NYC Markets revisited, episode 3. In which we are reunited.

When we are in New York on a Saturday, Mari and I are fleamarketing.  We have a plan (there is always a plan).  Hell's Kitchen Flea in the morning followed by lunch at Schnippers, followed by Chelsea or Brooklyn Flea.  I would like to say that this particular Spring Break Saturday was no different, but tempestuous Stella's tantrum was still resounding a few days later and a fairly icy wind kept the "always" open Hell's Kitchen flea open, yes, but disappointingly downsized. Not enough colorful activity to photograph, but I did manage to add a tiny tempting nicknack to our market bag, a small painted Florentine wood tissue box cover I plan to add to my nightstand collection.  If you are keeping track, that nightstand has become a reliquary repository for some of my oldest and most beloved collectibles.  I think it is probably due its own blog post some day, along with the rest of the hand-painted Florentine wood collection.

Yes, I know.  Just add it to the list.

After our disappointingly brief Saturday morning flea and the correspondingly wintry weather conditions, Mari and I made the executive decision to break from our planned itinerary that included an afternoon at the new-to-us (since the closing of the Antiques Garage) Chelsea Flea.  We'll get to you next time (weather permitting), Chelsea Flea, with your (gulp) one dollar admission charge, I promise!

We headed to another (temperature-controlled) favorite instead.  Above, Mari has been let loose in the wilderness of (formerly) Broadway's Beads World.  While no longer on Broadway, we found the recently re-opened beading supply wholesaler open for sparkly brilliant business with its very friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful staff waiting to show off their new expansive location.  This is one of our regular stops when we are in the City for restocking Mari's ever-expanding list of creative-projects-you-can-wear.

Visit the colorfully creative mecca for yourself or visit the new site.

beadsworldusa.com

At left is a colorfully fabulous friend we met on our way up Broadway. He looked like I felt having just finished a hale and hearty lunch at Schnippers, but at least I was walking off my sloppy Joe and mac & cheese combo bowl.

I love walking the streets of New York because it is a different walk every time, even if you follow the same slushily plodded path.
Part of a colorful outdoor art installation, Pinky greeted us warmly despite still being surrounded by frozen snow.

I have since found more information (and pictures!) about Taiwanese artist Hung Yin's eccentrically beautiful "A Fancy Animal Carnival" on the untappedcities website.  I also learned that my pictured friend's formal name is "Fortunate" Round Dragon, but she'll always be Pinky to me.

Visit the site for photos of the entire urban menagerie along with more information about the artist.

untappedcities.com/2016/09/21/a-fancy-animal-carnival-arrives-at-the-garment-district-plaza-in-nyc

Back to that slop-aliciously fortifying lunch.  Mari and I are always thrilled to share one of our favorites with friends whenever it's ever possible.  Not the first time we have broken (sloppy Joe covered) bread with old friends at Schnipper's Quality Kitchen at their original location on 41st and 8th (across from the Port Authority bus terminal), this Saturday afternoon was special because we had a chance to visit with a former student who has been enjoying creative success living and working in NYC.

Until next time, I leave you with a happy reunion.