July 4, 2009
Scavenger Hunt Item: July 5
Just one item this week, for Sunday under the Bridge, but it's a doozy. Sorry for the delay this week, folks.
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 (normally) posted every Friday around Noon.
Happy hunting!
1. Monkey Pod hand-carved wood owl from Honolulu. Vintage (Brooklyn Bridge/Sunday)
July 3, 2009
Open for Biz
In case you're wondering: YES, both Fleas are open as usual this weekend. We take our independence very seriously, and have a sense that some fireworks of the shopping and noshing variety are on tap in Fort Greene and under the Bridge.
Happy 4th!
July 2, 2009
Flea Bites
Some nice new munchies are on their way to the Flea in the next few weeks. Figured we'd let you know about 'em on a slow week.
Brooklyn Brew Shop is Stephen and Erica's new beer homebrew-kit biz, which they're in essence launching at the Flea this Sunday under the Bridge (booth I1). They served up some tasty suds at the Madewell/Flea bash last week, with style and panache to boot. Looking for a well-designed, simple, compact way to brew your own beer at home in NYC (Brooklyn preferably of course)? Voila.
This Sunday also marks the Flea debut of the Green Pirate Community Juice Truck (right), which runs on biodiesel, serves up dee-lish fresh fruit and vegi juices, and generally has good vibes. Deborah and crew will be parked at Water + New Dock Street to greet you upon entering ze Flea--slurp.
Next Saturday (July 11) in Fort Greene you'll find Gerald Jerky in our food pod (the ricotta/chocolate/cupcake/cheese zone) for the first time. Already noticed by the Times dining blog at the Unfancy Food Show last week, cutie Rachel gets her grassfed beef from Dickson's Farmstand Meats upstate, dries it, and adds her own peppery blend to create morsel of dried yumminess. Artisanal beef jerky--who knew?
Then next Sunday (July 12) under the Bridge we continue our seaside food theme, adding Forrest's beer-battered fish tacos to the lobster roll-ice cream-popsicle-Choice Market equation. By our calculations, homemade guacamole + fresh-ground corn tortillas + sustainably fished cod = a nice addition to your Sunday shopping stroll. (We just checked our math, and we're correct!)
See you at the Flea you spoiled foodie.
Found by Susan Walker's Finds
Our vendors are wacky, in the best way possible--that's Flea Allure 101.
Our pal Susan Walker ("sparklysusan" by email) is one such kook. She first did the Flea at the Dumbo Winter Pop-Up, and it stuck, as she's become a regular with one of the best mish-mashes of stuff--furniture, lamps, objects, jewelry, clothes, a bit of everything. New York magazine even took notice in their urban-hippie round-up this week, although they mentioned some other market she does sometimes. (The writeup does include equally worthy Flea staple Val's Kings County Salvage, to be fair.)
So Susan wanted to take us behind the scenes of a typical week in the life of a vendor. That stuff they setup for you doesn't just appear at the Flea every weekend; each vendor scours our Independent Nation day in-day out in search of things they love that they know you'll love too. It's an addiction for most of them, a huge bonus for Fleasters. Quite simple really.
Here's a visual tour through one of Susan's recent treasure hunts, at a church sale in Rhode Island (where she's also a Roller Derby gal), with the end result at the Flea. For those keeping score at home, she sold the printing trays, the white shelf, the needlepoints, the bed, and 5 pairs of lace curtains. Still got the drying rack, unicycle, small white chest, and pink nightstand. The ram horns, apparently, are not for sale.
Susan is under the Bridge pretty much every Sunday, including this weekend, normally in I10. You can also check out her eBay site.
July 1, 2009
Go Fetch Me An Asia Dog
If there is one thing we've learned from the Flea, it's that we've got a set of real creative go-getters on our hands. And that's just the type of thing to make me wanna eat a dog. Asia Dog, that is.
Steve (left brain) and Melanie (right brain) make up what we know as Asia Dog. AD unintentionally started when Steve and Mel hosted a BBQ at their friend's bar (Trophy Bar) in Williamsburg. Turns out the BBQ was so delicious that they were asked back to do another. And the people came and they ate and they drank and they had a merry old time and now, they've done it every Tuesday since. Thee end. But not. Cause now we have them at the Flea.
When Steve isn't doing freelance visual production and display and when Melanie isn't doing kids fashion stuff, they're busy making their delicious toppings in preparation for the next day's Asia Dog extravaganza. The Friday night before the Flea, you can catch them up as late as 5 putting the finishing touches on their kimchi apples, Japanese curry, or Thai-style mango relish. Put these golden morsels on your choice of organic meat or veggie dogs. Mmm.
The last Tuesday in July, Asia Dog will celebrate their one-year anniversary at their inaugural joint at Trophy Bar. Go check them 'cause Steve will be unveiling some new recipes he has been working on. I would like to tell you it's our little secret and you will find out there, but Steve wouldn't tell me, so I guess WE will find out there. And hopefully that following Saturday at their usual spot in Fort Greene. (You can also get them to cater a party as Conde Nast is having them do. La Di Da.) Check it.
June 30, 2009
BFF Of The Week: Alexandra Hankovszky
It's like I'm walking in the African grasslands and I spot a herd of beautiful zebra grazing nearby. And then my reverie is over and I realize it's just two hot chicks wearing the same dress at the Flea. As I was about to snap a shot of my prey, one turns around, armed with a taco, as if to say, "I know, right??!" It was the verbiage that got me. That and the dress. OK, and the taco. Meet Alexandra.
So, what do you do?
I'm an environmental attorney. God that sounds lame.
What do you wish you could say?
Actually? I don't think I could really be doing anything cooler.
If you were a vendor at the Flea, what would you sell?
Organic sex toys. Or compost heaps. One of the two.
What did you do this morning?
I woke up at 8 to go to work.
What are you doing later?
I'd really like to crash the MJ party someone was just talking about but I'm going to Floyd for beer and bocce.
What is your fondest memory of Michael Jackson?
What is that MJ record that when you unfolded the three panels, he was there laying down with like, a puma or a tiger, or something? When I was little, I would open it up in my bedroom and lie next to it and pretend he was my boyfriend. Sometimes we would make out a little bit. [Um, that was "Thriller!" --ed.]
Finish this sentence. Brooklyn is...
Brooklyn is better than yours.
Damn Alexandra. But thanks!
Finders/Keepers June 27/28
Perfect scavenging weather at the Fleas, and the Hunt didn't last long (when does it anymore?). Earlybirds catch the Fleas!
Clockwise from upper left:
In a moment of clarity, Abby and Eric (right) from Crown Heights found the Boodles British Gin mirror at Sydney's Baxter's Bazaar booth in Fort Greene, where he unveils his treasure-seeking finds of the week. Sometimes it's giant metal cash registers, sometimes piles of century-old newspapers, sometimes vintage drinking tcotchkes. Eric and Abby "are gonna put it up," though they were slurring their words so it's hard to say really.
Reid and Karen (left) sauntered down to the Bridge from the East Village and promptly discovered the groovy lightbulb money clip in the always pretty Bonbon Oiseau booth. Deb (not pictured) makes gorgeous jewelry, money clips like this one, and hair adornments that fly out of her weekly FG and Bridge booths. C'est si bon!
Our Dumbo pal Rebecca (center) of Moontree Letterpress has branched out from her stationery base into these cute moss terrariums, which folks found Saturday and Sunday. She was a last-minute Hunt addition, so if you know the names of her winners feel free to pass 'em along.
Check back Friday at Noon for this week's items.
June 29, 2009
June 27/28 Slideshow
Just a stunning suite of Fleas this weekend--the way they were meant to be really. Thanks for comin' out!
June 26, 2009
Scavenger Hunt Items: June 27 + 28
One for Saturday, two for Sunday (last-minute straggler wanted to join the fun).
When you find one of the items above, which can be hidden in any vendor booth, it's yours, absolutely free! Then we post your photo with the generous vendor here on the blog on Monday. Only one winner per calendar month. Items posted every Friday around Noon.
Happy hunting!
From left:
1. 1970s Boodles British Gin bar mirror. Vintage (Fort Greene/Saturday)
2. Money clip with lightbulb (cash not included!). New/handmade (Brooklyn Bridge/Sunday)
3. Moss terrarium with letterpressed care instructions. New/handmade (Brooklyn Bridge/Sunday)
June 25, 2009
WWD Flea
Fashion bible Women's Wear Daily picked up the Flea+Madewell collaboration, cutely describing our hookup as a "summer share" in Soho and East Hampton. Thanks Rosemary! (Subscribers only on their website fyi.)
Frankly, the credit for this project goes to our smashing vintage-clothing vendors, who collect with reckless abandon every week just to clothe you in the coolest, most affordable duds. These folks literally criss-cross the country searching for the best stuff, which is the real reason why the Flea has become Fashion Central every weekend.
The list goes on and on: Jellyroll, White Dove, Used+Abused, Rough+Tumble, Papushka, Cherry Vintage, Rue St. Denis, Vintagepimps, Dulcinee, Joan Van Hees, Hairy Mary's, Angels+Warriors, Anodyne, Go Bang!, 3Free Design, Gentleman's Outfitters, Funky Fanny's, Estate of Art, Martine's Dream, Collecther, Marilyn Hitchcock, Kelsi Ammon...
Under the Brooklyn Bridge, Long Before The Flea
Fleasters may be interested to see this photo of our new home under the Brooklyn Bridge which comes courtesy of our friends at the Fulton Ferry Landing Association. As you can see, it wasn't exactly a touristy hotspot back in the 1970s. The building you see in the spot where the market is now held was called the Purchase Building. Most recently it served as the headquarters for the Office of Emergency Management.
June 24, 2009
Bridge Flea's on a (Lobster) Roll
The Flea under the Brooklyn Bridge has hit the ground running, with 100+ vendors dealing mostly in nice vintage and antique items, plus your favorite handmade and jewelry folks from Fort Greene. It has a different feel somehow, you kinda have to see it to know it.
Anyhoo, starting this Sunday you'll have a foolproof reason to stroll down to the waterfront this summer. Namely, lobster rolls. Fresh from Maine. Mayo or butter. Grilled Nissen buns.
The folks from the new Red Hook Lobster Pound (284 Van Brunt St. at Verona Pl.) truck up to Maine every week and bring back tons of fresh lobsters for Brooklynites to steam, suck, butter, etc. Now, they're bringing lobster rolls to the masses at the Bridge Flea--and after Senor and Mr. B's office tasting last month we know you're in for a treat. The real deal as they say.
Prices will be based on the market that week, but will likely hover in the $13-15 range. They'll also be slingin' Jonah crab claws, ready for your cracking and snacking pleasure.
And--why not?--we're re-introducing Fort Greene faves Choice Market (doing sushi in addition to their perfect pastries) and, well, pupusas. Plus ya got yer Stumptown Coffee, People's Pops, McClure's Pickles, Rick's Picks, Fine + Raw Chocolate, and Blue Marble Ice Cream.
Um, yum!
BFFs Of The Week: Brett Solomon and Allan Parker
I spotted these two sporty gents debating pizza flavas at Pizza Moto. I thought I would lend 'em a hand with a recommendation since I just tore up one of those delicious white jammies. And then we got to talking. By the time it was over we had exchanged cards and promised to go dancing in midtown the next week. I love my BFFs. By the way? They also credit the Flea for bringing them together! Check below for the tale of romance and love separated by oceans and continents.
Where you from?
Sydney. But we moved to Park Slope 6 months ago.
Why?
B: I came first because I got a job at avaaz.org, an organization aimed at helping people voice and organize their critical issues online.
A: He saves the world.
What do you do, Allan?
I am a trend forecasting intern for the NY Retail Report, mainly for men's fashion and women's accessories.
What were you doing this morning?
B: Recovering from a hangover!
A: Working out.
Why are you guys here today?
B: We came to pick up a bedside lamp.
A: We are still looking to find unique items for our new apartment.
B: Beats the shit out of Crate and Barrel. You can quote me on that.
What are your plans for later?
A: One of our best friends just arrived from Sydney so we will be taking him out to a Patio Party.
What the hell is a Patio Party?
B: You know, like a party outside on a deck.
That makes sense.
OK. Finish this sentence: Brooklyn is...
B: All the richer for its immigrants.
A: My new home.
B: One more thing. We always say that the Brooklyn Flea brought us together. Because a few months ago, when I had arrived and Allan was still in Sydney, I came to the Flea to do some more home shopping. I then went to a cafe around the corner, sat next to this guy and realized he was Australian. Turns out he owns a trend forecasting company, I tell him about Allan, and next thing I know, Allan is on his way here to meet me! True story! Thank you Flea!
Aw! Isn't that freaking cute?! Thanks Brett and Allan!
June 23, 2009
Flea Markets Flopping in Coney, Threatened in Chelsea
For those of you interested in keeping up with flea market gossip in the New York City area, today was a big news day: First, the NY Post ran an article about Thor Equities' failed attempt at starting a market in Coney Island: "Sitt's ads for his "Flea by the Sea" are a stretch even by propaganda standards, as the pictures on this page show. Sitt's tented flea market, shown as two rows of striped tents crammed with happy visitors, so far consists of a single, thinly-populated tent even though the "festival" started on May 15." Then The Observer broke the news that developer who bought the property that houses the Antiques Garage at 112 West 25th Street in Manhattan has recently filed plans for a 29-story hotel on the site. "It's news to me," said Alan Boss, whose lease requires that the developer give him three months notice before kicking him out. Interesting times in the flea market business.
Madewell + The Flea: We Match!
The Flea is steppin' it up.
In perhaps our highest-profile collaboration to date, this week two Madewell shops in Soho and East Hampton will begin featuring a section of vintage clothing and accessories curated from Flea vendors. The Madewell gals scoured the market over the past month and handpicked pieces from our fabulous vintage vendors, and they'll be back to re-stock the sections throughout the summer. Each shop will display info about the Flea in the section, which in the Soho store will be located inside a funky wooden structure made of tree branches. (How Flea!)
The partnership will kick off with an in-store party at the Madewell Soho Broadway shop this Thursday evening (invite at right) featuring yummy Flea food vendors you know and love: Red Hook pupusas, Nunu Chocolates, Salvatore Bklyn cannolis and cheeses--and new Flea foodie (starting this Saturday) Brooklyn Brew Shop's "Madewell Microbrew" brewed specially for the event. Best of all, you're invited!
See you at the Flea (at Madewell)!
Brooklyn Flea + Madewell
Thursday, June 25
6-8pm
Madewell Soho, 486 Broadway (at Broome St.)
212.226.6954
Finders/Keepers June 20/21
Rainy day didn't stop the Hunt--then again what would?
Diana, Juan, and Eduardo, all from Clinton Hill (woot!), found the amber glass candlesticks in the always pleasing City Owl booth. Proprietress Ashley isn't pictured (she's the shutterbug), but her melange of metal industrial stuff, tabletops, and urban salvage all in an 8x8 is one of our finest '09 additions. The Owl sleeps (or not) in E38 Saturdays; check the Friday layout for their spot under the Bridge Sundays.
This fine lady (her name's on the way) scored the balsam-fir pillow from the Old Village Hall booth, which made its debut on Sunday under the Bridge. Scott (right) and Erica live in the East Village and upstate, where they have two shops in Andes, NY, Old Village Hall and Delaware Trading Post. Scott designs and silkscreens fabrics for upholstering chairs and pillows (that's Myrna Loy from The Thin Man on the pillow above), also designs interiors for shops and restaurants. They're a great coupla folks, hope to have 'em back soon.
Peggy Ram is her name, and she was at the Flea from New Jersey with her two daughters from Manhattan. (Thanks Kyle!)
Check back Friday at Noon for this week's items.
June 22, 2009
June 20/21 Slideshow
Lil' rain can't stop no Flea no way no how. Just pics from Fort Greene this week, as Senor celebrated his first Father's Day on Sunday. Shopping in a drizzle is mighty fine, try it sometime.
June 21, 2009
Nice n' Purty Under the Bridge
About half-full at the Flea today--i.e., bargains galore. Furniture, salvage, summer frocks, lamps, jewelry, bikes (incl. Recycle-a-Bicycle kids models), Stumptown Coffee, and a gorgeous 48-star hand-stitched American flag.
Come on down!
June 19, 2009
Scavenger Hunt Items: June 20+21
Remember, we're now doing the Hunt at both markets every weekend: Fort Greene on Saturdays, Brooklyn Bridge on Sundays.
When you find one of the items above, which can be hidden in any vendor booth, it's yours, absolutely free! Then we post your photo with the generous vendor here on the blog on Monday. Only one winner per calendar month. Items posted every Friday around Noon.
Happy hunting!
From left:
1. Pair of amber-colored glass candlesticks. Vintage (Fort Greene/Saturday)
2. Black T-shirt featuring artwork from the upcoming documentary Soul Power, about "Zaire '74" a 3-day music festival that revolved around the famous "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match in Kinshasa, Zaire. New/handmade (Fort Greene/Saturday)
3. Silkscreened-fabric pillow stuffed with balsam-fir tips. New/handmade (Brooklyn Bridge/Sunday)
June 18, 2009
Antiquinaires Extraordinaire
Ceramic twin cats, antique tin airplanes, turn-of-the-century French wicker potties (seriously--with a flap to cover the hole), all in one glorious and sunny spot in the yard at Fort Greene, hosted by Karen and Albert of Antiquinaires.
Partners in marriage and in business for more than 30 years, they know how to make it shine. He upholsters by day, she writes, their passion for the collectibles stems from a need to educate the masses about investment in antiques and art and how to incorporate these objects into your homes. Sign me up!
Karen and Al come in every Saturday from Long Island, and sometimes they bring their sons Ethan (14, budding designer) and Angus (19, merchandising master on his way to the Navy!).
In addition to finding and collecting and selling and fleaing, Karen and Al just expanded their Long Island gallery to a larger space in Baldwin where they rep emerging artists, hold events and sell their goods. You can also peep them on their new Antiquinaires website, where soon you can participate in online auctions.
Oh, AND they loan and sell props to films and theaters, shop for estate sales to keep the business flowing, and strategically donate much of what they buy to local non-profits and shelters. I'm tired just reading this. Check the slide show and check Antiquinaires every Saturday at the Flea in W16.
June 17, 2009
June 13/14 Slideshow
If you didn't make it to the gorgeous double-dip in Fort Greene and under the Brooklyn Bridge, relive the memories through this virtual slideshow! Pics galore of setup, the view, and action under the Bridge, including our bullhorn-fueled press conference with Marty!
Time Out + Boys + Girls Club
So the Time Out Curated Corner was a massive success under the Bridge on Sunday.
Selling items donated by a dozen-plus designers and collectors, Erin (above) and crew raised $3000 for the Madison Square Boys + Girls Club's Navy Yard location's cultural programs. Holy cannoli!
Job well-done all-around, thanks to all for participating--and shopping!
June 16, 2009
Finders/Keepers June 13/14
The Hunt sprawled to both Fleas this weekend, but neither location took long to produce a winner. Scavenging knows no bounds!
Left to right:
Michaela is not only a Scavenger, she's also a vendor, having sold at the Flea a handful of times. As a Fleaster, she loves the tacos and Christina Stankard's delicate handmade jewelry. Here's Michaela (left), who calls the Chelsea Hotel home, with Christina and her new gorgeous freshwater pearl necklace. Christina's in E30 in Fort Greene every Saturday, and I39 under the Bridge on Sundays.
Lisa made her first trek to the Flea from Hoboken on Saturday, and around 1pm she discovered the polka-dot clutch in FunkyFanny's booth (where everything was $10 last week). Here's Lisa (left) with Funky Serci and Lisa's pal Brian from Jersey City. Lisa "likes winning." Simple. Serci Fanny moves around on Saturdays, but she's often near W5 or 6.
The inaugural Bridge Flea was a huge smash, and Maureen from Hopelawn, NJ, was feeling the vibe when she spotted the Ice-O-Mat hand crusher in Les and Loretta's Sarsaparilla booth. Here's Maureen with lovely Loretta. Maureen's daughter likes flea markets and found the Flea online. Les and Loretta will be back soon.
Check back Friday at noon for this week's items.
