brooklynflea: April 2008
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April 30, 2008
Our Two Scents
The Flea is getting more vintagey every week--a good thing--but some of our artisans are totally holding it down.
Celle Adore, created by Jessica Cohen, sells both her own line of luxury scents inspired by 17th Century French parfumeurs, as well as stunning vintage perfume bottles from the likes of Chanel and Balenciaga. The fancy sequined tops she's also been bringing will soon be joined by some beautiful French antiques too. E2 every week.
The friendly folks from D.S. & Durga were a hit with their scents for ladies and gents at their Flea debut, and we're excited to have them back this Sunday. Cowboy Grass for guys is particularly nice, and perhaps helped snag their recent invite to a Bendel trunk show. They'll be joined by their pal Alison Kelly, an up-and-coming young clothing designer who was on Project Runway in season three. Lafayette fence, Clermont side.
Two quick notes: We'll be folding the Design*Sponge Collective into the market as a whole starting this Sunday (Alyssa Ettinger will be there in B14, and John Murphy and Foxy + Winston continue to be there every week, in B19 and B22.)
And busy as a Flea Lotta Jansdotter is taking a hiatus to promote her two new books and be a good mom. She'll be back this summer though.
April 28, 2008
Sounds of ze Flea
WCBS Radio (880 AM) ran a cute audio segment last week highlighting some of the sounds and flavors of the Flea. Check it out.
April 25, 2008
Vinylmania!
Let's get personal. Senor Flea first got the NYC bug in high school when he would scour the "Village" record shops for Smiths 45s and New Order 12"s, and later as a fledgling DJ searching for Detroit techno and Berlin minimal stuff. Vinylmania, a bastion of grooves on Carmine St., was a standard stop on any spinster's rounds.
The shop closed last year, but this Sunday ze Flea is abuzz with joy as Charlie from Vinylmania returns--with his 30,000-plus collection--to the public sphere with a big booth in the center of the yard.
Not that Hermano Flea y Small Change and ShoutShimmy haven't been holding it down (heads like Bill Adler and Justin Carter have been photographed digging through their crates), but we know that where there's rekkids there's Fleagoers, so Vinylmania is simply more of a good thing.
Dig in!
April 23, 2008
Incoming!
So much new stuff flowing into ze Flea this Sunday. Truthfully, if the weather's bad again we will be bummed.
We have a feeling that ama home are the next discovery at the Flea. After finding vintage pieces, they splash them with color and add a little love to prep them for the modern home. (Before and after pics, right.) In addition to the Flea, ama also just scored a fab window display at Saks this fall! Go gals.
A+J 20th Century Designs was one of the excellent modern stores on Lafayette St. in Soho's heyday, and we're proud to welcome their return to the fold. (Their submission to Senor Flea was accompanied by a signed endorsement by Godfather Murray of Moss.) Vanderbilt fence, next to pals Jaybird Antiques.
Adele Amore, a multi-decade veteran dealer, makes her debut in the "E" aisles on the midway. She's gonna have some finds.
Deco-Haus, a couple of next-gen collectors who are already quite established, will be spreading out by the backstop for the first time Sunday. Definitely swing by and set aside some time for them.
Ed and Helen of Tobin Antiques zoom in from Amherst, Mass., with their fine-design vintage jewelry and myriad collectibles. The fine-tuned eye rewarded there, off the handball wall on the Clermont side.
We love the name of "FDR to JFK," and Paula and Gary do everything '40s to '70s, including Bakelite, lamps, suitcases, dollhouses, and electric fans. A picker's delight. Handball wall near Clermont/Lafayette.
From the 'hood, KP Antiques is a couple who collect strictly antique books and mid-century modern furniture (right), and by the looks of it they're all about quality. Handball wall by Clermont, on the corner.
Local stylist Joan Van Hees unloads more of her personal clothing collection this Sunday--her booth was jammed all day last week. (Lots of shoes!) Handball wall right of the Lafayette entrance.
Mitch Rubin, another 26th St. vet and a Fort Greene resident, makes his entree into ze Flea. He's a longtime picker, all kinds of cool things. Handball wall near Clermont.
And Lola's Boutique, surely the coolest shop on 86th St. in Bay Ridge, is back for more this week. We love her mix of affordable stuff, happy to represent South BK too. Handball wall, next to Greenjeans.
