in Boerum Hill, has been to the Fort Greene Flea a bunch, decided to bring her mom (from Brooklyn suburb Maplewood, NJ) to the Bridge Flea on this gorgeous Sunday. Jessica had perused the blog on Friday, wasn't necessarily looking for the item, then happened upon it around 1pm—score! Donna Jo Brady of Re-Surface Design takes photos of dilapidated Brooklyn buildings and structures and transforms them into edgy lamps, which are always a hit at the Flea. She'll be at Gifted too.
Check back at noon Friday for this weekend's items.
October 26, 2009Hangin' with Martha
Martha was shooting part of her TV show's upcoming hour-long special on Brooklyn, which focuses especially on the food scene Fleasters know and love so well. It's scheduled to air Tuesday, November 10—don't worry, we'll remind you. Here's Mr. B and Senor bantering with Miss M before our interview. She was talking about being stuck in bridge traffic, and how she hadn't eat all day in anticipation of the Flea, except for some carrot puree she's working on for Thanksgiving. Then she ate like 4 lunches including Pizza Moto, pupusas, lobster rolls, Asia Dog and more!
Gifted, Big City Style!
The Flea is doing its "Gifted" holiday market again this year--in the big ole borough o' Manhattan. Yes, it's true, and yes it's gonna rule. Remember the old Tower Records Annex, at E. 4th St. and Lafayette? We're doing it there. (There's a halloween store there now.) We'll have room for about 50 vendors, and we'll be open 5 days a week (Wed-Sun) until Christmas, after launching the Friday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 27. We're working with Lucky magazine on Gifted: Their editors will do a rotating Curated Corner all month featuring their favorite cool designers and makers, and the mag will help us get the word out in that foreign land across the river, and beyond.... So what to expect as we step it up? An alternative to big-box stores for one. An affordable option to high-priced boutiques for another. Way better stuff than blah gift markets--for sure. So far we've got everything from Lotta Jansdotter to Brooklyn Brew Shop home beermaking kits to 19th Century nature prints to Lacroix vintage jewelry to awesome design objects to super-cute letterpress stationery to hipster T-shirts to pretty terrariums to a full range of maker-made jewelry. And we've only just begun. We've left a few spots open to welcome new vendors into the Flea fold, so if you've got what it takes and want to sell at Gifted, drop us a line. We'd love to hear from you. Finally, we're planning a cool window display/installation, likely featuring the digital reindeer on the right as Gifted's mascot. What do you think of this cute creature?
October 25, 2009Slideshow Oct. 25Yes, the nutcrackers ARE for sale. Maybe Martha had some crafty ideas for them during her 3-hour tour of the Bridge Flea on Sunday (postponed from Saturday for weather). One of the Flea's finest hours yesterday, thanks to all for coming out. Relive it here.
October 23, 2009This Weekend at the Flea
We're a bit overwhelmed here at Flea HQ this week. We'll get the Scavenger Hunt and vendor layouts up soon, but in the meantime we just want to let you know that the special guest you may have read about coming to the Flea this weekend--she's coming on Sunday instead of Saturday. Yep. For this reason, coupled with the millionth crappy Saturday forecast this season, Sunday is packed to the gills with the best mix of vendors the Bridge Flea has seen in its brief tenure. The Flea Design Co-op is hopping over to Sunday from Saturday, as are loads of regulars and newcomers--too many to list here. And we've carved out extra space to squeeze in virtually every food vendor in the Flea family on Sunday as well, many of them shacking up together for a sort of one-day stand. So come, fly into the mystery, and we'll see you on the other side.
Scavenger Hunt Item: Oct. 25
Pretty special item this week--special enough in fact to compensate for Saturday's non-item. Happy Hunting! When you find the item 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. 1. "A-Light" accent lamp, with shade inspired by dilapidated NYC building facades and Japanese wabisabi. New/handmade (Brooklyn Bridge/Sunday)
October 22, 2009BFF of the Week: Jamie + JeffDon't call me a third wheel. Who wouldn't approach a hot pair, looking all in love, to be their bestie? Welcome Jamie and Jeff!