June 15, 2009
Metromix Slideshow on the Brooklyn Bridge Flea Launch
Metromix has posted a great slide show from the debut of The Flea under the Brooklyn Bridge yesterday. Check it out here. By the way, the comments should be working again so don't be a stranger.
June 12, 2009
Scavenger Hunt Items: June 13+14
The Hunt is back, long live the Hunt! Senor couldn't get his act together last week--something about a bambina delivered by the Flea stork?
We'll be doing the Hunt at both markets from now on: Fort Greene on Saturdays, Brooklyn Bridge on Sundays. Just one special item this Sunday to kick the Scavenging up a notch. Bam!
When you find one of the items above, which can be hidden in any vendor booth, it's yours, absolutely free! Then we post your photo with the generous vendor here on the blog on Monday. Only one winner per calendar month. Items posted every Friday around Noon.
Happy hunting!
Saturday/Fort Greene, top:
From left:
1. Genuine chrysophrase and white freshwater pearl necklace, hand-knotted. New/handmade
2. 1980s white + royal polka-dot clutch. Vintage
Sunday/Brooklyn Bridge, bottom:
1. 1950s Ice-O-Mat hand-crank ice-crusher. Vintage
Time Out in the "Curated Corner" @ the Bridge
This Sunday under the Bridge only, the Flea has partnered with Time Out NY for a Curated Corner with a twist--all the proceeds from sales at its booth of donated items will benefit the local Madison Square Boys + Girls Club's cultural programs. (The Club is located near the Brooklyn Navy Yard and is popular with kids from nearby public housing.)
Time Out's stylish editors have curated a plethora of new and vintage items from rad designers and cool collectors--with nothing over $100! Check out this list:
Twinkle by Wenlan; J.Crew; Cheap Monday; Clu; James Coviello; Tracy Reese; Pegleg; Matt Bernson; Jackson, Johnston & Roe; Ashley Watson; Cri de Coeur; Bahar Shahpar; Heather Huey; Madewell; By Robert James; vintage wares from Treasures and Pleasures; quirky housewares from Kiosk; gear and decor from Smith + Butler; surf-themed threads from Tauk; and much, much more.
You can check out a preview of items that will be sale here, with their deep-cut prices too.
Thanks a zillion to everyone who donated items. And thank you for Fleaing for a cause!
June 11, 2009
Brooklyn Bridge Flea is Finally Here!
The Flea in Fort Greene will always be our first love. But now she's got a Sunday sister, in a breathtaking location under the Brooklyn Bridge in DUMBO, right on the waterfront with spectacular skyline and waterfront views.
Here's the new Flea mantra:
Fort Greene, Saturdays (10am-5pm)
Brooklyn Bridge, Sundays (11am-6pm)
What can you expect under the Bridge? The same snazzy mix of vintage/antiques, a smattering of up-and-coming artists and artisans, and a little bit o' yummy for your tummy. You'll some familiar Fort Greene faces and some newcomers, and in general the stuff for sale will be a little nicer under the Bridge--a real collectors' market.
We got lobster rolls from the new Red Hook Lobster Pound (starting June 28), Stumptown Coffee (!), and Flea foodie faves like McClure's Pickles, Blue Marble Ice Cream, People's Pops, and more to come soon.
Map and directions here. The Bridge Flea is right next to River Cafe, and you can use 22 Water St. for GPS and online maps. Take the A/C to High St., 2/3 to Clark St., or F to York St.
June 9, 2009
BFF Of The Week: Gugulethu Zikalala
Look at this freaking firecracker! How could I not? I almost brought her home to meet ma! I saw her from across the yard, helping herself to a healthy dose of Jamie Xmas (W11) who's got you in vintage clothes and various oddball items. I recommend!
What's your day job?
Environmental engineer.
Good timing.
Where are you from?
South Africa.
Like, now?
Now, I'm in Clinton Hill, for the last 6, 7 years.
What are you doing after the Flea?
Go home, unload everything I bought and organize my house.
What are you going to do with the jacket and suit you just bought?
I'm sending gifts to my sister in South Africa! The suit's for me.
Do you have to dress for work?
No, I like to dress formal though.
Do you come to the Flea often?
Yes. I don't buy anything new anymore.
Complete this sentence: Brooklyn is...
Brooklyn is diversity, community, and fun without too many crowds.
Need I say more? Thanks Gugulethu!
GQ Gee Whiz!
The hits just keep coming!
Unbeknownst to the Flea, one of America's top food critics, Mr.
Alan Richman of GQ, made the rounds at the market recently--and he left satiated and, apparently, inspired. For longtime Flea foodies this is unsurprising of course, but if you see a new breed of Fleaster exploring the yard in the next few weeks, now you know why.
Here's his delish diatribe. Thanks Alan!
In case you're wondering, we'll also have tasty treats at the new Brooklyn Bridge Flea starting this Sunday (11a-6p)--come see what we have in store that's yummy for your tummy!
Lucky Us!
The new July issue of Lucky is out, and on p. 52 there's a cool feature on designer Rachel Comey's favorite vintage finds in Brooklyn, where she apparently resides. In addition to the Flea (duh), she taps Kill Devil Hill in Greenpoint (who we love), Luddite on Broadway in Williamsburg (who Senor has been courting), and Fluke on Wythe--girl's got serious taste, unsurprisingly.
We feel grateful to be included in such a snazzy list (thanks Heather)--and lucky!
June 6 Slideshow
Yet another primo day for a Flea on Saturday--the karma from last year is really kicking in for '09. And can the "stuff" get any better? So many amazing booths, displays, and things to gaze at...and buy.
And just think, starting this weekend you have TWO Fleas to enjoy! More news soon...
June 4, 2009
This Weekend and Next at the Flea
Just a quick note on our schedule for the rest of the season.
For this weekend only:
The Fort Greene Flea will be open, on Saturday as usual. The DUMBO indoor markets at 76 + 81 Front St. are closed for the year, so there will be no Flea this Sunday, June 7.
Starting next weekend, June 13/14, we will be operating two outdoor markets: Saturdays in Fort Greene (10am-5pm) and Sundays under the Brooklyn Bridge (11am-6pm). This will be our schedule until further notice.
More news on the Bridge Flea over the next few days--it's gonna be great!
See you at the Fleas.
June 3, 2009
Put a Little Birdhouse in Your Flea
If you have been to the Flea even once, you have probably seen Birdhouse because they are there every weekend. Amy Lapierre runs it with her husband Alen, sharing the design duties and the booth-manning responsibilities: it's a beauty of a partnership. Prior to running their own business, Amy and Alen both worked on 47th Street, the jeweler's mecca, doing sourcing, production and freelance. They travel from College Point every Saturday and Sunday where they also share a workshop out of their home on the water.
Amy loves the Flea mostly because she thinks of it as a partnership between the vendors and El Senor and his trusty team, both working towards providing "an awesome addition to the NYC public space slash retail experience."
Amy and Alen do custom jobs (as they did for fellow Flea vendor, Lotus Jayne) and also sell through their website. Take a tour of Birdhouse in this mini slide show and check them out this Saturday in Fort Greene.
June 2, 2009
BFF Of The Week: Stephanie Levin
What do you do? I teach legal studies at Hampshire College. I'm a lawyer.
Where are you from? North Hampton Massachusetts but I'm in Brooklyn this weekend visiting my daughter in Park Slope.
Why are you here? I'm in heaven. I thought it would be a perfect day for a walk.
If you were a vendor, what would you sell? Probably all the things I have bought from other flea markets.
Why'd you buy those? Because they were such a great deal!
Thanks Stephanie!
June 1, 2009
Finders/Keepers May 30
The vendors keep putting 'em out and the shoppers keep on getting 'em. Scavenger Hunt items that is! Check out these successful detectives!
Left to right:
Rob from Crown Heights visits this website religiously for Flea updates and for the newest Scavenger Hunt. Looks like the hard work paid off because Rob is now the proud owner of a Box of Venus watercolor pencils, made by the American Lead Pencil Co., compliments of Grace Napoleon. Thanks Grace!
Mikeala (right), also a Flea regular, says she likes Matta dresses the very best. Luckily for her, she knew where to find the goods. Now she can strut her stuff in her new cotton print dress from India next week. See you there, Mikeala!
Check back Friday at noon for this week's items.
May 30th Slideshow
Check out the gorgeousness and tell us what you think in the comments below.
LXTV Clip
Our little piece showed on LXTV's 1st Look on Channel 4 over the weekend. You can check it out here.
May 29, 2009
Scavenger Hunt Items: May 30
We continue with the vintage+new tandem for the Hunt, which has a distinctly utilitaarian and summery feel this week.
When you find one of the items above, which can be hidden in any vendor booth, it's yours, absolutely free! Then we post your photo with the generous vendor here on the blog on Monday. Only one winner per calendar month. Items posted every Friday around Noon.
Happy hunting!
From left:
1. Box of Venus watercolor pencils, made by the American Lead Pencil Co. in NYC. Vintage
2. Cotton print dress in matching bag. Handmade in India. New
What's New?
What's new mostly this year is the friggin' weather has been cooperating with ze Flea on a full-on weekly basis. Sacre bleu this weekend looks beeyooteefull!
Oh, we also got some killer new vendors.
Housing Works is back, Housing Works is back! Combining the prowess of the ambitious and excellent AIDS housing, health, and more organization's Gramercy and Brooklyn (Montague St.) thrift shops, the HW folks will have a sampling of vintage furniture, clothing, accessories, books, shoes, and more every Saturday in Fort Greene starting this week. Rejoice! B7/FG, Sat
Mary Ellen and Keith of Walker Antiques down in southeastern Pennsylvania are always a huge hit at the Flea, and though they're technically only new this year, we don't want you to miss out. They've got this country/industrial/salvage look (above) that makes some New Yorkers squeal with faux-pastoral glee--which we support. Old doors, dime-store signs, metal lamps, giant wooden workbenches, and the like. W1/FG, Sat
Stylish onetimer alert! Kit von Dalwig and her collective of Brooklyn designers and architects have an assortment of vintage collectibles, design items, and clothing to dispense with. We have a feeling a few folks will be willing to oblige. W6/FG, Sat
Speaking of industrial, City Owl Vintage is Ashley's upstart Brooklyn biz as a collector, and it's a doozy. Foundry molds, glass beakers, metal bins and lamps (right), all packed into an 8x8 booth. Scour and ye shall find. E37/FG, Sat
Fort Greener Amanda Carter has an awesome collection of vintage jewelry, specializing in Art Deco, Art Nouveau and Victorian pieces, with some newer pieces thrown in. E36/FG, Sat
The well-loved Red Hook soap and flowers shop Saipua (which is moving to Van Dyke St. this weekend) is setting up shop with their pals Box and Flea and Totally Bruce this Saturday. They have beautiful bandannas, totes, jewelry, and of course Saipua's trademark soaps. E24/FG, Sat
Chairloom was around a lot last season, but this is just their second appearance of '09. Upholstered classic chairs (right) and ottomans, no more no less. Expert to a T. V5/FG, Sat
In Dumbo for the last Sunday indoors, a couple of local folks will have tables worth seeking out.
Longtime film publicist Reid Rosefelt (Stranger than Paradise, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) and his wife Melissa will be unloading a career's worth of DVDs and CDs on Sunday. They have mostly foreign and independent titles as well as some rarities--plenty to dig through for the cinebuff. #41/81 Front, Sun
Estelle Swaray has tons of designer dresses and handbags she needs to dispense with--please help her out! #19/81 Front, Sun
May 28, 2009
Flea TV
This Saturday you can catch a segment featuring the Flea on LXTV's First Look, which airs on Channel 4 WNBC in NYC on Saturday nights at 7:30pm and 1:00 am (after SNL). It will also show on taxi TVs that feature NBC programming in the near future. Bigtime!
The segment includes the 3 favorite places that actress/model Alexis Bledel (Gilmore Girls, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, right) likes to go in NYC. Senor makes a brief appearance too.
Thank you Alexis--wherever you are--for being a fan of the Flea. We're humbled!
Anodyne Will Make You Feel Better
Peter, Jarka and Charlie. Sounds like the newest hipster band to come out of Williamsburg, doesn't it? You can actually catch them every Saturday at the Flea--although not in skinny jeans and Vans, but as the endlessly adorable and familial proprietors of a booth called Anodyne. Papa, mama, and super precocious 7-year-old Charlie.
Anodyne wheels and deals in vintage clothing that Jarka cleans, fixes up and details; objects carefully selected by Peter; and most recently, handpainted purses by lil' Charlie! Charlie also displays skills in the B2B industry, as she'll watch a vendor's booth if they gotta pee and even makes one-of-a-kind business cards, like the one in the slideshow. (Um, adorable!)
Peter, an accomplished Brooklyn-based sculptor by day, currently has a really cool show up at the Dumbo gallery/design shop Spring (right)--give it a gander after strolling the Dumbo Flea this weekend.
Anodyne is in W47 in Fort Greene every Saturday.
Feelgood Flea
We at the Flea are fans of fabric: the social variety in this case. You may have noticed a cavalcade of causes along the Lafayette Ave. fence of late--these are folks who we like who spread the word about their work to Fleasters from near and far. It's the old-fashioned town square thang, so give those peeps a peep before you pop in to shop.
Here's some of what's on tap this Saturday:
Heart of Brooklyn, the consortium of top Central Brooklyn cultural institutions, will be making the Flea a special onetime stop on its HOB Connection free shuttle service this Saturday. Hop on the shuttle outside the Lafayette Ave. gate and get a free ride to the Botanic Garden, Brooklyn Children's Museum, Prospect Park Zoo, or the Brooklyn Public Library. The shuttle will also make stops at Prospect Heights restaurants and shops. Four pickup times: 10am, 12:30pm, 2pm and 4pm. All aboard!
PS 261 in Boerum Hill (Baby Flea's potential school?) will be holding a fundraiser at the Flea this week, with a trove of baby and kids clothing and accessories (car seats, high chairs, etc.). You can always get useful stuff super-cheap at these rummage sales--and feel good about helping a local school. They'll be in S4, by the bleachers and backstop.
Clinton Hill's PS 11 PTA is holding a doozy of a fundraiser for its classroom libraries next Friday, June 5, in the gorgeous upstairs space at iCi Restaurant on Dekalb Ave., featuring authors Colson Whitehead, Jennifer Egan, Toure, and more. You can buy tix ($30) for the event at their Lafayette table this Saturday only.
The folks from the Prospect-Lefferts Gardens House + Garden Tour (the 39th Annual if counting at home) features 11 historic homes in this stunningly handsome Central Brooklyn neighborhood (aka "Lefferts Manor"). The tour takes place this Sunday, and you can get your tix ($20) out front this Saturday from Rob and Elaine, who are OG PLG.
Ever been to the insanely awesome "Halloween House" at 313 Clinton Ave. (Lafayette/Dekalb)? Totally amazing over-the-top displays and performances every year. Spooky Janna from the house is raising funds for their ever-expanding scarefest out front, and she'll be back next Saturday, June 6.
Watch Out!
Just a quickie newsflash that your favorite rapper/celeb Kanye West is a fan of our fab Dumbo watchmaker Matthew's Steel Cake Watch Co. "Ye" featured the snazzy Steel Cake Square Chrono (right) on his entertaining and informative UniverseCity blog recently, and basically we just thought that was cool.
Look for Matthew's watchworks on fashion biggie Stacy London's "What Not To Wear" TV show sometime in June.
This Sunday is the last for the indoor Dumbo markets at 76 + 81 Front--get it while ya can! (Not to worry though: Brooklyn Bridge Flea coming soon--starting Sunday, June 14.)
May 27, 2009
BFF of the Week: Joanna Spinks
So I'm chattin with Joan Van Hees at B13 asking her to hook a chick up with a BFF but she's way too busy handling the hungry vintage buyers. I mean, I get it, everybody wants some. But sometimes we all need a little help in meeting that next special someone.
But just as you think you're gonna be alone for the rest. of. your week., the stars align and the racks part and there they are. Meet Joanna Spinks.
Where are you from?
I'm from Boston but I live in Clinton Hill now.
If you were a vendor at the Flea, what would you sell?
Clothes. Definitely.
What are you doing later?
Going to the gym. I'm trying to look good in my new dress!
Where are you going to wear your new dress?
Everywhere. Everyday.
What did you do last night?
Hung out at Smooch in Fort Greene and then went to a rooftop party in Bushwick.
Finish this sentence. Brooklyn is...
Brooklyn is no longer my home. I'm moving to Boston to get my Masters in French.
Thanks Joanna!
We hope that when you wear your Joan Van Hees in Boston, speaking that sexay French, you'll think of us.
May 26, 2009
May 23 Slideshow
Memorial Day was full of memories at the Flea. Click for some photo mementos.
You can comment on the blog now, so feel free to share your thoughts.
Finders/Keepers May 23
Word is out on the Hunt: Fleasters are scavenging high and low every Saturday morning, you can see it in their eyes. Our vendors love playing too--who doesn't love a game of hide-and-seek?
Left to right:
Leonor (left) is a regular from Crown Heights who "came to win," a spirit we appreciate. Here she is with Mark, the creative culinary mind behind Whimsy & Spice (his wife Jenna brings the design and finesse braun). Inside the mystery box were cookies, biscotti, brownies, and some of their insane homemade marshmallows. Like many of our food vendors (Salvatore, Nunu, Fine+Raw, Kumquat, Pizza Moto, Crop to Cup), we love W+S because they emerged and are growing on the same timeline as the Flea. Some folks call that community--we call it yummy. They're in E10 most Saturdays.
Lovely Lois (left) was visiting her daughter in the BK from Wilmington, Delaware, and found that cute pixie pushing a cart in John (right) and Stephanie's vintagesteph booth--inside one of the cool cabinets that John makes himself (they're a huge hit this season). John and Steph come down for Fort Greene and Dumbo most weekends from the New Hampshire coast (they run their own flea on the Mass. North Shore), and are as nice as can be. W20 most Saturdays.
Check back Friday at noon for this week's items.
May 22, 2009
Scavenger Hunt Items: May 23
What better way to kick off summer than rummaging through a schoolyard searching for free stuff--so American!
When you find one of the items above, which can be hidden in any vendor booth, it's yours, absolutely free! Then we post your photo with the generous vendor here on the blog on Monday. Only one winner per calendar month. Items posted every Friday around Noon.
Happy hunting!
From left:
1. Ceramic cart-pushing pixie dish. Vintage
2. Mystery gift box full of goodies. (You won't be disappointed!) New
May 21, 2009
What's New?
Wondering what to do with the fam/out-of-town guests or your own staycation this holiday weekend? There are nearly a dozen new Flea vendors to ogle and admire this Saturday--and your guests don't need to know that this is actually true every weekend. It's a special event!
