Pay to shop?

Pay to shop?

Photo: Serenity Stones


Type of Place: Handbags Jewelry

Description:
Are there shoppers in NYC so dedicated that they’d actually pay to shop? When a shopping event also involves free drinks and other giveaways—and the vendors are really good—the answer turns out to be a resounding “Hell, yeah.”

My friend Karen and I arrived at Shecky's Girls' Night Out not knowing what to expect. But their PR contact had been so forthcoming with an invite and so quick and cheerful in response to my questions that I thought she feared the event might be underattended. Ha. It was packed to the gills—eager shoppers were drinking, schmoozing, and purchasing left, right, and center. And it was huge. Four giant rooms filled with booths—or were there five? I did my best to keep track of it all, but between the crowd and the cocktails, that wasn’t always the easiest undertaking.

Unweildy though it was, the night was good fun—and good shopping. In no particular order, I present some items and artisans from “Karen and Pam’s Excellent (Shopping) Adventure.”


Meghan Mullaney really impressed me with an asymmetrical silver, jade,
and amethyst necklace ($50 - a steal) from her handmade Meghan Rose
jewelry line (www.meghanrose.com).

There's no resisting the flat-out fun, not to mention the
environmental good sense, of recycled-candy-wrapper clutches and bags ($20-$170)
from Gathering of Goddesses, LLC (www.candywrapperhandbag.com).

At B. Boheme (www.bbohemedesign.com), featuring hand-made jewelry, I
had lots of company in practically swooning over the delicate lockets, $25-$45.

Karen and I loved just about all of the fantastic clothing designs from Dechen-D, including her trademark and wonderfully unique hole-punched
t-shirts ($25). Designer Dechen will soon be opening a shop in Park Slope; till then, be sure to check her out at Noho's Edge NY
(www.edgeny.com).

Carla Rothstein was in town from Cape Cod with her Ellabellas gifts and
accessories line (www.ellabellas.com); I loved the funky and fantastic
jeweled belt buckles.

Tarte bags (www.tartenyc.com) were adorable. I bought one from the
amazing $20 sale box because, in the best way, it reminded me of a couch or
an easy chair: roomy and plush, in a practical chocolate shade. (OK,
so it's got pink sequins, which a sofa would not likely have; but
hey.)

I loved the cards and stationery at Bonnie Marcus and Co.
(www.bonniemarcus.com). Their slogan is "Where fashion meets paper," and indeed
I got a special kick out of Chanukah cards featuring a fashionista
menorah: Each menorah candle was held secure by a stylish shoe.

Karen looked terrific in a cap from Kristel Delevante's Volang
clothing line (www.volang.com).

The Better Than Jam line (www.betterthanjam.etsy.com), crafted by Karen
Persan, features bags, dresses, scarves, etc. made from truly
beautiful hand-printed fabric. Given the creative work involved here, there's
no chance that you'll discover "everyone else" wearing the item
you choose from this collection.

Debi Grogan's Creative Knitwear by B.B. Frills (646-675-7542)
is a local enterprise from start to finish: The hats ($35), scarves
($45), and fingerless gloves ($30) are all handmade by Debi with yarn made
in the U.S.A.

At My Soho Jewelry (www.myshohojewelry.com), designed by Dani Zhao, I
especially loved the bracelets made of festive, gumball-colored glass
beads; though a lovely coral-and-pearl necklace ($225 - I think!) was
also impossible to overlook.

Eva's Closet (www.evascloset.com) featured sexy, glamorous dresses
and tops; I hope that in a less crowd-jostled moment, Karen will try on a
fierce brown-and-white-striped silk dress ($120) in which I just know
she'd look amazing.

At Obsidian Jewels (www.obsidianjewels.com), designed by Upper West
Sider Erica Jacobs, I fell in love with a totally distinctive necklace
made (I'm pretty sure) of jade and priced (I believe) in the $100 range.
I may get it yet; but in the meantime I got jade, peridot, and
sterling silver earrings for $25 (what a deal!).

DePeiza Soaps and Skincare Products (www.depeiza.com), from Mary
DePeiza, looked and smelled wonderful and are all organic. The line's specialties are
lotions, body oils, shea butter, soaps of course, shower gels, sea
salts, and body scrubs; custom baskets available.

Jane Zuckerberg's Say La Vie clothing line (516-349-9749) offers
hand-tie-dyed shirts, dresses, yoga pants, and even underwear. One cute,
stretchy item could double as a dress for girl or a blouse for her mom
($35).

At Serenity Stones (www.serenitystones.net), designer Staci
Steinman, in from Minneapolis for the event, was in fact displaying admirable
serenity amid the crowds as shoppers flocked toward her creative and
reasonably priced gemstone-based creations.

And breathe. Happy shopping!
  - Pamela Grossman Oct 14, 2007

Pay to shop?
NYC citywide, NY

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