So, what did you buy here? Did you also get that from My Little India? What are you going to do with it? Cool, where are you getting your table from, somewhere at the Flea? I hear Long Island Eddie makes a mean table. Have you been to the Flea before? So you guys are making that big step together? Did you move in the neighborhood? How are you getting your dresser home? Think I'll get invited to the housewarming? I would totally bring something awesome like a grapevine from Groundworks or maybe a clock made out of vinyl from Wecords By Monkey (hint hint). Thanks Jamie and Jeff!
Project for Public Spaces @ Ze Flea
Saturday is a big day for the Flea, with special guests galore. Among them will be a troop of about 40 budding marketeers from across the country attending the "How to Create Successful Markets" conference put on by the excellent non-profit Project for Public Spaces. The marketeers tour New York's "great markets" in addition to attending seminars and the like, and the Flea is apparently one of those now. We're pretty sure folks just wanna eat lunch at our yummy vendors and peruse the antiques and clothes, which is fine, so if you see Senor holding court with a bunch of huarache-juice-spilling out-of-towners by the bleachers around noon, tell 'em how much you love the Flea!
October 21, 2009Finders/Keepers Oct. 17+18
The weather, um, could have been more awesome this past weekend, but somehow Saturday held up enough for the Flea to flourish, if modestly. Hunters persevered nonetheless, naturally. We only have info on one winner, awaiting the other... Kate (left) just moved from Indiana to Brooklyn Heights, where she works as a nanny. She's never won anything before, so she was pretty psyched to find the cute earth-mover onesie in Brooklyn Junior's booth. She's gonna send it to a good friend back home in Richmond, Indiana, who just had a baby. Nice. She's with BK Junior's Nadia, she of the fire-red hair, who churns out stylish, versatile kids clothing over in B1 every darn week. Nadia also just launched a new shop of her own, after 2 years of success at the Flea, over on the corner of Myrtle + Clinton Ave. Do check it out! Check back at noon Friday for this weekend's items.
October 19, 2009Slideshow October 17It might have been a bit rainy in the morning, but the sun, shoppers and happy vendors took over the afternoon. If you missed it on Saturday, check the slideshow.
October 16, 2009In the News
Plenty o' news bites to go around of late, figured we'd do a little gray-day roundup. Not least among them is Lonely Planet, whose homepage splashes (above) on the Flea with an informative Q+A with Senor. Hopefully lots of global backpackers and adventure travelers will take heed! Some other cool hits: Stylecaster peruses the Fort Greene Flea, tries on a fur stole, ogles a turtle-shell purse, plays with a Stormtrooper action figure, visits Charlie the Child Swami. The Daily Obsession drools over Kumquat Cupcakery, like so many before them. Sweet. Heart Fish's Hijiri cruises the Flea, also extols the virtues of our new Design Co-op. NBC NY also digs the Design Co-op. The Voice's Robert Sietsema returns to the Flea food fold and discovers (relative) newcomers like Liddabit and Asia Dog. Also acknowledges the Salvatore ricotta "toasts" as out of this friggin' world. Senor is quoted in the Times Styles section as helping redefine the word "curate." Silliness. Longtime vendor Brooklyn Junior has opened a new shop of their own at Myrtle and Clinton. Congrats! NYU Local, the big U's unofficial news site, hearts the Flea. The Daily News gets hip to Boiled in Brooklyn's Goober Peas. Boiled peanuts, yum. (Unfortunately, Katherine and crew are done for the season we just learned! :-()
Scavenger Hunt Items: Oct. 17+18
Supposedly it may rain this weekend--if you believe weatherpeople we've got a bridge in Brooklyn.... Anyhoo, two quite nice handmade items of a very different sort on offer this weekend for hearty Scavengers. Happy Hunting! 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. Clockwise from top left: 2. Two tri-pod candle holders, made of three metal rods hand-tied with wire rope. New/handmade (Brooklyn Bridge/Sunday)
