I love going home to Maine because there are actually still deals at flea markets!!! Also, very cool things...
Like these paper & glitter houses... I totally want to make some next year!
This set of military flags... (not really a steal though, it was more than $100)
I love how this dealer set up a whole table of green...
Um, the photo is tipped, but cute kitties with rhinestone eyes are always welcome in my book!
Styrofoam cones covered in lace etc...
Sewing themed wrapping jobs...
The pattern for these knitted trees will be available soon!
Not quite finished version...
Wrapping kits!!!!! Available at the next Flea market!!!!!!!!
The scene at my house yesterday:
Can you find:
So it's flea market day in Brooklyn and I'm sitting at home wrapped in a blanket instead. Why would I do this, especially after spending the entire day yesterday making new stuff for my table? Please see the drips at right:
It's 37 degrees and raining here and I just couldn't bring myself to go out there! I can handle cold no problem and I can certainly handle rain in the summer when having a stranger see your skivvies through a soaked summer frock is the worst that can happen. (Next to water damaged wares of course.) But cold November rain? No thanks.
The thought of my bare fingers, or worse, rain soaked gloved fingers, folding up icy table cloths into wet bags at the end of the day = ICK. The thought of dragging all the wet stuff home to hang dry in my apartment = DOUBLE ICK. The thought of standing in my tent all day, shivering, weakening my immune system for days afterward= TRIPLE ICK. The thought of paying $$ to do all this and most likely not make a sale = SILLY. So I'm thinking that my decision to stay home= SMART, despite the fact that I'm out my booth fee. After all, I still have to pay whether I show up or not.
Of course, there's always the chance that I could have made bank today. You never know with Flea Markets. There was one drippy day in September when I actually sold more than a bright summer day! Maybe I should have toughed it out. At least then there would have been a chance of making some money back. Whereas here, at home, in my blanket, I'm 100% unlikely to make a sale.
I've already made my decision though, so I just have to make the best of this day. It's a rare and unexpected opportunity to get ahead of the game! What should I do??
Lately, it seems I've been too busy even to eat a semi-proper meal. (Although I did splurge the other night and go here! Probably the best dinner ever!) I've felt too tired to upload photos or construct a thought. Sad.
The thing is, in order to have periods of Inspired Living, one must have times of uninspired living, right? It's not even like my days are that uninspired, they just don't have the extra hour or two here and there to log in and type about it. I'm still making and knitting away getting ready for Christmas time at the Flea and developing a few new patterns for Blue Sky.
What I've mostly been doing though is preparing for a dance performance in LA:
Santa Monica Museum of ArtChoreographer Melinda Ring and dancers Kimberly Hamlin and Sari Nordman
take over Martin Kersels’ sculpture “Rickety”. As one moody individual
portrayed by three people, they navigate the sculpture’s split levels
and awkward spaces with a mysterious group mind to the accompaniment
of a ticking clock and other ambient sounds.
This performance is in conjunction with the exhibition "Martin Kersels:
Heavyweight Champion" on view at the Santa Monica Museum of Art
from September 13 to December 13, 2008.
Santa Monica Museum of Art
Bergamot Station G1
2525 Michigan Ave
Santa Monica, CA 90404
www.smmoa.org
I'll be back at the flea market November 23rd with a table full of new jewelry, trees, craft kits and harfs.
If you know anyone in LA... tell them about my dance!!!
One of my trees was featured in this weeks Time Out NY!! Check it out!
Since I'm always (proudly) telling people that my style is "sexy grandma" I'm glad to be a part of grandma themed grouping!!
Back in April, some editors from Country Living Magazine visited the Brooklyn Flea to take photos for an article. I'm pleased as punch that they included my hats and a little blurb in their article. I'm in such good company too!!
Thanks to everyone who came out today and made my walk home a lighter one! I'm totally looking forward to more Fall days at the Flea!!!!
Also...
Thanks Jemaine for swerving by my booth to check out my cuff links, even if it was brief. You're pretty "mother flippin" rad!
If you don't know Jemaine, check out this and get with it quick!
Some might remember this letter tray from an earlier post...
What was originally just a nice display has now developed into a sort of to do list. It's where I put lost buttons in need of re-sewing, charms I mean to do something with or photos I want to remember to admire on a daily basis. Basically I'm thinking I'll put anything small up here, that needs remembering and over time it'll become a little library of "thoughts."
