Sunday, January 1, 2012

Visiting Etsy Lab in Brooklyn, NY!

I hope everyone had a very good New Year's Eve and that 2012 will be a healthy happy year for all! 


DUMBO -  "Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass"

I wanted to show you a fun evening that a friend and I had before Christmas in the Etsy headquarters located at 55 Washington Street in the DUMBO neighborhood of Brooklyn.  The Etsy website is the world’s largest e-commerce marketplace for handmade articles made by independent sellers, as well as vintage article and craft supply sellers.



Etsy hosts free weekly craft nights in their Etsy Lab in Suite 712 (7th floor) in the same building as their headquarters.



A friend and I were here to attend a workshop being sponsored by Simplicity to show us how to make felted ornaments from roving, yarn and other scrap fabrics.



Michele Muska from Simplicity Creative Group was demonstrating one of the six deluxe 12 needle felting machines Simplicity was donating to Etsy Labs.  The machines can work with one to twelve barbed needles at once, enabling fabrics to mesh together to create new color and texture combinations . It requires no threading or sewing.  You can watch a video on how the machine works on the Simplicity web site here, or you can watch the video below of Michele as she demonstrated the machine in the Etsy lab:



Watch live streaming video from etsy at livestream.com


We admired Michele's beautiful felted examples, some of which you can see in the photo collage above, and then got to work to try out the machine and make our own.  My first attempt can be seen in the lower right corner of the photo collage. I combined different colors and shapes of felt and yarn to make a Christmas tree shape ornament. The machine was fun and easy to use and I saw some beautiful creations being made by the more talented artists around me.


I have to admit I also enjoyed watching the subway trains passing by on the Manhattan Bridge right outside the Lab's window, and my friend enjoyed perusing the large collection of craft books on the Etsy bookshelves. We also had a nice time chatting with the different workshop attendees and seeing examples of past craft night projects.

Thanks Etsy and Michelle -- we really enjoyed the class and made a vow that it would not be our last one.  Etsy Lab is closed for the month of January, but will be open afterward with a whole new program of fun classes and events. Etsy is always full of good craft ideas -- check out their blog's idea pages, and of course they have the most wonderful variety of handmade crafts made by independent artisans for sale on their website.



When we departed the workshop night had descended and the bridge was glowing in its spotlights.



Brooklyn's view of Manhattan at night is a beautiful one, especially on a misty night when the lights are soft and dreamy.

Make sure to come back for my next post where I'll show you a ethereal view of the Statue of Liberty I saw earlier that same day -- it was stunning!

I'm linking to the following blog events:




Many thanks to all the blog hosts!

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61 comments:

Barbara F. said...

This sounds like a fun thing to do. I wonder if they have a.m. classes. I will check out their website. Beautiful photos, Pat. Really stunning. xo

Cindy said...

Hi Pat,
What a great evening you had! I didn't even know there was a real place that etsy was connected to. I guess someone has to set it all up and run it, eh? Thank you for a very interesting post, I feel like I learned something tonight.
Great photos of the bridge and of Manhattan, too. I will be back for the Statue of Liberty photo.
Hugs, Cindy

Sara said...

You find the funnest things to do! I had no idea that they taught classes there...what a fun way to spend an evening...

Unknown said...

How cool! I love etsy. Thanks for sharing this great experience with us!

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

Hi Pat, you always find the most interesting places and activities to share with us. Love the night photos with all the lights in the city.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Pat, Glad you all enjoyed your class... We've all heard of Etsy --so it's neat to see where they are located...

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Hugs,
Betsy
P.S. Love that last picture of the city at night.

The Gathering Place said...

I didn't realize that Etsy had an actual building. I guess I just thought it was an online virtual thing. You have so many interesting opportunities. I LOVE the pictures of the NY skyline! Stunning!

Vicki/Jake said...

I've read about their classes but didn't know it was there. What a fun time, and your creation is a true piece of art:) I'll watch for the Statue of Liberty post....

Lynn said...

Sounds like a fun day! Always love your pics too Pat! Happy New Year, wishing you all the best in 2012:@)

Buttercup said...

This looks fabulous and it's just a subway ride away. Thanks for a fabulous idea and some great photos. Every happy wish for 2012!

Tracy said...