Sun sun sun, here it comes!
Hudson-on-Brooklyn
Stroll down Warren Street in Hudson, NY, and the density of vintage shops conjures the ole days on Lafayette St. below Houston or Atlantic Ave. from Hoyt to Nevins. Before the Flea took flight, Senor Flea made a trip up there to convince some shop-owners to trek down to Brooklyn--to no avail.
So this Sunday feels like a coup of sorts, what with four Hudsonians at the Flea, and more to come soon if all goes well. Mike from Mohawk Studios is back near the backstop with his metal stuff (those little railroad-spike bugs rule). Karen from Madalin Antiques does everything from D&G skirts to Stan Getz records. David Dew Bruner has primitive to modern sculptural antiques, like a Pennsylvania coal-crusher mold (right). (David and Karen will be neighbors near the Clermont/Lafayette corner.) And Robin from Colonia has been a weekly vendor near the Lafayette gate since launch, with a sharp eye for offbeat furniture and affordable funky stuff.
The Flea is becoming a real pilgrimage for out-of-town dealers; feel free to welcome them warmly.
Mrs. B's Flea Wrap
This is the first of a weekly look-back at The Flea from Mrs. Brownstoner, who's been brainstorming on the market with us from the beginning...We finally got to spend some quality browsing time (sans kids) at The Flea last Sunday. Here are a few of the things that caught our eye: In the furniture department, this Nelson-ish daybed was practically being given away in the center of the yard; with some new uphostelry, maybe one of the Marimekko prints from ReproDepot stash along the Vanderbilt fence, it could become a prize piece. Unfortunately, we don't have room for another item of large furniture in our place. These Thonet chairs from the Antiquinaires booth were another example of mid-century design that would look great jazzed up with some new fabric—they were also a bargain at $80 a pop. There were also some interesting art finds if you looked closely. We were tripping over ourselves to grab this pair of wax portraits from Bloom Antiques (where we also noticed some beautiful inlaid boxes and silver pieces). On the top of our wish list for next Sunday: Vintage lighting.
April 21, 2008
Whaddyawant from Us?
Literally.
Loads of affordable, fancy, and re-purposed/locally made furniture and antiques; junk/stuff; stoop sales; crucifixes up the wazoo; and coming soon, organic ice cream. Not a bad start.
Now that we've got a solid foundation, like any smart flea we're looking to establish a symbiotic relationship--with you, our lifeblood. Some of the things Senor Flea has gotten requests for include: electronics, sports memorabilia, linens, silver, African art, movie posters, and perhaps most commonly, tacos. (It might end up being empanadas, but we'll try.)
So as we enter fine-tuning mode, we want to know: What specialty items/vendors would you like to see at the Flea? Or, what would you like to see more or less of from the lovely vendors we have onboard so far?
This helps Senor Flea save MetroCard fares and biking energy as he traverses the region in search of the finest Fleas, and it also gives our vendors a target to aim for each Sunday. Class is in session.
Also, be on the lookout for our new feature, "Mrs. B. Does the Flea," debuting later this week. Senora Flea will also be making her own contribution soon, highlighting her snazziest purchase of the past Sunday. (She's been singlehandedly lightening some vendors' loads every week, especially Matta.)
April 18, 2008
Mixology
Can someone get us some friggin sun on a Sunday?! Oy vey caramba. Clouds are not a good look for us! Ommmm.
Since it's been awhile since we horn-tooted, here are some more folks to hone the radar for.
FunkyFanny's Vintage is a local gal with a big following, and after some arm-twisting we finally roped her into Fleadom. Near the Clermont/Lafayette corner.
Kimono Lily is the largest supplier in the country of vintage Japanese kimonos (right, top). They're based in the Navy Yard, and we're super-excited they've come onboard. Lafayette fence, Clermont side.
DecoDecor is a neighborhood guy with what impeccable taste in antiques. He's thinking about opening a shop on Myrtle Ave., so he's testing the waters at the Flea. We're thinking a definite swim not sink for DD.
War Rug is about as niche as you can get: Handmade, incredibly detailed Afghan rugs (right, below), many of which incorporate mesmerizing designs inspired by the region's war-torn recent past. A dazzling geometric pattern reveals itself to be inspired by a missile, tank, or fighter jet. There's a Henry Darger element to these rugs too, and they're at least worth an enlightening chat with Kevin the War Rug guy. Vanderbilt fence.
