brooklynflea: August 2008
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August 29, 2008
Scavenger Hunt Items: August 31
More good stuff for you treasure-seekers this week. Happy hunting!
When you find the item, which can be hidden in any vendor booth, it's yours, absolutely free! Only one winner per calendar month. Items posted every Friday at Noon.
Happy hunting!
From left:
1. Classic Jamaican cap, in beige. New
2. Antique brass key fob, set with vintage brass horseshoe charm.
(Keys not included, but vendor will have them for sale). Vintage/Refurbished
3. Balm of Gilead face and body moisturizer: 100% natural, shea and almond body butter. New
August 28, 2008
What's New?
The calm of new vendors this week portends the post-Labor Day storm in store for Sept. 7. Look out for fall at ze Flea!
We love having Pascal Benichou among the Flea vendors--a real honor. Pascal displays his groovy handmade mosaic and steel tables alongside a rack of country-style artifacts (above), all of which are worth a look. But a chat with Pascal is also worth it: he's a former dancer with the Joffrey Ballet (among other companies), a sculptor, photographer (he has an opening in the E. Village in September), and a painter. Stop by and say "bonjour." E11
Susan Blank is the latest veteran of the 25th St. Antiques Garage to enjoy her Fleadom in Brooklyn. On a recent visit there Senor Flea especially loved her affordable picture frames, which fill a nice nook at the market. Welcome Susan warmly, she's old-school! V8
Ben Dzamba is a swell addition to the Flea's stable of next-generation collector/vendors--a nice young fella whose dad has been in "the business" for years. He's got great paintings, oddball treasures, some nice records, and a fun attitude. V7
Cuban-born, self-taught painter and mosaic artist Jorge Valdes (aka "JAVA") makes his debut this Sunday, and his work is unique and soulful. E21
Brooklynite David Markel will be selling mid-century decorative glass, mostly Italian items from the 50's and 60's (right). Looks like nice stuff. L9
Blue Marble + Rwanda = "Sweet Dreams"
So our pals Alexis and Jennie from Blue Marble Ice Cream--which sells their yummy grass-fed ice cream at the Flea every Sunday--are working on a humanitarian project that the Flea is down with: helping open an ice cream shop in Rwanda.
Following the genocide there in the previous decade, one of Rwanda's remaining resources is its many cows, and when Blue Marble's Jennie met Kiki from Huye, Rwanda, at a Sundance theater workshop earlier this month, the plan was hatched to bring happiness and joy to a nation in sore need of both by turning those cows' milk into yummy ice cream.
Recently the gals learned of an American Express funding initiative that the project is eligible for. If you have 30 seconds, please nominate "Sweet Dreams: The Power of Ice Cream" on the AmEx site by this Sunday, August 31--the top 5 vote-getters in 5 categories are eligible for the $2.5M in funding. The nominating process is really simple, takes less than a minute.
Just click here.
Thank you!
August 27, 2008
Wafels Are Back
Our fine friends from Wafels + Dinges make their long-awaited return to ze Flea this Sunday. Summer heat + Wafels wasn't a good combo, but now that fall appears to be upon us, let those irons be unshackled and let doughy, syrupy, creamy goodness reign over the Bishop Loughlin yard!
Follow your nose to that yummy wafel scent, or just head to the yellow tent in the back row by the school. Monsieur and Madame Wafel have promised an olfactorily stupendous new dough in the coming weeks--so keep those tastebuds standing at attention.
Power to the People's
Word to our brothers Joel and David from People's Popsicle, the Flea's biweekly purveyor of yummy/healthy pops and shaved ices made only with Greenmarket ingredients, for receiving a shiny spotlight in today's Daily Candy.
Twas the Candy that shifted the pre-Flea buzz into high gear, so here's hoping the People's stay cool as their rep heats up.
We couldn't resist sharing this pic (right) of our little pal Jones preparing to devour a strawberry pop.
August 26, 2008
Flea On!
Fear not! The Flea is open as usual this Sunday, Aug. 31, over Labor Day weekend.
The only date we won't be open is Sunday, November 2, when the NYC Marathon goes directly past the Flea making access impossible for both vendors and customers.
As of now, the tentative last date for this year is Sunday, December 21--but that date is subject to change and we may be open deeper into the winter depending on weather and how many folks show up. We'll be back in mid-March/early April, date TBD.
This Sunday's shaping up nicely already, see ya there!
August 25, 2008
Finders/Keepers Week 7
A slightly stealthier approach by this week's Hunt vendors finally pushed scavengers past the noon mark--a new record!
Smiles all around, as per usual.
