On September 26 Greenjeans (Homemade for Conscientious LIving), a shop at 449 Seventh Avenue near 16th Street, celebrated the opening of their fall exhibition "Garbage Collection" with artists Anders Bergstrom and Matthew Eskuche. I got this dispatch from the Greenjeans Newsletter:

"The shop overflowed with guests enjoying savory treats from our fave Brooklyn eatery applewood, beer (in cans, of course) and Jae’s famous white sangria. Guests also got to take a free copy of the newly relaunched American Craft Magazine and meet new editor Andrew Wagner.

Here is a slide show with pix of the work and the opening!

"Most works in the show are for sale, with
Bergstrom’s ranging from $40 for a screen print to $1000 for a framed
painting, and Eskuche’s from $550 for the limited edition sculpture
"Call It and Early Night" (see below) to $12,700 for  his signature
piece "Damn Squirrels".

On view thru November 7."

If you want to see OTBKB’s BROOKLYN HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE,  JUST  CLICK HERE and you will be transported to a great resource for holiday shopping on Seventh and Fifth Avenues.

There is an icon on the right hand side of the page that says: OTBKB BROOKLYN HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE. Just click on that…

The gift guide is just about done. I am only missing a few stores. In the next few days I will fill in missing stores. New this year: Honey Bee and Me on 5th Street off of Fifth Avenue. She has odd hours so check her website. The guide will permanently live at its own site. Click on the OTBKB Holiday Guide logo on the right hand column of this blog. One click and you’re there.

5th Avenue 5th Avenue 5th Avenue 5th Avenue 

FIFTH AVENUE Bergen to St. Marks

Lulu’s: Schylling tin toys — robot, elephant, clown Jack-in-the-Box and more — great for children and adults.

FIFTH AVENUE St. Marks to Prospect Place

Buttercup’s Paw-tisserie:  coming soon…

Umkarna:   Necklace with black lava beads on a stretchy string. Red and black and Chartreuse and black. Very striking ($170). Silky slip shirts or lingerie by Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent in lovely colors ($160).

Gorilla Coffee: Wooden box with a red and black gorilla printed on it with three one pound bags of coffee ($38).

Tabeel Aromatherapy Gift Shop and Hair Locking Center:  last year I liked these  microwavable teddy bears for muscle soreness, arthritis, backaches, sprains and headaches ($35). Glycerine soaps by the slice in various flavors and colors including grapefruit (pictured).

FIFTH AVENUE Prospect Place to Park Place

Flirt:  coming soon…

 The Chocolate Room: coming soon

FIFTH AVENUE Douglas to Degraw

At Home: coming soon…

Wrappers Delight: OUT OF BUSINESS

FIFTH AVENUE Degraw to Sackett

Reverse:  coming soon…

FIFTH AVENUE St. Johns to Lincoln

Romp:    Giraffe and monkey wall animals hand cut from vintage wallpaper ($60-$80). Customized book about your family from Good Stock — buy a book, pick out colors, fill in family tale worksheet, review up to three proofs. (All for $124). Pregnant Mommy mobile. The Time is Now — Nikki McClure calendar. Water Wizard drawing board.

Body Essentials: coming soon…

FIFTH AVENUE Lincoln to Berkeley

Organic Cafe: OUT OF BUSINESS

FIFTH AVENUE  Sackett to President

Cog and Pearl:   Various lamps made from Hurricane Katrina debris ($100.).  Copper reliquary boxes — ery beautiful ($70. – $170).  Distressed metal pocket mirrors by Vallerie Galloway with vintage looking photos of the Brooklyn Bridge, water towers, mannequins — comes with a velvet pouch ($36). Hand printed vintage leather and suede gloves ($48). Decoupage paper weights and dishes by John Derain ($60. and up).

FIFTH AVENUE Berkeley to  Union

Extraordinary: Key rings with small metal high heels, wing tips, ballet slippers, high tops ($15). Small music box with Klimt painting and music from La Boheme ($20). Begamot bath oil in an interesting bottle with a purple synthetic orchid ($25).

FIFTH AVENUE Union to Carroll Streets.

Something Else: Rubber rain boots with black skeletons and red roses.