Instead of having to find a suitable mismatched button, I'll know right where I put the matching one! This will also save me the trouble of configuring a back up outfit when I can't think of anything but the skirt in need of mending. Have I ever mentioned that virtually ALL of my mending occurs three minutes before I'm supposed to walk out the door?? Yeah. There I am, sporting half an outfit, frantically sewing on the end of my bed, when I could just throw on pair of jeans and tee shirt like a normal person.
But back to the tray... I'm always really interested in clutter. I certainly don't like messes, but there's something to the little chatchkas we humans collect. Every home seems to have some, whether its refrigerator magnets, tiny toys, rocks & shells, or even "real art." Imagine.
I'm also really interested in people's inability to deal with their clutter. In other words, organization, or lack thereof. In my world, what might look like a simple pile, actually has a lot of rhyme and reason to it. I think this is the difference between a mess and a display, the intention. I love the idea of turning a bad habit, or organizing weakness, into display. My idea for someone who is always throwing clothes on the floor, is to throw them on the wall instead. Install a grid of hooks, or even just long nails, and stuff your clothes up there instead. Sure it'll look like a pot of spaghetti clothes... but you'll have room to walk, you won't have to take the precious time to put them away and over time, it might end up looking kinda cool up there.
So here are all the thoughts so far in my tray:
This stack of British coins looked so beautiful against the dark wood, I just want to regularly admire it. I love the detailed edges... how come our coins aren't as cool?? Also, I might want to design something based off of these patterns.
A squid and my handsome Grandpa in his navy uniform!! I miss you!
A map box I need to find a new chain for and scented green tea oil to liven up my draw papers!
A little lost tree bird checking things out, a broken pin that needs fixing or a new life and green thread that is just pretty.
Two charms that need chains and a "G" typewriter key for the pair of initial cuff links I owe my friend Garth.My wares for the flea are looking quite girly these days and I'm totally into it! Most of these are from two Fleas ago and long gone... but some are still available!
This group of friends met up with each other right in front of my booth and I just had to take their photo. Look at how beautifully their outfits coordinate!
This Sunday I'm finally back to the Brooklyn Flea! What on earth am I going to bring??? Unfortunately not the huge slew of items I was hoping for, but this little baby will be there at least. Maybe it's perfect for your little baby... it'll be getting cold soon!
This week the Flea is a super, music, Dj extravaganza! (see below) Woo hoo! I'm glad to be a part of that. I love having tunes at the Flea!
I also love my early morning Croissant & Coffee from Choice! YUM!
I can't wait!!
(Well, actually, I can a bit. I want to make more stuff!!)
Books:
Thanks Garth for not liking Walt Whitman and giving yours to me!
Yarns:
These Blue Sky yarns will become Spring 09 projects/patterns! 35 skeins by the end of August... do you think I can do it? That's a lot of knitting, which leads to new thing #3:
Yup, I've broken down and gotten a wrist brace. My poor wrist is getting more action than ever and it's feeling it big time. I've also switched to using my mouse more than my trackpad. That means my favorite activity, snuggling in bed with the computer perched on my chest, is not allowed :( (we'll see how long that lasts!)
Being a sailor:
I got this lovely number at the Flea Market yesterday! Remember the "What about Bob" line?
"I'm a sailor. I sail." or something like that. The tag on th inside says...
Wearing socks:
The other morning it was chilly enough with the breeze to warrant the wearing of socks. I took a picture because the first pair I grabbed just happened to match my pajamas perfectly. It probably wasn't all that accidental, knowing me, however.
*Update*
Another exciting thing:
That GIANT pile of laundry you can kind of see in the background of my sock photo, has since been done! I now have a 'normal' person sized pile of laundry in the works and I plan to keep it that way!
The last time I was at the Brooklyn Flea I scored this printers tray (plus another one) for $10!!!!! Thats right folks $5 each! I was shocked. I saw them in a booth nearby and wandered over at the beginning of the day to see how much they were (she had 4). My hope was to keep my eye on them from afar and cross my fingers sell enough to bring one home with me. When I found out the price I wanted to buy them all! If I had had a way to cart them all home, I would have done it!
My mom spotted a similar tray at home in Maine recently for $60, which still a pretty a good deal if you ask me. I think I really lucked out and couldn't be more jazzed about my new little collecting place!
Someone make the tee shirt already! I survived Renegade 2008!