Check back Friday at noon for this week's items.
Here are this week's finder/keepers:
At 11:49a, Matt Malvezzi from the East Village spotted the movie-camera tote bag from Charlie and Sarah's booth on the Clermont fence. Here's Matt with his gal-pal and the eponymous Sarah (right). (They're around C10 or so every week.) Top left
Amy Bzdak of South Slope finally found the vintage plaid blanket in the Tutek booth at 3:12p. (The vendor is camera shy, despite his dashing good looks (and locks).) Here's Amy with her friend Michael Bender. Stay warm! Top right
Lesley Wheeler finally found the awesome salt-and-pepper shakers that Kyle from Sit and Read Furniture had hidden with such aplomb at 3:34p--our latest winner ever! Kyle sells about once a month, and when he does it's a doozy. Bottom right
August 22, 2008
Scavenger Hunt Items: August 24
Some great items this week, for which we send out a note of appreciation to our lovely vendors for their generous donations every week. (Remember: only one winner per calendar month.)
Happy hunting!
From left:
1. Plaid blanket, pure wool. Exact providence unknown. Pulled from a collapsed shot gun shack 50 miles outside of Duluth. (Quirky description is this quirky vendor's own.) Vintage
2. Canvas tote with hand-silkscreened vintage-camera image. New
3. A set of 2 un-used hardwood salt-and-pepper shakers, in the original box. Vintage
Green Flea
Just a quick note that Liz Pulver is back in W1 this week with her really cool array of house plants (left), including succulents, perennials, and of course black-eyed susans in martini shakers.
Senor and Senora Flea picked out a nice array for their back deck (right), and Liz has plenty of affordable plants and flowers in converted coffee cans and the like.
We love the floras and the faunas at the Flea, let's keep 'em comin'!
August 21, 2008
Cake Truffles for Cancer
This Sunday Christina Ha debuts her Lemonade Stand baked-goods booth (E7), featuring her trailblazing "cupcake truffles." Their base is chocolate bark and their top is candy melt (like M&Ms), with a cake middle. Yummers.
We do have a stellar mini-cupcaker already with Kumquat Cupcakery, it's true. But Lemonade Stand sends 25% of its profits to the Alex's Lemonade Stand fund to fight childhood cancer, which is pretty rad.
Oh, and Christina is bringing her 2007 Miss Teen New Jersey younger sister Catherine (right), in full pageant regalia. That's marketing.
Eat a cake truffle, save lives, do more good.
What's New?
This Sunday is shaping up as a stellar Flea mix, and there are actually too many awesome new vendors this week to highlight them all. Our apologies to those we didn't mention.
Jamal Ait Hamou, a Moroccan guy from Boston, debuts with his Atlas Fossils, showcasing gorgeous ammonite, trilobite, and other minerals from his home country's High Atlas Mountains. L7
Just Ask Shirley is Shirley's mish-mash of wicker baskets and antique fans, phones, table lamps, books and records--all kinds of stuff, as she describes at. For all you pickers. B4
Harry Cooker had an antiques store in Queens for a long time, and now he mostly does the Chelsea markets on Saturdays. This Sunday he tries out our Flea, with a nice mix of costume jewelry, small furniture, bric-a-brac, and paintings. See what's cookin' with Harry! V4
Ex-Brooklynites Pinecone + Chickadee make the trek down from Maine (Senor Flea's home state!) with their hand-silkscreened greeting cards (right), journals, and T's. We like their aesthetic a lot, and have our eyes on their sasquatch T-shirt! V5
Also, tons of vintage furniture this week, including new and returning vendors:
Tony from Barntiques down in PA unleashes his finely crafted furniture made from discarded wood of all sorts. He's done custom work for lots of celebs and for snazzy restaurants around the city. Tony often does the 17th St./6th Ave. Flea, so welcome him warmly to the BK. W1
Right nearby you'll find Aaron Aardvark & Son, a top-notch shop in New Brunswick, NJ, that covers every variety of mid-century furniture and collectibles. They'll be crossing two rivers to join us, so say hi to Lamar and crew. W5
Kyle from Sit and Read Furniture is back with his nicely priced mid-century wares, including the two chairs at right. L11
The bearded fella known to Senor Flea only as Long Island Eddie seems to have made Brooklyn his Sunday home, and his 2 spots along the Clermont fence are chock-a-block with deals on desks, chairs, tables, all of it enticing. C5/6
Antiques + Collectibles, who spread out bigtime with a huge range of furniture the first couple months of the market, mark their return this Sunday. W3
My Little India, the former Fulton St. Fort Greene spot, has become a fixture on the Vanderbilt fence, with all kinds of gorgeous home furnishings from the subcontinent. V14/15/16
August 19, 2008
Flea's Crafty!
