Around the Corner: New York Botanical Garden and the Bronx Zoo

After Yankee Stadium, two other Bronx claim-to-fames include the New York Botanical Garden and the Bronx Zoo. On any given day, in any type of weather, you will find New Yorkers enjoying a bit of peace from the city. Both attractions are located within walking distance from each other, so the energetic and adventurous can even make a day out of it!

The New York Botanical Garden hosts many amazing exhibitions every year, including an annual orchid show. Two exhibitions going on right now are "Emily Dickinson's Garden: The Poetry of Flowers" and "The Edible Garden." Admission is free all day on Wednesday and from 10am - 12pm on Saturdays. You can find directions here.

The Bronx Zoo is the largest zoo in New York City! It features a variety of amazing animals and exhibits, including a Madagascar house with two enormous cave crocodiles, the Congo Forest with a dozen beautiful gorillas, and a children's petting zoo. Wednesday is pay-what-you-wish day. You can find directions here.



If you've yet to visit these amazing NYC destinations, be sure to put it on your list this summer! Until next time...

Karina

Windows of Agate

Where to find the NewNew July 31 and August 1

Did someone say August?! Keep cool with the offerings from the NewNew at our regular gigs (along with some sweet, cold, delicious treats)!

This amazing location has gotten some terrific press and if you haven't been yet, now's the time! Read all about it here.
Cooldown tip: The Blue Marble Ice Cream Truck is there Friday-Sunday and Mr. Softee, too. Click here for a map.


The NewNew will be at the Brooklyn Flea on Saturday from 10:00-5:00. It is located at 176 Clermont at Vanderbilt.
NewNewCrafters: Muppetloon, Dwell Deep, and Purty Bird.
Cooldown Tip: People's Pops and Blue Marble are also mainstays at the Brooklyn Flea. Yum!

Join the NewNew at the Hester Street Fair on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 - 6:00 at the corner of Hester and Essex. On Saturday, see Irene C. Studio, Enchantragirl, and Allene La Spina. On Sunday, Designs by Aliza, Wish by Felicity, and Saskia DeVries will be there.
Cooldown Tip: Ok, maybe not strictly in the cooldown category, but ya gotta visit the Doughnut Plant, right around the corner on Grand Street.

Until next time, keep cool!

Lu
LuCrafts

In the Kitchen with The {NewNew}

Members of The {NewNew} create some fantastic treats for your home.  Deck out your kitchen and dining table with handcrafted ceramics, light switches, magnets, coasters and more!  Our featured designers are just as creative when it comes to cooking too.  Each one has shared a favorite recipe

Kitschy Retro Light Switch Cover
by LuCrafts

Lu's Apple Crisp

Lu strives to add a "little lovely to every day."  Light switch covers and magnets in a range of patterns are available in her shop LuCrafts. The name of this recipe should really be Lu's Lovely Apple Crisp! It is baked just long enough so that the apples that get soft but not mushy and the topping gets crisp and wonderful. You can warm up leftovers in the microwave.  And don't forget the vanilla ice cream. 

Ingredients

6 large Granny Smith apples
2 tbls white sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

2 tbls lemon juice

1/4 cup butter

3/4/cup brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
Directions

Peel, core, and cut apples into quarters then cut each quarter into 3-4 slices. Place in buttered pan. Sprinkle with lemon juice, white sugar and cinnamon. With a fork, mix the brown sugar and flour. Using 2 knives or your hands, cut in butter until you have coarse crumbs. Sprinkle on top. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Bird on a Branch Wood Coasters
by Peppersprouts

Peppersprouts Peppered Up Margarita

A full time graphic designer who says she has too many ideas for things to make!  Visit her shop Peppersprouts to see the results of some of those ideas.  In the meantime, give this Peppered up Margarita a try and be sure to use a coaster.

Ingredients
1 chili pepper (pick based on you heat preference)

1/2 cup tequila

1/4 cup Cointreau or Grand Marnier

2 tbls fresh lime or Rose's Lime juice

Directions
Slice the pepper into thin strips and rub it around the rim of a chilled margarita glass.  Drop a pepper strip into the glass. Fill cocktail shaker half full with ice and add tequila, Cointreau or Grand Marnier and lime juice. Shake vigorously and strain into glass.

Linda's Jazzed-Up Curried Lentils

Linda is not only known for her adorable bright colored birds and decorative magnets, she is also famous for this Lentil recipe.  I'm so glad she shared it with us!  Visit her shop PurtyBird.