VERY fun with a peek behind the scenes at Etsy. You know I love Etsy. ;o) Great to be back in blogland after two weeks away for Christmas in the USA, and catch up with you here now. Wishing you all the very best in 2012, Pat--PEACE, LOVE & JOY! ((HUGS))

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

I didn't realize Etsy was a real place Pat. I guess I thought it existed only in cyberspace. What an exciting adventure. Speaking of exciting, that's exactly the word for the city and the bridge in the evening shot.

Happy new year to you too.
Sam

diane b said...

That sounded like loads of fun. I have a friend who does a lot of felting by hand she would be interested in that machine. Love the night views of Manhattan. DUMBO an easy place to remember.

La Petite Gallery said...

Very interesting afternoon.
you are some mover and shaker.
I love living vicariously through your adventures. We have had some fair weather. I don't care how cold as long as the sun is out.
Thanks, and Happy 2012

yvonne

eileeninmd said...

What an interesting visit to the Etsy lab. Thanks for sharing your class. I loved the photos of the bridge at night, looks just beautiful. Pat, I wish you all the best in 2012, Happy New Year!

Old Kitty said...

I love that little sweater for the doggie or kitty at the end of the felt demo! LOL! How cute is that!??! And because I'm notorious for shrinking woolly jumpers in the washing machine (yes, I never ever learn!LOL!)maybe I should learn more about this felting! LOL!

Awww Pat - thank you for this - it's nice that this company has these sessions so customers can get a feel of the crafting skills behind the products they sell!
p.s. your felt tree is lovely!

Take care
x

Pat said...

Great post, Pat, in so many ways... love the cityscapes! I read about the Etsy workshops and so wish I could attend some of them. Your tree ornament is super!

From the Kitchen said...

The DUMBO photo is stunning!

I had no idea that ETSY had a brick and mortar site. But, of course, they would. You are fortunate to be in the area and able to take advantage of those workshops. What fun!

Best,
Bonnie

Tanna said...

Pat, LOVE the DUMBO photos!! Such great shots, especially the first one! Who knew etsy had a brick and mortar spot? And had classes? Too cool. blessings ~ Tanna

Ciao Chow Linda said...

You always manage to find interesting, new ways to have fun. I love the photo of the city at night.

Snap said...

Sounds like great fun! Felting is something I haven't tried. With two closets full of *stuff* to do, I'm not sure I'll get around to felting in this lifetime! :D :D :D Beautiful photos of the city, too.

A Bit of the Blarney said...

I do so love visiting your "house." Thank you for an entertaining, informative and beautiful post!!! Happy New Year! Cathy

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Stunning pictures of the bridge Pat!! I love Etsy...and visit the site daily....but to go to the lab...fantastic!! Wishes for a very happy and healthy New Year to you and your family!
♥, Susan

Ola said...

First of all-Happy New Year!
The picture with the bridge is really pretty, I am dreaming about visiting this city someday!

Carol said...

What a cool evening, fantastic shots! I never realized Etsy was in Brooklyn. You always have such fun adventures :)

ellen b. said...

How interesting to go to that lab. I love your night shots!

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

What a fun night out! There's so much to do in the city, you lucky duck! If I lived in NYC I'd be crawling all over the place! LOL!!!

HAPPY 2012!

Francisca said...

Pat, you had a lovely experience, but what caught my attention were the gorgeous bridge shots! You could have linked to Sunday Bridges. Happy New Year!

Unknown said...

Hi Pat, Happy New Year. I am like some of the others I did not know they had such a huge physical plant. This was very interesting and very creative with all the outside photos and your special touch. Blessings
QMM

Anonymous said...

Great post Pat...wow so close to Etsy...exciting! I didn't know there was an Etsy headquarters either! Love the Brooklyn bridge...my favorite New York bridge!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Etsy...WOW! I love Etsy! What fun to make a visit there! Of course the last photo you posted is amazing! Looks like something from a movie! Happy new year my friend! ♥

Gardening in a Sandbox said...

It sounds like you had a great time learning a new craft. What fun. The evening photo was just magical. Happy New Year. V

Pondside said...

First of all, I was stunned to think that there is a real, live PLACE for Etsy home - I don't know what I thought happened to coordinate it all!
Second, your view of Manhattan is gorgeous - made me wish to be there!