Scheduling a craft fair in a drained pool is an awesome idea...until... the thunderstorms come and the pool fills up to your ankles! Well, that might be an exaggeration but not for my corner at least. I'm telling you, by the end of the first day, the Brooklyn Renegade Craft Fair had turned into one of the most fashionable wet tee shirt contests imaginable. Picture it, insanely cute gals in their summer frocks and high waisted shorts bearded boys in their shortest shorts, all running around soaked to the bone. I'm just saying, nothing like giant rain storms to bring people *ahem* together! My friend Anne told about how she and a bunch of kids gathered in the small, drizzle free entrance to wait it out, when all of a sudden one dude says, "Ok... townspeople!" and he spontaneously inspires them all to play Mafia. Way to make lemonade, Mr. and by the way, are you single?
But we survived! All and all, it was a blast! I made new friends and found some sweet new things, which I'll post soon.
Our booth on Saturday before the rain:
The cute kids across the way weren't scared by a little rain, they set up camp like pros!
Love the rolled up jeans and sneaks on dudes, btw...
The rain begins and NEVER ends!!
Slightly freezing...
The next day was a little less rainy. We decided to condense to one table, just in case it rained again. I think it made things cuter! There were many reactions to my Fathers Day sign... the most common being "oh crap! I forgot to call my dad!" Followed by immediate dialing.
I made this tie last minute Sunday morning and it sold right away. I'm glad I grabbed a shot of it. More cattails on the way I think.
In honor of Father's Day next weekend, I thought I'd jazz up my dude supply for Renegade. Do you think these paper ties are too cutesy? I'm hoping to make it more clear for passers by to notice I have items for the mens too!
Yesterday I got a bunch of containers at Fishs Eddie to use for trees. I don't know why I never thought to go there before. I guess Because it's a bit more expensive than the flower supply store and I wasn't really thinking about the containers all that much. But as I've talked to people at the flea and taken special orders using a variety of vessels, it's open my eyes to a whole new world of tree making. Now people will get an equally cute and interesting container as well as their little knit tree! I can't wait to get started on these!!
Even in the heat today's busy flea market, I could hardly stop drooling over these nearby chocolatiers, I mean, chocolates! Some may know that I am not the hugest chocolate fan, but it was love at first site with Mast Brothers Chocolate. One look at the beautifully patterned papers used to perfectly wrap each bar and I was smitten. I finally ran over to their booth when I saw them packing up early and was lucky to snag a couple of bars that were left.
Please take a moment to view their website, which expertly exhibits their old fashioned aesthetic. Boys, your style, it pleases me greatly. Thank you!
In honor of you.... I old this photo!
This Sunday peeps. Apparently there's early bird viewing from 8-10 for $5. Now I really can't party Saturdays! (Or stay up late finishing trees which is what I'm more likely to be doing!)
Tonight I'm doing something I haven't since the start of the Brooklyn flea market six weeks ago: going to bed early! I'm headed out of town for a vacation, what? That's right. So with the 'making things' pressure off, I've been pacing around the house wondering what to do. Now, it's not like I don't have things to do... it's just, there's nothing that really justifies staying up past eleven. I can do it tomorrow, or on the plane, or my favorite, when I get back! Or maybe it doesn't even need to be done in the first place, like drooling over lofts/condos/co-op listings I can't afford on the internet. So rather than pace around, or stare at the computer one more hour, I decided to go to bed. Also, my apartment is freezing right now and I think my bed is really the only warm place! The cats are here (Dinah says hello btw) and we are cozied in for the night.
One last thing before I say adios to el web... my favorites thus far from the paper themed Poppytalk Handmade Market:
| Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade Keepitmovingdesign.etsy.com |
Wow! I love the Brooklyn Flea! You never know who you're going to talk to who will then write such sweet things about you for their blog! Thanks to Eric for emailing me the link instantaneously! I'm really going to miss being there the next couple of weekends!
Last week, at the flea, I had a special request. A commission if you will. Well, actually three, no, make it four! Gosh. It really was so cool. People just started asking if I would do a tree in a container that they brought me and I thought, sure, why not? I mean, that's what this whole shopping local thing is all about, right? PLUS they're giving me great artistic license and trust, which is a makers dream! So... three containers came to me that very day, found in another vendors space and the fourth I'll put together at a later date. Here's the first:
A mini tree in a vintage metal JELLO mold.
When I saw this container I immediately thought of a blossoming cherry tree. Perhaps inspired by a recent trip to the Botanical Garden. I usually steer clear of foliage, but just had to add blossoms on this!!
One other request was for two fiddle heads and a toadstool. I'm waiting for the container to arrive, but in the meantime I thought I'd make fern/mushroom combinations for sale as well. I'm not sure I'll be able to part with this one though, or my favorite dome cover thingy.
More forest floors...