Birds and Blossoms Glass Tile Magnets
by PurtyBird

Ingredients

2 large onions

2 carrots

3-4 large stalks celery

2 Gala apples 

4 cloves garlic

1 pkg. dry red lentils

1 handful anise seed (more or less to taste)

3-4 handfuls raisins

3-4 tbls curry powder (more or less to taste)

6-8 cups water

Salt to taste

Directions

Saute onions, garlic and celery in enough oil to cover the bottom of the pot until translucent. Add anise and let cook approx. 2 minutes. Add lentils and water, then apples, carrots and curry. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for approximately 1 hour or until lentils are cooked. Add raisins. Continue cooking over low heat for another hour or two. Salt to taste.  Can be prepared a day in advance and refrigerated to allow the flavors intermingle and develop.

May Luk's Pineapple Pound Cake with Pineapple Rum Glaze

May's unique ceramics are both beautiful and functional.  Working with clay and glaze, May creates each of the items in her shop MayLuk by hand.   Try your hand with a different king of glaze, a delicious pineapple pound cake with pineapple rum glaze.

Eat Pink Platter
by MayLuk

Ingredients
Whole wheat pastry flour - 2.5 cups

Butter - 1 stick unsalted at room temperature

Sour Cream - 1 cup

Eggs - 3,  separated

Sugar - 1/2 cup

Vanilla - 1 tsp

Salt - 1/2 tsp

Baking Soda - 1.5 tsp

Crushed Pineapple - 1 cup  drained

Directions
Whip egg white until stiff on high. About 3 minutes. Set aside. Mix flour, baking soda and salt together. Set aside.  Whip butter for one minute. Then add in the sugar mix well. Add in the egg yokes and mix well. Then add the vanilla. Alternately add in the flour mixture and the sour cream and mix well. Add in pineapple and rum, mix well. By hand, slowly fold in the egg white. Do not over-mix

Pour the batter into a buttered bundt pan. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 350 deg F for 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes clean and the edges are slightly golden brown.

Pineapple Rum Glaze

Cream Cheese - 4oz   (1/2 package) at room temperature

Butter - 1/4 stick at  room temperature

Powder Sugar - 3 tbsp

Vanilla Extract - 1 tsp

Salt - pinch

Crushed Pineapple - 1 cup drained

Bermuda Gold Liqueur - 2 tbsp. Add more to taste.

Directions

Beat cream cheese and butter on high until well mixed. Add in the remaining ingredients and beat until it's nice and fluffy.  Mix in pineapple and rum. Serve with cake.

Hope you enjoy these recipes and hanging out in the kitchen with The{NewNew}.  For more kitchen and dining related items visit the In The Kitchen treasury on Etsy.

Holly
Ellis Design 

How-To Tuesday: MYOEW (Make Your Own EarWires)

Hey there {NewNew} fans!  Here is a down-n-dirty tutorial about how to make your own earwires.

You will need:

22ga sterling silver wire
1 pair chain nose pliers
1 pair flat nose pliers
1 pair flush cutters
1 pair flat nose pliers (not shown)
1 pencil
1 small piece of 400 grit sandpaper (not shown)

Step 1:  Cut off 1" length of 22 ga wire using flush cutters.  These are the flush cutters and wire, be careful when you cut, the wire likes to fly across the room.  Make sure it is pointing down at your workbench (or someone you don't like very much.  did I just say that?)

Step 2:  Sand the sharp edges of the wire flat.  Do this by holding the wire perpendicular to the sandpaper.  Hold it toward the bottom or else you will bend the wire where you don't want to.  Like so:

Step 3:  Make a loop at one end of the wire.  Put the tip of the round nose plier to the tip of the wire and hold it firmly (but not so firmly that you crush the wire-- this will take some practice).  Turn the plier so you make a circle out of the wire like this:

Step 4:  Almost there!  Put your pliers down and hold the loop in between your fingertips.  Take your pencil and wrap the wire 2/3 around the pencil like this:

Step 5:  Take your flat nose pliers and make a slight bend in the long tail part of the earwire, I usually make mine so it is slightly below the original loop.  Check it:

Step 6:  I promise, you're almost done and for being such a good reader I will give you a cool tip at the end.  Now clip it:

Voila!  You have made an earwire!  You can either sand it as I showed you before:

OR... you can use a neato tool that rounds the wire ends in a flash!  SURPRISE!  A cool tool trick, it's called a (duh) Wire Rounder and it is basically a cup bur that has been mounted in a wooden handle:

That's it!  Thanks for reading, hope you liked my tutorial.

Stephanie Maslow-Blackman

metalicious

All Knotted Up

Thank you to everyone who made it out to Governors Island for a day of crafting and fun!