Bob & Judi’s Coolectibles: Handmade in Brooklyn: Mah Jong tile Hanukkah menorahs ($42). Vintage Brooklyn news
photos ($10). Tiny Betty Boo tea set. Vintage plastic charm
bracelets ($10). Pool balls ($5). Vintage 1940’s Santa wrapping
paper ($3).

Goldy and Mac:

Beacon’s Closet:

FIFTH AVENUE President  to Garfield Streets.

Matter:  Still life fruit bowl — ceramic and wood ($79)

Scaredy Kat:

Diana Kane: The Hanky Panky silk lace thong in a multitude of colors. Everyone loves these ($18). Silver locket with yellow gold chain. Holds two pictures. ($196).

Eidolan:

Nancy Nancy:

Hers and Mine: OUT OF BUSINESS

FIFTH AVENUE Garfield to 1st Streets.

3R Living: Sweep Dreams Dust Pan and Broom ($15 and $22).

Lucia:

La Rosa Dance Supply:

FIFTH AVENUE 1st to Second Streets

Jonathan Blum: Paintings by Brooklyn’s hometown artist.

FIFTH AVENUE Second to Third Streets

Zelda Victoria: To come.

FIFTH AVENUE 3rd to 4th Streets

Living on Fifth :

Serene Rose:

FIFTH AVENUE 4th to 5th Streets

Pink Pussycat:

Under the Pig Antiques:
 

FIFTH AVENUE 5th to 6th Streets

Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co:

Zuzu’s Petals: Framed,  hand-embroidered  samplers
"Love me when I deserve it least, it is when I need it most." ($18-$60). Father Christmas figures in 3 sizes ($35, $48, $90). Woven  throws for cold winter nights; very frothy and snuggley ($75 and $85). Handthrown pottery: Nicholas Mosse from Ireland,  French from Provence ($25- $250).  Mistral soaps, bath and body products from France. Custom decorated fresh balsam wreaths and arrangements.

Honeybee and Me: fluffy wool coats, hats, mittens, scarves and pillows in fabulous colors. Range of prices. Nice jewelry from Turkey. Patent leather backpacks

FIFTH AVENUE 7th to 8th Streets

Office Equipment and Furniture: OUT OF BUSINESS

Save on
Fifth: Assortment of cool alarm clocks and wall clocks.

FIFTH AVENUE 8th to 9th Streets

Galaxy Comics: 12 inch Yellow Submarine Beatle’s figurines.

Record and Tape Center: Huge collection of used LPs and CDs.

Tip Top Gifts:

7th Avenue 7th Avenue 7th Avenue 7th Avenue

SEVENTH AVENUE Berkeley to Union

Orange Blossom Kids: Baby tee with Dalai Lama

Slope Sports: Running cap with sushi design

SEVENTH AVENUE Union to President

Blue Apron (just east of 7th Avenue): coming soon…

Newstand: Lottery ticket.

Facets: Colorful baubles and stones: necklaces by David Aubrey ($60 and up).

Area:  Radiant Baby wooden yo yo’s by Keith Haring and French Yo yo’s ($9 and $11). Wooden pens with funny faces ($5).

Aersoles:  To come

SEVENTH AVENUE President to Carroll

Loom: "Subversive Cross Stitch: 33 Designs for you Surly Side" by Julie Jackson ($14.95).

Lisa Polansky: Brown monkey scarf and matching hat.

Sound Track: Out of Business 

SEVENTH AVENUE Carroll to Garfield

Jack Rabbit: $250. buys any pair of running shoes and tuition in the Beginner Running Clinic.

D’Vine Taste: Dried Fruits. Halvah. Fancy olive oils. Proustian Madeleine Cakes.

Community Bookstore: "We Tell Ourselves Stories in Order to Live: Collected Non-Fiction
by Joan Didion ($30).

Little Things: Mini, posable Groovey Dolls ($4.99). Best Buddy monkey rolling backpacks ($24.99), Doodle Coloing Book by Taro Gomi — author of Everyone Poops — Chronicle Books ($18.95). Ugly Dolls ($5.99 – $100).

Back to the Land: Dr. Hanuschka, Avalon, Kiss My Face, California Baby, and other skin and hair care products.

Possibilities:

Garfield to 1st

Artesana: Square dog paintings by a Thai artist in a wide variety of breeds ($75).

The Clay Pot: cross, om, heart, and star pendant by Jane Diaz ($64).