Interventionista has been selling fabulous vintage Deco clothing finds for years now, but her Fleadom marks a transition of sorts to full-time astrologer. So in addition to cleaning out her closet, former model Interventionista is doing astrology readings every Sunday at the Flea, in a booth by the school bleachers. She's sharp, witty, and a trip to chat with. The full moon this Sunday seems like the perfect time for a visit. (Plus, 4/20 dude!)
Gary from Cine-Noir was named best street vendor by the Village Voice a few years back, when his obscure video/music/media stand was a fixture on E. 9 St. in the East Village. He's a real Renaissance man, now doing the awesome videos at Rubulad dance parties and also working production for the Pope's visit this week! Check out Gare's groovy spot on the Lafayette fence, Clermont side.
Lew Jaffe, recently retired, is driving up from Philly every weekend to share his collection of doorknobs, ringers, restoration hardware, and now vintage bookplates. (He blogged about Brooklyn bookplates this week.) The man's also got stories to spare. Lafayette fence, Clermont side.
Enjoy.
April 17, 2008
New + Noteworthy
Like a flea on the haunch of its cow, we're paying close attention to everything going on around us. We love how opinionated folks are about the Flea, because it gives us a chance to evolve quickly and on the fly. Senor likes to call ze Flea an organism--usually an amoeba--that grows and contracts new parts each week to suit its environment.
More concretely, be on the lookout for loads of great new vendors this Sunday and next, mostly from the vintage/antique realm, especially furniture.
We'll be adding a lot of vendors with larger spaces, like Karen and Al from Antiquinaires, who bring in a broad range of items from Long Island; Mike from Mohawk Studios up in Hudson, who makes metal furniture and has other industrial-feel stuff; and Blue Dot Auctions, making the trek from Western Mass for the first time this Sunday with lord knows what from their massive trove. Next week in the same "pod," look out for Charlie from Vinylmania, which had a 30-year run on Carmine St. in the Village, to debut his zillions of records at the Flea.
A few folks are off this week for Passover, so by the handball walls you'll see some new faces like Good Vintage Collectibles from Swampscott, Mass., Sonia's Fine Pottery, and Bloom Antiques, from around the corner in Fort Greene. (Silver spoons, above, for a newborn perhaps?)
Along the Lafayette fence to the right, Ornaments + Objects finally appears at the Flea, right next to newly minted media icon and mid-century West German pottery purveyor Ginfor's Odditiques, who treks all the way from Indiana to do the Flea. (Senor knows Ginfor's pottery is gorgeous!)
What else? Hairy Mary's Vintage, an LES shop that opened after the Chelsea fleas started fading, joins the Flea this Sunday. Nollywood Depot, the Fulton St. Clinton Hill shop selling Nigerian underground films, returns. (Nollywood's Ogugua worked with Fela Kuti, go chat him up about it.) Bien Hecho debuts, a Navy Yard furniture maker who re-purposes salvage from local brownstones.
And make sure to peruse the aisles of smaller booths, as we've been trying to add a deeper variety of what nice people call "stuff"--along with the ricotta cannolis, cupcakes, perfumes, herbal salves, costume jewelry, humidifiers, squirrel dolls, bicycles, sports memorabilia, baby furniture, and edible plants.
See ya there.
April 14, 2008
Nice 'n Easy Does It
Unrested, unkempt, and yet undeterred, Senor Flea feeds off the energy of ze Flea every Sunday, not unlike a real Flea and its host. Vendors appreciate the crowds and their media-hype rescue from anonymity (go Chairloom!), and Fleagoers have been effusive in their praise for creating our little weekly bazaar. Thanks to all who have wished us well, appreciated our hard work and dedication, and been generally grateful. That's what it's all about yo!
We'll be doing some house-cleaning this week and trying to get back to highlighting snazzy vendors as they come onboard. Look out for a fresh crop of vintage vendors this Sunday and next, including furniture, records, "smalls" (Senor's newly learned insider term for tchotchkes), and freshly baked bread.
A couple notes:
No dogs or pets inside the Flea. This is the school's policy, which makes sense considering students will be on the same yard starting at 7am the day after the market.