Governors Island is the most perfect setting for the bi-weekly Yelp! Summer Camp Series. The last event co-sponsored by The {NewNew} and Etsy: Making Sailors Knot Bracelets was a success! A quick boat ride - literally only a few minutes from Brooklyn or Manhattan - instantly transported from the hustle bustle of the city, we all gathered for a craft spectacular. Making sailors bracelets was the main event. Relaxed on blankets scattered on the lawn just in front of The {NewNew} Treasure Chest shop, the knotting began. It was reminiscent of summer camp from days past.

It was the most perfect day, in a perfect setting with a great group of crafters.

We knotted, pulled, twisted and turned our rope into one of a kind bracelets! The day was led by Peter of Yelp!, Meli Anna of MeliAnnaA, Jen of Mellowbeing and Corey of Sans Map. Thanks to everyone involved for helping to create a sucessful event!

Even the youngest of us all enjoyed the day...

Join Yelp! for their upcoming Summer Camp Series on Governors Island - view their schedule of events by clicking here. And of course don't forget to visit The {NewNew} Treasure Chest shop where all the hidden handmade treasures of the summer are waiting to be discovered by you...

Yelp's next Summer Camp event on Governors Island is on August 7th: "Get Baked with Yelp!" a gigantic bake-off! So get your apron on and get baking!! yum!
until next time!


corey // sans map

Where to Find the {NewNew} July 24 + 25

As July winds down, take advantage of these lazy summer days by strolling through some of the best markets NYC has to offer. Explore an area you have never been to and perhaps fall in love with a new designer's work along the way.

What: The {NewNew} Treasure Chest Store on Governors Island When: Friday 10am - 4pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am - 6pm
Where: House 6B in Nolan Park on Governors Island. Take the free ferry at the Battery Maritime Building in Manhattan or at Brooklyn Bridge Park's Pier 6 (Brooklyn ferries only run on weekends). More directions of ferry schedules here.
Who: Over 30 {NewNew} artists - check out the complete list here.
Governors Island Fun Fact: This NYC getaway has amazing events every week. You may have already missed Prince Harry playing polo (and subsequently falling off a horse? So I've heard...) or the punk rockers weekend, but you're sure to find something uniquely New York when you check it out on any given Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

What: Hester Street Fair

When: Saturday and Sunday 10am - 6pm

Where: Hester and Essex Street.

Who: {NewNew} artisans will be there all weekend. On Saturday, see EnchantraGirl and LoellaMedina. On Sunday, visit Laterlierdesbijoux, FiskAndFern, and SaskiaDeVries.

Hester Street Fun Fact: This market is curated and offerings fall into three categories: handmade items, vintage finds, and food.

What: Brooklyn Flea

When: Saturday 10am - 5pm.

Where: 176 Clermont between Clermont and Vanderbilt.

Who: See {NewNew}ers AdornmentsNYC, YaniaCreations, and Itsaljubica.

Brooklyn Flea Fun Fact: Time Out New York calls the Brooklyn Flea "One of New York's Essential Pick-Up Spots." Wow!

Karina

Windows of Agate

Around the Corner: Brooklyn Bridge Park and Promenade

Being a recent transplant to NYC, I have the advantage of being able to view the city and surrounding areas with the fresh eyes of someone still in "tourist-mode." And having recently moved into the charming neighborhood of Brooklyn Heights, I am still pinching myself for having the Brooklyn Heights Promenade and Brooklyn Bridge Park within 5 minutes of where I live. If you haven't yet had the chance to venture out to these local (and free!) treasures then you don't know what you're missing!


The Brooklyn Bridge Park is still a work in progress, but the areas that are open so far are certainly enough to suffice until the park is complete. Lush patches of green lawn welcome picnicking families or lounging groups of friends...mini-playgrounds give plenty of diversion for the kids...and breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline, Statue of Liberty and Brooklyn & Manhattan Bridges remind us how lucky we are to live in this great metropolis.The ultimate plan is to have the park stretch from Pier 6 (near Columbia Street and Atlantic) all the way down to Pier 1 (near DUMBO, and also where you can find the most completed areas to-date.)

After exploring the park, venture on up to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade for a panoramic view of Manhattan and surrounding areas. In the words of New York Magazine, it "draw photographers, couples on romantic walks, and New Yorkers who want an inspiring place to sit and think." In my words, it's simply amazing and must be experienced first-hand.

Enjoy the views, and if you're like me, you'll be pinching yourself that all of this beauty is just a short trip away...

For directions to the park click here.
For directions to the promenade click here.
For a list of events taking place at the park click here.

A view down the promenade towards the Brooklyn Bridge/DUMBO. The promenade starts near Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights.

