If you've somehow managed to overlook Hazel Village's cute cast of stuffed animal characters as you peruse the Flea, either way, they've been watching you! They may look inanimate, but with adorable and relatable descriptions to go along with each stitched doll (made with organic materials), it's hard not to see a sparkle in their eyes. Take Lucas Rabbit for example, who's called "Pummy" by his friends, "because when he was a newborn and his sister was a toddler, she called him Pummy for some reason." This sort of attention to detail, not just in the stories behind the characters, but in the actual make of the dolls themselves, is what gives them life—and also what has helped owner and creator Jane Van Cleef keep her business on the rise.

Where do you get your inspiration for the characters you create?
From favorite children's books—Frog and Toad, Brambly Hedge, Uncle Wiggily, and the Little House books where they basically do non-stop craft projects. Also folk toys, Shaker and early American arts and crafts.
Do you have a favorite?
Gwendolyn Raccoon. She has a hilarious personality that involves a lot of lurking in the shadows. Like Creed from The Office except more sweet and innocent.
Once you decided to start Hazel Village, how long did it take you to really get the business off the ground?
Maybe a year. It's hard to say; growth has been steady the whole time. After one year I started working on Hazel Village full time and started building relationships with ethical producers in India. A year after that, I exhibited at my first trade show and moved the office out of my attic, because it really did not fit anymore. Now I have hired someone (Arielle, who sells at the Flea—she's really nice!) and we have about 100 wholesale accounts. But there's a never-ending list of stuff to do, so at any given moment it still feels like we’re getting the business off the ground. Maybe I will know it when I see it.

Are there any new characters, woodland creatures, or projects on the horizon?
Yes!!!! In the next week we are updating the website to be, like, a billion times better. Improvements of note: two new woodland friends, a greatly expanded dress-up section, a better way to order monograms and a better Stories and Projects blog. And we have some exciting wholesale projects in the works for the holidays! We’ll post updates on our Facebook page as we can share them.

What's your favorite part of selling at the Flea?
Definitely the kids! We meet cute little babies and their families, and sometimes they take home animals with the baby's name stitched on. It's nice to imagine those babies keeping their special toys for years to come. Some older kids get really into dressing the animals up. We have a kid discount at the Flea: 25% off if you're 12 and under, shopping with your own money. It's an honor system—we don't make a great profit from those sales, but it just feels too weird to profit from kids' allowances.

It's finally warm enough to do more than daydream about spending long days picnicking in the park or biking to outdoor brunch spots.  And we at Eleanor's Stylish Bicycle Accessories are spending our weekends soaking up the sun at our pop-up shop at the Brooklyn Flea. But we know, as fun as spending the weekend days on two wheels is, it also calls for some planning and logistics. That's why we've put together a short list of 3 tips to help you handle your Brooklyn Flea bounty by bike this season.

1. Parking - Bikes aren't officially allowed inside the Flea (unless you're trying out a bike basket, of course), and it's a pain to roll your bike through the masses.  Luckily there are plenty of spots to lock your bike around the Fort Greene location (below): sign posts are always fair game, but the fence right outside of Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School is actually the perfect place to leave your bike while browsing.  We've noticed that many folks take advantage of this sweet spot, and there's plenty of foot traffic to keep potential thieves at bay.

In Williamsburg (below), however, places to lock your bike are at a premium. The long and the short of it is, if you can't snag a spot at a nearby bike rack or signpost, we recommend biking a few blocks away from the Flea and searching for a safe spot in the vicinity. There's so much to do in the area, so having to stroll a bit further isn't too bad.

Image courtesy of Postmodern Gentleman

PS - A bit of etiquette! When you're looking for a spot to lock your bike, avoid brownstone fences and gates, as well as fences that belong to nearby sidewalk cafés. It can be a pain for the folks who live and work there to maneuver around your ride.  Also try not to obstruct the flow of sidewalk traffic when you park—we know, we know, this is a no-brainer—but it's happened before! And it makes it hard for vendors to get their products in and out of the Flea! Lastly, make sure not to double park so that other cyclists can come and go with ease (and so your bike and lock don't get damaged).

2. How to get your haul home - It's easy to get carried away at the Flea: everywhere you look there's something that you need, or at the very least want. If you've shopped 'til you've dropped and are worrying about how to get everything home by bike, we recommend a basket or rear-mounting crate. Both are super easy to install, roomy and sturdy enough to hold all your goods for the journey home, and available at our booth at the Flea.

3. When worst comes to worst. If you truly can't control yourself and end up getting those great vintage chairs whose call must be heeded, and you don't happen to ride one of these badboys, no worries. Although there isn't a delivery service associated with the Flea, it's no sweat to get in touch with a local courier (totally Yelp-able) who can do the heavy lifting and take care of transporting your finds so you can bike home unencumbered. It's also easy enough to call a car service like Northside if you can't seem to find a cab. You can travel home with your purchases, and then stroll back to the Flea to grab your bike (and maybe a cold beer or glass of wine as a reward for all your hard work).