Our pals from Layla, the fab Indian textiles and jewelry shop in Boerum Hill, will be setting up in Fort Greene for the first time. They have great deals on their gorgeous colorful merch, all of which is summery with a cap "s." B8/FG, Sat
Hide (HEE-day) has been scoping the markets for months now, figuring out what to bring to blow Fleasters away. He's been in the styling biz for years, and specializes in vintage furniture, guys and gals clothes, and jewelry that he makes himself out of cool keepsakes like buffalo nickels and the like. He's talking up his suitcase collection too. High hopes for Hide! V8/FG, Sat
Judi is a dealer and designer operating as Studio 357 up in Cos Cob, CT, but her heart is still in her old stomping grounds in Brooklyn Heights. Her self-told synopsis: "With a suitcase and $50 after college in my home state of Minnesota, headed for NYC with a General Design degree and a thirst for the Big Apple. Designing spaces and shopping for clients for years, the collecting bug hit hard! Every item has a story line and a past. I try to have knowledge to share with my customers--when they look at the chair they bought they can pass on the story." 100% Flea Spirit. Among her stuff on Saturday will be four chairs from the Bozo the Clown estate (above right)! B23/FG, Sat
Brooklyn Aloha is a cool next-gen newbie booth. Cutie Michi (right) collects vintage Hawaiian dresses and accessories, and also sells awesome Lauhala-style straw hats that her Aunt makes back home on the island. Abby's handmade clothing, vintage clothing and jewelry is inspired by Hawaiian style. And up-and-coming shutterbug Maori sells her beautiful photos from Japan, Thailand, and NYC, great stuff. E20/FG, Sat
Arbor Arts is a cool Brooklyny photo project. Laura takes black-and-white shots of letters and symbols that naturally appear in tree limb and branch formations, often in Prospect Park. She does single images (hearts, etc.) and also words, especially names. Check out her booth--words don't do these images justice. E29/FG, Sat
Les and Loretta are scurrying up from Estrous, PA, and they've been in the game for a minute. They heard about the Flea selling at Brimfield last week, and this Sunday they'll be taking a turn in the 81 Front St. Dumbo market for the first time. Here's what Les tells us is his specialty: vintage Bakelite, coffee pots and percolators (above left), and firemen items. C'mon! 17+18/81 Front, Sun
Stylistic Alert! Ingrid is moving and has everything "from vintage folding bikes to clothing to paintings." She must get rid of these items--help her! V17/FG, Sat
Melinda is a shelter-mag writer from Cobble Hill who's also an eagle-eye collector. She Flea'd a couple times last year, and she's back this Saturday, in her market guise as The Larkin Idea, with pal Alexis. Vintage and antique china, housewares, jewelry, stamps, ephemera, all neatly displayed and ripe for consumption. L2+3/FG, Sat
Clifford and Alisha have been in what they call the "junk/collectibles business" for just a few months now, an offshoot of Cliff's father's Hawley, PA, biz. Here's a list of stuff they hunt for: "folk primitive kitchenware, old art and photography books, small flatfiles, lamps, handcrafted chairs, depression glass collections, antique folding tables, handpicked photographs, artworks, crafts and prints, wonder-objects, like antique viewfinders, stereoscopes." Wow! Their outfit is called Chicken Dolphin--no idea why. Ask 'em! E18/FG, Sat
Arthur Strelick has gorgeous jewels and jewelry, and also all these cool Civil War artifacts (right). His glass cases are meticulously organized and browseworthy to the max. (Buyworthy too of course.) V16/FG, Sat
Bee-In at the Flea
Buzz Alert: Old pal Melissa Lohman Wild will be showing (and selling) her new documentary about NYC's rooftop beekeeping community at the Flea on Saturday from noon to 3pm in the Groundworks booth (W30).
It'll be looping on a laptop, and you can check out the short film (logically titled "Rooftop Bees"), chat with Melissa about John Howe, the Fort Greene beekeeper in the film, and chat with Alice and Carmen from Groundworks about the bee-friendly plants and flowers they'll have for sale this week (lavender, bee balm, tomatoes).
Urban beekeeping is all the rage these days, so come see what all the buzz is about.
May 19, 2009
BFF of the Week: Heather Illick
Heather was trying on dresses at Cherry Vintage and checking out her steez at Kimono Lily's mirror. The dress was so great I almost wanted to tear it right out of her hands. But then I thought about what Michael Corleone always taught us: keep your friends close but your enemies closer. What up new BFF!
Where are you from?
Omaha, but now I'm in Prospect Heights.
If you were going to sell at the Flea, what would it be?
Vintage dresses. Or ice cream. Or macarons--those French-style ones.
What are you doing after this?
Going to band practice. We have a gig tonight at the Bell House for popfest.
What's your band called?
Eux autres.
What did you do last night?
Went to bed early so we wouldn't be hungover for our show.
Finish this sentence. Brooklyn Is...
Always surprising.
Thanks Heather!
Gosh, I never knew the Flea would be so cool as to be best friends forever for a week with a real live rocker. Just goes to show: you never know who you are going to meet at the Flea. Until next Wednesday, y'all.
Who is Long Island Eddie?
We'll be profiling our regular vendors every week from now on. They're all characters, trust us.
Have you met Long Island Eddie? He's the sweet dude in the sweat pants and beard with the old-school accent selling second-hand furniture and custom-made farm tables in a triple booth on the Clermont fence every Saturday.
For the last 20 years, Long Island Eddie has been traveling the country buying from estate sales and markets, selling at antique expos--doing the traditional vendor thing. He speaks in terms of truckloads, warehousefuls, containers, and the like. Eddie's precisely honed skill makes what would/could be a 500 dollar bench cost 175 clams for you at the Flea. Repeat customers abound, naturally.
But Eddie also does the unconventional thing. Custom-made farm tables and benches are his specialty, and he takes orders at the market--check out the samples in his booth, and in the Long Island Eddie slideshow below. By the next day, dedicated Amish folks will be working hard on getting your table delivered to the Flea within the next three weeks.
Since there is no longislandeddie.com, .net, or even .biz, check this slideshow for a snapshot of Eddie's stuff. And while your checking him at the Flea, also take the time to peruse the jewels of his pal Susan, who displays with him every week in his booth.
May 18, 2009
May 16+17 Slideshow
Kids, kitsch, kitchenware, camaraderie, kimchee--connected by ze Flea. Enjoy.
Finders/Keepers May 16
The Hunt was all up in your (tabletop) grill on Saturday, which dodged another weather bullet at the Flea. It must be spring somewhere!
Left to right:
Sara (right) is a journalist who just moved to Fort Greene and made her first Flea visit this week. Logical progression: move, unpack, buy more stuff at the Flea--or just Scavenge for a vintage electric grill. Phyllis is an OG Flea vendor whose blog Reclaimed Home about renovating her Bed-Stuy brownstone has morphed into her offline booth of eccentricities, rejuvenated household items, and bizarro trinkets. Phyl=serious hoot. She's around C6 every Saturday.
Kristin (second from left) comes on the regular from Red Hook, because she enjoys the "unusualness" of the market. Alice and Carmen (right) of Groundworks, a southern Brooklyn nursery, sweetly donated the potted succulents, which were discovered right quick. Groundworks is right up front in W30 every Saturday--for all your horticultural needs.
Check back Friday at noon for this week's items.
May 15, 2009
Scavenger Hunt Items: May 16
Hunt and peck for this week's items, which are a pretty nice cross-section of the Flea overall.
When you find one of the items above, which can be hidden in any vendor booth, it's yours, absolutely free! Then we post your photo with the generous vendor here on the blog on Monday. Only one winner per calendar month. Items posted every Friday around Noon.
Happy hunting!
From left:
1. Stainless steel tabletop electric grill. Vintage
2. Readymade succulent garden (takes hot sun and very little water). Natural/earthmade
May 14, 2009
What's New?
Phyliss Asher is a Brooklyn-based prop stylist who's whittling down her collection of vases, lamps, collectibles (above)--and vintage Playboys. She does the Flea when it strikes her fancy--she killed in Dumbo in February--and her stuff is picture-perfect. B20/FG, Sat
Flea Snack Alert! Melanie and Steve, the pop-up pup purveyors beyond Asia Dog, will debut tomorrow in Fort Greene with their kimchi, banh mi-style, bbq pork belly, and more styles of tasty weiners. They got your old-school, chicken, organic, and veggie varieties of dog, which have made them a big hit at Trophy Bar in Williamsburg on Tuesdays. Grub Street likes 'em, so will you. F4/FG, Sat
Jennifer and Andrew live around the corner from the Flea, are avid Fleasters, are now ready to share their collecting acumen with you. Their booth, Gentleman's Outfitters, will feature men's vintage clothes and shoes--Burberry, Barneys, Paul Stuart, etc.--and a nice little collection of records and accessories. These local but sophisticated booths are pure, unadulterated, distilled Flea--sip them like a fine aged Rye. E17/FG, Sat
Cherry Boutique is a swanky vintage shop on 8th Ave. in the West Village, and now Randy and friends are busting their Flea cherry with top-notch mens and ladies 20th C. garb. They're bigtime, and also move a ton of Joseph LaRose shoes. B1/FG, Sat
Asya comes to the Flea from Pawtucket, RI (go PawSox!), via St. Petersburg, Russia (and the Slope), and her delicate porcelain tableware is almost painfully pretty. Butterflies, mustard-seed pods, cherry blossoms decorate her Gleena bowls, cups, and vases (right), without being saccharine and annoying. A keeper. E18/FG, Sat
Jen's totes and T's as Black Sheep Heap say things like "Beet the System" and "Avant Gardener," and although we generally eschew the pun slogan, her aesthetic and process remind of Bread + Puppet and '70s country fairs, so we "dig" it. E25/FG, Sat
In addition to releasing a Bill Laswell-produced electro-funk album as Vodu 155 in 1995, Lionel and Constant are old-school Fort Greeners who now hang at the Flea on Saturdays. They have affordable vintage lamps, housewares, and some records, and Lionel also makes these awesome painted and sequined wine bottles that are the right decoration for an artsy pad. E23/FG, Sat
David's Artisan Emporia is a cool new fair-trade online shop for stuff like colorful telephone-wire baskets, totes made from recycled feed bags, lavender soaps from Zambia, silk scarves from Laos. Proceeds go to local artisans all over the world--you know the deal--and we like Dave and his outfit and his positive outlook. E16/FG, Sat
May 13, 2009
BFF Of The Week: Homa Dashtaki
This weekend there was some serious hotness chillin' at the Flea. It was super-hard determining who was going to be our best friend for the next seven days. But after being hypnotized by the the prosciuttorized pig thigh at Salvatore Bklyn Ricotta, I came face to face with ma girl. Meet Homa.
Where are you from?
Boerum Hill, originally from California, and before that, Iran.
If you were a vendor at the flea, what would you sell?
Dresses.
Do you make dresses?
No.
Awesome.
Finish this sentence: Brooklyn is...
Schizophrenic.
What are you eating?
One of Betsy and Rachel's cannolis.
What are you doing later?
I'm going to DC to help my sister move.
And what did you do last night?
I watched Ernest Goes To Jail.
Hot.
Thanks Homa!
See y'all next Wednesday!
Flea Press
Quickie update on some Fleasters in the news this week.
Justine's Nunu Chocolates (above) got some well-deserved NY Times Flo Fabricant Dining section coverage today, focusing on her snazzy new Atlantic Ave. shop (between Nevins + 3rd Ave.). She's at the Flea every Saturday in E2, without fail.
And the Flea was on the cover of the Metro free paper on Monday, with big pics of Papushka Vintage and Treasures + Pleasures adorning it. Brooklyn is now a "haven for the anti-mall experience"--but you knew that already.
May 12, 2009
This Sunday: Dumbo Flea-->Manhattan Bridge Arch
This Sunday only, May 17, the Dumbo Flea is making like a hobo and setting up camp under the Manhattan Bridge. Actually, "The Arch" is a glorious new public space that we're hoping to help activate via the presence of thousands of Fleasters. A 65-foot-high tunnel through the Manhattan Bridge from Adams to Pearl Street, The Arch will feature about 35 of our finest vendors: vintage/antiques, jewelry, clothes, Halcyon DJs, a few nibbles (that raw-chocolate ice cream is back), and ole Flea magic.
Here's a link to the spot: MAP.
Big shoutout to Jane, Kate and the Dumbo Improvement District for making this fabulous venue happen.
The NY Photo Festival is also going on this week May 13-17 (that's actually why we're not at Front St.), so check out some snazzy snapshots at the locations all over DUMBO before or after you Flea.
May 24 and 31 we're back at 76 and 81 Front St. Then no Flea June 7--and Brooklyn Bridge Flea coming June 14!
May 11, 2009
Pail in Comparison
This weekend at the Flea was just damn glorious. There might have been something in the weather that made people snatch up the goods like nobody's business. You usually see purses and man-bags getting bigger as the day continues, or the occasional plastic bag (which we all know was recycled from last night's grocery shop, so chill) but we rarely see someone using a bucket. Enter Max Wastler.
Max copped this bucket from Smith Vintage Modern--aka Kevin and Al from Hudson, NY (C2/3 every Saturday)--'cause he just loves anything galvanized steel (who knew). But guess what y'all, Max is a tastemaker, outfitting the blog scene with his own Do's and Don'ts at all plaidout. So that means he knows what he is talking about.
Max is going to use his bucket as an umbrella holder, planter, garbage can, who knows? Not he. But he had to have it. Until then, it's just a bucket for his goods. Pretty sure I saw a chunk of green glass from Kings County Salvage (W1) in there....
Finders/Keepers May 9
What a gorgeous Flea! A nice cross-section of Fleasters comprised this week's Hunt winners, both of whom scavenged before noon--which is fast becoming the Hunt norm. The early bird catches the Flea!
Left to right:
Casey lives down the block on Vanderbilt Ave., and claims to have only missed 4 or 5 Fleas since Day One. (For proof, note his Flux Productions T.) Casey says he always know where the Hunt item is but lets other people win--only this time he couldn't resist the cowhide satchel, which Hope (right) and Sophia donated as part of their fab Go Bang! booth. They're in E12 most Saturdays.
Note: Casey runs a cute blog called Out About Brooklyn.
Dan (right) was visiting from Beantown (go Celts+Bruins+Sox!), and found the tiedyed scarf for his sister Anna (center), who lives in Brooklyn. Lovely Debbie (left) had it hidden in her gorgeous Martine's Dream booth, which features brightly colored clothes and accessories, often from India, every week in V11. (She also does Dumbo on Sundays now too.) Doesn't the Hunt bring people together so nicely? This photo says yes.
Check back Friday at noon for this week's items.
May 9 Slideshow
Check out the lady who fell asleep for an hour in a chair for sale in Kevin from Hudson's booth. (She's the last pic.) That's Travis Sylvester with the preppy green pants above. He sells all those ties every Saturday.
May 8, 2009
Scavenger Hunt Items: May 9
Hunting season is in full swing this spring at the Flea--scavenger goggles out! Enjoy.
When you find one of the items above, which can be hidden in any vendor booth, it's yours, absolutely free! Then we post your photo with the generous vendor here on the blog on Monday. Only one winner per calendar month. Items posted every Friday around Noon.
Happy hunting!
From left:
1. Three-panel cowhide and leather satchel with two buckles and a shoulder strap. Vintage
2. Tie-dyed red and white scarf of Indian cotton. New/handmade
What's New? Part 2 (Vintage/Antiques)
You can get a glimpse at a city's soul by scouring its flea markets, and in Year Two of ze Flea our exemplary vintage/antiques vendors are starting to attain that level of seriousness and solidity. From clothes to furniture, jewelry to salvage, they're so in tune with what Fleasters crave that being there feels like equal parts timeless bazaar, nostalgia stroll, and history lesson. And can we just say: Aren't Flea vendors the nicest you've ever encountered?
Kelsi is a stylish stylist by week, new Fleaster by weekend. Her killer stuff last week included a set of stackable stools (above left)--from The Mary Tyler Moore Show. She's got the real midcentury big pieces you drool over, plus groovy knick-knacks up the wazoo. Even if she's hiding under a giant hat like last week, say hi. V13/FG, Sat
The next generation of dealers is the Flea's heart and soul. Take Sophia and Hope, whose Go Bang! booth is inspired by none other than the great Arthur Russell. (Treehouse, Senor's monthly DJ party at Frank's Lounge, is also named for one of his tracks. Wed. May 13 is the next Treehouse btw.) Anyway, these snazzy gals can't be a day over 25, yet their picks of accessories, glasses (right), and jewelry are refined, sophisticated, and customer-friendly. They doin' it for the luv yo. E12/FG, Sat
Another next-gen duo is Darlene and Sara, whose freshly launched Fringe + Feather focuses on belts, clutches, scarves, shoes--and felt monsters. They're new to the game, but that don't mean they ain't playas. Check 'em. E25/FG, Sat
On the flipside, Ron Serin has been collecting old-school for a decade-plus, focusing on antique jewelry, American pottery and dinnerware, vintage prints, records, hammered aluminum, and stained glass. We'll let his goods speak for themselves. V15/FG, Sat
Fran + Mike's outfit is Romantic Treasures, for which they display whatever they're collecting that week, which generally includes vintage prints/ephemera/photos, and Fran's cute magnets, pendants, and notecards made from pretty vintage buttons. Plus, they're sweet as honey. L12/FG, Sat
JAHK at the Flea! is a newly minted name for a former Chelsea vendor who prefers anonymity. She does the vintage-clothing thang. V16/FG, Sat
Little ditty 'bout Bob and Diane Pannullo, two American kids slingin' best that they can. They've always got a rack of militarywear, as well as men's coats, vintage eyeglasses, and men's hats (fedoras, straw hats). Nice folks, also former Chelsea. B5/FG, Sat
Jill Fenichell makes melamine kitchenware for a living as Bongenre, but at the Flea she transports like Star Trek to VintageDealerLand, unloading her trove of art and prints, as well as well-kept "wood/glass/pottery/books/lamps/small furniture/maybe some prints" from her mom's old house. Great stuff! W11/FG, Sat
We mentioned last week that Diana would be bringing several crates of records from her beau's Tropicalia in Furs East Village shop to her Revival Vintage Boutique booth. The "rain" stopped her last week, but weather gods willing tomorrow will mark the debut. B20/FG, Sat
When Judi told us that under her vendor name The Good, The Bad + The Ugly that she'd be selling "midcentury furniture, weird dolls 20's -40's, and 70's clothing and accessories," it was hard to say no. We're curious too! W45/FG, Sat
Rachel of Hollywood Fourth does loads of high-end bags (above right)--Fendi, Kooba, Chanel--and jeans too (Seven, J Brands, etc.). She conveniently lives upstairs from the Dumbo Fleas, and her booth is soooo fashionable. #14/81 Front, Sun
What's New? Part 1 (Food + New Stuff)
This week's What's New? is special. Here's why: Even if a vendor started on opening day or the 2 Saturdays after that--we're still calling them new. Plus, there are so many newbies we've split 'em up into 2 posts: one for food and new stuff, the other for vintage and antiques.
Forthwith, some of the fabulousness that's fresh to the Flea family. That's f'd up!
Tasty Treats
Saxelby Cheesemongers is an extraordinary little cheese stand at the Essex St. Market on the Lower East Side, and among eponymous Anne's local/special cheese purveyors is Consider Bardwell, a 140 y.o. Vermont farm whose raw-milk cow and goat cheeses regularly garner awards. Lo, Saxelby and CB have joined forces in Fort Greene, with Chris hawking divine fresh fromage and Anne slinging artisanal grilled CB cheeses--in the same booth. Are there McClure's Pickles on there too? You know the answer. E9/FG, Sat
Bad news first: no Fine + Raw Chocolate in Fort Greene on Saturday. Good news: that's because Daniel is launching his insane raw-chocolate ice cream on Sunday in Dumbo! Taste it, give him feedback (he loves that stuff), and run through 76 and 81 Front St. on your agave-nectar high. #35/81 Front, Sun
This a Senor fave. Skiz runs an underground hip-hop label called Wordsound, which was Brooklyn-based and is now in Baltimore. Back in the day, Senor interviewed Skiz a few times, reviewed his records, etc. Now Skiz is making his own Sri Lankan Roasted Curry Powder (above left), representing for his homeland, where he recently traveled with Anthony Bourdain for "No Reservations. The curry powder is a little smoky, warm and sweet, and loaded with personal history--which you can read all about on Skiz's fun Rice + Curry blog. He'll have a nice chicken dish so you can sample. E24/FG, Sat (right across from the other foodies)
New Stuff
Sarah makes beautiful lamps using ash-veneer in various designs, from ribbons to leaves (above right). We think they're pretty. Her biz has the jolie nom Bonne Nuit. E13/FG, Sat
Josh, Mary, Fay, and Vanessa are just some of the folks who comprise Gypsies, Tramps + Thieves, a Clinton Hill-based but geographically diffuse collective of makers: pottery (right), jewelry, clothing, art objects, all with a slightly goth, bohemian edge. We love their communal attitude, and their personal style. B10/FG, Sat
Greenpointers Jason and Katherine do the salvaged-wood/materials thing in their furniture and functional objects, from wood desks and wall shelves to ceramic pedestals and vases. Their work ranges from industrial and rough to delicate and warm. W14/FG, Sat
Habib has been hawking beautiful handmade rugs from Kashmir, India, the last few weeks, to much Fleaster acclaim. He's got colorful, fun designs--less traditional, more modern, affordable too. C6/FG, Sat
Ezra's Gnome NYC T-shirt outfit is our fave of the whole video-game/'80s retro tidal wave of T madness.