Among our most popular attractions week in-week out is the constantly rotating crew of 4-6 craft/handmade vendors who inhabit The {New New} double booth on the Clermont fence. (C10/11 or so, every Sunday.) Felt monkeys, mini-cupcakes, cool affordable jewelry, pretty letterpress stationery, handprinted totes and T's, you name it they got it. And judging by our "Brooklyn Flea" Google Alert, no one promotes their presence at the Flea like The {New New}, who are affiliated with Etsy. (They already got their stoop sale blogged by Newsday.)
This Sunday, the {Newbies} will be taking a booth in the Stoop--our one-time $20 clean-out/discount area, in/around W25 every week--to unload crafting supplies of every imaginable variety: sewing, beading, jewelry, paper-crafting, scrap-booking, candle-making--you get the picture. And right next store in the Stoop, Charlie and Sarah, the friendly folks who set up next store to The {New New} every week, will also be doing a craft-supply blowout of their own, including loads of baby clothes and furniture. Craft on, dudes!
(Today's subject line is a Beasties reference btw.)
August 18, 2008
Finders/Keepers Week 6
We had some seriously psyched Scavengers at this week's Hunt, including a 10:02am winner of pickles and pickled pears. When Sherryl found the candlesticks at 11:38, the whole bloomin' thing was over already. You Fleasters totally have an eagle eye!
Here are this week's lucky ducks:
Charlie from Fort Greene (top) was an early bird catching the (Brooklyn-made) Wheelhouse Pickles pickles and pears from Jean at Local Labels. They're a very cool org, over in V6 or so every other week. (Charlie, if you're out there, send us your last name!)
This lovely, unnamed redhead from who know's here (middle) honed in on the pink-gold earrings from Erica Weiner Jewelry around 10:10am. We're sure they'll suit this gal nicely. (If you're out there, let us know who you are and where you live!) Erica (on the right) and crew are in W32 pretty much every Sunday, check 'em out!
This just in! Becky Williamson is the lovely redhead, and her husband is Charlie Williamson (above). They're devout Flea regulars from Fort Greene. Thanks for writing in!
Sherryl Sanders of Prospect-Lefferts Gardens scored the classic brass candlesticks from Don and Chuck of Red Barn Antiques (bottom, Don pictured), and she was so aglow it was as if her discoveries were already filled with their namesake. It was 11:38am, and all was right at the Flea. Nice guys Don and Chuck hold it down every week with an awesome mish-mash in W31.
As always, check back Friday morning for this Sunday's treasures.
August 14, 2008
What's New?
There are a plethora of interesting new vendors this week, showcasing the full range of all things Flea: all kinds of antiques, handmade jewelry and art, amazing vintage clothes, a new plant vendor, and a new Brooklynite unloading his cool personal stuff. Come one come all!
Ray Brachfeld, who actually sold at the Flea one rain-shortened Sunday (there have been so many!) a few months back, returns for real this time with his collection of country-style well-worn antiques: garden tools, ironwork, statuettes, etc. B21, off the Vanderbilt handball wall.
Amy from Olaria Studio cruises up from Boston (go Sox!) with her refined, pretty porcelain jewelry (right). L5.
Landscape architect Liz Pulver is getting in touch with her roots (oy) by venturing into the flora kingdom, and she'll be selling all kinds of potted plants starting this week. E22.
Jesse Hopkins sold vintage clothes at L.A.'s Melrose Flea since 2002, and as a new New Yorker she's trying her hand in Brooklyn starting Sunday. Melrose (along with the old Broadway + Grand market) is among the Flea's kindred spirits, so we're bullish on Jesse's wares. She'll be in E24.
Fashionistas also shouldn't miss Sunny Chapman of Item Vintage, who has all kinds of women's clothes and accessories, especially '60s and '70s. Check out her two sites: here and here.
Phil Caponegro of Extra Innings sells baseball cards, autographed balls, photographs, and all kinds of sports memorabilia. Play ball! E11.
Fleur and Reza of NY Illustration will be selling their locally-made prints and T's in W37.
Saved by Eric is Eric Lewis' creative reclamation of discarded furniture, bric-a-brac, and, well, stuff. He makes "garbage flowers" (right), "Post-Apocalyptarondack" chairs, and "Beam Me Down" chairs (with satellite-dish seat, right). Eric also designed the cute Flea guy w/rucksack that's our sometimes logo and T-shirt. Greet him warmly in W24.
