Cheap Thrills

Domino, my favorite home decor magazine, published a photo gallery of “Budget Decorating: $1 Design Finds” online! Be sure to check it out.

Their clever editors have found amazing-looking pieces all for under one dollar. You can't beat that! And I love how their fabulous finds are utilitarian, yet beautiful. Enjoy.

Photo: Ikea's Snärtig vase by Katy Elliot for Domino

Housing Works is having a block party and you're invited!

Housing Works, the non-profit organization committed to ending the twin crises of AIDS and homelessness, teams up with Rebecca & Drew, the brand known for revolutionizing your work wardrobe with its ingenious tailor-fit shirts and dresses. Rebecca & Drew and Housing Works will co-host a block party September 7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (13th between Gansevoort and Hudson, NYC) to raise awareness and donations.

And part of the proceeds of that day's sales will go towards Housing Works. Look for fabulous fashions, alterable items, craft supplies from the Ink Pad, and more.

Update: Due to inclement weather, the event has been moved to Sunday.

Glassblowing, scrapbooking, painting pottery, oh my! ExploreTV host Anne Machalinski unleashes her inner artist and takes a crafting tour across Long Island.

If you go . . .

Colby Glass Studio
29 Haven Ave., Port Washington
516-721-4162
colbyglass.com
Cost: $100 for 1-hour class

Scrapaholics
275 Hempstead Turnpike, West Hempstead
516-483-3745
scrapaholicsny.com

Creative Corner Pottery
305-309 Bedford Ave., Bellmore
516-279-4592
creativecornerpottery.com
Cost: $12 to $72 per piece

Greeting card designer and photographer Michael Trent loves using rubber stamps in his creations, so much so, he can often be found hanging out at the Ink Pad, a craft store in New York's Greenwhich Village. He recently stopped by the Cheap Thrills blog to share news about a cool crafting party happening at the Ink Pad. Here's more details ...

Please join us at the Westbeth Community Center between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on September 13th as we celebrate our 10th Anniversary with a "My favorite technique" make 'n' take day. We'll have six make 'n' take projects each featuring the teacher's favorite technique. For just $30 you can do as many of the six projects as you like as well as sit and create; we'll have plenty of supplies you can play with (please bring your class kit). We'll provide pizza, beverages and birthday cake! Pre-register by calling the shop with a credit card. Space is limited; please register early. We do hope you can join us.

For more information on crafty designs by Michael Trent, please visit online: http://worldofmichaeltrent.blogspot.com

Photo: Handmade card by Michael Trent

Do-it-yourselfer and silkscreen artist Kimm Alfonso dropped me an e-mail to invite Cheap Thrills readers to an upcoming craft fair. It looks very fun! Here's more details:

Bust out your shopping carts because on September 13, 2008, the Handmade Cavalcade is coming to town! The {NewNew} York Etsy Street Team -- a group of sellers from Etsy.com, the online marketplace for handmade goods -- is leaving the city for a day and heading up to Dutchess County to set up shop in Beacon, New York. Free admission. The craft fair will take place from 1 to 8 p.m., and will coincide with Beacon's Second Saturday Art Walk. The Handmade Cavalcade fair will be located at the corner of Main Street and North Cedar, right in the middle of it all!

Shop through 20 booths for one-of-a-kind items, all handmade by the hippest DIYers around. You’ll find jewelry, paper goods, hand-screened clothing and accessories, unique artwork and items for the home, yummy soaps and body butters, and much much more!

Meet the artists and crafters who made the stunning wares for sale, and be sure to grab a souvenir. You can sample free refreshments throughout the day while you’re taking it all in.

Don’t miss this one-day event! Join the {NewNew} at the Handmade Cavalcade fair for indie crafts and loads of fun!

For more information, please see www.handmadecavalcade.com. For more information on the {NewNew}, please see www.thenewnew.blogspot.com.

A few of the vendors have also been featured on Newsday's Cheap Thrills blog, including The Hand of Fatima, Wabisabi Brooklyn, KimmChi, and Jantar,

Stock up on gifts at the Outdoor Fall Crafts Fair in Port Jefferson, where more than 80 vendors of jewelry, home decor and food items will be at the Crayon Building parking lot, rain or shine, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, St. Charles Hospital, 200 Belle Terre Rd. Free admission. For information, call 631-476-5621.

MOONLIGHT COUTURE

The Merrick bridal salon will offer discontinued wedding and evening gowns at 25 to 75 percent off; tomorrow (11 a.m.-8 p.m.) and Friday (11 a.m.-6 p.m.) The shop is at 1613 Merrick Rd.; call 516-868-1500 for info.

ALEXIA CRAWFORD

Jewelry, scarves and handbags are priced from $5 to $20. Ring sizes 6, 7 and 8 are available. Today-Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., 35 W. 36th St. between 5th and 6th Avenues, 6th floor; 212-629-6615.

DESIGNER EXPO

Two floors of merchandise from True Religion, Rock & Republic, Seven, Diesel and more sold at 40 to 90 percent off. Today-Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday, noon-7 p.m., 440 Broadway, between Grand and Howard streets; go to designerexponyc.com for more info.

The {NewNew} Etsy Street Team will have a booth to sell just craft supplies on August 24th at the Brooklyn Flea, an outdoor market in Brooklyn. You're invited to purchase supplies of all kinds for your next crafting adventure.

You’ll find sewing, beading, jewelry, paper-crafting, scrapbooking, and candle-making supplies plus so much more. It’ll be like being a kid in a candy store -- for crafters. So bring your friends and family and enjoy a day at the flea. Stop by, say "hi," and find some really great deals on supplies that will you inspire you.

The Brooklyn Flea is located on Lafayette Street between Clermont and Vanderbilt in Fort Greene, Brooklyn and is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Sunday. For more information about the Brooklyn Flea, visit: www.brooklynflea.com.

The {NewNew} Etsy Street Team is a collection of artisans in the New York City/Tri-State Area with shops on etsy.com, an online marketplace for handmade goods. For more information about The {NewNew} Etsy Street Team visit: http://thenewnew.blogspot.com.

Photo: Scenes from the Brooklyn Flea, by Brownstoner.com.

Continue reading "Event: Craft supplies for sale at the Brooklyn Flea" »

On sale Friday, Kiehl’s new limited edition travel kit, designed by Derek Lam. The kit includes travel sizes of some of Lam’s favorite products including body cream, body wash, shampoo with coconut oil, conditioner and that irresistable lip balm (for which Lam came up with a separate little pocket so it doesn’t get lost). It’s $225 available for the rest of the month at Kiehl’s flagship store, 109 Third Ave., Manhattan or for pre-sell on kiehls.com.

Antiques & Design in the Hamptons show offers vintage couture jewelry, including pieces from Chanel; also, vintage designer handbags and Louis Vuitton luggage and trunks; Aug. 15-17, noon-7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at the Bridgehampton Historical Society, Montauk Highway; $8 admission fee; free on-site parking; for more information go to stellashows.com