Pratt grad and Fort Greener Matthew designs chunky-cool watches (below) under the guise Steel Cake. Produced from stainless steel in limited editions, Matthew's timepieces are worth a gander, especially after your trip to BKLYN Designs on Sunday. #29/81 Front, Sun
May 7, 2009
BKLYN Designs + Flea = Dumbo Double Delight!
Perhaps as karma for the destruction wrought on the Dumbo Flea by the 5 Boro Bike Tour last Sunday, this weekend you can double down in Dumbo by taking in BKLYN Designs, the annual curated showcase of our fine borough's best product/industrial designers, furniture-makers, wallpaper-conceivers, and all things visually enticing.
Post-expo, drop by the Front St. markets, which are in full swing for spring with furniture, antiques, jewelry, clothing, design objects--you know the deal. Is your mom cutting-edge? Throw in a snack in Brooklyn Bridge Park (future home of the Sunday Flea), and you've hit the Mothers Day trifecta you didn't win at the Derby.
BKLYN Designs is conveniently located around the corner from the Dumbo Flea at St. Ann's Warehouse on Water St. Check their website for exhibitors and directions.
May 6, 2009
BFF of the Week: Mike Repaci
BFF means Brooklyn Flea/Best Friend Foreva. It's Jess' new snapshot of a Fleaster and the story behind their find.
One of the best parts of the Flea is you hot freaks walking around in the sunshine, buying your stuff and eating your tacos. It only makes sense that we want to engage, right? Right. Meet Mike.
Why are you here?
To see what the big deal is.
Why are you holding that?
To put the finishing touches on my Lady Birley Halloween costume.
What is your secret haggling weapon?
Intimidation.
Finish this sentence: Brooklyn is...
My home...BY CHOICE.
What are you trying to eat while you're here?
Had my heart set on some food from Central America, but the line was too long. Settled on a white pizza, cooked in a portable oven made to resemble a brick oven. In the end, the long line was a blessing...the pizza was excellent.
Thanks Mike!
Check back every Wednesday to meet the next accosted amigo. Maybe it will be you. Muahhhahhah.
May 4, 2009
Flea Fan #1
Meet Wendy, Cobble Hiller and the self-proclaimed #1 Flea Fan--beat that! (Thanks to Neala of Farfalla for introducing us to Miss Wendy.)
Wendy wanders the Flea every week, and lucky for her she's actually working as she peruses. Wendy has the job every Fleaster covets: as Design Director for the Food Network, she buys, organizes, and places props in all the shows. And guess where she's buying tons of that stuff? That's right, ze Flea.
Jess got the chance to chill with her new pal Wendy this past Saturday as she revealed her fave picks for the day--check 'em out in the slideshow. Wendy's eye is finely honed, like a diamond basically, and she tracked stuff down in booths in every corner of the yard. She's also keen enough to know that every Saturday is a new beginning, and that even regulars can re-stock totally different items from week to week. (Yes, we're asking you to be a repeat Fleaster too.)
And for a behind-the-scenes look at Wendy's digs at the Food Network and how she makes her design choices, peep the hilarious video below.
So next time Emeril goes bam!, he just might be gesticulating wildly with a wooden spoon from the Flea.
May 2 Slideshow
First slide finds Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth perusing records in Phil's Addicted to Vintage booth (L5), with--fittingly--a sitar for sale in the foreground. Kool things at the Flea!
Random Flea Bonus: Check out this interview Senor did for Ray Gun magazine with Thurston, Ron Asheton of the Stooges (RIP), Mike Watt, and director Todd Haynes, back in 1998 when those guys played together as the Wylde Rattz for Haynes' Velvet Goldmine flick. Here's the link.
Finders/Keepers May 2
An early-morning sky spray couldn't slow down the Hunt, which had a decidedly cross-continental flavor this weekend.
Left to right:
Allegra (left) from Tucson, Arizona, checked the blog before leaving home, discovered the Hunt, and by 11am she was a winner! She found the cool vintage photograph in Peter and Jarka's Anodyne booth, which is filled with antique Americana, artistic oddities, and more every week in W47.
Erin (right) proudly represents with the WrecordsByMonkey bracelet she Scavenged--with Monkey himself happy to oblige at left. Erin was in town from Lebanon, Ohio, and the Flea was happy to welcome and reward her for trekking to the BK. WrecordsByMonkey are a Flea staple in W28, hawking their bracelets and other accessories made from recycled record-vinyl, and other cool kerchiefs, clocks, and more. (Forgive the BlackBerry pic!)
Check back Friday at noon for this week's items.
May 1, 2009
Scavenger Hunt Items: May 2
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The Hunt rolls on, rain or shine--just like ze Flea. Don't let a little drizzle put a fizzle in your Flizzle. Fashizzle!
When you find one of the items above, which can be hidden in any vendor booth, it's yours, absolutely free! Then we post your photo with the generous vendor here on the blog on Monday. Only one winner per calendar month. Items posted every Friday around Noon.
Happy hunting!
From left:
1. Photograph of American family, date unknown, mounted on a 5x7 card. Vintage
2. Stylish bracelet made from recycled record-vinyl. New/handmade
What's New?
The Fort Greene Flea itself feels all-new this season, but there are in fact some actually new vendors every Saturday. And with FG's relaunch has come a corresponding rejuvenation in Dumbo, where many new faces hawk their wares each Sunday as well.
For example, did you know that the hyper-stylish textile and jewelry Boerum Hill shop Layla is setting up in Dumbo every Sunday these days with their Indian-style dresses and luxe pillows--at deep discounts? As Kenneth from 30 Rock would say, It's true! (#9, 81 Front)
We're doing a condensed What's New? this week because of the volume of newbies. (Pics coming soon.)
Vintage/Antiques
Rock it Retro is Alice's fab vintage-clothing biz--she does lots of wholesale biz and is a serious dealer. #15, 76 Front/Sun
Rough + Tumble is Wendy's clothing, furniture and more Pennsylvania shop, and this weekend she makes her Brooklyn debut! W22 FG/Sat; #9, 76 Front/Sun
Tammy and Renee run The New World Order, a far-out/funky vintage shop at 2nd + B in the East Village, and they'll be transporting their Mugler to Margiela collezione to the Flea on Saturday. Darlings, do come! E13, FG/Sat
Brooklyn Vintage is young carpenter Paul's online biz gone offline at the Flea. He fixes up more classical walnut, cedar, and maple desks, dressers, and chests with expert detail, and he's super-knowledgeable about his pieces' history and materials. #23, 76 Front/Sun
Food
Liz and Jen met at the French Culinary Institute, Jen did an externship with the pastry chef at Per Se while Liz makes bonbons at Roni-Sue's Chocolates in the Essex St. Market, and now they're striking out on their own with Liddabit, a cute but sophisticated candy company. Their take on classic candy bars are kind of insane: an artisanal Snickers? C'mon! And the honeycomb quasi-Crunchie? Seriously sublime. The PBJ truffle is Wonkaesque, and whatever else they've invented since we met them is probably awesome too. Worth an umbrella trek, for real. E8, FG/Sat
All in the Pudding is blonde cutie Elyse's new biz for both sweet and savory bread puddings. A novel idea, it's true, but check out a couple flavors: Kobe Burger (Kobe beef, sharp cheddar, sautéed onions, cherry tomatoes), Soul Food (biscuits, yams, sausage, frosted with cheddar & brie grits), and Chocolate Peanut Butter (chocolat en poudre, rose water, peanut butter chips). Try 'em, let us know what you think. #29, 81 Front/Sun
Art/Handmade
Alive Structures are a newish, lady-owned green roof design firm, but they also fabricate these sustainable "Alive Planters" using recycled shredded paper and cement ("Papercrete") and also reclaimed-wood window boxes and container gardens. Also, they seem nice. E32, FG/Sat
Amble Through Bramble is Morgan's crepe-paper rose and flower business, which is, unsurprisingly, booming and blooming right now. She did a how-to on Martha Stewart's TV show this winter (a Flea trend of sorts it seems), and we hope her petals can stand a little drizzle for her Flea debut. E17, FG/Sat
Sheepshead Design is friendly Philip, whose botanical prints on linen frames are unique and stunning. W19, FG/Sat
The Smith St. skate shop/cafe Homage Brooklyn makes its '09 Flea debut Saturday, and we're not sure what they'll be bringing, except a bit of the ruckus hopefully! C5, FG/Sat
April 28, 2009
Brooklyn Bridge + Flea = Wow!
The Flea. You nurtured her as a babe in Fort Greene in '08, tutored her as a teen at Gifted for the holidays, encouraged her as a young adult in Dumbo, watched her blossom into beauty this spring in Fort Greene again. Now, she's about to achieve maturity.
Starting Sunday, June 14, the Flea will launch a long-awaited second weekend location, at a truly magnificent site under the Brooklyn Bridge on our gorgeous waterfront. Tucked between River Cafe and the Tobacco Warehouse at Water and New Dock Street, the Brooklyn Bridge Flea has stunning views of the NYC skyline, graced by cool river breezes and the mighty Bridge's dramatic arc. It's, like, totally world-class.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of the folks at the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation and a handful of City agencies, let's just say the Flea has hit the bigtime! Stay tuned for updates on exciting new vendors, tasty treats, and more. And of course keep visiting the indoor Dumbo markets on Sundays through the end of May.
Thanks to all vendors and Fleasters for giving us the confidence to make this bold leap.
Darling Neki
Lovely lass Neki essentially debuted her delish Early Bird granola at the Flea this year, but it was already a surefire hit. Gracing the opening page of the New York Strategist feature on the Flea earlier this month was a coup, but then last week we got word that she was appearing on none other than Martha Stewart's TV show, walking Miss M. through the making of her granola. (Here's the clip.) Not a bad start for a small biz.
Neki works by day as the general manager of the divine Franny's on Flatbush Ave., but of more importance to Fleasters, you can find her on Saturdays in E6 in Fort Greene. Early Bird: good luck leaving the nest!
Locavores
Every Fleaster has his/her own reason for coming to the market. Be it cupcakes, deals on vintage furniture or clothes, plants, or fab jewelry, one thing is certain: this ain't no stinkin' Walmart. Which is how we met Marilyn and Lalta.
A couple weeks ago in Dumbo these classy ladies were generous enough to let us know--in between bites of pupusa--that they come to the Flea religiously in order to support the artisanal community. Times is tough for businesses big and little, but when you Flea you're supporting hundreds of entrepreneurs. That feels warm, fuzzy too. Plus, Marilyn and Lalta say, "It's tastier!"
April 27, 2009
April 25 Slideshow
Here are a bunch of Senor's pics from set-up time last Saturday and opening day too. We're trying to provide a glimpse behind the scenes these days--enjoy the view.
Finders/Keepers April 25
One of the most competitive and quality Hunts in Flea history ended quickly, as predicted. Not sure we've ever seen Fleasters so pleased to Scavenge as witnessed this weekend. Excellent sleuthing!
Left to right:
The kids plaid suitcase was found by Virginia Braun of Park Slope (via New Zealand) (right) at 10:52am. She snagged it in Val's Kings County Salvage booth, her newly launched indie biz for all things Americana that also make sense in your urban pad. Such good pickins in her booth--W1 in Fort Greene, 7/8/9 in Dumbo, every week. Yes, Virginia, there is a Flea Claus.
Afton Cissell was so psyched when she unearthed the 1926 atlas in Lon Black's booth at 12:25pm. Lon had hid it well, knowing it was coveted by blogreaders, smart move. Afton lives in an NYU dorm near Union Square, and this was her first Flea excursion, which made us a little misty-eyed frankly. The squeals of joy from Afton and pals were audible and downright joyous. Lon slings his amazing vintage postcards and printed ephemera in L9 in Fort Greene and #2 in Dumbo, every darn weekend. (He's also a professional cat massager at Hope Veterinary Clinic...seriously. See below.)
Check back Friday at noon for this week's items.
April 25, 2009
Preppin' for Dumbo
Believe it or not, after the long haul at Fort Greene our fearless vendors go load in at Dumbo on Saturday night for the Sunday market. The best way to show them your respect? Check out the indoor Sunday markets, which have different stuff, Halcyon DJs, and a great vibe.
April 24, 2009
Scavenger Hunt Items: April 25
The Hunt will again only be in Fort Greene this week. FleaLand is a circus right now, we'll be back on track soon. We promise.
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.
We think the antiques sector of the Flea has reached its apex of quality--at long last--so both items are of fine vintage this week.
Happy hunting!
From left:
1. Rand McNally International Atlas, 1926. 393 pages. Loaded with U.S. & World maps. MYSTERY BONUS: what was found inside the atlas. Vintage
2. Small plaid childrens suitcase, c. 1960s. Vintage
April 23, 2009
Nice Set of Pipes
Last week Jen of Spotted brought all this amazing audio equipment including spastic vintage speakers and incredible old Chicago Blues records (Sonny Boy Williamson, etc.). It's no wonder Flea regular Jeffrey Wright was tooling around in her booth all afternoon with his kids and their balloons.
This week Jen is bringing these insane giant molds (above) used to make pipes and other equipment for cable systems here in Brooklyn. They're made of mahogany by a company called Dossert, and are the kind of serious salvage items you can find at the Flea every weekend.
Scour and ye shall find!
W5, Fort Greene, Sat.
Nice Jug
Check out the jug. Alison (right) just bought it, with help from her friend Megha, for her boyfriend who's a sculptor--he uses stuff like this in his work. Who knew you didn't have to go to Pearl Paint to get what you need to make your art. PS. I saw Madalin Antiques has a great old-timey paint set, too. Get your art on.
April 22, 2009
Whoot Hoot!
Roosevelt Dime will be gracing the entrance to the Flea every Saturday with their homestyle homegrown Americana, straight up with a bucket and a banjo. Big band Brooklyn bluegrass? Something like that. They looked coolest in a black-and-white pic someone used in a blog post on last week's Flea, makes sense. They're all local, they have a new album out you can buy at the Flea, and dang if they don't make it feel like an olde tyme town square.
Yelp!
The Review of the Day on Yelp is the Flea today. Feel free to submit brutally honest positive comments!
April 20, 2009
Finders/Keepers April 18
The Hunt was over quick, as expected--what with 9000+ folks coming through Saturday. What a beeyooteefull day.
In addition to the fine folks above, a nice lady found the wave-design T-shirt at Flux Productions, who everyone always loves.
Left to right:
The Greenland Whale engraving was found by Jason Factor of Fort Greene (right) at 10:49am. He was clearly pleased about it, as was Ralph from the Intaglio Antique Prints + Maps booth. Intaglio comes down from Western Mass. to do Fort Greene and Dumbo, but this weekend is their last for a bit.
This lovely lass at right found the Trifari beaded bracelet at the Found by Susan Walker booth, but Susan's not in the pic because she took it. Oh well. Susan's a cool lady from Providence with great vintage jewelry and other trinkets, and she's also an awesome rollerderby gal.
Check back Friday at noon for this week's items.
April 18 Slideshow
Check out this week's slideshow by Jess. You can also view our Flickr page (ID: bklynflea) to see past snapshots. (Our pal Katie, a pro photog, also took some great shots Saturday that we'll be posting soon, including a nice series from the school roof.)
There were like a zillion Flea-related blog posts this weekend, so we rounded up some of the best, many of which feature their own slideshows. Twitter was aflutter with hundreds of Flea tweets too. Spring done sprung!
Brownstoner (includes sample Tweets)
April 19, 2009
DUMBO Rocks On
Just a quickie reminder that both Dumbo indoor markets are in full effect today at 76 + 81 Front St. Check the info box for a map and directions--another beautiful day to Flea!
April 17, 2009
Scavenger Hunt Items: April 18
The Hunt is back! We're just holding it in Fort Greene on Saturday this week, but it'll be in Dumbo too starting next Sunday.
For newcomers, 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.
Three snazzy items for ya.
Happy hunting!
From left:
1. Engraving of a "Greenland Whale," from a bookplate dating from 1872. Vintage
2. Silkscreened T-shirt with wave pattern. New/Handmade
3. Vintage Trifari plastic beaded bracelet. Vintage
April 15, 2009
Racked.com in the Curated Corner
The Curated Corner makes its Fort Greene debut on Saturday, roaring into the yard with top shopping blog Racked and fancy Leslie at the helm. We're proud as pants to have them as Flea friends.
So just who has Racked roped in? It's a pretty serious list for serious shoppers:
Alter, the cutting-edge Franklin St. (Greenpoint) mens and womens shops (love them)
Hayden-Harnett, the refined and exalted Nolita (and now Greenpoint) designers/boutique
Inven.tory, the curated/outletty Lafayette St. boutique
Madewell, the excellent gals shop (and Senora Flea fave) with the Soho flagship
Shoe Market, the tightly curated small shoe shop in Williamsburg, itself born out of the Bedford Ave. Mini-Market
Check out Racked's post for some snazzy photos.
Each shop will have its own mini-booth at the Flea on Saturday, and you can expect the hot stuff to go fast--especially with a 70-degree sunny forecast!
Nice, Racked.
April 14, 2009
Botanic Garden Floral Arrangement
We want to beautify your Flea experience, perfect it, improve its smell. The most common Flea 311 question (no we don't really have that) is: Why don't you have seasonal flowers festooning the Lafayette entrance? Well, now we do.
To celebrate this Saturday's Fort Greene reopening, the Flea is proud to partner with the well-loved Brooklyn Botanic Garden and its annual Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival. In addition to beautiful blossoms decorating the market's main entrance, five Flea vendors have created the "Sakura Set," fashioning unique items inspired by the Japanese flower that will only be for sale at the market this Saturday and next, April 25. We're tickled pink, to say the least.
Vendors include (below from left, Osborn right) Bonbon Oiseau (jewelry), Foxy + Winston (stationery and silkscreen printing), Kimono Lily (vintage Japanese kimonos), Kumquat Cupcakery (um, cupcakes), and Osborn Design (art/crafts/felt squirrels).
You can check our fancy new vendor map at the Lafayette entrance (it's also posted online every Friday at noon) to find these fine folks. Grassroots in full effect!
Fresh Press
Kudos to Time Out for their laudatory profile of some top Flea vendors on the scene this spring, including Treasures + Pleasures, Kings County Salvage, Amble through Bramble, People's Pops, and Alive Structures. Most of these folks will be onboard opening day this Saturday, some will join us in May.
Prepping for Opening Day
We hope everyone's getting psyched for Opening Day on Saturday. We thought we'd share this photo of Rob and Eric hard at work yesterday repainting some of the booth boundaries in the middle of the schoolyard. Pray for sun!
April 13, 2009
April 11/12 Slideshow
Extra long version this week as we ramp up for the big reopening. Such great stuff last weekend! (Thanks for the pics Jess.)
Shop, Yum, Fun!
We're swamped prepping for this Saturday, but will be posting tidbits here and there.
The New York mag story on our fresh, exciting, inviting foodsters is online now. Check the print mag for an awesome full-page pic of newbie Early Bird Granola to open the Strategist section!
Late-breaking additions to the food scene include Steve's Key Lime Pies returning to share with Amy and Perch! Design, authentic Greek baklava (using only honey, butter, and nuts) from the Likitsakos Yogurt folks, and Blue Marble to-go cups from their snazzy eco-tricycle.
Who knows what these culinary kooks will cook up next!
Fort Greene Flea Returns! (And DUMBO Is Here to Stay!)
At long last!
The Fort Greene Flea reopens this Saturday, April 18, from 10am to 5pm. Bishop Loughlin H.S., Lafayette Ave. between Clermont + Vanderbilt Ave. That's right, the outdoor Flea is on SATURDAYS THIS YEAR.
Plus, our fabulous Dumbo markets have been so popular and fun that we're keeping them open too--on Sundays only from now on. 76 + 81 Front St. (at Washington St.), from 11am to 6pm, Sundays only.
Some vendors will do both markets, some will just do one, so it's always worth it to visit both locations.
Lots more info to come this week, stay tuned.
April 10, 2009
What's New?
Note: The Dumbo markets are very much open this Saturday and Sunday.
Some exciting new folks onboard this week.
