Brooklyn Places: Brooklyn Renegade Craft Fair

Last year, I missed the Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn so I was determined to not miss it this time around. Despite the horrid heat, I shopped around, made small talk with fellow crafters, and brought home some lovely handmade items. I took a few snapshots too.  Here's the first round. Enjoy!

Beatrice Holiday is a company that upcycles vintage fabrics into amazing bike friendly duffle bags. Even the straps are repurposed from old bike tires. And how great is her display?

Broder Press is a clever and cute printmaking company that silkscreens animal pillows. Shannon, the mastermind behind this company, also offers custom pet pillows too!

Sometimes you tend to see the same type of products at a craft fair, but every once and a while you come across a few unique goods. Flat Earth was one of those vendors. I LOVED the printed wooden block sculptures and sleek finger vases. Definitely going on my wish list.

New Style

So this blog, and my brand image, were due for an overhaul a long time ago. As much as I like my original design(see above), it's a little bleh and just lacks on color. But now I need a little help figuring which new blog header is just right. Take a look at the screen shots below and help me decide. The differences between the 3 choices is minimal but  I believe it is the little things that count.

I'm leaning towards #3 for some reason.What do you think?

 

Place: Eleanor's at Dekalb Market

Dekalb Market is the newest community market innovation in Brooklyn. Made up of various repurposed shipping containers in Downtown Brooklyn, this space is filled with unique small businesses and food vendors.  I stopped by on Saturday and found my favorite store, Eleanor's. This little container is a whimsical, cyclist dreamland for ladies who dream of peddling in style through Prospect Park.

It's filled with bicycle accessories for ladies this time instead of bearded, plaid shirted men. You'll find wicker baskets by Nantucket, shower caps for your bike seats, and the cutest attachable air planters to decorate your bike with.  Pick your media of choice and follow Eleanor's at one of the links below. Or stop by in person.

Eleanor's Blog
Eleanor's Twitter
Eleanor's Facebook Page

Street: Art

Take Note: Zombie ad men will have their way with women.  Be advised.

Place: Lotta's Work+Shop Take 2

I enjoyed visiting Lotta's Work+Shop so much I just had to share another batch of photos with you of the space. Hope you are as inspired as I am from them.

 

 

These strawberry bags are on my wish list!

Place: Lotta Jansdotter's Work+Shop

 I was browsing one of my favorite designers, Lotta Jansdotter's blog a while back only to discover that she had recently opened up a new "Work+Shop" place in Gowanus.  It's been on my list of places to check out for a while and I finally had a chance to stop by and check it out in person this weekend.  The space is amazing! The store is located in a light filled brick building with an open studio space in the back. Lotta was actually teaching a potato printing class when I stopped by. I picked up a swatch of my favorite Lotta fabric and a free storage box with a lemon design on it. So cute!

The lovely shop gal, Rebecca, gave me the scoop on the new place and let me take a few snapshots too. She also told me about the amazing pie shop, Four & Twenty Blackbirds, around the corner. I never say no to a good slice of pie so I ordered myself up a slice of the salted caramel apple slice and gobbled it down quick!

Love: Beci Orpin

I stopped by one of my favorite bookstores, Greenlight,  in Fort Greene today and noticed a cute selection of screen printed notebooks while heading out the door. I'm happy I took a second to stop and take a peek to see who designed them.

Beci Orpin is just another name to add to an ever growing list of amazing creative ladies from down under. An amazing illustrator and creative extraordinaire, her designs are bright, cute, with a modern folk twist. I am absolutely in love everything she does and am planning on picking up one of her notebooks to help inspire me on those days when I'm feeling a little lost.

*Images from Beci Orpin & Gingko Press