Ben Hon recently moved from NJ to BK, and needs to make room by dispensing with gently used clothing, electronics, books, gadgets, and housewares. Got a good feeling about the bargain potential here. B4.
And finally, Marilyn Hitchcock and Mark Hodson, whose debut last week was rain-delayed to this Sunday, are back. In L7 and E21, respectively.
See you at ze Flea!
August 13, 2008
Honorable? Pretty Much
So the Honor System booth in L14 was a mish-mash in terms of results, but overall 'twas certainly a success. (It's got an official name now, the Institute for Advanced Consumption, and will be back in full effect this Sunday--same spot.)
Some notes:
1. Nothing was stolen.
2. The average price paid was $9.60, mostly in singles. There were a few $20 bills in there too, so a few folks went over the $18 stated median.
3. Among the notable items "sold": 2 stackable Thonet stools; 1 pineapple; 1 Comme des Garcons men's jacket; 2 pairs women's Frye boots.
4. A couple people donated/bartered items, with a Happy Mondays cassette among the items left behind.
5. A lot of folks read the IAC manifesto (right), and chin-scratching was observed.
6. Fun was had.
Come back this Sunday and honor thy Flea. Be seen too--but by whom?
August 12, 2008
Sept. 14: Superstar DJ Record Fair @ The Flea
Mark your calendars!
The Flea's first-ever special event is coming Sunday, Sept. 14: the Superstar DJ Record Fair. We'll carve out an area of the market for 10-15 folks selling mostly records and some CDs on that day only.
But these are no ordinary folks. Fleagoers will have access to the personal/secret collections of some of the finest DJs, musicians, and record labels in our fair city. Here's who's onboard so far: DFA Records, Other Music employees, dj /rupture, DJ Rekha, Def Jux Records, McBoing Boing, and DJs db and Dara. Wow!
In addition, the Superstar DJs will get a half-hour or so each to spin on the Flea's modest sound system, and every record they play will be for sale. Fun.
That's just the lineup so far; stay tuned for updates.
If you are a Superstar DJ yourself--or know someone who is--send us an email to get involved.
August 11, 2008
Finders/Keepers Week 5
This week's Hunt was over early, as usual, with both items discovered right around noon. Both winners were unequivocally happy, and photogenic.
Here they be:
Lauren Bass from Murray Hill (top) simply beamed with delight after discovering the gold sparrow earrings from Amy at Birdhouse Jewelry. Lauren's on the right--sporting her fab new find! (Amy and hubby Alan are in C6 or so every Sunday.)
Nice guy Miguel Deleon from Park Slope (below)hunted down the porcelain platter (and pitcher and bowl, not pictured) from Sydney of Baxter's Bazaar (W24 every Sunday). Miguel told us to look for the items doing duty at Al Di La, the excellent Italian trattoria on 5th Ave. and Carroll in the Slope. (Miguel manages the cute wine bar there.)
Interestingly, Miguel noted that Al Di La's Flea connection runs even deeper: their outdoor bench is from none other than Counter Evolution, the bowling-lane furniture guy. And the Flea tentacles extend their reach even further....
Check back Friday morning for this Sunday's treasures.
August 8, 2008
Scavenger Hunt Items: August 10
Again, just 2 items in this week's Hunt. And remember: only one winner per calendar month.
Happy hunting!
From left:
1. Pfaltzgraff Stoneware Village serveware, including: cake plate, pitcher and large serving bowl. Vintage
2. Pretty gold sparrow hoop earrings. New
What's New?
Snazzy new stuff galore this Sunday. In spite of the dog days of summer, ze Flea remains cool as a cucumber (or frozen peach popsicle, or organic/grass-fed strawberry ice cream, or chocolate-covered banana, or iced soy chai latte, etc.).
4 Korners, the Red Hook-based "studio furniture" firm, has a great modern-classical look, especially this cool credenza (right). Say hi to Scott the owner/designer in W1, near the Chida Mexican ices.
We're excited to play host to Castor + Pollux, the perfectly curated West Village clothing and jewelry boutique (formerly on 6th Ave. and Dean in Prospect Heights), which will be augmenting its August sample sale with a Flea booth this Sunday and next. Kerrilyn is a pal o'Senor Flea, a top-notch gal. Visit her in W30 in the midway.
Metropolis Gallery is husband and wife duo Lisa and Angelo's new shop in Lancaster, PA, which combines emerging modern artists with mid-century modern decor and furniture (right). They're planning to bring Danish Modern, Herman Miller, and Knoll, chairs, cabinets, and lighting. Gold mine? L13.