Val has been holding it down literally every week since Day One of the Flea with Blue Canary Vintage, her heady brew of dead-stock vintage enamel earrings, Pop '80s playing cards (New Kids, Alf, etc.), and more recently leather and canvas handbags (for guys and gals) and this cool 19th Century kiln glass that she sells by the pound (so cool). This weekend marks the debut of Val's new biz, and a serious foray into "stepping it up": Kings County Salvage builds on her eye for country/primitive stuff for the hip urban dweller (above left). She's been scouring everywhere from Texarkana to South Carolina to, yes, New Jersey to launch KCS, and this weekend you can get the first peek behind the veil. What will you find? Ha! (KCS and Blue Canary will both be at Fort Greene and Dumbo starting next weekend.) 76 Front #8/9/10, Sat/Sun
Johnny Sparks handmakes metal chandeliers (above center) up in Greenpoint, and we think they're really gonna brighten up the scene this Sunday. Classy and industrial, Johnny's got the light touch! 81 Front #17, Sun
Cuties Lorin and Laura of Hot Blondies Bakery (recently featured on DailyCandy) got it goin' on for the religulous holidays this week: Easter-egg blondies (right), and "Rock the Seder" matzoh-meal and Valrohna chocolate brunette brownies. Yum. 81 Front #30, Sat
Chris Starling makes fountain pens, corkscrews, magnifying glasses, letter openers, and more by hand as a woodturner, creating a refined, organic array of utilitarian items. 81 Front #35, Sat/Sun
Rachel is a last-minute addition that couldn't be passed up, what with her purported collezione of "vintage/never-worn designer pieces: Fendi bags, Kooba, J Brand, Seven, and Citizens jeans, Lily sundresses and pants, and Louis Vuitton glasses." Spring (fashion) forward! 81 Front #7, Sat/Sun
(Another) Rachel and Michael and their Maptote bags of many locales (above right) are in the house this Sunday. Check out new colors and new spots (Catskills!) and carry home your Easter bunny ecologically and stylishly. 81 Front #5, Sun
April 9, 2009
Feelin' Folksy
In case you missed it, the Dumbo markets are still open both Saturday and Sunday this weekend. In coming weeks, Jess is gonna be highlighting some of our fab vendors as we gear up for the reopening of the Fort Greene market next Saturday, April 18, as Dumbo continues on Sundays after that.
What sometimes looks dusty and worn to '09 Flea neophytes actually tells an expert (or curious shopper) a nuanced tale: A small carved duck could have been whittled by someone while hanging out on their front porch sipping on a mint julep. A chipped Howdy Doody doll (above, left) sitting on a baby chair might look scary, but it also conjures a time when a painted doll was a prized possession for American kiddies. (Remember Heidi Doody? Yeah, me neither. Why did she get shafted so hard?)
Susan from Sage Antiques in Yonkers has been a lively addition to the Flea this winter, bringing in folk art and antiques from all over every Saturday. (She'll be in Fort Greene too.) Get your heavy-duty, well-made meat cleavers (above, right) here, crafted in a time when locavore meant beheading chickens in your yard, not perusing Union Square. Learn your history, 'cause Susan's got a story for everything in her booth and more in this tiny little museum in the middle of the Flea.
76 Front #15, Sat
April 8, 2009
Dear Mr. FantaFlea
(Sorry about that headline. Oy vey.)
Time Out magazine grants a New Yorker's wish each week, and this week the Flea is flattered to be part of their fulfillment.
A group of soon-to-be-grads of Pratt's Jewelry and Metals program wished that Time Out would write up their senior show, which was so easily doable that they were granted another wish. The Prattsters wished to display and sell their wares at the Flea--and poof!, this Saturday they'll have a free table at 81 Front St. in Dumbo.
Come check out their designs, ask questions, give advice, and engage with the future artisans of our fine town.
Here's the link to the article.
Left to right, above: Sia Seo Jeong Woo, Rachel Schuster, Julia Seltzer, Suki Valentine. Right: Carrie Bilbo.
April 4/5 Slideshow
Kodaks, terrariums, cheese, Day-Glo Reeboks, cops + pupusas, owl pillows, crochet roosters, human-hair mustaches, oh my!
April 7, 2009
Cool Cool Hunting Video
From Cool Hunting's stellar turn in the Curated Corner in March. See Senora Flea's brief cameo, freeing a stuffed penguin from its cage! Nicely done, thanks CH.
April 6, 2009
It's a Banner Day
What do you think of the Flea's new design for '09? (Check out the above banner.) Tell us on our Facebook wall--if you're not a Flea fan yet, now is a great time to join.
A zillion thank yous to our fab designer Noel Claro for working tirelessly to spruce up ze Flea's visual image--we were long overdue for this makeover!
More fun looks to come soon...
April 3, 2009
What's New?
The Dumbo Pop-Up caterpillars morph into full-blown butterflies this week, emerging as resplendent weekly destinations for the foreseeable future. They'll be open Saturday and Sunday through April 12, then switch to Sundays only on April 19. (The Fort Greene Flea reopens April 18, on Saturdays this year.) Spread the word.
A nice spring mix of green Fleasters enter the fray this week, we're proud to have 'em all.
Reside Inc. is a classy Cambridge, Mass. (represent!), mid-century modern furniture shop with all the right pieces and looks--Eames (above left), Knoll, even some Nakashima. (They actually debuted 2 weeks ago but Senor lazily didn't blog them.) If there's anything the Fleas need more of, it's high-quality furniture like what Reside focuses on. Come early for the good stuff. 76 Front #6, Sat/Sun
(Also, the fine mid-century folks from Vintage Vogue down in PA are back for their second Dumbo go. 76 Front #16+17, Sat)
Julie Sombat is a graphic and typography designer whose new biz, Lettern, features letters and numbers of her own design that she drafts and hand-knits out of wool and silk (above center). They're about a foot square, and seem destined for design blogs and the like (your wall, e.g.). 81 Front #30, Sat
Marissa, a Gifted veteran, is back with her new venture, Hand Over Fist, which features handmade bandanas featuring the President of the United States, as well as cute animals, like tigers. She makes all kinds of other stuff too, always with skill and flourish. 81 Front #36, Sat
H. Gillerman Organics is Hope's longtime line of essential oils, which she's sold through bigtime joints like Bendel's over the last 25 years. Like many wholesalers, Hope misses the human touch, and she's doing the Flea for a little reconnect with her audience. Her oils relax, purify, soothe, and all the rest, and she's a font of herbaly info. 81 Front #38, Sun
In Red Hook, you got your view, your esplanades, your Sonny's, your Good Fork (RIP Lenell's), and you got your Steve's Key Lime Pies. (Fine, Fairway.) Sam from Steve's will be joining Amy in her Perch! Design booth on Saturday, stocked with individual 4" and large pies (above right)--the supremely yummy and ever-so-tart fresh key lime pies Senor drools for. Not good enough? Fine, have a Swingle: a chocolate-covered small pie on a stick. Buh-bye!
April 2, 2009
TopSider Trivia Contest w/Tutek
It's fair to say that Flea vendors are some of the most, well, fascinating folks on the planet. Our man Tutek is always a hoot to shoot the breeze with (start talking early-'90s Manchester or Teenage Fanclub and you're on your way), and he's concocted a fun spring scheme to liven things up a bit this weekend.
For the Top/Docksider/Deck Shoe Trivia Giveaway, Conrad has 5 questions about deck shoes, and the first person to answer 3 of them correctly will win a vintage Sperry TopSider tote bag filled with his/her vintage duds (Tutek veers toward the neo-preppy) and a pair of women's pink Topsiders (above). No online/virtual kibbitzing allowed--just pure fashion knowledge.
Try your hand and score some style points!
76 Front #3, Sat/Sun
April 1, 2009
DailyCandy--Back in the Curated Corner
Following the stellar start the kids at DailyCandy provided in the Curated Corner a month ago--complete with cornhole games and lavish prizes--DC is back this weekend in full effect, handpicking their favorite Brooklyn shops, designers, and artists to hawk their wares at the Flea. Suh-weet!
For the uninitiated, the Curated Corner is located in the front window of the 81 Front Dumbo market.
Here's who's onboard:
Jan & Aya, the cute-quirky Greenpoint boutique, will decorate the Corner with its home décor items to create a fab parlor-style atmosphere. (above left)
Rose Red & Lavender, the groovy East Williamsburg flower shop, will have for sale a heady mix of: absinthe spoons, French tumblers, and absinthe herbs, along with bell jars, mini-terrariums, heirloom-seed packets, and carnivorous plants. Whoa! (above center)
Lensman extraordinaire Robert Malmberg will be taking black-and-white large-format Polaroid portraits of Fleasters on the fly, and also selling some of his beautiful Holga prints. (above right)
Former Hable Construction product designer and now beautiful-thing-creator Llubav will be selling lovely felt floral brooches, pins, and headpieces. So pretty. (below left)
Julie Floersch is a quilter and pillowmaker who adheres to the word "craft" with a capital C. Her work is so painstakingly detailed and gorgeous you (almost) don't want to lie down on it. (below right)
March 31, 2009
The Flea is One Years Old
It was a chilly, sprinkly April 6 at ye olde Bishop Loughlin High when the Flea emerged into the real world--and it was welcomed warmly by some 20,000 new friends. The rain magically held off, vendors never quite caught their breath, and of course Marty Markowitz was there for a Brooklyn cheer. No one knew what to expect, no one knew quite what it was, and a year later we're still scratching our chins figuring out just what it is. In essence, it is what it is.
This weekend marks our first birthday, and the Flea thanks you for ushering us into the second of what we hope will be many years of fun and friendly commerce in the greatest big town anywhere. How do we love the Flea? Let us count thee ways...
March 30, 2009
March 28/29 Slideshow
Thanks again to Jess for another stellar Dumbo slideshow. The Flea has slipped into a nice positive vibe every weekend. Thanks to all for being part of it!
March 26, 2009
What's New?
NOTE: Our signs don't reflect it yet, but the DUMBO Pop-Up has been extended past this weekend, and will continue Saturdays and Sundays until April 12. The Fort Greene Flea returns Saturday, April 18. The Dumbo markets will continue on Sundays only starting April 19. Fort Greene, Saturday; Dumbo, Sunday. Say it, learn it, love it.
This week's new vendors feature a number of Fort Greene Fleasters finally catching on to DUMBO--er, returning to the fold at the winter pop-up.
T-shirt designer Peter uses a number of Brooklyn-centric landmarks--the Kentile Floors sign (above, right), roof water towers--in his Live Poultry line. He'll be joined by lovely Laura and her Bramble Boutique collection of original 1940s-'60s Alberto Vargas for Playboy prints (above, center), reproduction 1950s cars, vintage styled hair accessories and jewelry. A heady mix! 81 Front #15 Sat/Sun
Abby calls his classic-toy collection The Flubber Gallery, and he's got cartoon-heyday figurines galore (above, left), plus all sorts of memorabilia that ushers young and old alike onto Memory Lane. 76 Front #23/Sat; #15/Sun
Jason has really strong, eye-catching designs for his Paste T-Shirts line, and as he's been dying to get into the Flea for months, we encourage you to share in his enthusiasm. All handmade and nice, etc., subtle to silvery colors, nice stuff. 81 Front #27, Sat
Peter Napolitano, the interior designer with a big storage space of colorful fun housewares, makes his way to Dumbo this Saturday. Think enamel crock pots, ceramic owls, mid-century glassware. Classy, simple, usable. 81 Front #29, Sat
Jenn (Amy of Birdhouse Jewelry's sister!) launched her penny-candy stand (right) last weekend, and it was a big hit. Bubblegum cigarettes with powdered-sugar smoke? Diamond ring pops? Mary Janes? Pixy Stix? Red fish? You get the idea. Hey, according to the Times, candy is cool! 81 Front #41, Sat/Sun
WrecordsByMonkey is back with their snazzy bracelets made from recycled record vinyl in all kinds of cool designs, as well as jewelry and accessories. Always a hit with Fleasters. 81 Front #27, Sun
Sue, who sold pies in Fort Greene last year, launches her new natural body-products line this Sunday: RAD Soap, which includes olive-oil soap, bath and body shower gels, and more. 81 Front #20, Sun
March 25, 2009
Record Time
In lieu of a Curated Corner this weekend (DailyCandy is back April 4/5 with its favorite Brooklyn designers, look out!), and with the Halcyon resident DJs whooping it up in Miami this weekend, Senor elected to curate a few pals to play records all weekend in Dumbo. There will be fun.
Among our special guests are Raspberry Jones and Andy Beta, two fine music journos who dabble in the turntable arts. (Senor happens to be launching a new DJ dance party with them both next Wednesday, April 1, upstairs at Frank's Lounge in Fort Greene. With a very special guest.) Bill Bragin, former Joe's Pub honcho and now of Lincoln Center. Johnny Temple of Aksashic Books, the Brooklyn Book Festival (and Girls vs. Boys), spinning a reggae/dub set (yum!). Sue A of AIGA NY and foodie scribe Jane Lerner tag-teaming. Martha Stewart and Everyday Food Art Director Will Van Roden.
Special bonus: Rich from Etherea Records, the well-loved longtime Avenue A record shop, will be selling stock from the recently departed shop. He'll have a table of records and CDs alongside the DJs, which will also feature a crate or two that Senor and Raspberry Jones' are putting on sale from their personal collections.
March 23, 2009
March 21/22 Slideshow
Props to Jess for shooting at the Flea this weekend as Senor got some R&R. (Jess runs an awesome food/cooking blog called Go Meat Yourself that puts the loco in locavore--a must-read for DIY foodies.) She'll be helping us keep the blog a bit more "dynamic" (i.e., updated) in the weeks to come, so check back (more) often!
March 20, 2009
Flea Bonus: Prague Kolektiv Discount
Friendly Dumbo neighbor Bart ran the incomparably tasty vintage shop Prague Kolektiv on Front St. for most of the '00s, purveying perfectly designed Czech and Eastern European furniture and housewares from the meat of the early to mid 20th Century. Bart has now set up shop in a 4th floor showroom at 68 Jay St., and with Vintage + Modern weekend coming up he's offered to give Fleasters a hefty discount on anything in his shop--30-40% on everything he's got!
All you have to do is visit the market on any day--in Dumbo, or in Fort Greene when we start back up outside Saturday, April 18--and then drop by and tell Bart you heard about the deal from the Flea. Happy Czopping!
Prague Kolektiv Showroom
68 Jay St. (btw. Front + Water), #415
Tue-Fri, Noon-3p; Sat+Sun, Noon-6p (or by appointment)
718.260.8013
March 19, 2009
What's Old is What's New
We like the way 76 and 81 Front have developed their own identities during the pop-up season. (Note that the Dumbo markets are now open Saturday and Sunday through April 12, past the original final date. When Fort Greene reopens Saturday, April 18, Dumbo will switch to Sundays only.) 76 is still just vintage and antiques--furniture, art, jewelry, clocks, ephemera and photos, clothing, and lots of "stuff"--while 81 has some vintage smalls and clothing, plus top-notch handmade jewelry, crafts, clothes, and of course yummies.
We think of the collectors' eye at 76 as inspiring the creativity at 81, and we love that the Flea positive/community vibe has somehow teleported from Fort Greene to Dumbo--wasn't sure that would happen. (Maybe that's why Tyra Banks, Marisa Tomei, Jason Schwartzman, Liev Schreiber + Naomi Watts, Marcia Gay Harden, and Ally Sheedy have all dropped by recently? Or why designers for the new Allen Ginsberg biopic are coming back every week?)
Collector/vendors are the unsung heroes who spend the week scouring haystacks of stuff across the region for the wonderful antique needles that Fleasters peruse every weekend.
George from Treasures + Pleasures, Adele Amore, Harry Cooker, and Ray Brachfeld (characters all btw) all use their expertly-trained eyes to create gorgeous vintage and costume jewelry displays. Areta from Papushka Vintage (her stuff made the lead Times photo in our writeup) brings together elegant Deco and Nouveau dresses and accessories with distinctive, often chunky jewelry. Val's dead-stock enamel earrings (above, left) are always a hit at Blue Canary Vintage (along with her 19th C. kiln glass-by-the-pound), and she's launching a new biz at the Flea soon called Kings County Salvage--stay tuned.
Film and TV stylist Joseph Sipos (dba Estate of Art Vintage Lifestyle) hand-selects every men's and women's garment in his booth, from varsity cardigans to runwaywear (above, right). (Supermodel Simona drops by regularly.) Amy of Jellyroll Vintage purveys affordable colorful dresses a la mode of every flavor. Jean-Paul, who has run the men's vintage shop Rue St. Denis on Ave. B for a decade-plus, has Swiss Army coats, vests, '60s/'70s blazers, and great mod housewares, while his pal Maria hones in on the ladieswear. Nearby, Tutek rocks proto-preppy sweaters and blazers for guys (plus '80s metal T's), alongside a growing focus on barely-worn vintage shoes (above, center).
Kevin comes in from Hudson, NY, with country, industrial, mod, Scandinavian--if it's mid-century he's got it at Smith Vintage Modern. Furnishings, art books, trinkets, glassware, and more (above, right). Joe of Jaybird Antiques always has a fresh array of stylish furniture and mid-century lamps and housewares (above, left)--his eye is keen and contemporary. Jeffrey and his Chelsea Marketeers outfit go across-the-board with their refined mix of lighting, art, decorative items, and furnishings. Jennifer from Connecticut shop Spotted mixes cheerful, fun housewares with straight-ahead modern wood furniture (above, center).
And the hits just keep coming: David Sokosh repairs and spruces up early 20th C. Brooklyn-made clocks, and shares a booth with pal Lon Black and his meticulously organized and endlessly fascinating collection of vintage postcards and ephemera. Mike and Rebecca Rivich come in from Chicago every month or so with Deco furniture, lamps, and more (right, top). Longtime dealer Charles Lavigna (of Stone Cottage Antiques in CT) enters the picture this Saturday with great stuff (right, below), while Bonnie Seelos, Paula and Gary of FDR to JFK, Susan Walker, Sue Harmon, Karen Murphy/Madalin Antiques, Adrienne Lorber, and Yuji Agematsu have been keeping it real vintage-style in 81 Front every weekend.
(Check out last week's slideshow for more pics.)
March 17, 2009
Vintage + Modern in the "Curated Corner"
The Flea is getting serious. Sure, we like fun, music, yummy treats. But our real bread and butter remains great vintage and antique finds: furniture, art, clothing, jewelry, objects, photos, housewares. If you've dropped by 76 Front over the last month you know that the mix of vendors there is peaking in terms of quality, affordability, and hitting the right crowd notes. (We'll be doing our delayed 76 update later this week.)
So to up the ante, this weekend we invited a Flea kindred spirit in the form of Vintage + Modern Inc., the three-year-old upstart in the vintage/antiques online-selling realm. V+M caters to the designer scene as well as the savvy public with a keen, modern eye, and we were introduced to them by our pals at City Foundry, the awesome Atlantic Ave. vintage shop--which just happens to be one of V+M's picks in the "Curated Corner" this weekend.
Here's who's onboard this weekend, along with a couple of the pieces you can expect to find from each. Collectors unite!
Albert Joseph Gallery (Short Hills, NJ): Antique Chinese Red Lacquer Grain Canister (above, left), Pair of Shanghai Deco Club Chairs
Circa Trade (Hudson, NY): Pair of Painted Lion Heads, Mughal-style Birdcage
City Foundry (Brooklyn!): Thonet Bent Wood Stools (above, center), Standing Ashtray by Henry Dreyfus
red M Studio (Boston): Stainless Steel Vintage Medical Cabinet (above, right), Vintage Porcelain-Top Ice Cream Parlor Table
March 13, 2009
Breaking: Mast Bros. Special Chocolate
This just in: the Mast Brothers' this-weekend-only concoction is a dark-chocolate bar with spicy pecans and cocoa nibs. Find it only at the Cool Hunting Curated Corner this Saturday and Sunday. While supplies last!
Yum, fun.
March 12, 2009
Dumbo By Design
We've tried our best to assemble a lineup this weekend that jives with the heavy hitters in the Cool Hunting Curated Corner, and the regular vendors will be stepping up their design quotient as well.
Here are a few folks entering the fold to seek out in your Flea meanderings.