No trip to the Brooklyn Bridge Park is complete without a stop at the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory (located near Pier 1).

Off Pier 1, an amazing view of the Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges.

One of several play areas for the kiddos.

A massive flight of granite stairs — Brooklyn’s front stoop, if you will — bisects the park. Called the “Granite Prospect,” this stairway was made from steps salvaged from the Roosevelt Island Bridge reconstruction.

One of several lush expanses of green lawn that are "doggie-free" and safe for lounging without worry of stepping into something unpleasant...

Brought to you by: Lolafalk

How to Make Glass Tile Magnets

Glass tile magnets are cute and practical. Who doesn't need magnets? Use them to decorate and to organize all those bits of paper you like to keep handy (grocery lists, to-do lists, a calendar) or display (postcards, artwork, that hard-earned A+ test or quiz). A nice set of handmade magnets makes a unique and thoughtful gift.

Materials


You will need:

1. Glass tiles. The ones used here are 7/8" x 7/8" but they come in different sizes and shapes. I buy mine on Etsy.
2. Magnets. I use 1/2," super-duper strong Neodymium magnets with this size tile.
   
3. Wax paper
4. Mod Podge
5. Paint brush
6. Sharp scissors
7. Adhesive, either 3-D Crystal Lacquer as pictured here or an equivalent (e.g., Diamond Glaze), or tacky glue
8. Laser-printed images. I create my own but you can also buy them -- search for "collage sheets" on Etsy. To print them I either digitally upload them to a printing service online, like Fedex/Kinko's or Staples. You can also physically bring them to the store on disk/flash drive. Use 28 or 32 lb bright white paper.
9. Damp sponge (not pictured).
   

Steps
Treat your laser-printed images with a coat of Mod Podge. Let dry. Be sure to cover every image.

Prepare your glass tiles by gently cleaning them with a damp paper towel.

Cut out your images. Trim each to fit the tile you're using. Tiles tend to vary somewhat in size, and "square" doesn't always mean "perfectly square." Check that the image fits by laying it face down on the dry tile. You want the image to fill as much of the area of the tile as possible without going over the edges. You need a bit of space between the edge of the image and the edge of the tile so you can seal it properly.

Next, squeeze a small-ish glob of adhesive onto the back of the tile. You want enough glue to be able to move the image around for best placement without a whole lot gooing over the sides.

Place your image face-down on the glue. Move it around to spread the glue evenly over the back of the tile and to position it.

Lightly press down on the image to keep it in place and then quickly flip the tile over so it's face-up on the wax paper. Press down firmly on the tile starting in the middle and working your way out to the edges. This is to squeeze out the excess glue and any air bubbles that may have formed. If the tile slides around when you press down on it, gently hold it in place with your other hand. To keep both the image and the tile from sticking to your fingers as you do these steps, wipe them off with a damp sponge in-between.

Leave the tiles to dry for at least 3-4 hours. Then peel them off the wax paper and examine your handiwork. You'll probably find that, despite your careful positioning, your images aren't perfectly centered on the backs of the tiles; the corners and some of the edges may need trimming. I like to trim the corners with a knife and the edges with a scissor if they're way over the edge of the tile, or a nail file if they're only slightly over the edge. (You can also trim the corners with a scissor before gluing them down; you want them somewhat rounded.)

With your image trimmed to just inside the edges of the tile (as pictured directly above), it's ready to be sealed. Apply a thin coat of adhesive (or several coats of Mod Podge) to the back of the tile making sure to cover the edges and corners. This will protect the image from moisture and keep your magnet looking fresh and perky for a years to come.

We're getting close to being done, so grab a coffee and stick with me. Let the sealed tile dry, about an hour or two. Get ready to attach the magnet. Neodymium magnets are very strong so separate one from the stack and put the rest somewhere out of immediate reach, or else their mutual attraction may mess up your work. No joke. This has happened to me. It's really a mess, gluey magnets flying off their tiles and sticking to each other. Yuck!

Apply another coat of adhesive along the edges of the tile and put a dab in the middle.

Place your magnet on the dab of glue and gently press down until it stops moving around.

Place your magnets to dry a couple inches apart from each other on a fresh piece of wax paper (to avoid the mutual attraction problem mentioned earlier).

Let dry, at least 8 but preferably 12-18 hours, and that's it! Except that you may want to clean off the excess glue that's dried on the sides and front of the tile. Carefully scrape it off with a knife and/or use alcohol on a paper towel to dissolve and wipe it away. Stick your magnets on the fridge (or locker or message board, etc.) and do a happy dance for all the things you can now hang up there in style!

Until next time --

Linda

PurtyBird