No bikes either. Just no room in there, and too many valuables to potentially knock over. Our vendors have been adamant about this. We're chatting with some folks about doing valet bike parking in the future.
We'll have more food vendors soon. (Not that Choice, Wafels + Dinges, and our lovely bakers and granolers aren't holding it down quite deliciously.) Health Department permitting is strict, and takes time.
More vendors. They're coming, soon, and fast and furiously. The "blurb" in the Times is bringing a huge wave of interest from new vendors, and once we find the needles in that haystack, the Flea will be even more on point.
Oh, and did we mention how dapper and demure Guy Trebay is, just in general? We hear he's an expert at saving puppies and kittens too, even the occasional baby penguin.
Brooklyn Flea Goes Front-and-Center at The Times
We knew that the Brooklyn Flea article in the New York Times yesterday was the cover story of the Styles section. What we did not realize, until a friend sent us this screen shot, was that it was also the lead story on the home page. Crazy stuff. Read the article here and check out a series of narrated slide shows here. Thanks, Guy!
April 11, 2008
Gearing Up for Flea Part Deux
Senor Flea is swamped with last-minute details for Brooklyn Flea's sophomore outing on Sunday so we're stepping in to highlight some of the new vendors debuting this weekend. (As we've noted before, there's going to be a lot of rotation this first month!) As requested, we've got a lot of new antiques (both traditional and mid-century) starting up this weekend that run the gamut from inexpensive to high-end. Above, clockwise from top left are items from Corinne Robbins, AMA Home and Joe Heidecker. In addition, long-time mid-century deales Antiquinaires will be in da house; Lew Jaffe will be shlepping up his collection of doorknobs, ringers and other hardware from Philly; KB Antiques will be displaying its vintage sterling flatware and toys. And, in another interesting twist, Dave Bias will be debuting his polaroid booth at The Flea. And lots, lots more. See you Sunday!
April 4, 2008
Loose Ends
Garbage cans? Check. Orange "Flea Staff" caps? Check. Insane amounts of media attention? Uh huh. (Signore Flea is about to do an interview with an Italian journalist for La Repubblica's weekly magazine, D. Molto bene!)
So a few things before ze Flea takes flight. The food court we've been touting so highly will be only halfway complete by this Sunday. Choice Market and Wafels + Dinges will be in the yard, plus all the cookies, cupcakes, and ricotta cheese. (OMG alert: Salvatore Bklyn Ricotta will be debuting their heavily researched cannolis on Sunday.) And we're hopeful that within the month our BBQ dude, soup gals, Mexican ices chica, and Cuban empanadas hombre will join them. (A little red tape has held us up ever so briefly.)
Bring dough. There are ATMs within a block or two, but not at the Flea itself. We're not set up to take credit cards (yet), although many vendors can handle them manually, or by Paypal via wireless internet. But for the first few weeks it's safer to assume you'll be paying cash.
And finally, enjoy yourself.
(The image is, in the spirit of the Flea, vintage.)
April 3, 2008
Notes on the Underground
So everything's running smoothly for Sunday, and we've now posted the basic layout of the market, with the corresponding placement of vendors coming later today.
Just a quick note to check the weekend subway changes on the A/C and G lines this weekend at the MTA site before heading out to Fort Greene. Seems like the F is running on the A/C line from Hoyt-Schermerhorn to the Flea (use the Lafayette Ave. stop, 5 minutes away), and buses are replacing the F/G from Bergen St. to 7th Avenue. The G is stopping normally at Clinton-Washington Ave., which is literally a block from the Flea (use Clinton Ave. exit).
Your other subway option is any train that goes to Atlantic Ave.-Pacific St., which is at the intersection of 4th Avenue and Flatbush Avenue. The 2/3, 4/5, B/D, M/N/Q/R and Long Island Railroad all stop there--the Flea is a lovely 10-15 minute stroll from there.
Check out this map to find your way. It shows all the subway stops mentioned above.
The B38 (Lafayette Ave.), B52 (Greene Ave., one block south), and B69 (Vanderbilt Ave.) buses also all stop within a block of the Flea.
Sunny spring day, mid-50s, fun in the air: sounds like a banner bike day to us. Note that we'll have delivery guys with vans onsite every Sunday to transport your glorious finds safely home.
Don't Stop Believing!
Let's hope the Weather Channel knows what it's talking about! Keep doing your sun dances, fleabies.