Rain or shine, you gotta love the city views from the Williamsburg waterfront. @deebowbrooklyn (Instagram)

Cheddar waffles, fried chicken, and bacon, egg and cheese ramen=yum. @archanakant (Instagram)

Nothing cures rainy day blues like a freshly ground, individually dripped new lease on life courtesy of Blue Bottle. @cinemeister (Instagram)

Sometimes a gray day just makes the smiling faces you pass on the street all the more colorful. @uenoaskako (Instagram)

This Friday, May 24, we launch a new project at South St. Seaport: A SmorgasBar featuring 10 of your fave food vendors plus two bars run by yours truly (the Flea). Part of the larger See/Change seasonal project to revitalize the area, which was as hard-hit as any by Hurricane Sandy, this joint effort to help revitalize South Street Seaport will bring together installation art, a pop-up raked stage for music performances and movie screenings, and of course yummy eats and drinks. The fun kicks off this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with Big, Iron Man, and Sleepless in Seattle. (Yes, you can drink and watch the movie.)

Our two bars—one on Front Street between Fulton and Beekman, nestled among the food kiosks, the other atop a shipping container around the corner on Fulton St. (above)—will feature tasty brews, wines, and spirits seven days a week. You can also pair your booze with Brooklyn mixers, including Brooklyn Soda Works' grapefruit-jalapeno-honey soda and spiked (or virgin) slushies from Kelvin Natural Slush Co. (Yummmm...slushies.)

And of course the news wouldn't be complete without the lineup of fab food vendors! Asia Dog, Blue Marble Ice Cream, Brooklyn Oyster Party, Brooklyn Soda Works (with their own cart), Landhaus (with grass-fed burgers), Milk Truck Grilled Cheese, Pizza Moto, Red Hook Lobster Pound (who had their own post-Sandy struggles), Rice & Miso Everyday, and newcomers to our team, Fonda, whose Park Slope and East Village Mexican restos are among our faves.

So add us to your list of must-sees and visit us at See/Change this summer. We'll be open 7 days a week, Sun-Thurs (11am-10pm) and Fri-Sat (11am-11pm). Hopefully hopping the river to Manhattan won't make us feel like a fish out of water!

Berlyn 65

JM Restoration—With the motto, "teaching old furniture new tricks" as their guide, these FIT graduates will have you rolling over with their lovely collection of vintage tables, secretary desks, hutches, and other colorful (not to mention sturdily finished) furnishings. (Fort Greene)

Rockville Market Farm—Our Starksboro, Vermont vendors (who were recently featured in the Burlington Free Press) are adding a healthy option to their line-up—fresh salad greens featuring seasonal vegetables. First up: Arugula and toasted sunflower seeds with a maple/mustard vinaigrette.

Furniture and Housewares

At Home Modern—Mid-century furnishings and decor tailored for clients on the hunt for a specific piece—or a total home make over. From design consultations, to organizing existing adornment—Bobbie's eye for the mid-century modern will have you thirsty for a classic cocktail out of a vintage glass—and a dinner party featuring Don Draper.
Chairloom—Co-owners Molly Andrews and Tracy Jenkins vibrant restorations of settees, couches (above), ottomans, and other antique relics aren't just a fresh look at furniture restoration—each individual piece, in its own way, honors the idea of second chances—because rescuing the remains of these antique pieces doesn't just give them another chance at life. The loving vibe of each restoration is totally transferable. The energy of the piece will brighten up your home.
Circa Dee—Newlyweds Dana and Ryan's DIY flair emerges from their mix of classic country decor with a colorful, youthful twist. The result is the sort of charming wall hangings, distressed stools (left), bookshelves, and end tables that work perfectly with beach themes, or in the cozy, off-the-grid comfort of a house in the hills.
Dig This—Fun '50s, '60s and '70s accents, like clocks and other wall decor, alongside full bedroom sets and other vintage room furnishings, almost untouched by time, as if they tumbled through a time warp—or maybe it's just that Collingswood, NJ is a portal.

Nonnie's Attic—West Cape May's curiosity shop makes the jaunt down the AC Expressway to peddle the sort of knickknacks that invoke memories of Grandpa and Grandma's house. You can almost smell the fresh baked cookies on the vintage serving trays.