Treasure Chest: Gold necklace with one of a variety of charms: pistol, handcuffs, wishbone, pineapple, dragon fly, seahorse, and eagle ($75). Menorah with nine small chairs.


Lolli: Sock monkey by Paul Frank ($15). Paul Frank sock slippers (price TBD).

Mr. Choi: Hot Sox in a wide variety of patterns including Hanukah menorahs, cappuchino, bandannas, and polka dots (3 for $15).

SEVENTH AVENUE 2nd to 3rd Streets

Seventh Avenue Books: "ABZ: More Alphabets and Other Signs" edited by Julian Rothstein and Mel Gooding. Chronicle Books. "Anthology of Graphic Fiction" from Yale University Press. "So What is the What" by Dave Eggers 


Park Slope Books: "On this Earth: Photographs from East Africa" by Nick Brandt (price TBD).

Good Footing: Kitson LA laceless sneakers (price TBD).


Tarzian West: Simplehuman brushed steel single pod coffee brewer ($129).

SEVENTH AVENUE 3rd to 4th Streets

The Cocoa Bar: Nicely packaged chocolate treats.

Lion in the Sun: Moleskin notebooks in all sizes.

SEVENTH AVENUE 4th to 5th Streets

Lumiere: Pylones lady in skirt cheese grater, cake knife, massage device, and other fun items.

SEVENTH AVENUE 7th to 8th Streets

Root Stock/Quade: What could be better than a " surprise " bouquet at your door on the 20th of the month!? Seasonal blooms chosen and arranged in a vase to complement the bouquet designed by Kerry Quade to arrive on your Brooklyn doorstep for three consecutive months. A one time delivery charge of $25.00 to be applied in addition. Delivery in Brooklyn only ($300). Floral Design Lesson with Kerry Quade ($350).

SEVENTH AVENUE 8th to 9th Streets

Brooklyn Industries: Thigh high tights ($12).
Fargo Bomber Hat ($52).

Park Slope Stationers: Claire Fontaine notebooks.

SEVENTH AVENUE 9th to 10th

Otto:  Adorable Senger stuffed animals. "3 dots" polka dot cashmere sweaters (pricey). Bathing cap
bags. Nethermeade Perfume from Brooklyn Apothecary Sexy underwear

SEVENTH AVENUE 10th to 11th

4 Play:  CP Cotton Phase camisole in variety of colors. Very simple, comfortable (2 for $30).

Park Slope Sports: Brooklyn tee’s hoodies. Great scarf/hat for winter runners.

SEVENTH AVENUE 11th to 12th

Nest: Paper curtains

SEVENTH AVENUE 12th to 13th

El Milagro: Frida Kahlo earrings, necklaces, pins, bracelets, etc.

SEVENTH AVENUE 13th to 14th

Sweet Charity:

Neda:

Music Matters:

SEVENTH AVENUE 14th to 15th

Toy Space: Anatomically correct soft baby dolls ($10.00).

Baby Bird: Snoopy t-shirts for babies.

Bird:

15th to 16th

Rare Device: Black sake set ($72).  Elegant money clip($72). Pop-up Menorah card ($6).

Greenjeans: Handcrafted toys.

 

Every day a little more. It’s really not that hard stepping into every store between Flatbush and 15th Street on Seventh AND Fifth Avenue. Ha!

I do it in bits. As I take my walks, do my errands. The truth is I do get around. I will do the South Slope on Wednesday on the way to my shrink.

I will do Seventh Avenue on my way to and from my office.

I will do Fifth Avenue a little here, a little there.

I may even cheat: There’s a booklet around called SHOP LOCAL put out, I believe, by the Park Slope Reader. It’s got pix of gifts that look real nice.

The idea is to find one item in every shop worth gifting. Sometimes there are more. Sometimes there is only one. If I get carried away it means I found a lot in that particular shop. But if there is only one item, it doesn’t mean that that store is lacking. It just means that I found THE ITEM, the very cool, unusual gift item. Then I’m on my way.

I’m usually with the shopping adverse OSFO. Mind you, she’s only shopping adverse if we’re not shopping for her. If we’re in Little Things or some other kid-oriented emporium she can spend hours. That’s why I was able to select more than one thing at Little Things.

Because I’m with OSFO, sometimes I have to do it from the window. I’ll say, "Hey, what’s THE item in this window…"