The author made this using laser cutting and weaving. Can you top it?

The craft industry has been boomin’ in the last few years with throwbacks to crafts that your grandma probably did, but brands like Subversive Cross Stitch have been doing a good job of reinventing them with a sly wink and a dose of pop culture. TLC recently announced its new Craft Wars reality show, hosted by Tori Spelling, which is set to premiere on June 26. Spelling now also has her own line of craft products, and in May, my favorite DIY artist and overall designer extraordinaire Todd Oldham (anyone remember House Of Style?) drops his line of kid’s craft kits at Target.

But this is Brooklyn, and we don’t need Tori Spelling telling us how to make things. Etsy started in Dumbo and the Brooklyn Flea is filled with new talent every weekend. Whether you want to start your own Etsy shop or just make a Mother’s Day gift, Brooklyn is loaded with places to learn sewing, knitting, jewelry making, weaving, woodwork and more. Here they are; if we forgot yours, please pipe up in the comments! (more…)

Dekalb Market is the new kid on the block, with a promising season ahead. Photo by Flickr's Scott Lynch.

With sunny skies and weather back in the 60s, it’s time to spend more time outside. This weekend we are happy to report that both the Brooklyn Flea and The Dekalb Market will be up and running outside so you can fulfill all of your shopping and eating pleasures. Both are offering special deals and events to mark the beginning of the season. Dekalb Market is going to be particularly lively this year, with an outdoor music venue, a farm and beer garden. To celebrate the opening weekend, it’s offering $1 mimosas until 2pm (cheaper than brunch drinks!), a petting zoo, Easter Egg hunts at noon, classes and workshops by places like 3rd Ward, Rooftop Farms and the Textile Arts Center, and live music at 3pm both Saturday and Sunday.

And while you’re probably familiar with the Brooklyn Flea, keep an eye on its newest venture, the Smorgasburg food market which is opening on Saturday in Williamsburg, at the East River Waterfront, and hopes to have a liquor license within a few weeks. This market includes over 75 vendors with all items food and food related, including kitchen utensils and housewares. So put some spring in your step and check these markets out this weekend! More about what to expect for your weekend outdoor shopping below. (more…)

Dao-Palate doesn't skimp on presentation.

On one sunny morning recently, I was laid off. After the initial shock wore off and I figured out how to apply for unemployment, I decided to make the best of it. My first move: taking advantage of late-night inspiration. I’m an industrial designer, and like lots of creative people, my most productive stretch is from evening to the wee hours, so that’s when I work on my resume and portfolio. Waking up around 11 works out well, because while I can’t afford dinner prices at the trendy new places, I can still swing a $12 lunch. Here are some of my favorite new lunch haunts around Fort Greene, Clinton Hill and Prospect Heights. What are yours? (more…)

Via Flickr's J Cruz.

We’re conflicted about Brooklyn Industries: they make damn fine snuggly cotton hoodies, and I like a company that offers a lifetime warranty on its bags. The clothes on the other hand, can be pretty pricey (and then there’s this awful rip off). But if you like em’ you are in luck this week: Brooklyn Industries is having a huge warehouse sale through the end of the month at its Chelsea Manhattan location, and online. The in-store sale features 40 percent off already reduced sale prices on clothing, and an additional 20 percent off outerwear. Last night, I found a wide variety of both men’s and women’s sizes, and the store was mostly empty allowing me to shop without any other fellow bargain hunters grabbing the last in MY SIZE seconds before me.  (more…)

Ah crap, Christmas is THIS WEEKEND??

We’ve been giving you ample head’s up about all the great local markets and Brooklyn gift ideas this year, but if you’ve been procrastinating, your time is almost up! Just three markets will remain open tomorrow to let you pick-up a last minute item that’s more personal than a gift card. The Dekalb market is open the latest on Christmas eve, and also gives you get your photo with Santa (in a shipping container). Or you could swing by the greenmarket and grab an extra bottle of blueberry wine, along with some cheese for Christmas dinner, or visit Artists & Fleas to pick up some Swiss-inspired pillows to put under the tree. (more…)

Major League Dreidel. Photo courtesy of Gabi Porter, Metromix New York.

Hanukah starts tonight and continues until Wednesday, Dec. 28 — which means it’s one of those rare years where it coincides with Christmas. Maybe that’s why there’s so much going on this year, starting with not-so-beardy-dude Matisyahu’s three-night gig for a not-so-Brokelyn $35 a ticket. (Better roll gimmel!) If your only coinage this year is the chocolate kind, you can still party like a Maccabee, from the lighting of Brooklyn’s largest menorah to a couple of indie rock shows to a night of bubbe jokes and free beer. So get out there and save Chinese food and a movie (“Jewish Christmas”) for some other time. (more…)

The Brooklyn Lyceum holiday market/Photo by Flickr's groundsel

As if Amazon’s anti-small-business tactics weren’t enough to convince you, here are more than a dozen reasons to ignore e-tailer spam and shop locally in Brooklyn. This year, holiday markets are popping up around Brooklyn like Swedish espresso shops, with added inducements like concerts, performances and booze. At Dekalb market, Santa’s even posing for photos in a shipping container. Beat that, internetz. Markets are free unless otherwise noted. (more…)