My name is Riet said...

HI Pat. Happy NewYear.
That must have been a lot of fun. Didn't know such a thing excisted. There are such great ideas.
And your evening photo's of New York are stunning. Looking forward to the next post.
HUgs fro Riet

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

You do such fun things, Pat! What a great class and beautiful views.

nanny said...

How fun....

Oh Pat the skyline picture is just breathtaking!!

Unknown said...

These kind of event is fun and I like it. Happy New Year!

Festive Season

Yvette said...

Oh Pat, that night view of the Brooklyn Bridge almost made me cry. I just miss NYC so much!!

But I love viewing it through your lens, lady. :)

annie said...

Though I know about Etsy I never knew about them being in Brooklyn.
Its great that they have classes like that.

Yvette said...

P.S. Also, as you know, I LOVE needle felting.

Judy said...

Love the skyscape photo of Manhatten at night!

How fun to visit the Etsy lab...and how nice to take us along. Thanks.

Al said...

I love these photos, they certainly have nice views from their offices!

podso said...

Beautiful images of the city at night. Thanks and look forward to more. Also will check out that etsy craft site. Who knew!

Thanks for all the good stuff you share!

Claudia said...

Thank-you - am so behind the times and for years I have tried to understand what "Visit my Etsy Shop" meant! What were etsies? As you introduce yourself to new adventures - you introduce all of us! Thanks also for that. Your shot of night in NYC - Oh - I just want to print it and hang it in my bedroom.

KB said...

Lovely pics. My OWT is up too.

Happy New Year.

Karena said...

Pat How Great! I had no idea this existed ...the headquarters, with classes yet!

Happy New Years to you and yours!

Please come and enter my Giveaway from Serena & Lily.

xoxo
Karena

Art by Karena

Willow said...

What a fun activity! I'd love to see etsy's hq!

The photos of Brooklyn Bridge are wonderful!

SmilingSally said...

Happy New Year, Pat!

SandyCarlson said...

These are delightful city photos. That Etsy night looks like fun. Great stuff!

Lovella ♥ said...

Hi Pat,
I never knew that Etsy had a place to call home. I found this a most fascinating visit with you. I also never knew there was such a thing as a 12 needle felter. OH my goodness that looks like a lot of fun.
Good job on your first try. Oh the possibilities.
You sure do know how to have fun. The opportunities seem endless in your beautiful city.

Arija said...

Lovely shots or NY at night.

Jeanne said...

Good morning Pat, I just finished watching the video about the felting machine. I was amazed at what it can do. The only felting I have seen is from a friend of mine who felts wool sweaters to make handbags. She shops the thrift stores for the sweaters. I envy your great opportunities for the endless things to do and enjoy in N.Y. City. The photos of Manhattan and the bridge are awesome.

I am so glad I woke up early today so I could catch up with my many blogging friends while Bill and Cheri' are sleeping. The holidays have been so full and wonderful for us but it left little time for blogging. My mountains are white this morning and life is good.

I know 2012 will be a great year and I wish the best for you and yours. I am thankful for your friendship my dear blogging friend.
XO, Jeanne

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

How cool is that? You find the neatest things...
and I LOVE that you take us along.
Join us for Traveling Tuesdays Too!

Lisa @ Grandmas Briefs said...

I had no idea Etsy offered such a thing. What fun. And that bridge shot is lovely!

Happy New Year!

Kathleen said...

I never knew that about etsy. I thought it was like an eBay for crafters. Very interesting.
The evening pictures are beautiful!
Happy 2012 to you and yours, good health!

Jeannette StG said...

The bridge by night is beautiful!

Sheila said...

Your photos of the bridge are lovely! that must have been a really fun class Pat. Thanks for the links. It's great that people are hand crafting so many wonderful items these days. I always love to see the new ideas!

Vee said...

Very intriguing...you have some wonderful, unique opportunities in NYC.

Anonymous said...

Oh gosh, I never dreamed you'd take us there! FUN!

Like your other commenters, I had no idea...!

Annesphamily said...

What a fun night out! I would love to be part of this! You are very blessed living where you do! You have lots of show you! Hugs Anne

GailO said...

Sounds like so much fun!

Those last photos are outstanding!