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Post by nycgirl on Nov 17, 2011 15:17:20 GMT
Earlier this month I took a trip to a beloved New York City attraction, the Brooklyn Flea. Located in the hipster-populated Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, the Flea is a huge market featuring over 100 vendors on an acre lot. It was a somewhat chilly but beautifully sunny day, and the Flea was bustling. There was every vintage and used item that you could possibly want. There was a very eclectic jewelry selection. I have to admit, I am fond of tacky 80s costume jewelry. Not joking. I also like animal themes, so I bought this whimsical elephant necklace. There was cowboy stuff and some lovely dead animal paraphernalia. Browsing the clothes was fun. And so was people watching.
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Post by mickthecactus on Nov 17, 2011 15:28:54 GMT
I have heard of this market and heard that it was very good.
Reckon I could find some art deco there? My daughter's friend lives in Brooklyn. I could send her down there (mind you, I doubt if she knows what Art Deco is.....).
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2011 16:35:02 GMT
Oh, I know this flea market!! It has grown tremendously in the last 2 years,my god. I love the Art Nouveau lady in pic #4!! They have wonderful vintage handbags there. However,I had the unfortunate experience of trying to buy a bag from a vendor who decided mid-sale that she didn't want to sell it. I found out later that this particular vendor has a reputation for that same behavior. Personally,I think they ought to toss her out of the market....
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Post by nycgirl on Nov 17, 2011 19:54:44 GMT
Reckon I could find some art deco there? My daughter's friend lives in Brooklyn. I could send her down there (mind you, I doubt if she knows what Art Deco is.....). Hmm, I don't know. I didn't see any, but the place was so enormous I didn't look at everything. The website lists all the vendors, but that might not help you know what sort of selection is available on a particular day. However,I had the unfortunate experience of trying to buy a bag from a vendor who decided mid-sale that she didn't want to sell it. I found out later that this particular vendor has a reputation for that same behavior. Personally,I think they ought to toss her out of the market.... That's irritating. I agree, she should get the boot. I'm sure there are thousands of worthy businessmen and women who can replace her.
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Post by nycgirl on Nov 17, 2011 21:42:07 GMT
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Post by Jazz on Nov 17, 2011 22:39:40 GMT
This looks like a place I’d love to go! Your photos create a good feeling of the energy. Like very much the Post-It sketches! And, like Casi, love the woman on a swing. (she looks like a piece of sculpture that I own…. a remarkable 1927 copy of Lalique’s lamp, Suzanne.)
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Post by mich64 on Nov 17, 2011 23:00:42 GMT
I agree Jazz! Looks like a place I would enjoy spending some time at. I too enjoyed the post it art and I would also take a couple of those M cuff links! Quite an eclectic flea market. Cheers, Mich
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Post by nycgirl on Nov 17, 2011 23:06:07 GMT
Thanks! You would like it, there's so much to take in.
I kind of regret that I didn't buy the post-it art, so I may go back and do that. His prices were very affordable.
I looked up Suzanne just now. What a beautiful piece that is!
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Post by Jazz on Nov 17, 2011 23:57:54 GMT
If I were you, I’d go back and get the Post It series. I really like it! Can’t tell if it’s pencil or ink, but it would need to be protected. Yes, Suzanne is beautiful. I once saw one of the few originals left in existence….($25,000CDN!) It looked almost exactly like my copy. The company that made mine went out of business in 1927. Suzanne,
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Post by mich64 on Nov 18, 2011 1:21:30 GMT
Exquisite Jazz! I googled it after you mentioned it to nycgirl. Cheers! Mich
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Post by nycgirl on Nov 18, 2011 5:47:14 GMT
The Flea is open all year round, but in the wintertime it’s moved indoors. One of the nice things about catching it outdoors is its terrific views of Manhattan. Time for more people watching. There were plenty of quirkily attired people, but I’m a little shy about snapping photos of strangers, not wanting to be annoying or intrusive. As a result, I end up with a lot of shots of people’s backs. I asked for permission for this one, though, because while this girl was walking around and another girl stopped her and asked if she could take her picture. So I figured I might as well ask, too, and take a picture of her getting her picture taken. She was a little embarrassed by her impromptu photo shoot, but a good sport. I spotted a girl with emerald-green tresses. Kinda makes pink highlights look demure. A few people brought their children... ... and dogs.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 18, 2011 5:51:28 GMT
This is a great report. Flea markets are wonderful, but flea markets in other countries are even more interesting because the items really are different from country to country.
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Post by bjd on Nov 18, 2011 7:29:03 GMT
I have noticed a huge increase (from pretty much none at all) in the number of flea markets here. Called vide grenier or attic emptying. Much less professional though, mostly just locals who sell old clothes, toys, books and some household stuff. I have seen about 4 in the past few weeks. There are usually one or two professionals, depending on the size of the locality. You can tell who they are because their prices are a lot higher.
There are several in Paris now too. I found one by accident in June on the Boulevard de Charonne -- a mix of professionals and locals.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 18, 2011 8:19:43 GMT
I would venture to say that there are at least 500 vide-grenier throughout Paris every year, often concerning the residents of just one street or even one building. Most of them are held in the warmer half of the year, but even during the winter you can find one from time to time. I think there are at least two in my neighborhood this weekend.
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Post by nycgirl on Nov 18, 2011 13:21:31 GMT
In my hometown in California these were called garage sales, or yard sales. They were a lot of fun. I had one when I was a kid and made a few bucks. Somehow I assumed that I would make more and that everyone would be clamoring for my old stuff.