Marilyn Hitchcock has been in the vintage-clothing biz for decades, and Senor Flea hand-plucked her from the Manhattan Vintage Show last spring. We're hoping she becomes a Flea staple. W16.
Cool new BK literary mag Slice magazine makes itself known to Fleasters this Sunday. Their second-ever issue is just out, featuring an interview with red-hot illustrator and graphic novelist Adrian Tomine, among many others. E31.
Basia Kaminski specializes in Victorian vintage clothes and accessories (right), bringing something new to the Flea fold of top-notch vintage vendors. She'll be in B1.
Along with this week's two Stoop Salers--every week in the W22/23 area--longtime local Celina Davis is unloading all sorts of good stuff before she moves out of the 'hood. E26.
Frank Versace, the designer behind The Shinebox's trippy mushroom et al. T-shirt designs, returns this Sunday (we didn't get a chance to blog his recent debut). E14.
While he navigates opening his own shop, Mark Hodson brings his serious collection of designer vintage to the Flea, promising YSL, Christian Lacroix, Valentino, Jil Sander, and Bernard Chaudron jewelry. E21.
Ian Woolverton works for Oxfam International and snaps photos around the world (Mumbai, Australia, Pakistan, Indonesia, among others) during his travels. Worth a gander for sure. E32.
Rudy of Sterling Precision Sheet Metal returns this week with his finely crafted and attractive metal radiator covers. Check 'em out in L4.
WannaHavaCookie is friendly Marisa's new baked-good outfit, and we think her scrumptious, snack-size (thus the quirky name) whoopie pies, snickerdoodles, and toffee cookies will be right at home--in your belly. E5.
Maya's Very Cool Jewels make their debut, showing off her funky, bohemian style. E24.
And after you park your bike out front with the valet, check out Melinda's wind-energy info table to find out how to switch your electric bill to clean power. The Flea doth progress onward and upward!
August 7, 2008
The Honor System
One anonymous Flea vendor will be trying out a little social/economic experiment at the Flea that we want to let y'all know about.
Here's the skinny: Booth L14--Lafayette fence, 4 booths to the left after entering--will be filled with merchandise, all of it priced at $18, an arbitrary figure that this vendor has determined to be close to a market average.
BUT, there will be no vendor in L14, only a receptacle for those who choose to buy an item to put their cash in. You can pay $18 per item, or more, or less. (In Rainbows anyone? Speaking of which, Senor Flea is psyched to see Radiohead again this weekend.)
Anyway, we'll report back next week on how honorably (or not) Fleasters behave this Sunday. The Flea--always full of surprises.
August 5, 2008
Finders/Keepers Week 4
Week 4's Scavenger Hunt was, well, interesting. With Senor Flea away from his beloved market for just a brief half-hour, Alexei Auld of Prospect Heights managed to find both of this week's items.
First, hats off to Alexei for his hunting acumen. Second, a policy that should have been mentioned earlier: You can only win one Scavenger Hunt item per calendar month. This stuff is free and donated by vendors, so we gotta share the love yo!
Here's Alexei with his snazzy stuff:
Paula and Gary Hill of FDR to JFK (B12 every week) with Alexei and his new tartan-plaid picnic set of 2 metal Thermoses and a cool food container. Nifty, and useful! (Top)
Alexei with Mark from Bayo's Corner (B21/24 every week) and the groovy artist-sculptor model. This item was actually donated by generous Barry Grossman, a dealer who comes early every Sunday but doesn't sell at the Flea--he just wanted to be part of the fun. Thanks Barry!
Check back Friday morning for this Sunday's treasures.
August 4, 2008
Radio Radio!
Just a quick note that Senor Flea will be on WNYC (93.9 FM) this morning from 11:40am 'til noon, live on The Brian Lehrer Show. (Brian himself is on vacation this week, which is a bummer.) We'll be talking about the community-building aspects of ze Flea, and generally buzzing about all things market-related, like the awesome Superstar DJ Record Fair we're lining up for Sept. 14. Stay tuned!
Stream it live here.
Update: here's the interview with Andrea Bernstein from this morning. Scan forward to the 9:10 mark to get to the Flea segment. (The bit before about the Monroe St. Market in Bushwick is definitely worth a listen too.)
August 1, 2008
Scavenger Hunt Items: August 3
Just 2 items in this week's Hunt, but both are so 150% awesome they compensate for the missing third. We'll be back to 3 next week, promise.
Happy hunting!
From left:
1. Tartan plaid canvas bag with 2 metal Thermos containters and red plastic food container. Probably made in the '60s. Vintage
2. Flexible wood sculptor/artist figure, 12 1/2 inches tall. Vintage
