Till Next Time!

The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park are being loaded out, just a few structures remain, and all the gifts have been opened, reviewed, and widely admired. But here at Bryant Park we're interested in what you think, so email us (scroll to "contact us" on the left) and let us know what shops you love, what you'd like to see, and how we can make the shops better. And vendors, we'd love your opinion, too. For those interested in becoming a vendor, please contact ID&A at 212-382-2953. Best to all and have a great new year.

Closing Day

Sadly, it's the last day of The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park. But you can keep in touch with all your favorite shops online. Check out their websites listed on the blog and the venue guide (hover over the name and click). Some shops have online stores and show where they'll be appearing in 2008.

Meanwhile, we'll be missing all the shops, like splash!organics (where one devoted customer visited during an awful rain storm to stock up on her yearly supply and extol the virtues of splash's soaps), lina's shop and her beautiful, delicate jewelry and Asian jackets, and Home Fields' 3-D replica stadiums, the perfect gift for a devoted sports fan's desk. And we can't wait to see Parable Ink, James Young, pip-squeak chapeau, Indonesia Beautiful, Metal Park, and all the rest again next holiday season. Happy New Year!

Keep All Your Soaps in a Row

Soap is ducky, and it helps if your kids think so, too. So visit Children's Treasures/Just Bubbly in Bryant Park's holiday shops and stock up on soaps for your kids. They'll have tons of fun keeping clean with these adorable duck soaps, available in almost any kind of duck imaginable:

Hockey ducks! And the wedding couple is perfect for favors at the reception. These can be custom made with all the wedding info on the tags. And talk about good party favors, look at the frog princes next to the wedding couple. They're perfect for your attendants and wedding showers (no pun intended).

Another great way to make bath time more enjoyable for the kids? These fish-in-a-bag soaps, how clever. Best, these water-based, glycerin soaps are all hand-made through a vegan process, so they contain no animal products and are hypoallergenic.

Be sure to visit Children Treasure's website, as this hometown family business (they're based in Rockaway Beach) does a lot more than soaps. And if there's a special duck you've just got to have, let them know and they might make it special just for you.

Children's Treasures/Just Bubbly, A4 on the venue guide

Hey, Pipsqueak!

That's right, you pip-squeak chapeau, you, I want a hat. One of those gorgeous hand-knit hats with the beautiful hand-knit capes. I'm going to look fabulous, I am, so hand it over now because I deserve it, pipsqueak, after all my holiday shopping and what did I get? Nothing, I tell you, nothing I can actually wear in public. Certainly nothing like you've got in your lovely little holiday shop, one of the best in the bunch. I'll take one of each, and now I tell you, because after tomorrow you won't be around Bryant Park any more. So you better come back next year, you little stylish hand-knit pipsqueak you.















pip-squeak chapeau, D13 on the venue guide

It's a Recycled World

Get on the world train, people, and visit the Recycled Planet Store in the holiday shops, because it's all about being good to the earth and supporting artists in underdeveloped communities. And Recycled Planet Store does both with socially conscious gifts made from recycled product. Just in time to spread some love around for the new year, right? Think karma, good karma, with my favorite little bag:

The "I Used To Be Pop Can Tab" evening bag ($26). See, recycling is fun. Recycled Planet can also help with your social life, because ladies, these aren't just earrings, they are boy magnets. If you can't strike up a conversation wearing these beer cap earrings, we're sending you back to charm school.


And a few more of my favorites: the "I Used To Be Magazine" bangles, and beautiful recycled wood rings ($44.95).

Feel good, look good, it's all good on the recycled planet.

Recycled Planet Store, B11 on the venue guide

Not Your Usual Teddy Bear

I can't really carry a tune, and dance while singing? No way. But the very talented and coordinated Bears of Paradise can do it all. Visit them in their natural performance habitat, the Holiday Shops at Bryant Park, find one you like, and then introduce him or her to his new home. They'll keep you well entertained through the new year. The bears all sing different songs, so you can get a holiday themed one or a genteel bear who sings "Chantilly Lace." Grab this dapper guy (below) to help you ring in the New Year.

Too cute! Most of the single bears cost $35, and the gift baskets (better than the usual teddy bear gift, and you can get one with chocolate) run $25-$45.


Bears of Paradise, D19 on the venue guide

All the Good Metals

Kaisa and Paternoster Designs can't be missed for its incomparable handmade, one-of-a-kind jewelry and watches made from brass, copper, and sterling silver. Jewelry runs from $40-$200, watches $95-$195, and rings are $45. This talented husband and wife team are the designers and makers. Here's a sampling of ladies (left) and men's watches (right):

And some necklaces and rings:





I love how many of the necklaces and rings feel unisex without sacrificing elegance and beauty. I'd share these with a loved one.
But I wouldn't let him wear my earrings, below. Kaisa's designs are lovely and very chic. I really want a pair of those hoops. Yet another special item not to be shared with your guy? This copper choker, which can be stretched to full width, showing, or scrunched up smaller, depending on your mood and your neckline. Clever!



Kaisa and Paternoster Designs, B24 on the venue guide