Oh, did someone say mid-50s and sunny this weekend?
Tony (aka Tonky Designs), a former colleague of Senor's from the halcyon LMCC days, is doing fun, informed design that bridges utilitarian and public-space conceptualism. The Tonky Octopus Wall Sticker (above left) was designed to protect the fabled canal from the evil spirits of gentrification, but Tone also handmakes prints, collages, and ceramic objects (like a wedge of cheese) that are bold home statements. #14 81 Front, Sat/Sun
Donna's Re-Surface Design transforms images of urban decay and graffiti into interior-design objects like lamps (above right). Her new "Remix" line includes a microphone hanging light--very cool for the DJ/musician in your life. Forward fast! #30 81 Front, Sun
Anthony Sisto makes distinctive mid-century-inspired furniture (above, left) here in the home borough, including his signature "S" chair (above, left). #12 81 Front, Sat/Sun
Katherine and Andy of kg + ab are back this weekend with their mostly white porcelain sophisticatedly cute objects. A matte white cast puppy, or two polar bears hugging in a glass case (above, center)? C'mon! #36 81 Front, Sat
Roger Benton and his bearded brood of furniture designers are back this Sunday with their rugged/refined pieces made largely from salvaged wood--again here in the home borough. The credenza (above, right) by Jonas is awesome, as are their simple 4x4 wood stumps. #25 81 Front, Sun
We would be remiss in not pointing out the regulars who are technically designers in their own right, including folks like Ryan of Flux Productions (#20 81 Front, Sat), Maggie and David of Loyalty + Blood (#10 81 Front, Sat/Sun), and Erica of Species by the Thousands (#24 81 Front, Sun). (Left to right, above.) Old pal and sporadic regular Milton Carter is in the house this weekend as well, in #15.
Coming up tomorrow: the vintage collectors who provide the inspiration for the Flea's modern marvels...
March 11, 2009
Olde Tyme Jams
Remember that funky jug band-style trio that sent up outside the Flea last fall? Yeah, them. They're called Roosevelt Dime, and they're gonna set up this Saturday afternoon at the Dumbo markets to unfurl their homestyle blend of Dixieland jazz and bluegrass, played on banjos, guitars, gut-bucket bass, cajons, kazoos, and more. They even have a jam they wrote for our pals from yummy Nunu Chocolates.
They'll likely be set up outside 81 Front a little after noon. Bring the whole family!
March 10, 2009
Cool Hunting in the "Curated Corner"
Tim Gunn voice: Designers!
The eminently stylish and worldly blog/site Cool Hunting is making a rare offline appearance in Dumbo this weekend only, bringing in a stable of product and furniture designers, artists, and culinary phenoms handpicked by CH editors. They'll be in the austere "Curated Corner" of 81 Front, in the front/window area, and they'll be snazzing up the space to celebrate the occasion.
The Flea/CH collaboration was birthed when Senor met one of the editors at the Hot Blondies booth last summer, and we're feeling like this is one of the best Flea partnerships yet--a special weekend for us. (Sniff.)
The best way to preview this weekend's wares is CH's own post on their guest stars. Senor has also curated 76 + 81 Front to highlight the Flea's own cool young design cadre--from wallpaper and furniture to porcelain puppies and De Stijl books. (More on those folks later this week.) In short, loads of eye candy.
Here's a quick rundown of the Cool Hunting Curated Corner lineup:
Cut Brooklyn: handmade custom cutlery
Kiel Mead: jewelry, design objects, furniture (his "knot" necklace/ring, above, center, is popular)
Kyle Cuniff: lighting made from melted/"droopy" objects (above, right)
Matthew Bradshaw: furniture design
Mast Brothers Chocolate: the bearded boys are back, designing a special limited-edition bar for this weekend only
Peter Pracilio: far out, conceptual industrial/product design
Rich, Brilliant, Willing: NYC furniture/object design (above, left)
Rogelio: disabled San Francisco man who carves pendants out of keys
Sergio Silva: Brooklyn-based industrial designer: cinder block-as-furniture adaptation in wood
Simon Arizpe: product design
Tokyo Art Beat: edgy T-shirt designers
Zillion: belts, shoelaces and hats made from the traditional fabric of kimonos
March 9, 2009
March 7/8 Slideshow
Sure, Marisa Tomei and Liev Schreiber stopped by to shop in Dumbo this weekend. But the best part is all the great stuff!
March 6, 2009
What's New?
Fernando and his Martinez familia of huarache, enchilada, and taquito renown join Rafael and the Pupusas (there's a singing group in here somewhere) in Dumbo this weekend--double your Red Hook pleasure. They'll be holding off on the huaraches (above) until at least Sunday to make sure the infamous "taco juice" doesn't soil our freshly cleaned floors. But if taquitos and enchiladas are your idea of compromising, then you're darn Flea spoiled. Que rico! 81 Front, Sat/Sun
Old pal Adam Forgash returns to the fold this Saturday--he of the fine vintage photo equipment and time-warp piles of snapshots and found pics. There are few finer ways to pass the time than sifting through old photos, and Adam has all kinds of camera curiosities to check out and chat about. #9 76 Front, Sat
It's only March, but June is back. Fresh from a winter in Lala Land, cutie Junie has a season's worth of stylish vintage to show off--not to be missed. Her biz is White Dove NYC. #9 81 Front, Sat/Sun
Marcia Bennett is an old-school collector and auctioneer, and she'll be taking a couple of spots in Dumbo for March for her big trove of art, furniture, and smalls. This weekend she's also bringing a friend who deals in African-American vintage ephemera. #14+15 81 Front, Sat/Sun
Crop to Cup is back with its popular coffees direct from farmers in Uganda (right), Mexico, Burundi, and Sumatra. Their Mexican natural-water decaf (organic too) is super-tasty, and you can see and hear the pretty riveting stories of the farmers they work with all over the world. Good, to the last drop. #27 81 Front, Sat/Sun
Bruce Snell has all kinds of great vintage, costume, and handmade jewelry, and has been in the market game for 15 years. He did Fort Greene a few times and always wowed the ladies (and guys) with his unique wares. #25 81 Front, Sat
Faune Yerby combines old New York photos and wood blocks into unique and accessible artwork Her stuff has been sold at Barneys, Anthropolgie, and Cog + Pearl. #36 81 Front, Sat
Roger Benton, who did the Greenjeans Furniture Fest last October, will be in Dumbo the next 3 Sundays, selling his handmade wood furniture (right), including everything from single cubes for use as small stools to credenzas. He's an up-and-coming maker/designer, and he'll be bringing friends who do the same too. #25 81 Front, Sun
Miss C Spot, a Dumbo-based designer whose pieces are reconstructed from vintage clothing, blows up the Flea spot this Sunday. Charlotte will be movin' and groovin' near the Halcyon DJ area in the middle. #44 81 Front, Sun
March 5, 2009
Cabinets from Curiosities
John and Stephanie run a little flea market of their own on the Massachusetts North Shore (go Sox!), as well as a vintage-finds biz called vintagesteph which has been making weekly treks down from New Hampshire to Dumbo this winter. They were teamed up with Jennifer and her Spotted crew for awhile, and have now set sail solo every Sunday--they're in #9 at 76 Front this week.
In addition to their booth o'cool stuff (above), friendly John has been a hit with his cabinets (right) culled together from vintage elements like ceiling tins, barn boards, 19th Century locker doors, and stained-glass church panels. They're each handbuilt to be functional, with shelves to store DVDs or CDs, and fit easily into a car for easy transport home.
Where else but ze Flea?
March 4, 2009
Bon Voyage!
Old Flea friends Neala and Pete of Farfalla always bring brilliant--in terms of color and style--stuff to market: fabric prints, brightly colored enamel cookware, Scandinavian wooden bowls, and the like.
This week they've uncovered a trove of fab '60s airline posters by artists like Dong Kingman and Lawrence Gaynor. If you can't afford to travel this winter, take a staycation to Dumbo and be transported through time.
Farfalla will be in #25 at 76 Front on Sunday only.
March 3, 2009
Go Matt!
Matt Schwartz has been wowing Fleasters who enter 81 Front in Dumbo every weekend with his wily, compact setup of the artwork he creates from Polaroids he shoots and then reworks in the studio: everything from the Coney Island parachute jump to sensuous summery ladies lounging on lawns (right).
He's making a real name for himself as She Hit Pause Studios, including a big splash on the homepage of Nylon Magazine's homepage today. (Impressively effusive comments!)
We're psyched to have him onboard every weekend (#31 in 81 Front).
March 2, 2009
Dumbo Rocks!
Friendly vendor and mom Carmella--#20 in 81 Front every Sunday--put together this fun Scrabble ode to the Flea this weekend. Cute!
February 27, 2009
What's New?
Just a quick last-minute roundup of new faces in Dumbo this weekend. It's a great, full lineup in both 76 and 81 Front St. yet again, so come on down.
The 76 Front vintage/antiques market is mostly regulars at this point, and the quality on that side is really strong and varied lately--come back even if you checked it out already.
Father Panik jewelry designers Scott and Mika were unceremoniously booted from the Young Designers Market in Nolita a couple of weeks ago. Out of Obama-era respect for the First Amendment, we're proud to welcome him with open arms this weekend. The story made a bit of news this week as well. 81 Front #17/Sat, #27/Sun
Miss Amy's Preserves might just be the next Flea food find--we're excited to have a jam-maker back amongst our ranks. Out in Suffolk County (aka farm country), Amy handmakes fresh-fruit jams (right), a yummy Blue Point Mustard, tapenades, and baked goods, and we think Brooklynites will welcome her warmly--into their bellies. 81 Front #30, Sat/Sun
Our pals from the bleachers in Fort Greene Jacob's Eye make their Dumbo debut this weekend, with their funky handbags, leather accessories, and more. Irie! 81 Front #41, Sat/Sun
Mauro Baiocco sold with The Fair School's booth in Fort Greene most weekends, and now he's coming to Dumbo with his cool urban paintings on woodblocks. 81 Front #12, Sat/Sun
Patti and her mom will be unloading a hodgepodge of nice stuff they've collected over the years: marble clocks, paintings, wedding gifts, fabric and blankets, dishes, etc. 81 Front #19, Sat/Sun
Find Alert: Bonnie is a retired interior designer from Bronxville, downsizing for an upcoming move. She's got: "20 paint-by-number paintings, over 60 pieces of chartreuse pottery--Roseville, California, Haeger--china, vintage furniture, smalls from the '30s and '40s, and design-house textiles." Solid. 81 Front #7, Sat/Sun
Film costume- and wardrobe-designer Lynn Falconer has finally filled her "coffers" enough to do another weekend at the Flea. She had great stuff the first time out last May: mostly clothes, but lots of other interesting objects and stuff too. 81 Front #19, Sat/Sun
Grace Napoleon cruises in from Connecticut with her cute and groovy '50s/'60s vintage housewares (mostly kitchen items, right), as well as her "clothes made from clothes," which are worth checking out. 81 Front #7, Sun
February 26, 2009
Flea + Twitter = Fleat?
We're officially jumping the shark.
You can now follow the Flea on Twitter: we're "bkflea."
February 25, 2009
Flea Food Bonanza
Big story in the Dining section of today's Times titled "Brooklyn's New Culinary Movement," featuring a cool silvery photo with Senor Flea front and center. We're, like, really psyched.
Food is so fun, Fleasters respond to it, and we're proud to help push forward such a vibrant (and growing) local scene.
Come by Dumbo this weekend and sample our wares. To wit, the Salvatore Bklyn Ricotta gals will make a special appearance this Saturday only at 81 Front, purveying delicioso cannolis sopressata (from Esposito's Pork Store on Court St.) to go with their trademark lush homemade cheese. Plus McClure's Pickles, Fine + Raw Chocolate, Kumquat Cupcakery, Consider Bardwell cheese, Itzy Bitzy Patisserie macarons, Hot Blondies baked goodness, Likitsakos Greek yogurt, Miss Amy's Preserves, Plan B Foods condiments, Choice munchies, pupusas, and the Kings County BBQ truck.
Mangia!
February 23, 2009
Feb. 21/22 Slideshow
Another great weekend in Dumbo!
February 20, 2009
What's New?
The Dumbo markets are approaching a prime balance of late among vintage/antiques, fashion, art/crafts, jewelry, and food--there's something for everyone these days.
Somehow there's an infinite wellspring of awesome new vendors out there in the world, and we love the influx of new blood each week, which has become a staple of our markets. Ya never know what you'll find at the Flea!
Here's a quick look at some of this week's newbies. Finds galore!
Yuji has had a Dumbo studio since the '80s, and he'll be sharing his collection of cool vintage guitars and amps (and other musical equipment too), along with a finely honed trove of records for good measure. 81 Front #7, Sat/Sun
Larry from Pennsylvania is the guy at the 25th St. Garage with all the old photos. He's trying us out this Sunday for the first time, and we hope he becomes a regular. Super-nice large-format prints to bizarro pics (right) for a buck or two. 76 Front #10, Sun
Design-industry vets Stu and Janet run an online-only vintage/collectibles shop called Three Potato Four in Northern Virginia, and they'll be making the trek up north to try out the "real" world. They have a great eye for colorful, fun, modern things of all kinds (above). 81 Front #17, Sat
Andrew O. Hughes is an independent glass-blower and designer in Long Island City, and a regular Flea visitor. This Saturday he'll be a vendor for the first time, trying out his sleek and distinctive tumblers, pitchers, vases and more on the open market. (He also designs for the likes of Calvin Klein Home.) 81 Front #20, Sat
Trove, some of our favorite furniture rejuvenators/decorators from down PA way, are in town this weekend. They have a clean simple vibe to their decor (right) that's very NYC, and fix up old pieces with serious panache. 76 Front #23, Sat
Unni is a longtime dealer from Westchester County specializing in ephemera, collectibles, pottery, and some folk art. She debuts Sunday. 76 Front #19, Sun
Find Alert: Bonnie is a retired interior designer from Bronxville, downsizing for an upcoming move. She's got: "20 paint-by-number paintings, over 60 pieces of chartreuse pottery--Roseville, California, Haeger--china, vintage furniture, smalls from the '30s and '40s, and design-house textiles." Solid. 81 Front #41, Sat/Sun
Harold scored a last-minute booth for his vintage clothes, modern art, and tabletop items. High hopes for Harold's hodgepodge. 81 Front #21, Sun
Plan B Basics did Fort Greene a few times, and Chuck and Amy's fab condiments have been a big hit. Caramelized onion relish, tomato/giinger chutney, mushroom ragout--take your pick. 81 Front #42, Sun
February 19, 2009
Sign Up for the Flea's Mailing List
We're going all techno here at the Flea, boldly taking markets into the future. OK, the present really.
In the coming weeks we'll be launching an e-newsletter to keep devout Fleasters like you updated on the latest market news: awesome new vendors, guest curators, onetime food offerings, special events (record fair, etc.), giveaways, photo slideshows, and other cool stuff.
It'll be a little like the blog and website rolled into one happy fun email--and if Senor can get his act together you'll get it every Thursday or Friday.
Signup is mega-easy: just enter your email address in the box in the upper-right corner (follow the arrow), then confirm your sign up when you receive an email immediately after.
Stay in touch!
February 18, 2009
Refinery29 in the Curated Corner!
The Flea fantasizes about being relevant to Fashion Week, and perhaps this weekend our dream materializes. This Saturday and Sunday only, the snazziest fashion blog/online retailer Refinery29 is curating the front-window space at 81 Front--aka the "Curated Corner"--with 4 friggin' awesome Brooklyn and NYC shops: In God We Trust, Thistle & Clover, Smith + Butler, and Honey in the Rough. We are simply kvelling with pride and anticipation.
Here's what's on tap (pics at right):
In God We Trust
Designer Shana Tabor is bringing a selection of her hand-crafted (made in Brooklyn) jewelry and accessories. She'll also be offering custom-engraving on select pieces, which is a popular item on Refinery29. We're huge fans of IGWT.
Thistle & Clover
Really rad co-owners Rand and Camilla of this snazzy Dekalb Ave. shop will be selling a large selection of discounted/sale items featured on Refinery29, including items from indie designers Rachel Comey, Lorick, Secrets of Charm, Noble Youth, and more--sort of a best of Thistle & Clover. The gals will also have a nice assortment of top Brooklyn jewelry designers and emerging up-and-comers from their shop.
Smith + Butler
This new Smith St. boutique is offering an assortment of merchandise for men, women, kids, and home. Items include St. James children's clothing and women's and men's hats, Flea vet M. Carter bags and T-shirts, Makr wallets, vintage Pendleton flannels, as well as a selection of vintage clothing and home items.
Honey in the Rough
The coolest dress shop on the LES (Rivington/Clinton), Honey in the Rough will be bringing a pre-spring perfect array of feminine dresses and accessories at sample-sale prices. Other items include Tsumori Chisato tights, jewelry, and wallets; Eley Kishimoto shoes and tights; Hoss belts; Alice McCall leggings and dresses; as well as an ample selection of dresses from Samantha Pleet, Emma Cook, Built by Wendy, Secrets of Charm, Mociun, and more.
February 12, 2009
Flowers + Hooch = TruLuv4Eva!
We're not going head over heels with Valentine's Day stuff in Dumbo this weekend, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't make a one-stop shop for chocolate, flowers, jewelry, unique gifts and more at the markets.
The fine folks from Groundworks, Carmen and Alice's awesome Bensonhurst greenery biz, are bringing out special scented and aphrodisiac plants for Valentine's Day, including jasmine (left), the suggestive pitcher plant (center), and of course orchids (right). Let love bloom! (81 Front, Saturday only.)
Friendly fella Stan has a cute thing going as "The Elegant Thrifter," and he joins the Flea fold for the first time this Saturday. His "Hooch Bags" (right) are vintage bags (which Stan gives names like Dolly, Carla, and Grace) filled with "funny money, a little something sweet (a Hot Blondie, of course!), a vintage surprise, and a nip or two of booze. Everything you need for a good time Saturday night basically. Stan's a hoot, go chat him up. (81 Front, near the entrance.)
Crue-Neck Shirts
Our man Tutek has been satisfying our neo-preppy cravings for Brooks Brothers, J. Press, tweed, seersucker, and Bean duck boots at Fort Greene and now Dumbo (76 Front side) for nigh a year now. This week, he's going "pop" and pulling out some killer metal T's and 3/4's for the nostalgic/ironic and still-shredding among us.
The motley assortment includes Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Poison, Crue shirts, and many, many more. This one goes to 11.
Feb. 7/8 Dumbo Slideshow
Such a fun weekend! Thanks to all for comin' on down to Dumbo.
February 9, 2009
It's A Chocolate World
Chocolate is reaching some sort of tipping point in our fair city of late--quantity and variety has gone sky-high, with quality keeping pace nicely.
Chocolate Fleasters, naturally, abound. We want to shout-out Flea smurf (i.e., Fort Greene staffer) Jessica, whose new line of chocolates (above) are starting to get noticed. Serious Eats blogged her today, and if you're not reading Jess' own Go Meat Yourself food blog, you should be. (You can also purchase her chocolates there, and Valentine's Day orders are still available.) Her flavors range from instantly yum like honey nut and cinnamon and pretzel to deliciously intriguing, like cayenne, ginger, and spicy bacon. Go Jess.
Three Flea vendors are included in New York mag's "Cocoa Locals" feature this week: Nunu, Fine + Raw, and the Mast Brothers. Kudos to all!
Finders/Keepers DUMBO Week 2
The Hunt was fierce this weekend, likely due to the 8000+ visitors we had over the 2 days! Good lord was the market glorious.
Things were so hectic that we missed taking a pic of the Day 2 winner, who found the pretty porcelain mug at Lois Aronow's table. Thanks Lois!
The funky tabletop clock was hidden amongst Jaron's awesome mid-Century finds. Donna Testino from Bricktown, NJ, snagged it at 1:20p.m. on Saturday. A first-time Fleaster, Donna said her grandma had a clock just like it, and she and Jaron agreed to go conceptual for their Hunt photo (above). It's about time people! (Check Jaron's snazzy new Jarontiques banner too.)
Check back Friday at noon for this week's items.