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Post by bjd on Nov 18, 2011 17:16:54 GMT
I thought garage sales or yard sales were in an individual house? The French vide greniers are usually a group thing, either on a street in a city, a neighbourhood or in a small village. They probably require some municipal permission.
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 18, 2011 17:51:25 GMT
Love your pictures, NYCGirl ~~ almost like being there, except I didn't spend any money. I love flea markets & you really captured the spirit of this one. There's so much to see, with odd stuff, all the people, & the zillion-dollar skyline view that you could easily drag along someone who claimed not to like such events.
Yes, yes -- I hope you get some of that post-it art! Of course your coolness quotient is already almost off the map, after the elephant pendant acquisition. Verily, you will be the only one in your set with one of those.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 18, 2011 18:44:42 GMT
The skyline background is killer indeed and making me really long to be there. My brother tells me that the weather has been superb up there this autumn,which is my favorite time up there anyway. I only just saw the 'Post it Art after your first installation of pics. It really looks to be authentic pen and ink and are exquisite renditions. I recall a fella selling some of these on the Brooklyn Bridge and I stopped to look at them. I wonder if it's the same guy. They were really reasonably priced I thought. I'm kind of kicking myself for not getting one but,I couldn't deceide on a one....I liked them all.
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Post by fumobici on Nov 18, 2011 21:24:30 GMT
Sweet report. I could most definitely burn up a couple of hours poking around that market.
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Post by nycgirl on Nov 19, 2011 1:59:52 GMT
Thanks, everyone! I thought garage sales or yard sales were in an individual house? The French vide greniers are usually a group thing, either on a street in a city, a neighbourhood or in a small village. They probably require some municipal permission. Yeah, you're right, although sometimes there were several going on in one neighborhood. You didn't need to get permission or pay taxes as long as you didn't have more than three a year, or something like that.
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Post by nycgirl on Nov 19, 2011 7:07:57 GMT
There was a nice selection of food there (although the real feast is at Smorgasbord, Brooklyn’s huge food market that I have yet to visit). I was content to just have bubble tea, a refreshing drink with chewy tapioca balls. Time Out New York listed the Brooklyn Flea as one of the best pick-up places, and it might be true because a guy was unabashedly hitting on the tea girl, despite the fact that she was busy helping me and there was a line gathering. Well, can’t blame the guy for trying, she was pretty. A few more pics... I had only scratched the surface, but it was time for me to leave. I took a stroll in the little park adjacent to the lot, where people were basking in the sun. What are the odds, I spotted two green-haired people within an hour! This guy projected such confidence, his look worked for him. The artist created a good Fauvist-like portrait. I took one last look at the view before I left. As I headed for the subway, I spotted this cool paper graffiti on the way. And here’s one of those food trucks where you can get a decent, cheap meal. And that’s the end to my visit to Williamsburg, until next time.
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Post by imec on Nov 19, 2011 16:14:16 GMT
What a fantastic place! I could spend all day here - frequently! Thanks for this excellent thread nycg!
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 20, 2011 0:47:11 GMT
Totally, totally enjoyable, MsGirl, & you got such great pictures of everything. This was a real treat of a report. Would have loved to have been there.
I absolutely love that graffiti!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2011 21:22:50 GMT
I want an Asiadog.
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Post by sojoh on Nov 21, 2011 21:51:13 GMT
Great photos and report, nycgirl. Please let us know if you go back and get a post-it picture. I really liked those. Were there any vintage clothes from the 1920s? My daughter is planning to go to some big event where everyone dresses in old clothes (?) in NYC next fall and is looking for something from that era. As Boston is just a short bus ride away, I'll tell her that she may want to check out this flea market.
And bubble tea - I love it. I had some last week and would have some this week if I didn't have to travel to get it.
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Post by nycgirl on Nov 23, 2011 14:47:09 GMT
Great photos and report, nycgirl. Please let us know if you go back and get a post-it picture. I really liked those. Were there any vintage clothes from the 1920s? My daughter is planning to go to some big event where everyone dresses in old clothes (?) in NYC next fall and is looking for something from that era. As Boston is just a short bus ride away, I'll tell her that she may want to check out this flea market. Thanks, Sojoh! I didn't get a good look at all the clothes, but I bet your daughter could at least find accessories, like a broach or a long string of pearls. If she doesn't find an outfit here, there's lots of vintage shops in the East Village that would probably do nicely.
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Post by nycgirl on Aug 14, 2012 13:24:24 GMT
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Post by bixaorellana on Aug 14, 2012 17:31:39 GMT
Ohhhhhhh ~~ you flead again like you did last autumn, you flead again like you did last year!
I adore that first pic of the summer series, with the skyline & that wonderful woman with the multiple bracelets & the colorful headscarf. Ditto the mirror pics, especially the 2nd one, with the mirrors duplicating the tall buildings.
I kinda want everything. Okay, maybe not the metal bullflop on a pedestal or a camouflage cummerbund, but there's lots of cool stuff there.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2012 17:56:01 GMT
Ohhhhhhh ~~ you flead again like you did last autumn, you flead again like you did last year! I adore that first pic of the summer series, with the skyline & that wonderful woman with the multiple bracelets & the colorful headscarf. Ditto the mirror pics, especially the 2nd one, with the mirrors duplicating the tall buildings. I kinda want everything. Okay, maybe not the metal bullflop on a pedestal or a camouflage cummerbund, but there's lots of cool stuff there. You would want the taxidermied fox Bixa!!!! I am truly shocked!!!!! Really and truly!!!!!! I love these NYCgirl, I am so homesick for NY right now it's killing me!!!!!!!
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Post by bixaorellana on Aug 14, 2012 18:38:25 GMT
No, no ~~ not the fox, although I do like the expression on its face.
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