Still searching for the perfect gift for someone on your list? You're in luck, a bevy of Brooklyn artists will be setting up shop in Gowanus art space Littlefield's this weekend and next as part of the Brooklyn Craft Central Holiday Market.
We caught up with market founder Deb Klein—who has worked on Fourth Arts Block Annual Festival, MAKE Magazine's Maker Faire, Brooklyn Indie Music Festival, Powerhouse Sundays book series, Dekalb Market and Crafts in Chelsea—for a quick Q&A on what inspired her to start such a choose-your-own-adventure style shopping event.
Here's what she had to say...
1. How was the idea for the BKCC market conceived?
I helped friends out many years ago when they started the Bazaar Bizarre in Boston, and had a blast. I didn't really think much about starting my own until years later in Brooklyn when I was working at the Lyceum and the owner was into the idea. A bit of research and a whole lot of outreach, and BLAMMO! Brooklyn Craft Central was born. It was held there from 2008 until 2010, when I left and took BKCC with me. Now I flit between Littlefield and other [mainly South] Brooklyn venues...
2. How do you consider your shopping market different from others, such as the Brooklyn Flea or the new Gowanus Nite Market? Is there a particular focus or some area that you'd like to highlight?
BKCC's mission is and will always be focused mainly on the best shopping, and leaves out the extraneous programming that may take away from that focus. Don't get me wrong—we have food and drink and awesome music, as I am a big music geek but I still concentrate on local and handmade goods, designers and wares as a priority. Customers always love the vibe and the shopping, so I'll keep that up.
3. Can you name three of your favorite vendors participating and one item they sell that would make a great holiday gift?
I won't pick out any three out of all of them, because they are all appealing in different ways, to different shoppers, and to me! But I will say that any shopper that comes to this market for their last-minute shopping (remember - we are going both days on Dec 22 and 23, with different vendors from the weekend before) will find at least a handful of items that will satisfy the remainder of their shopping list... I promise!
Meet Klein, shop till you drop, rock out and refuel with Woolly Knit (hot cider & bourbon) and Brooklyn food truck favorite El Olomega at Brooklyn Craft Central holiday market this weekend at Littlefield, 622 Degraw St., between 3rd and 4th Aves.
And be sure to tell us what you think of your experience after you've gone!