Vendor of the Week: Fringe + FeatherThere's nothing finer than the intra-Flea connections that spring up around the markets. A ricotta-and-granola combo here, a handmade sweater photo shoot with a jewelry vendor there, and a Blue Marble sundae with Nunu caramel everywhere. Lillian Crowe (left) and Darlene Estremera, together known as Fringe + Feather, met at the Fort Greene Flea last summer (2008) and decided they liked each other so much, they would just share a booth from then on, pairing original jewelry and vintage clothes. Nice. Lillian's two cast-jewelry lines are Shipwreck and Anatomical. The former features items like driftwood and squid pendants; the latter's signature piece is a human rib cage that Lillian fashions into gold, silver, and brass necklaces, and she's got other body parts too. They're a big hit at the Flea. About half her stuff is made from salvaged goods and dead stock, because not creating new waste is important to Lillian. So are her cats, Buffy and Cuthbert Cut Throat. Darlene, originally from Long Island and doing the fashion thing for a few years now, has the vintage. She sells boots, belts and bags, scarves, skirts and dresses, and even one or two ponchettes (Ed. note: term coined at the Flea, check the images below, you'll see what we mean). Her picks are very cute young sophisticated stylish gal in her 20s--not unlike Miss D. And if you see Darlene in the morning, don't be surprised if she's rocking a new outfit that afternoon. She's got it like that. In addition to Flea biz partners, Lillian and Darlene are also friends. They try to match their outfits (until the plan is black and white, and Lillian shows up in bright yellow) and give each other feedback on their wares. Aside from the business, they chill, and at their first sleepover, Darlene found a cuddle buddy in Cuthbert Cut Throat while sleeping on the floor. Hence, another shared interest found in Lillian's cats. Fringe + Feather can be found at both the Fort Greene and Bridge Fleas most Saturdays and Sundays. Pop in, and ask about the ponchettes.
October 15, 2009BFF of the Week: MikeyWho doesn't like some good political discourse with a BFF? When I saw dude checking out a book at Nick Kass-Johnson's table, holding a camera and what seemed like an awesome motorcycle switch knife (no, he wasn't holding up the place, he had just bought it, too), I thought, He looks fun: book, camera, knife, and all! Welcome Mikey.
Have you been to the Flea before? Is that 'cause you're always home reading? And where is home? You live that close to the Flea and this is your first time? Wow. Damn right. So, what'cha got there? So are you going to go home and read then? Sounds delish! Can I come over? After I eat the fish taco, I mean. I never actually made it over for din, but felt like I created a solid bond with my BFF anyway. Thanks Mikey! October 14, 2009Brooklyn Based in the Curated Corner
Our friendly pals at fun-loving blog/email Brooklyn Based are taking over the Curated Corner at both markets this weekend, and they've done a bang-up job--perhaps our most dedicated and cohesive effort yet. The potential of the Curated Corner is being realized less than a year after it was launched at the Winter Pop-Up Market in DUMBO, which is nice. Nicole and Chrysanthe of BB have compiled a full breakdown of the 12 snazzy vendors they've lassoed this weekend, everything from muffins on a bike to hula hoops to a vintage-portrait photobooth. Curated Corner crammed with quality and cool. Cosmic. In what's now a Corner tradition, a percentage of sales proceeds will go to the St. John's Bread and Life soup kitchen and food pantry in Bed-Stuy. Nice! Here's some of the fun stuff the gals have procured for your perusal:
Saturday Maid Marian Muffins: Marian is making 3 kinds of muffins--apple-chocolate-pear, cranberry-orange, and cranberry-orange-corn, which she'll be selling off her bike. (She's usually in Prospect Park.) Jezebel Letterpress: Flea veteran Leigh Batnick's line of stationery and 14 karat "ant" necklaces and rings. Mama O's Kimchee + The Meat Hook: Meat main man Tom Mylan brings a taste of his soon-to-open butcher shop with some homemade chili. Yummy kimchee. Miss Ellie Jewelry + Brooklyn Based totes: They'll be joined by BB contributor Alicia Kachmar’s super-cute crocheted creatures, including the mother-and-daughter pumpkin set above. Tiburon: Anne O'Neil's Red Hook shop will be selling her shirt dresses made of flannel and corduroy men's shirts, as well as ties made from men's dress shirts. (Her label is Archibald Leach.) Sunday Circle Candy Custom Hula Hoops: Made by Elaine Tian makes custom hoops for indie rockers like Sufjan Stevens, and for regular folks too. Jen Bleier will give a "hoopilates" demo at 12:30 pm. (Sign up and head to the park for the demo.) Kenspeckle Designs: Nerdy Brooklyn-inspired t-shirts for men, women, and kids. Anarchy in a Jar + bundt: Are mini bundt cakes the new cupcake? Decide for yourself with bundter Andrew Sessa's pumpkin, Guinness-ginger, chocolate-chile, and other flavors. Anarchy jammers are preservationists of the highest order. Bundt for a hit! The Meat Hook + Brooklyn Kitchen:: Tom Mylan's back, joined by Flea vets Brooklyn Kitchen, who will be hawking cool vintage kitchenware. Shootbooth: Get your shot snapped with a large-format camera inside an updated century-old photobooth. Really fun!
