On a recent trip to New York I was surprised to discover… not much. Now let me say before y’all get on me about not looking hard enough, that I go to New York to discover indie brands and crafters gone start-up. In Manhattan I was hard pressed to find the usual funky shops filled with hand-made goodies found nowhere else in the country. I wanted to see what the hipsters were up to, and while there were plenty of them hanging out and walking around, none seemed to be keeping shop in the city. After three days of scouring Soho, the Warehouse district, Chelsea, the West Village and everything in-between, I stopped a totally adorable 20-something who I secretly wanted to be and asked her where she shops. After explaining to me that no one can afford the rent in the city anymore, the place to find the goods is now out Brooklyn way. So, I hopped the next train under the East River to Brooklyn Flea, this awesome craft fair (pictured above and below) is held every Saturday at the corner of Lafayette and Vanderbilt Avenues.

I bought a bracelet made out of a old record album that was spraypainted and screenprinted (pic to come!), a few ceramics and a woven blanket. I was able to get most of my Christmas shopping done in one day too. After stocking up on crafts, I ran over to Grand Street (in Williamsburg, Brooklyn) to a shop called Bird.

Now we’re talking! This is what I came across the country to find: Groovy clothing, sweet shoes (check out that one on the table!) and great design everywhere you turn. I was charmed by the sign overhead, the little details including fun paper masks and scarves I couldn’t live without. Inside and out, this place is my new fav. Walking around more I discovered life:curated (another favorite!) where I bought the coolest tea towels, a fine cashmere wrap on sale, and several gorgeous letterpress cards. By this time we were hungry and thristy ~ time for dinner…

Friends who recently moved to Brooklyn met us out at Calexico, a quick cab ride from Grand Street. The place was packed and for good reason. This modern taqueria serves fresh food, tasty margs and stocks a cool bunch of peeps. We sat at a large table near the window and enjoyed the last few hours of a great day of discovery.

Halloween craft idea #1: paper skeletons >>
Halloween craft idea #2: R.I.P. votive holder >>
Halloween craft idea #3: puffball spiders >>
Halloween craft idea #4: torture-tilla chips >>
Halloween craft idea #5: head on a stick marshmallows >>
Halloween craft idea #6: paint a pumpkin >>
Halloween craft idea #7: screen print a table runner >>
Halloween craft idea #8: spiderweb mobile >>
Halloween craft idea #9: pumpkin cupcakes >>
Halloween craft idea #10: decorate existing bowls with vinyl >>
Halloween craft idea #11: candy and cupcake tier >>
Halloween craft idea #12: tombstone candy holder >>
Halloween craft idea #13: monsters memory game >>
Halloween craft idea #14: trick-or-treat bag >>
Halloween craft idea #15: blackbird butterfly tree >>
Halloween craft idea #16: YUDU screen printed bat placemats>>
Halloween craft idea #17: YUDU screen printed bat napkins
Halloween craft idea #18: Black bean soup >>
Halloween craft idea #19: trick-or-treat bucket >>
Halloween craft idea #20: hot glue spiderweb for the window >>

Before we get to the treat~a short commercial break (could this be called a trick??). 26 Letters is starting something new! Come to the launch party this Saturday to find out what it is~or wait til Monday! Here are the details and directions:

Fall Fling in the Garden (and Launch Party for 26 Letters) Phoenix, AZ
When: Sat., Oct 30th, 9am-4pm
Where: The glorious garden of Denise Pemberton (open to the public for this event only)
Address: 7846 N. Dreamy Draw Drive. Phoenix, AZ 85020 (Mapped, click here)
Call me if you need to: 602-320-6655

Hope to see you there! Now, back to our regularly scheduled program:

Make a spiderweb by drawing them with a hot glue gun on a Bazzill Spat mat. Once cool, they easily peel off and attach to a window. You can be sure I’ll be making these into icicles in December.

I am going bat crazy for this Halloween icon. They are everywhere~and they keep comin’. Yesterday I blogged about my bat placemats, and today is the accompanying napkins. Follow this link to the screen print workshop where these were made. >>

I ran a YUDU workshop one recent Saturday (Click here for the post about it) and decided to take advantage of the screens I had going by printing some decorations for our Halloween party. I cut placemats out of a leftover piece of fabric. I thought leaving the edges raw added to the spirit of the holiday.