February 6, 2009
Scavenger Hunt Feb. 7/8
Again this week, one vintage and one handmade item.
For newcomers, when you find the item, which can be hidden in any vendor booth in either market (76 or 81 Front St.) on either day (Saturday or Sunday), it's yours, absolutely free! Then we post your photo here on the blog on Monday. Only one winner per calendar month. Items posted every Friday at noon.
Happy hunting!
From left:
1. Groovy "Big Ben" Westclox tabletop clock. Vintage
2. Hand-thrown porcelain mug. Purple inside with black and blue glaze outside. New/Handmade
February 5, 2009
Cheese Glorious Cheese!
We've been courting Consider Bardwell Farm (left), a divine Vermont purveyor of goat and cow cheeses that's been around for 140 years, for some time now. In fact, CB was the first cheesemaking co-op in Vermont, founded in 1864.
This Sunday, they make their Flea/Dumbo debut, and we're basically going crackers with expectation. Now we just need some of the farm's yummy cheese (right).
All the good stuff you want: rotational grazing on pesticide-free and fertilizer-free pastures; made by hand in small batches of only all natural ingredients from milk that is antibiotic and hormone free.
You can find Consider Bardwell at fancypants spots like Per Se, Gramercy Tavern, Jean-Georges, Marlowe & Sons, and Stonehome Wine Bar. And now Dumbo and the Flea.
Moo.
Daily Candy Sweet Spot
This weekend is gonna be a doozy in Dumbo.
The aforementioned Times lovefest will (hopefully) mean new folks checking us out from all over the region.
Supposed to be warm and sunny all weekend, maybe hitting 50 on Sunday.
And our pals at DailyCandy.com will be the first guest curator this weekend, taking over the front window space at 81 Front St. Stop by their "carnival corner" to play games (cornhole!) for free prizes--including some of their favorite winter products (Armour lip gloss, Orla Kiely notebooks, boot warmers, Fresh face wash, miniature cupcakes, wooden mustaches on sticks, etc). They'll also be giving away their new pocket guides to NYC. The space will be decked out by Domestic Construction, and Jellio (who makes gigantic candy décor, like gummi bear lights and cupcake side tables). So super-cool!
Oh, and of course the Halcyon DJs (with Senor taking a spin too!), the pupusas, the jewelry, the furniture, the clothes, the antiques, the cheese (info in next post), and the wonderful 60+ vendors who are the bedrock, the foundation, the heart and soul of our little weekend gathering. They like you, and want to hang out with you.
Good Times!
The Paper of Record hits the nail on the head in a truly stellar walk-through of the Dumbo markets. Beauty picture on the cover of the Styles section today of Areta's Papushka Vintage booth.
See ya this weekend!
February 3, 2009
We [Heart] Pause
We were psyched when Matt and his wonderfully mysterious Polaroid-based prints returned to the Flea fold at the new 81 Front market space last week, and we're proud to host him for the rest of the winter.
Apparently we're not alone in loving his She Hit Pause Studios work, as New York magazine roped him into its new Valentine's Day gift guide. Get your paws on the Pause any weekend at the Flea's Dumbo spots. Meow.
Finders/Keepers DUMBO Edition
Our inaugural DUMBO Hunt was a demi-success, with just one of the items being found over the weekend.
The lovely Movious wool scarf from Hortensia Handmade was found in 81 Front on Sunday by Maura, who did a nice job of highlighting Michelle's other handwoven goodies. Note how Maura has already wrapped her scarf around her now-cozy neck.
Check back Friday at noon for this week's items.
January 30, 2009
Scavenger Hunt Returns!
The Hunt moves indoors for the first time this weekend.
For newcomers, when you find the item, which can be hidden in any vendor booth in either market (76 or 81 Front St.) on either day (Saturday or Sunday), it's yours, absolutely free! Then we post your photo here on the blog on Monday. Only one winner per calendar month. Items posted every Friday at Noon.
One vintage and non-vintage item this week, to herald the arrival of our second indoor market. Both are nice.
Happy hunting!
From left:
1. Syroco wall-hanging hunt scene. Vintage
2. "Movious" scarf in rice stitch, 100% wool. New/Handmade
January 29, 2009
A Fine Vintage
Chelsea Marketeers (above) is a serious online dealer of all things vintage and awesome. This weekend they'll be taking it all off(line) in Dumbo, sharing their wares with folks like you. Say hi to Jeffrey, who seems nice. (They also sell through our pals Vintage + Modern, who gave us a nice e-shout-out earlier this week.)
Kyle and Jeremy, whose respective online selling sites, Sit + Read Furniture and Severely Vintage, reflect their hyper-keen eye for well-priced, super-stylish Scandinavian and American mid-century wood furniture, metal bowls, chalkboards, and the like, are back for more this weekend after an excellent inaugural outing. Not to be missed.
Our trio in the corner of Sage Antiques (Sue), Estate of Art Vintage Lifestyle (Joe), and Harry Cooker (um, Harry), have been holding it down nicely. Sue brings Americana folk art and items like wicker baskets, teddy bears, metal airplanes (right), and great outsider art down from Yonkers. Joe is a tried-and-true clothing dealer of well-priced men's and women's sweaters, coats, and dresses, and he always brings a few cases of cool accessories too. Harry has an eagle-eye jewelry selection, plus things like French lithographs and heart purses to spruce up his space. Always good for a laugh in 13/14/15.
Next door in #11, Kevin's Smith Vintage Modern booth (he has a shop in Hudson, NY) has everything from butcher blocks to Arts + Crafts kitchen tables to Life magazines to brass lamps. Kevin likes to wheel and deal, so make an offer!
January 28, 2009
DUMBO Doubles Down
Even though Racked somehow scooped the primary source, us, we're excited to announce that starting this weekend (Jan. 31/Feb.1) the Dumbo Pop-Up Market is expanding!
Same details as the antiques market: Saturdays and Sundays, 11am to 6pm, through March 29. The address is 81 Front St. (Click the Map/Directions tab to go to there.)
The 6100sf loft-like space will feature 35 (mostly) non-vintage vendors of clothes, jewelry, art, handmade/crafts, and best of all, food! This weekend, Jan. 31/Feb. 1, will be a soft launch for the new space, with the full grand opening Feb. 7/8. In short, we're getting the band back together!
So who's onboard so far? Silkscreeners Loyalty + Blood, Brooklyn Junior, and Flux Productions. Jewelers Birdhouse, Bonbon Oiseau, Jessica De Carlo, and Blint Design. Upcyclers Reclaimed Home and Un Jour, Georges. Handmade mavens Heartisans, Perch Design, A.S.I.S., and Hortensia Handmade. Vintage finds from FDR to JFK and Sew Moni.
We'll also have the folks from DUMBO record shop Halcyon and other guest DJs spinning every weekend, special guest curators, and lots of other cool stuff.
Flea food-vendor staples Kumquat Cupcakery, McClure's Pickles, Hot Blondies Bakery, and Choice Market will all be at 81 Front St. Fine + Raw Chocolate will debut their insane raw hot cocoa. Consider Bardwell, the 140-year-old Vermont cheese farm, will be selling their award-winning goat and cow cheeses starting Feb. 8. For the 81 Front launch this weekend, Chris and his Kings County BBQ truck will be parked out front.
Did we mention pupusas? They're back too! Red Hook and Brooklyn Flea Food Vendor Rafael Soler will have his renowned pupusas available at 81 Front St. starting this weekend.
Winter Pop-Up will also feature the debut of the "Curated Corner," where the Flea will partner with guest curators to bring in their favorite designer/shop/artist/dealer to hold a one-time-only show/sample sale/trunk show. Curators include: Daily Candy (Feb. 7/8, Feb. 28/March 1, March 28/29), Refinery29 (Feb. 21/22), Cool Hunting (March 7/8), and Fred Flare (date TBA). (More curators to be announced soon.) Guest curators will create their own environments inside the market where visitors can shop and meet the creatives behind their favorite brands.
Pulled pork, a handmade t-shirt, some earrings, a vintage side table, and some classic Dior sunglasses--the Winter Pop-Up is a Brooklyn winter wonderland.
Week 3 Slideshow
A bunch of pics from last week's market. Enjoy!
January 22, 2009
Bienvenue Selima!
We are tellement joyeux to welcome the latest addition to the Dumbo Pop-Up: vintage eyeglasses from none other than Selima Optique!
Soo-pair-cool Selima has been designing and selling the coolest frames to movie stars, fashionistas, and ordinary folks since the days before Senor Flea was just an intern at Paper magazine (that's 1994 for those scoring at home), and she's basically an icon of Downtown Cool, which is a phrase that used to mean something big. (Selima Optique has 4 Soho shops, plus a couple in Paris too. Here's a fun NY Times story on her from 2007.)
Anyway, Selima has oodles of amazing, funky, wearable eyeglass frames from every era, and her cute French pal Thomas will be there manning their booth (#1, at the entrance) for the duration of the Pop-Up. Thomas also designs brilliant Neoprene coats and clothes of primary-color vibrancy, which will be on-hand as well.
Focus, people, focus! This is serious stuff.
Shout Shimmy Shout-Out
The Antiques Pop-Up is heating up nicely--thanks to snazzy vendors and the insulation panels we installed last week! We think it's also got something to do with the soulful tones piped in throughout the day from the front pillar by Larry and his Shout Shimmy mixes.
Larry plays out in a funk band, sells awesome affordable vinyl from the '60s and '70s at the Flea and Dumbo market--alongside his honey Amy of Jellyroll Vintage--and also compiles great $5 mix-CDs featuring rare grooves of every stripe (including some sweet Jamaican rocksteady, Senor's fave). That funk at the Flea? You're soaking in it.
Chicago-->DUMBO
Mike and Rebecca Rivich are making an Obama-like trek from Chicago to Brooklyn for this weekend's antiques market, and we're confident that they'll faithfully execute the duties of a top Midwest dealer by bringing in really nice stuff (above) from the town that spawned our Glorious New Era. Their goods have graced the pages of Elle Decor and Domino, ranging from industrial chic to folk to fauvist. They'll be in #17, on the left when you walk in.
Lots more news on the way!
A Scene from Last Weekend
While Senor Flea is distracted with other Flea-related matters (more on that soon), we thought we'd share this photo of this happy couple leaving Dumbo Antiques Market last weekend with their hands full! From what we hear, the biggest sale last week was a ring that went for close to $1,000. Yum.
January 16, 2009
What's New?
Aside from ensuring that our vaunted vendors stay warm and toasty this weekend in our snazzy Dumbo Pop-Up, Senor has been tweaking the mix of vintage/antiques offerings for Week 2 so that first- and two-timers alike will be pleased.
Have you seen David Sokosh's collection of awesome Ansonia clocks? Well, you should. They're hefty, cute, and reasonably priced. The New York Times is coming to snap pics of them for the City Section this weekend, because of their century-old Brooklyn roots, but we'll let David tell you that story when you stop by. He's calling his new time-sensitive biz Clinton Hill Clocks. Tick-tock.
Folks, Phyllis the prop stylist needs to unload her wares, and she needs your help. She organizes her glass, porcelain and metal objects (above) by color at home (smart), and her collection of vases, lamps, and pretty props of every stripe is the result of a very refined eye. Not to be missed.
Our Hudson, NY, pals Smith Vintage Modern are back at the market, with their mid-century and Deco finds of all kinds: desks, lamps, tables, art, from the U.S., Italy, and all over. Say hi to Kevin, he's nice.
Jaron and his Jarontiques (right) were simply killing it last week. Scandinavian wooden candelabras, Miro prints, chrome lamps, stunning glass vases and carafes--oh man. Jaron's back on Sunday only this week, and he loves to talk shop (and tunes).
Frenchy Jean-Paul was a Flea staple by the back steps, and in Dumbo he brings the finely honed 60s and 70s men's vintage and dead-stock clothes from his Ave. B shop Rue St. Denis, as well as the awesome mod and plastic-fantastic furniture in its sister shop. Bubble lamps, chrome shelves, and more. Depeche-toi!
Big bearded Ray is back this weekend, hopefully with this cool 1933 Brooklyn Bridge etching that somehow didn't sell last week. He's also bringing a trove of stone and wooden Shona art from Zimbabwe this week only. Ray only brings nice stuff, doesn't bowl you over with quantity.
Our pals from Nightwood are doing the Flea (Saturday only), unveiling their latest rejuvenated and homey chairs, stands, and pillows (right). Nadia and Myriah are sweet as pie, so say hi.
What else? Vintage picture frames (Susan Blank), high-class jewelry (Treasures + Pleasures), awesome vintage handbags (Marilyn Hitchcock), primitive Americana (Sage Antiques), awesome Brooklyn/NYC and kitsch postcards (Lon Black)--and of course, Drew Morrison's Pictorial Oddities Roadshow, which you'll have to see to comprehend.
January 14, 2009
Comin' Up: The Curated Corner
We had 2000+ folks visit us in Dumbo for opening weekend, fighting through snow and slush no less. We're pretty sure the market's only gonna get bigger and better as it evolves, especially as we launch the "Curated Corner" in coming weeks.
For the Corner, we've invited the creme de la online-tastemaker creme to tap their favorite designers/shops/vendors to sell for a weekend. Who you ask? How about Daily Candy, Refinery29, and Cool Hunting? Uh huh, serious folks.
We'll pass along the info about who's onboard when we get it. So far we know that Daily Candy's first of three weekends is Feb. 7/8, and Cool Hunting curates March 7/8. We've got invites out to some other fab folks, so stay tuned for last-minute additions.
Did you see us in New York magazine this week? Groovy artsy photo! (Credit: Hannah Whitaker.)
January 12, 2009
Winter Antiques Market Launches in Dumbo
Thanks to all the vendors and shoppers who came out to the kick-off weekend of the Winter Antiques Market in Dumbo. Here's a video from yesterday for those who didn't make it. The market continues at 76 Front Street in Dumbo from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays through the end of March. To watch a higher-quality version, click here.
January 6, 2009
DUMBO Ready to Fly
We can't wait to get back in the groove this weekend when the Flea's new Pop-Up Market for snazzy vintage and antiques launches in DUMBO (76 Front St., corner of Washington St.). Come on down!
Each of the next 12 weekends--Saturdays and Sundays--find 25 vendors with all kinds of stuff you want and/or like to drool over. Some are familiar Flea faces, others are new to our crew, all are totally rad. And they've been stocking up on gorgeous/dazzling/curious items just to please...you.
Here's the lineup of vendors onboard so far. Not all vendors sell every day, so check the layout we'll post here every Friday for the coming weekend. We couldn't be more proud of these folks!
Adele Amore
Adrienne Lorber
Antiques + Collectibles
Bid Brooklyn
Blue Canary Vintage
Chairloom
Cine-Noir
Corinne Robbins
Clinton Hill Clocks
Drew Morrison
Estate of Art Vintage Lifestyle
Good Vintage Collectibles
Harry Cooker
Intaglio Antique Prints and Maps
Jarontiques
Jaybird Antiques
Jellyroll Vintage
Lon Black Postcards + Ephemera
Marcia Bennett
Maria Palarmchuk
Marilyn Hitchcock
Olde Good Things
Pat Kearns
Ray Brachfeld
Reclaimed Home
Rivich Auction
Rue St.-Denis
Severely Vintage
Shore Arts Antiques + Appraisals
Sit + Read Furniture
Smith Vintage Modern
Spotted
Stephen Gary
Stephen Zorochin's Collections
Susan Blank
Treasures + Pleasures
Trove
Tutek
Used & Abused
Vintage Vogue
Walker Antiques
January 1, 2009
'08 was Great to the Flea
Ze Flea got some nice year-end media love, for which we remain humbly and eternally grateful.
Racked named us #2 of its top 10 new stores of the year--right behind the Red Hook Ikea (which we also love).
And the NY Times picked our collective foodstuffs as one of the best gastronomic bargains of the year, alongside La Superior's tacos and fab No. 7 in Fort Greene.
If 2008 was this great, hopefully '09 will be just as fine.
December 23, 2008
Flea-->DUMBO Winter Pop-Up
View Larger Map
We've been waiting for the Flea to take a nap to announce some big news:
For 12 weekends, starting January 10/11, the Flea will be launching a Winter Pop-Up Market for antiques in DUMBO. We're taking over an unrented corner storefront in a prime location every Saturday and Sunday until the end of March. (The outdoor Flea returns the first weekend in April 2009.)
The Winter Pop-Up will feature 25 top vintage/antique vendors of furniture, clothing, objects, jewelry, curiosities, accessories, art, lighting, and more. We're curating the Pop-Up very selectively to provide a mix that appeals to folks looking for quality, hard-to-find, and collectible items. (As my grandma would say, "Oh, that sounds like nice stuff." Exactly Miriam.)
The kind folks at New York magazine and Gothamist already showed us some love.
The address is 76 Front St. (corner of Washington, map above) in the heart of DUMBO. Come make a day of it--grab a Grimaldi's pie, an Almondine pretzel-cheese bread, some hot cocoa from Jacques Torres, a DFA 12" from Halcyon, a Brooklyn photo book from Powerhouse, and of course check out the next phase of ze Flea!
We'll be revealing the first round of vendors here in the new year, stay tuned.
December 22, 2008
Flea Hiatus
The Flea's last date of our smash-success first season was yesterday. (Nostalgic Day One photo above.) A smashing Gifted market was a nice capper to 9 months of Fleadom--the sun even made an appearance after possibly the most disgusting morning of weather all year.
Thanks to everyone who helped us make the '08 great: vendors, customers, clean-up and security staff, Flea Smurfs (you know who you are!), Loughlin HS peeps (thanks MC Kevvy Kev), Eddie Rock's delivery/porter service, Transportation Alternatives' bike valet, Moosaka on the decks, and on and on. We are grateful!
The Flea will be back in Fort Greene the first weekend in April 2009. Stay tuned to the blog for the latest updates--we'll have lots of news in the meantime. (Big announcement tomorrow in fact.)
December 20, 2008
Open for Business
This Sunday, Dec. 21, only the indoor market at the Masonic Temple will be open. The hours there are 11am to 6pm. The Masonic Temple (right) is located directly across the street from the Flea schoolyard, at Lafayette and Clermont Ave. More than 50 vendors will be there, including lots of Flea regulars--come on down!
December 18, 2008
Gift of Light
Hanukkah and Christmas are nearly upon us, worldchanging is the order of the day, and after 35 weeks of Fleaing, we have much to be grateful for. This Sunday is our last in Fort Greene for a few months, and 8 months ago who woulda thunk that your humble Flea would still be pulling in thousands of folks every Sunday, spawning international media coverage, and creating a community of local pals and vendors too.
Our little caboose is a runway train that could--and we thank everyone who bought, sold, munched, strolled, told, braved the cold, and of course dripped huarache juice on the schoolyard pavement.
(We're launching a 12-week indoor "pop-up market" for vintage/antiques vendors in Dumbo, starting Jan. 10/11. It will be at 76 Front St. and be open Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 6pm. We'll be back in Fort Greene the first weekend in April 2009. Stay tuned to your Flea Blog for the latest--much more info coming soon.)
Here's one last highlight of Gifted vendors for the final Sunday.
Hanukkah is, as "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me" recently suggested, ultimately an energy-efficiency holiday. With that attitude, check out the groovy iLampe folks, John and Kirsten, who salvage trash and thrift-store items and turn 'em into interesting and unique lights. Their lamps incorporate tossed-off Eames and Saarinen parts, as well as random stuff like the adjustable beaker holder, worn metal pipes, vintage brass socket, and Edison bulb in "Beaker" (above).
Alyssa Ettinger is a star of the handmade scene, and her cast milk bottles (right) and other ceramics are old tymey and modern at the same time.
Our pals from Castor + Pollux will be in the house, er, Temple on Sunday, mostly with their awesome purses, hoodies, and T's festooned with their double-horse logo.
Claudia Pearson will be selling and signing copies of her funky new kids book, Tribal Alphabet (right), which tells the stories of indigenous peoples the world over--the ABC's of anthropology.
Plus, of course, loads of amazing vintage objects, jewelry, stationery, toys, art, crafts, clothes, and food.
For the last time in '08, see you at the Flea!
