Your holiday shopping guide

By Meredith Deliso

Sure, Etsy’s good for finding unique crafts this holiday season, but nothing beats shopping in person when you have a friend who always seems to have everything. Luckily, there’s plenty of craft markets in the coming weeks, as well as pop-up shops, that will have you checking off everyone on your shopping list.

Brooklyn Artisans Trunk Show

You can find great baklava at Sam’s Bakery, and now, on Nov. 30, great gifts, too. The Brooklyn Artisans Trunk Show sets up show at the Bay Ridge bakery, featuring a select number of local artists, craftmakers and Etsy-types selling their wares. That includes Groundsel’s clever carriers, from a wristlet made from a man’s suit (left), to an iPhone case made from a vintage tie; Owllamode’s vintage poppy headpieces; and Very Sage’s cozy, crocheted ear flap hat. And who knows what else you’ll dig up at this trunk show.

Brooklyn Artisans Trunk Show at Sam’s Bakery [275 94th St. between Ridge Boulevard and Third Avenue in Bay Ridge, (347) 560-6657], Nov. 30, 10 am-5 pm. 

Handmade Holiday Craft Fair

The only rule about 3rd Ward’s annual craft fair on Dec. 4 is that all items must be handmade — hence the name. The result is carefully crafted, detailed pieces made with love, that you’re sure to fall in love with, too. While you peruse clothing, jewelry, accessories, housewares, and prints, enjoy live music, or even take a workshop in DIY printmaking, flocking and sewing. And maybe next year, you’ll be sitting behind a booth. Or at the very least, making your own gifts.

Handmade Holiday Craft Fair at 3rd Ward (195 Morgan Ave. between Meadow and Stagg streets in Bushwick, no phone), Dec. 4, noon-6 pm. For info, visit www.3rdward.com.

Brooklyn Flea ‘Gifted’

If the selection at Brooklyn Flea isn’t cutting it for you anymore, check out the holiday edition. From Dec. 15-23, the Flea features more than 100 vendors on three floors at Skylight One Hanson in Fort Greene for three floors of cute, cool and classy presents this holiday season. That means fancy foodstuffs, electric typewriters, Parisian soaps, Victorian picture frames, antique gumball machines, bicycle paintings (right), and even more distinct finds – all at your fingertips.

Gifted at Skylight One Hanson [1 Hanson Pl. at Ashland Place in Fort Greene, (718) 230-0400], Dec. 15-23, 11 am-7 pm. For info, visit www.brooklynflea.com/gifted.

   

Brooklyn Craft Central Holiday Market

This market is so big, it needs two venues to contain it. On Dec. 18 and 19, Brooklyn Craft Central’s holiday market will take over the Textile Arts Center and Littlefield with more than 70 handmade craft vendors, including Kate Hill Cantrill, who creates living botanical wall art; plushPlay’s stunning needle felted figures; and Jenny Herbert’s people pillows. And the venues are only four blocks apart, so you can cruise both easily.

Brooklyn Craft Central Holiday Market at the Textile Arts Center [505 Carroll St. between Third and Fourth avenues in Gowanus (718) 369-0222] and Littlefield [622 Degraw St. between Third and Fourth avenues in Gowanus, (718) 855-3388], Dec. 18, from 11 am-5 pm; and Dec. 19, 11 am-6 pm. For info, visit bkcraftcentral.com.

Brooklyn Lyceum Holiday Craft Marketplace

While you’re in the area, pop into the Brooklyn Lyceum, which is also hosting its holiday market on Dec. 18 and 19. Thanks to Windows of Agate’s handmade children’s toys, Purty Bird’s cute decorative birds, and Adornments NYC’s classic jewelry pieces, you can find something for the whole family. 

Holiday Craft Marketplace at the Brooklyn Lyceum [227 Fourth Ave. at Union Street in Park Slope, (718) 857-4816], Dec. 18 and 19, 11 am-7 pm. For info, visit lyceummarkets.com.

Greenpoint’s Pop-Ups

Get your holiday shopping done in Greenpoint this season at two special pop-up destinations. First, there’s Holiday Bizaar, a gallery, shop, event space and studio hybrid that’s open now through Dec. 24. In addition to shopping for vintagey clothes and jewelry, you can take in art presentations, film screenings and more. There’s a similar vibe a few blocks away at Moves, a pop-up store that features up-and-coming designers and artists such as Study NYC, Fabric Horse, RHLS and King Gurvy, as well as lectures on clothing manufacturing and live music acts. So, hey, even if you’re not in the mood to shop, you’re always welcome to stop by both.

Holiday Bizaar (82 Oak St. between West and Franklin streets in Greenpoint, no phone), Wednesday through Sunday, 1-8 pm through Dec. 24. For info, visit www.holidaybizaar.com; Moves (214 Franklin St. between Huron and Green streets in Greenpoint, no phone), Thursday through Sunday, noon-8 pm now through Dec. 19. For info, visit movesbrooklyn.wordpress.com.