Design Co-op SlideshowThe Flea's Design Co-op, curated by Lena Corwin and managed by Moontree Letterpress' Rebecca Kutys, was a big success in its Saturday debut, and we took some pics to give you a slideshow snapshot. The tent was full all day with curious shoppers, most of them pleasantly surprised by the cool art, design, and home objects on offer. The Co-op is back this Saturday and every week from here on out, head on over if you haven't yet.
October 13, 2009Charlie the 7-1/2 y.o. Swami
Charlie, the 7-year-old wunderkind who basically rules the Flea, struck out on her own Saturday with a fortune-telling booth (in her parents' Anodyne booth, near the lobster rolls) that did a brisk business all day. With the recession-proof price of a quarter, Charlie displayed a mastery of economics that spilled over into the realm of soothsaying. Quite possibly the cutest girl in the world, Charlie was dead serious in both her channeling of the higher planes of consciousness--and her swami style sense. (Leopard hat!) It goes without saying that this addition to the Flea has a bright future.
Finders/Keepers Oct. 10+11
Fleas in full effect this past weekend, pretty much the way we dreamt 'em up way back in November '07. Thanks to all for coming out! Hunts were over quick, as the items were awesome. From left: Jessica (left) lives in Bushwick, she's a photographer from Houston. Jess has been looking for a Hunt item since the beginning of the summer, finally scored it. Not sure the Bearded Man baby T will fit her perfectly, but certainly a toddler in her life will be made happy sometime soon. She's with Erica of Species by the Thousands, whose groovy designs feel Brooklyn hippie and yet simply chic, from her T's and sweatshirts to her jewelry and accessories. She's at both markets most weekends, discover her for yourself. Check back at noon Friday for this weekend's items.
Slideshow Oct. 13As Mr. Rogers said, it was a beautiful day in the neighborhood. In case you missed it, watch it on FleaVo.
October 12, 2009Open ThreadWhat did you find at the Fleas? Or, anything you were looking for but didn't find? We love to know. October 9, 2009What's New?Co-headliners this week, and another gaggle of new vintage/antique dealers. We're approaching some sort of Golden Age here it seems....