Painted Home Designs—Denise's seriously original eye for the potential of everyday materials is an underrated form of modern alchemy. For proof look no further than her pallet headboards. If you have a room you don't know what you do with, stop by her booth for a visit, and leave inspired. (June 23)

The Paint Wagon—All the charm of Cape May, NJ contained in Victorian-style end tables, secretary desks, and other magical relics of yesteryear, painted in soft hues that feel dreamy, cozy—and perfect for adding that romantic touch to a room that's lost it's spark.
The Pink Door—Darling home furnishings in pastel hues that evoke a mixture of country living and something a bit more refined. These dresser sets, end tables, and other home wares are perfect for beach homes, tea rooms, and bedrooms for girls who like to dream in pink. (June 9)
Romantic Vintage Home—Vintage, delicate, Victorian-style china (right) and other precious ceramic wares paired with dreamy, Jane Austen-esque floral arrangements. Perfect for Pemberley—or whatever you like to call your sweeping estate. (June 9)

Frank and Mike of Frank Fazio Design are the sort of laid back Flea vendors who let their merchandise speak for itself. And with beautiful, lovingly restored antique treasures from the '30s to the '70s, if you can manage to tune out the Brooklyn chatter and hone in on the lovely pitchers and punch glasses, silver serving trays, decanters, jewelry boxes, tea sets, and other dreamy home and garden accessories, you may find yourself eavesdropping on some very fabulous, very vintage fun times. So swing by their booth and feast your ears (and eyes) on the goods, and get a history lesson in decor. But in the meantime, meet Frank (right), so you know who to direct your questions to this weekend when you visit him at the Flea.

How did you end up in the antique business?
We got into this business as an offshoot of our children's business. We used to sell hand-painted furniture and lighting to kids' boutiques. We also used to do custom paintings and murals.
What era are you drawn to the most and why?
We refinish furniture anywhere from the 1930's thru the '70s provided it is interesting enough and makes some kind of statement when it's finished. We prefer furniture between the '30s and '50s though. It was just made better and the styles are so varied.
What's the weirdest estate sale you've ever been to and why?
We went to a sale upstate New York at a convent. Having gone to Catholic school when I was younger, it was crazy to see people slamming post-its on the pieces they wanted and pushing you out the way to get to them. Scary.
If you could gift any antique in your collection to a hero, living or dead, what would it be and who would you give it to?
We really couldn't pick one person or piece. Maybe people who rescue animals, or who give their time to the sick and homeless.
What's your favorite part of selling at the Flea?
The friends we have made and the interactions with so may different people on any given day.

Seasoned Fleasters may know fashion designer Brittany Pham's "high caliber duds" from fruitful Flea trips gone by. With vintage jewelry and fun reconstructed and original gear from the '90s that rings in with a price tag below the $50 mark (with many finds closer to $20), her booth doesn't just serve as a history lesson in style, it's a fashion option that doesn't break the bank. And lucky for the North Brooklyn set, Pham's flagship store, MAHPS, is now open in the heart of Greenpoint at 110A Nassau Ave. (between Engert and Manhattan). So go poke your head in, get a jump start on summer, and say hi!

1. Just in case you needed a reminder of who you were supposed to be shopping for this past weekend—or why/how you exist in the first place. @rheanamurray (Instagram)

2. Mirror, mirror against the gate—rocking our spring gear is what we appreciate. @emmyshap (Instagram)

3. You probably already know that there are sweet sundresses and shades to accessorize yourself for the change in season—but you don't want your apartment to feel left out! @arimeyer (Instagram)

4. Lounging in the sun after all those tea party snacks doesn't seem to help with digestion. These guys are still totally stuffed. (ba-dum-ch!) @hazel village (Instagram)

5. Who—who is going to be the lucky lady who comes home to this cutie? A fresh bouquet inside earns bonus points. @booksadooksa (Instagram)

Epicurean Finds—The throw-back Boardwalk Empire/Mad Men/why-did-everything-look-so-much-better-way-back-when steez is way more fun when it has the barware and serving trays to go with the look. Stop by Epicurean Finds—and then get everyone in your backyard/rooftop/new living room for a party. (Williamsburg)

Jean Korelitz—A Jersey girl needs to purge a house full of seriously vintage and perfectly-worn, awesome home furnishings before she moves. Come help her unload as she makes her great leap across the pond to the big city—but to a way smaller space.  (Fort Greene)

Pepper Harris Vintage—Colorful, darling "shabby geek" furniture pieces and kitchenware (above) that feel straight from a Ladies' Day circa 1953—or whatever year Esther Greenwood had her internship there. (Fort Greene)

Robert Efrus—Super interesting wall mounts—think old gas station signs and strange busts and figurines—perfect for hanging in your new coffeeshop or bar, or just for decking out your stoop/home. (Williamsburg)

A Royal Treasure—Unique, well-kept estate treasures, like cameras, typewriters, vitriolas, and big fancy ladies' hats from Pittsburgh and the surrounding western Pennsylvania and east Ohio area. (Williamsburg)