December 17, 2008
Give It Away
For the final week of Gifted--and our smashing 2008 debut Flea season--we'll be helping Deb of Bonbon Oiseau raise much-needed dough for the excellent Food Bank of NYC during the holidays. Food Bank works to end food poverty and increase access to affordable, nutritious food for low-income New Yorkers throughout the five boroughs.
In a nice coup, the Food Bank has tapped the Robin Hood Foundation to do a $2-for-$1 match for every dollar donated this holiday season. (The goal is to raise $6000 total.) You can give by buying $5 raffle tickets directly from Deb at Gifted this Sunday, or for $10 on her website.
Then on Monday on her website (via video!), Deb will announce the winner of 12 snazzy prizes (right) donated by local folks (many of whom are Flea vets), including Ann Wood's amazing handmade birds, a cute Perch! Design earthenware "tiny basket," robin coasters by Sesame Letterpress (also at Gifted this week), beautiful photo prints by Traci French, and an alpaca knit hat by Hortensia Handmade (also at Gifted!).
Look for Deb selling her gorgeous jewelry near the entrance on Sunday. She'll also have a basket displaying all the prizes at her table.
Flea goodness!
December 15, 2008
Finders/Keepers Week 20
This week's Hunt moved inside to the Gifted holiday market, which was a-wasseling as ever.
Check back Friday at noon for this week's items.
Kelsy (left) from Bed-Stuy scored the awesome "Hi-Ho" vintage Santa tree-decorating game from Rebecca at Bid Brooklyn. Rebecca's a Flea regular with awesome vintage finds, and she's popped inside for the final 2 weeks of Gifted too--antique decorations galore! (Among other things.)
December 12, 2008
Scavenger Hunt Item: December 14 (Holiday version!)
The Hunt took a little hiatus there, but it's back with a special holiday edition this week. This awesome item could be anywhere among the 60+ outdoor vendors or the 50 Gifted vendors across the street at the Masonic Temple. (Look for our snazzy new banner!)
For newcomers, when you find the item, which can be hidden in any vendor booth, it's yours, absolutely free! Then we post your photo here on the blog on Monday. Only one winner per calendar month. Items posted every Friday at Noon.
Happy hunting!
Hi-Ho Santa Claus "trim-a-tree" spinner decorating game. Vintage
Market Forces
Gifted was straight-up rocking all day last Sunday, and we expect more of the same this week. (Check out Brownstoner on the sound system too--he's been working on his mix all week.)
We've raved about weekly Gifted vendors (and will now rave a-gain) like Layla, Acorn, Birdhouse Jewelry, Els Walleyn's teddy bears, Heartisans, Jessica DeCarlo, Jonathan Blum, Lon Black's vintage postcards, and of course foodies like Mast Bros. Chocolate, Fine+Raw Chocolate, McClure's Pickles, and Rick's Picks, Pop Judaica's awesome Hannukah kitsch, Spotted's ornaments and concrete housewares, WrecordsByMonkey's awesome vinyl accessories.
Here are some highlights of what's on tap for this Sunday. Start revving your shopping engines!
Kooky Phyllis of Reclaimed Home (she's a Flea regular) has started "upcycling" (great term!) her nifty vintage finds, including old-fashioned skis-turned-coat hangers (above), wooden boxes-turned-dioramas, and more. Phyl's, ya know, creative. She'll be set up stage right on the bleachers, don't miss her.
Mollie Dash makes her only Gifted appearance on Sunday, unveiling her latest one-of-a-kind vintage/handmade jewelry. Mollie has become something of a standard-bearer in this crowded arena--check her out.
John from furniture designers Bien Hecho (Flea vets too) also makes smaller pieces, like these collections of NYC pressed leaves in handcrafted oak frames (right).
Davina, who had the kids-portrait photo booth last week, is back with her mesmerizing photos, including pieces from her heralded "Land of the Lost Toys" series. Great gifts.
Pinecone + Chickadee come down from Portland, Maine (Maine!), with their hyper-cute stationery and printed matter (T's, totes, tots), like the awesome "Mustache Snail" (right).
Greenjeans' wood toys by Frank Ridley, the Central Maine woodworker from literally the same tiny town as Senor Flea--South Solon represent!, takes up a table this week.
Geralyn, who repped the Fort Greene Photo Org. at the Flea early on, has wonderful cityscapes, urban portraits, and Brooklyn-centric locales among her largely b+w photo output. You know your bubby likes pics of her old stomping grounds!
Itzy Bitzy Patisserie has moved indoors with her yummy French-style macarons (not macaroons FYI). Did someone say gift box?
If the Maptote Brooklyn bag (right) isn't the ideal friend gift of 2008 we don't know what is. And they have totes of other farflung places we've read about like Portland, LA, even the Catskills.
December 10, 2008
Power to the Plants
It's technically still fall--this Sunday should be in the high 40s actually.
So it's not insane to announce that the Plant Dr. will be IN this Sunday at the Flea, as Groundworks returns to show off their greenery and pruning and urban-landscape skills. Folks loved their setup of plants and flowers last week, and in anticipation of what we hope will be a regular presence when the Flea returns in April 2009 Carmen and Alice will be providing FREE gardening help to any Fleaster with a horticultural query.
From 10am to 2pm, bring a photo or even just a piece of your ailing or befuddling plant and let the Groundworkers work their magic and provide a prognosis and/or cure.
Look for the green tent in W1 at the outdoor Flea.
December 7, 2008
Gifted On Fire!
Here's the scene from the Gifted Holiday Market about an hour ago. Big turnout! About 20 hardy vendors braved the elements outside too. Hats off to them!
December 4, 2008
What's New?
The Flea got washed out last week for the first time in our 8+ months of existence--a bummer. But we're still finishing strong as we close in on our Dec. 21 final date of the season. We'll have about 60 vendors outside this week, and we've beefed up the Gifted holiday market across the street at the Masonic Temple to about 50 vendors (from 35). Cider, antiques, crystals, winter plants, local shopping, a flurry or two--Sunday Brooklyn Perfect.
Human Hair & Co. is Eric and Matt's eccentric poetry and art project, which includes self-published books, posters and specialty wooden signs. (They're doing the new signs for Book Court in Cobble Hill.) Eric plans to read poems upon request (or just present a brief reading every 20 minutes from his portable lectern), and the guys will also be selling their groovy collages, posters, and on-the-spot portraits. A pair of sincere fellas who really get the spirit of the Flea and are eager to add to it--check 'em out. L7
Groundworks is Carmen and Alice's South Brooklyn garden-design, installation and maintenance firm that creates outdoor environments for residential and commercial clients on rooftops, terraces and suburban sites (right). All their plants are grown locally, and at the Flea they'll be featuring unique tropical houseplants, herbs, small terrariums, small window box plants, bulbs, unique pottery and containers, as well as info galore on winter plantings and the like. They'll be back in spring too as a staple we hope. W1
Vilmos Gruenbaum had one of the old-school antiques shops on Atlantic Ave. (between Smith and Hoyt) until about three years ago, focusing in 18th and 19th Century furniture, and eventually 20th C. too. Now he's down in Sunset Park, but he'll be starting up what we hope is a long run at the Flea. L14/15
Steve Gibson's daughter is moving to Miami, so he's unloading her trove of winter coats this Sunday. Enterprising Steve devised this truck-shaped cart (above) to display their wares, which sort of defies description for Senor Flea. Needless to say, this will be a must-see. B7
The Cotton Press is Lauren and her hubby's eco-friendly, online-only textile shop, making things like kids T's, prints (like "Yellow Dandelion Clock," right), and the like. Cute stuff. B15
Randi scours the German design scene for the best up-and-coming talent for her ex49 export biz. Soccer-ball bags, innovative cutting boards, table-top tchotchkes, cool stuff. E24
Poloppo is a cool design company focused on getting kids' artwork onto products, and they just moved to Brooklyn from San Francisco. Their Design-Your-Own T-shirt kit is pretty rad: draw a picture using the makers and paper on the convertible easel package, mail it in, and 10 days later get back a shirt with his/her own design on it. E23
Barak Wrobel has a big gem and mineral collection (right) that he'll be unveiling for sale at the Flea. Everything from quartz to tourmaline, all shapes and sizes, raw and finished, lots of crazy-looking pieces to be had. We live for these kinds of folks, who appear out of nowhere to bring their passions to the public--i.e. Fleasters like you. E4
Horman's Pickles and Dino the antiques dealer will make their debuts this Sunday after being rained out last week. Welcome them warmly!
December 3, 2008
Portrait Artist
Davina Zagury has been selling her gorgeous photo prints at the Flea on and off all year, and they're always a hit. (Check her website to see her work, which is lustrous and captivating, like the photo from her "Siblings" series, above.) Davina's specialty is portraits of children with items that are meaningful to them, pegged to a theme of her devising.
So Davina will be bringing her latest project, "My Fantasy Portrait," to the Gifted Holiday Market, this Sunday, Dec. 7, only. She'll be setting up a photo studio on the stage at the Masonic Temple where she'll be snapping pics of children as they create their own fantasy photo portrait using their own props, costumes, and of course imaginations. Suggested age is 3-10 y.o.
Participation is free, and portraits are available for purchase directly from Davina.
If you and your child (or children) want to take part, schedule an appointment with Davina at 914.671.3735 either this Thursday or Friday (Dec. 4 or 5) between 10am and 4pm.
This is such a cool idea and great family/friend gift--Davina is so good at capturing kids' essence in a way that's also beautiful and moving. Give her a ring!
November 28, 2008
What's New?
The Good, The Bad + Ugly was longtime collector Judi's East Village and Nolita vintage shop, which she's reviving at the Flea, starting this Sunday. Mostly awesome '70s clothing, some cool furniture too. E22
Horman's Best Pickles (right) is our latest pickler. (Rick's Picks and McClure's will both be at Gifted all 4 Sundays for the sour (or dill) puss in your life.) Nick (aka "Nicky Pickles") is a philosophy grad student by day, and student of unpasteurized (i.e., old-school) pickling by night. His Long Island family are longtime picklers, and Nick is carrying the torch for Essex St. and Brooklyn legends like Guss', serving pickles out of the barrel for maximum freshness. Queue up for his cukes! E3
Crazy Old Bags is the excellently named 9-year-old vintage-bag business of cousins Danielle and Kerri, who have literally hundreds of stylish bags and some cool jewelry, scarves, that type of thing. Well-edited, nice gals, worth a gander for sure. E10
The Rise and Fall was a groovy shop in Williamsburg, which Joshua and his wife are bringing back at the Flea. Their beautiful handprinted pillows make excellent gifts and come in styles like a peacock (above), skull, and spider web. E11
We met Dino last week through groovy Jean-Paul from Rue St.-Denis (merci!), and he'll be making his debut with mid-century furniture this Sunday. He's an old-school dealer, welcome him warmly! L11
Habib Wani, a Kashmiri rug seller, magically appeared in our inbox this week, and we're looking forward to checking out his handmade Indian wares on Sunday, just like you. L13
Erin's Shorthand Press features greeting cards, T's and more festooned with the elegant and designy craft of, yes, shorthand. Rly gd lkg! E9
Swell Foop is husband and wife team Otto and Anne's organic/sustainable line of T's (and onesies of course) featuring endangered animals. They're out here from Montana for awhile. Cute stuff! E13
Tom and Marushka have great vintage kids winter jackets and snow suits, which they'll be availing themselves of over the next few Sundays at the Flea. Local flava! B19
November 26, 2008
White Sunday
Black Friday? That seems so scary!
Instead, spend your hard-earned duckets in your community this Sunday, spreading the wealth around to folks who collect antique clocks and design objects, make yummy chocolate and cookies (gift boxes!), paint beautiful pictures, knit cozy hats, print pretty cards--all of which you'll find at Gifted, the fab new holiday market we're launching with Time Out NY this Sunday at the Masonic Temple, across the street from the Flea. (The gorgeous hall alone is worth a gander.)
The outdoor Flea was awesome last week--not too chilly, lots of sun, great vibe with hot cider/cocoa and scarves aplenty--and it's gonna stay that way until our last day of the season, Dec. 21. (Stay tuned to the website for exciting future plans around the corner!)
The regular vendors are braving the elements to serve devoted Fleasters like you, and their awesome wares know no temperature. So check out Gifted inside, cross the street to grab a spiced hot chocolate or coffee, and find a gift with a history at the Flea. It's like Broadway, only without the cheese, horrible music (Senor and Hermano Flea will be providing fun tunes at the Masonic), grime, noise, and annoying people.
The Flea--your eco, 21st Century, local, friendly, interpersonal, feel-good, economy-helping one-stop shopping spot. See ya there!
November 25, 2008
Finders/Keepers Week 19
Sunny day brought out early Hunters this week. A friendly couple of Brooklynites took home the prizes.
Check back Friday at noon for this week's items.
From left:
Matt Cliszis (left) comes from Carroll Gardens to the Flea most Sundays, and as a license-plate collector he was on the lookout, and by 10:33am he had spotted the '64 World's Fair plate. Sydney from Baxter's Bazaar had found a bunch of license plates in a recent house clean-out he did. He's in W20 most Sundays.
John Pomeroy (left) just moved to Brooklyn, to SONYA (South of the Navy Yard), and snagged this pretty scarf (it's tied nicely around his neck) for his lady friend, who happened to be ill in the hospital. Susan Steinbrock was happy to have her creation go to a good karmic connection. She's usually on the Vanderbilt fence around V12.
November 21, 2008
Scavenger Hunt Items: November 23
Really nice items for Hunters this week. Scavenge on!
For newcomers, when you find the item, which can be hidden in any vendor booth, it's yours, absolutely free! Then we post your photo here on the blog on Monday. Only one winner per calendar month. Items posted every Friday at Noon.
Happy hunting!
From left:
1. 1964 World's Fair New York license plate. Vintage (One of several license plates this vendor will be bringing.)
2. Handpainted crepe de chine silk scarf. New/Handmade
November 20, 2008
What's New?
So it's gonna be a little nippy on Sunday...so wha? This is the time of year to find awesome bargains and get to know the hardcore regular vendors who are as dedicated and resilient as your local mail carrier (rain, sleet, etc.). Or to meet the new vendors who are so psyched to Flea that a forecast of sunny skies in the crisp 40s means nothing to them. Senor and Mr. B are similarly undeterred by such beautiful fall days--so come say hi, share a brick-oven pizza or a mushroom-swiss scone, and find out what's in store for the Flea's future with them. We'll be there, warmin'. Which is like chillin', but different.
On to the newbies:
Kaffeine + Kitsch is an awesome antiques and coffee shop that Amy and Patrick operate down in Milford, PA, and they're taking their show on the road this Sunday. "Mid-century furnishings (boomerang tables, vintage lighting, iconic chairs), kitschy artwork (including paint-by-numbers), fun barware and ashtrays from the '40s to '60s, souvenirs from off-the-wall destinations (above), Atomic Age kitchenware"--you get it. And you want it. L17.
Eliza Pister is a vintage buyer for fashion designers (many of whom frequent the Flea, we hear), so she specializes in pieces with great detail, fabric and rarity, especially Victorian clothing. She's gonna have great stuff, only with us for a few weeks though. L11
Rebecca and her pal are magazine editors--one classy, the other kitsch--cleaning out the house at their Stoop Spot. Everything will be $1, $5 or $10! From the classy side: porcelain plates, vintage Johnson Brothers serving pieces, hand-blocked stationery, decorative silk and linen pillows, vintage frames and artwork, fabric remnants (ginghams to fine silks), cookbooks, and entertaining books. Kitsch: vintage clothes and shoes, Toreador velvet art paintings (right), '50s TV lamps, ceramic log planters, jewelry baubles, TV trays. Go Gadget go! B7
Itzy Bitzy Patisserie is Mitzy's brand spankin' nouveau macaron-making operation. Not macaroons (coconut, Passover), but macarons, the delicious crunchy and smooth French sandwich creme cookie (right). She studied with French master pâtissier Pierre Hermé, and churns out delish-sounding varieties like chestnut with green tea creme, pistachio, and chocolate caramel pecan. Bon appetit! E5
Plan B Basics is the new venture from Amy and Chuck, whose Brooklyn catering biz Loud Food NYC is 20 years young. "After countless affairs at the Picnic House in Prospect Park, cocktail parties in DUMBO and dinners in the Heights, we are listening to our clients and taking 3 of our most popular items on the road." They'll have caramelized onion relish, tomato-ginger chutney, and mushroom ragout, each an option when dinner "Plan A" goes awry. Yummy. W1
November 19, 2008
Gifted: A Holiday Market
The time has finally come to announce our holiday market, which has turned out to be way awesomer (and more work) than we imagined when we concocted it--all of a few weeks ago.
The Flea has partnered with Time Out NY to present Gifted: A Holiday Market, featuring 40 vendors curated by Senor himself along with TONY Seek Editor Erin Wylie. Gifted will take place inside the historic Brooklyn Masonic Temple--the amazing building with the columns across the street from the Flea--on the 4 Sundays Nov. 30, Dec. 7, 14 + 21, from 11am to 6pm. (The "regular" Flea will of course continue on at the schoolyard during this time, with Dec. 21 remaining our last date of the season.)
We curated the mix of vendors at Gifted to be sort of like the Flea: stuff you can only find there; folks selling beautiful, unique items they made themselves; vintage/antique objects that are distinctive and affordable; snazzy jewelry; cool, quality art; and of course yummy foodstuffs. Our goofy tagline is "Edited + Eclectic for Everyone."
Here are some highlights: Layla, the gorgeous jewelry and Indian textiles shop in Boerum Hill; Acorn, the classy toy shop on Atlantic Ave.; Els Walleyn's beautiful mohair teddy bears--all the way from Belgium!; Flea regular David Sokosh, who will be featuring amazing antique clocks ("the gift of time for Christmas"); Jezebel Stationery, Moontree Letterpress, Perch! Design, and Mollie Dash's Brooklyn-made cards and goodies; Ornaments + Objects' mid-century jewelry and design pieces; I Lampe's lamps made from recycled Saarinen designs and the like; Pop Judaica's "Shlep" totes and menorah subway-map cards; The Flubber Gallery's vintage toys; Reiter8's totes made from recycled sails; and Fine + Raw's scrumptious raw chocolate gift packs. (Click here to see the full lineup; we'll have a proper Gifted webpage up later this week.)
We're really excited about this addition to the Flea, and hope that it becomes a sort of local one-stop holiday-shopping alternative to, say, big boxes or, gasp, Manhattan. Make a connection with the person you're buying from; support someone who lives in your neighborhood; give a gift there's only one of. That's what y'all wanted, right? Right.
Gorgeous flyer design by Noel Claro.
November 18, 2008
Finders/Keepers Week 18
Blustery day at the Flea, but that did nothing to stop Fleasters on the Hunt.
Check back Friday at noon for this week's items.
From left:
Megan Myers (middle) hops the G train every Sunday from Williamsburg to do the Flea, so she was on the ball at 10:30am for the "recycled bombshell bangle" earrings (made from 155mm bombshells dropped on Cambodia during the Vietnam War) from Lotus Jayne. She's sandwiched between LJ's Katie (left) and Jill). Lotus Jayne is around W35 every other Sunday.
Denise Siebe (middle) visited us (and her Brooklyn pal, right) all the way from Knoxville, Tennessee! She checked the blog that morning for the first time, and by 11:01am she was the winner of the snazzy German porcelain birdbath vase (which evaded Senor's lens somehow!). Peter (dba Anodyne) was pleased as punch to be part of the Hunt. He and his cute family sell inexpensive tchotchkes and clothes in W47 every Sunday.
November 17, 2008
Rick + Martha
Rick of Rick's Picks is a master pickler, and we were tickled to see this average guy (Rick the Pickler spreading the brine around?) side-by-side with none other than Martha Stewart on the TV.
Here's the segment, titled "Spears of Influence," which is the name of one of Rick's award-winning jars of love. Rick's at the Flea somewhat randomly, but you can always check his website for fresh picks, not to mention gift ideas!
If you happen to be upstate near Rosendale this weekend, don't miss the 11th Annual International Pickle Festival, featuring Rick and fellow Fleaster Bob of delicious McClure's Pickles. Pickle on!