Andy and Chery are veterans of 26th St. and longtime antique show exhibitors. Andy co-founded Lin Weinberg Gallery which was in Soho 1994-2004 and now he and Chery run Mix Gallery in Chelsea, and they'll be transporting their Mid-Century Modern/Industrial Design/Folk Art/Deco/Machine Age furnishings, art, and housewares (above) to the Bridge for a try out this Sunday. Fleasters beg us for this kind of stuff--show us you mean it and get in the Mix. I-48, Bridge/Sun
Chad Dziewior is a furniture designer who collects same on the side. Nakashima, Knoll, Kartell, Heller, 1984 Macintosh--you know the names, come see the real deal. (Check out his sales webpage, mighty impressive.) Chad's also got plenty of knick-knacks for the casual Fleaster, he's no dummy. W15, FG/Sat; I-16, Bridge/Sun Susanna Moore is an accomplished woman of letters (In the Cut, One Last Look, I Myself Have Seen It) and a writing professor at Princeton. She also collects clothing and textiles, much of it in the antique realm from China, and of course she has an enormous trove of books. Please help her dispense with these material items on Sunday--and meet a great writer while you're at it. F-39, Bridge/Sun Stylist Sale Alert: Nikia Nelson is a costume designer and production designer; her friend is a magazine editor. They're one-timers with clothes/home stuff/jewelry/shoes. Go git 'em! E17, FG/Sat Bill is a friend of Maurice's, from the old school (26th St., etc.). He just called us last-minute for a spot, coming in from the East End to try out Fort Greene, which he's heard a lot about out there. His biz is Worldwide Auction Catalogs, with a focus on vintage auction catalogs (everything under the sun), collectible books, and reference books of all kinds. Serious collector stuff! C7, FG/Sat Gary is another 17th St. longtimer, has all kinds of crazy antiques. Last week he had an amazing rocket-ship coatrack, bizarro vintage toys, wood cuttings--like, real flea market stuff. Serious character as well. W27, FG/Sat; F-25, Bridge/Sun
Magasin Totale is Michele's DUMBO showroom (below) where she reps product designers, jewelry makers, artists, and more. She also has a cool side biz called Clutter for Cash, which means she has nice, well, stuff of all kinds as well. I-11, Bridge/Sun
Three Potato Four's Back
Everyone loves Stu and Janet's modern take on vintage housewares at Three Potato Four, so whenever they make the trek up from Virginia (!) we try to let folks know. Lots of letters, numbers, symbols, bright colors, and impeccable taste. (That's a Russian girl doll, above.) They'll be in V2 in Fort Greene on Saturday, and might grab a spot at the Bridge on Sunday too.
Scavenger Hunt Items: Oct. 10+11
Thar's gold in that thar yard! Shiny stuff Saturday, soft stuff Sunday (from a previous rain-out for those playing at home). Should be perfect weather for Fleaing, and Scavenging, of course. To the Hunt! Note: two items this Saturday. 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! Clockwise from top left: 2. '50s industrial laundry/dry cleaning bag from "Manhattan Cleaners." Vintage (Fort Greene/Saturday) 3. Organic cotton "Bearded Man" baby tee. New/handmade (Brooklyn Bridge/Sunday)
Vendor of the Week: John MurphyJohn Murphy is "that really cool artist guy" you've seen at the Flea since Day One, with the super-saturated ornate frames surrounding vibrantly colored, intimately detailed photographs of miniature sets he constructs in his Philadelphia studio, usually featuring small birds and flowers. They feel like 2-D dioramas of Candy Land or some other fantastical technicolor world. John is a longtime art curator who now focuses solely on his own work. His pieces aren't what you'd call typical "flea art" in any way, and ever since he started out with the Design*Sponge section in April '08 we've seen scores of Fleasters ooh and ahh over his gorgeous work, deservedly so. For a unique edition like what he brings to market, it's right up Affordable Lane, especially when you think of the frame and print as two pieces combined. John also sells unframed photo collages that are sourced from 19th Century etchings, then combined with his own photographs and printed on archival paper in limited editions. (Check the slideshow below.) Although his photos and frames are of a single piece, John will soon start selling the frames separately. He's also launching a new stationery collection that's pretty and cool. And don't miss his ostrich drawings, which will be finding their way onto Baby Flea's wall very soon. John does the Saturday and Sunday Fleas, but he's been focusing on the Bridge market lately, including this Sunday, Oct. 11. He's usually in F-41 along the back fence near the pupusas, chillin' and chattin'.
October 7, 2009MUGgin' for the Flea
Manhattan User's Guide (aka "MUG"), a top shopping blog, crosses the bridge for its latest "21 Under $21" feature, finding a range of items at the Flea as diverse as the market itself. To wit: maple marshmallows ($6, Whimsy + Spice), a vintage GE travel iron ($15, Reclaimed Home), Itty-Bitty Mieko Bowls ($19, Alyssa Ettinger), Gramercy Rail Pendant ($20, Citybitz), and, well, 17 more great things. Check it out.
October 6, 2009Flea Design Co-op Starts Oct. 10
This Saturday, Oct. 10, we're launching a new "Design Co-op" of top local artists and designers, curated by textile designer and illustrator Lena Corwin, under a single big tent every week in Fort Greene. It's a big step for us in terms of logistics and quality, but we figured that if so many folks love the Flea's local food, we should capture that same spirit with Brooklyn and NYC's excellent craft/design scene. You'll find the Co-op in its own double-booth up front every Saturday (B19+20 on the vendor map), featuring top Brooklyn artists in design, painting and printing, ceramics, letterpress, and more. (We'll have a webpage with all the vendors later this week.) Confirmed Co-op vendors for October include Lotta Jansdotter, Laura Normandin, Marcie McGoldrick, Moontree Letterpress, Sesame Letterpress, MAPTOTE, Wayne Pate/Good Shape Design, and Lena Corwin. Additional vendors will be added for November, and for the Flea’s upcoming Gifted holiday market, starting November 27. Individual vendors will make appearances at the Co-op on a rotating basis, and special events and guests will be scheduled as well, such as a limited-edition poster designed by Wayne Pate (above) available for $15 at the October 10 launch. Check it out!
Slideshow Oct. 3+4Sun showers on Saturday attracted the savvy collectors, knowing they'd have the run of the place, while Sunday's picture-perfect day brought out the masses. Either find yourself Where's Waldo-style here or check what you missed in this week's slideshow.
Finders/Keepers Oct. 3+4
Saturday was going great until the R word showed up and drenched us. Sal chipped his tooth that morning but still managed to come through for the Hunt. Respect! From left: Nicole (left) lives in Hoboken and she and her sister had "Wendy" dolls as girls in the early '80s. She fondly remembered playing with her mullet for hours on end, so cute. She found the tracksuited doll in Sal's Tincan Trading Post booth before noon. Sal is new to the Flea but already feels like a regular, trekking down from Sullivan County with all kinds of antique goodies. He's got stories in spades too. He noted how Wendy's mullet and soft perm hair was extra-enhanced and fluffy from all the humidity Saturday. Ha. He's around L15 on Saturdays. Debra (right) saw the psychedelic Woodstock poster --more far-out than groovy--on sunny Sunday, and moments later it was hers. Lovely Cara had trucked it in from Detroit for the debut of her Dolly Rocker's Detroit Vintage booth last weekend, where she had a blast and got right into the spirit of the Flea. Her dad is Carl Lundgren, whose rock posters (including this one) are legendary and gorgeous. Cara sells digital prints of those, plus cool rocker vintage clothing, and her friend's great architectural salvage. Nice mix! Check back at noon Friday for this weekend's items.
October 5, 2009BFF of the WeekAs is customary on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, I was thinking about what was going to fill the belly when I saw two words I didn't understand together: Goober and Pea. I thought this nice chick could help me out. Meet Adriana.
Where ya from, Adriana? What do you do? Have you been to the Flea before? No?! I would think as an interior designer that this would be your thing! So, have you heard of Goober Peas before? People might not know that a Goober Pea is a boiled peanut and think it's something weird or gross. What is the weirdest or grossest thing you ever ate? And what is your favorite food? Pasta? I thought you were going to say some awesome BBQ or something. Good point. Guess we need a pasta vendor. There ya have it, the culinary surprises of a southern transplant. Thanks Adriana!
How Cute is This
Fleaster Steven sent us this pic of his darling daughter Sophia in the wicker chair they bought in Fort Greene on Saturday avant le deluge. It was $30 from Phyllis at Reclaimed Home, who by the way has awesome new stuff for fall. Send us your Flea pics, we'll post 'em here and on our Facebook page.
October 2, 2009What's New?
Click here for the weekend's layout every Friday at noon. (Scroll down for the Bridge Flea.) Jes Minardi and pal Brooke have dealt in antiques for awhile, including a shop up in Cold Spring, then Jes did a stint as an artist, and now back to the 'tiques. They have housewares (like Russell Wright stuff, above) and a little furniture and seemingly quite good taste. I-15, Bridge/Sun Many rug merchants have tried to Flea and but ended up fleeing instead. If you like vintage rugs, we'd love to have a permanent vendor, and father and son duo Zia and Zach of ZZ Imports want to be those guys. They're sweet, helpful, honest, and bringing rugs you can afford that are really nice. Worth a visit. F-35, Bridge/Sun Cara is a friend of TJ's from Detroit, and she runs Garment District New and Vintage out there in Roseville, goes by the nom de vendor Dolly Rocker. Reformed New Yorker, got a hankering for the Apple, driving in for the weekend with everything from cast-iron architectural salvage to wooden casting patterns (from the D's "industrial revolution") to b+w blues photos by Leni Sinclair to amazing rock and roll posters (wink wink). Strong. L12, FG/Sat; F-5, Bridge/Sun
Maurice aka Mick just showed up last week with a truck full of antiques spanning a spectrum of styles, and he was a big hit. He'll be back in the Clermont/Lafayette corner on Saturday. C2/L2, FG/Sat Anthony Franck had a carpentry and antiques shop on E. 4 St. in the city for awhile, then on E. 10 St. that he said was open mainly at night. Hmmm. He's got tons of stuff, we're curious to know what he has too. B8, FG/Sat
Michael Davis happened upon the Bridge Flea recently and as a collector is taking turn on the Other Side. He's a retired swimming coach with lots of smalls, housewares, glass, all in great shape. F-43, Bridge/Sun Rain-out newbies from last week: Natasha Diggs is another 17th St. flea refugee, with a specialty in rare records, vintage jewelry and watches, and antique bric-a-brac. She's a longtime dealer making her Brooklyn debut, she's friendly, show her some love. V14, FG/Sat
Kiss Our (Lobster) Grits
Red Hook Lobster Pound--aka the "Lobster Roll people"--are rolling out a new lobster bisque and lobster grits on Sunday under the Bridge. We're not aware of too many other fleas with lobster bisque available--it's almost funny how classy the Flea can be and yet still maintain its salt of the earth vibe. High/low, baby. And just sayin' that if you haven't been to the Bridge Flea on Sundays yet, we have to say that it's really hit its stride over the last few weeks and has become a really high-quality market with a distinct identity from Fort Greene. This Sunday it's full to the brim with awesome vendors new and old, and the sun might even come out. You can also check out the progress on the new Brooklyn Bridge Park at Pier 6 this Sunday, which is scheduled to open in January. (The Bridge Flea is technically part of the same park btw.)
Scavenger Hunt Items: Oct. 3+4
We're really into this week's Hunt, with two stellar vintage items in the mix, each special in its own way. Scavenge away. 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: 2. Commemorative Woodstock poster by Carl Lundgren, 13"x19". Vintage (Brooklyn Bridge/Sunday)
October 1, 2009Lucky + GQ Japan + Vogue Tri-fecta
Madewell pal Lisa Schulner shouts out the Flea on Luckymag.com as one of her favorite vintage shopping haunts in New York City, which we appreciate. Not that Lisa wasn't a vendor last summer with hubby Michael (they were cutely called Morris + Tweed) and isn't 100% objective, or that the Flea and Madewell didn't team up over the summer, but still, it's nice to be in the (virtual) pages of Lucky. This Japan thing is getting weird. The Flea shows up in this month's GQ Japan (above, with Brad Pitt on the cover), in a big Brooklyn-heavy NYC feature. We bow politely toward Tokyo. And finally, commenter prezanon was correct that Alexa Chung digs the Flea in the new issue of Vogue, in a piece that only seems to exist in the print realm. Thanks Alexa!
September 30, 2009Vinylmania!
Charlie (above), who keeps the spirit of his old Vinylmania shop alive at the Fort Greene Flea every week, gets some well-deserved play in the Times story today about the afterlives of former record stores. Great read, including some other Fleasters like Rich of Etherea, who was at the Superstar DJ Record Fair. Meet Charlie in the flesh in his regular W3 spot on Saturday, and every Saturday after that. (Photo by J.B. Reed for the New York Times.)
BFF of the WeekApparently Long Island Eddie got hated on by his women when he bought these two chairs to sell at the Flea. But he got his retribution when they both sold within the first couple hours. I tracked down one of the buyers to see how she felt about the debated chair. Turns out, the buyer was such BFF material, I asked Rei to be our BFF this week!
Do you come to the Flea often? Wow. Where do you live? And what do you do? So if you've never been to the Flea, what brought you out? You think the chair was calling? Why did you buy this chair? What are you going to do with it? Did you get anything else? Where are you going to wear your dress? Damn, you love that chair. Alright, I'm going to take your picture. Yes, ma'am. Nothing like a woman in her chair who knows she's queen. Thanks Rei!
Pickled Pink
This Sunday the Food Network show The Best Thing I Ever Ate will be filming part of its upcoming McClure's Pickles feature at the Bridge Flea. We couldn't agree more on that description of McClure's' garlic dills, hot and spicys, and mustard--simply mahvelous. They'll be shooting before we open Sunday morning, but you can trickle in early for a sneak peek if you like. It's possible Senor Flea will be standing in for Mr. Allen as guest host. Are we jumping the shark?
September 29, 2009Under the Bridge VideoMr. B. made another nice video last weekend, this time of the Brooklyn Bridge Flea on perhaps its best day yet. Enjoy!
Hip Hip Huarache!
All hail Fernando and Jolanda Martinez, makers of the venerable huaraches, tacos, quesadillas, and horchata at the Flea and Red Hook Ball Fields--and now 2009 Vendy Cup winners! Rafael and his perfect pupusas took home the Cup last year, so the Red Hookers are on a serious roll--to almost no one's surprise frankly. We're happy as jalapenos to be snuggled inside the tortilla of love and deliciousness that is the pupusa/huarache/elote trinity, and hereby vow never to rest until every Brooklynite--nay, New Yorker--has basked in their handmade, saucy sopa de sabor glory. Que fuerte!
September 28, 2009Finders/Keepers Sept. 26
It rained on Sunday's Hunt (tired of that refrain), but Saturday was just perfect. Thanks for comin' out! Cutie Amy (right), a Flea regular and Fort Greener (one and the same?), snatched the handmade pillow from the City Owl booth a little after noon, a fine fall find. Ashley (left) and her hubby's vintage biz, one of our '09 faves, focuses on industrial items for the cool Brooklyn shoebox apartment: foundry molds, metal assembly-line baskets, and a new focus on end/coffee tables, chests of drawers, and chairs made from reclaimed wood and metal items they find. The stuff is super-cool and affordable, check it out. Don't miss their awesome wire lamps and b+w paintings by the hubby. E37 every Saturday (by the pupusas), Bridge Flea some Sundays. Check back at noon Friday for this weekend's items.
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Our man with the mustache 
Sean's background is graphic design, gal Kristy's in fashion—put their heads together and (literally) tapped into Kristy's family's upstate slate quarry, bring the stuff back here, cut it themselves into cheese plates (right), trivets, and the like. Cool clean look to the blue, red (who knew?), and purple slate, which is fairly priced and (we think) poised for the bigtime. They're called 
Tanesha Smith works at Bluefly.com, right near the gal who handles the Project Runway "Bluefly.com Accessories Wall" (choose wisely!). On the side she's started making terrariums (right), which seem to be all the rage and we hope find a regular home at the Flea. As a fashionista, she'll be augmenting with a few choice vintage-clothing pieces, naturally. W15, FG/Sat
The Flea hopes to add to Fort Greene's rep as Brooklyn Halloween Central, with the Great Pupkin contest in the park (go Shuggie!), 313 Clinton's annual insanity, and just general neighborhood ghoulishness. 
Marie Nadege Paul lives in Ditmas Park, training as an architect, born in Haiti. Has all sorts of cool Haitian artifacts: clay figurines, paintings, iron work (right), all kinds of cool artifacts, old and new. W35, FG/Sat
Liz and her 
Upscale stoop sale alert! Kira Dixon and Adam have some vintage furniture (right), some construction tools, some lamps, some smalls. Adam ran a design-build firm for 10 years, has a bunch of stuff in storage they need to split with now that they're in Tucson, and their collector pal Joe is sharing the booth. Kira manages a public market there, so she's gung-ho to experience the Flea. Welcome them warmly. B7, FG/Sat
