Krrb Blog, Neighborly living

With spring approaching, the Vegan Shop-up is back this month with fresh treats sure to get you out and enjoying the sun. To give you a taste of what’s in store at the market, we’ve talked with Michael Schwarz of Treeline Cheese and Lauren O’Connor of Cake Thieves. These two are included in a lineup of 20 vendors selling locally made, vegan-friendly goods at the Shop-Up this Saturday, an event you don’t want to miss. Michael’s vegan cheese is made of cashews and comes in all sorts of delicious varieties such as smoked and cracked pepper. Lauren’s baked goods are both mouthwatering and animal-free. We caught up with them to find out their plans for spring and what they’ll be selling at the Vegan Shop Up …

Photo: Myworld.ebay.com/rare_attic_treasures

Planning your spring garden is easy thanks to weather predictions in the Old Farmer’s Alamanac. Historically known as the farming handbook, this publication came complete with a drilled hole for hanging from a nail in the barn. But much has changed for the once-leading periodical, first published in 1792 and now on its 221st issue. Since the early 1900s, more and more of the traditional agriculture articles have been replaced with old wive’s tales, astrology, household tips, and social norms.

Read on for tidbits sure to spark your curiousity in this institution as old as time, and stay tuned for more about what this whole Farmers Almanac is about …

Care for some tea darling? Photo: Loveisspeed.blogspot.com, Slim Aarons/Getty Images.

All the work you put in to tending to your plants, pulling the weeds and regular watering results in a garden that must be enjoyed vicerally. Whether you want to have a brunch, lunch or cocktail party, or maybe you want to sit back with a lavender lemonade and a good book, you’re going to need the proper furnishings. We’ve pulled together vintage, recycled and handmade outdoor furniture to make your garden the backyard paradise it should be with as much unique flavor as each flower petal. So flip through this collection of garden furniture and start planning your own oasis. We’re sure our picks will make you want to sit back and smell the flowers …

A self portrait by Rina Miriam part of a recent series highlight compact mirrors.

No home is ever complete without artwork. When Rina Miriam showed up on the Krrb radar, we recognized her art as having a warm, familiar feeling that you would want in your home. It’s friendly and inviting yet visually challenging enough so that you could look at in new ways everyday – perfect to pepper your home with. This Rochester native shares with us where she goes to find treasures in her neighborhood and what inspires her studio space. Read on to find out more why we’re shining our spotlight on this artist …

We know you have no time for long-winded how-to’s, so we’ll keep it short. In under a minute, Quick Tips are here to help you with life’s little lessons. So unless you get caught up watching hundreds in a row, which – warning – you just might, you can quickly get back to monitoring your news feeds or whatever you were doing. Check out the full video series here.

Get a head start on the spring season gardening. Reused discarded eggshells as mini planters for your seeds. Once the seedlings sprout, you can then plant your garden with eggshell and all. The eggshells will decompose and adding calcium to the soil. This is particularly great for tomato plants.

Garden anywhere, any time. Photo: Kriselkeeper.blogspot.com

As part of a series called 5 Easy Pieces, we’ll be gathering our favorite upcycled, re-purposed, vintage, and handmade stuff from around the web for you to buy or make yourself. So stay tuned for quick lists of 5 must-haves and get ready to wish you had thought of that …

Watch the light shining through the textured glass in this pair of mid century amber lamps with iron bases.

As part of the series called The Hot Corner, we’re featuring Krrb corners that catch our eye with their well-curated inventory. Whether it’s upcycled, secondhand, vintage or handmade, be sure to see for yourself why we think these Krrbsters have it going on.

An architectural photographer for almost 30 years, Robert Berger is full ingrained in the design industry. When business started dwindling a few years ago, Robert started buying furniture, cleaning it up and selling it, which lead to a new career. Relying on his Los Angeles-based connections for insider news on building renovations, auctions and estate sales, Robert keeps his corner full with beautifully shot one-of-a-kind inventory. Read on to learn more about Robert and what unique pieces he has in his arsenal …

Megan Meany, television host and trend reporter, is a secondhand hobbyist and home decorator. She spends her days scouring flea markets, antique shops and local classifieds for furniture she can rehab. She doesn’t have to tell you that a fresh coat of paint can make all the difference. But before you whip out your paint brushes, it’s important to get rid of the existing layers of paint. We got a lesson on paint stripping from Megan. Catch more of Megan on her Youtube channel MeganMeanyLifestyle, on her blog Megan’s Must Haves and get one of her refurbished pieces for sale on her Krrb corner …

Florals for all occasions.

Welcome to “4 Corners” where we hunt through Krrb’s listings for four different takes and great finds based on just one word. Today’s word: Floral! …

Nestled in downtown Frederic, Maryland, Silk and Burlap is a mix of new and old finds.

Everywhere you look at Silk and Burlap is a thoughtful mix of new and old, vintage and modern. With backgrounds in design and merchandise, Angelique Hoffman and Saule Smariga have turned their downtown Frederick boutique into one-stop shops for fashion and home decor. Their love for furniture and home furnishings isn’t just confined to Silk and Burlap, Apartment Therapy’s house tours has featured both owners Saul and Angelique. Read on to see what makes Silk and Burlap so popular in Frederick …

Varna leeks seedlings starting to sprout. Photo: Cubitsorganics.com

If you’ve got a green thumb, chances are you’ve spent the long and hard winter daydreaming about the potential of your garden. During gusty winds and blizzardy nights, you’ve wishfully thought about picking heirloom tomatos off the vine, tearing basil leaves directly into your salad and canning bright berries into jam. Perhaps you’re hoping for at least one stubborn tomato and a few handfuls of chives if your track record isn’t as great. We still have a few more weeks of winter to go, but it’s not too early to start strategizing and preparing. We’ve wrangled in a few expert gardeners to help you make the most of your spring season …

Little additions to the family mean big changes to your home decor. Photo: Thesuperfluities.com

Welcome to Krrbside Questions, a column created solely to answer your queries about living local and being the good neighbor we know you all are. First up with some super helpful advice is Jett Superior, recently featured in our Member Spotlight. This Southern lover of all things secondhand, vintage and handmade has what she calls “crackerjack ingenuity” and a knack for redoing roadside furniture. Have a burning question? Email us at blog@krrb.com and we’ll make sure to get it in the right hands …

In case you didn’t know, this year Grand Central Terminal turned 100 years old. As part of its Holiday Fair 2013, which is the last event of its Centennial year, the Terminal is calling for all artisans to attend their open call in March. Event planners are looking for local, American-made merchandise, and all items must be made by hand and can include paintings, crafts, clothing, accessories, home goods and more. (Sorry foodies, food isn’t wanted at the moment.)

With over 1 million shoppers per day at the annual Holiday Fair, which runs from November 18th to December 24th, it’s a wonderful opportunity for vendors to sell, network and reach audiences far and wide.

Think this is the perfect event for you? Go for it! The Open Call is March 12-13, 2013 from 9 am to 5 pm. The earlier you arrive, the better your chances are of getting seen.

Auditions will be held at Grand Central Terminal, 89 East 42nd Street, New York, NY. Go to the Retail space in the Shuttle Passageway across from the Rite Aid Drug store.

For more information, email info@grandcentralterminal.com

Good Luck!

This set of vintage glasses and a brass cocktail shaker have gold banded detailing.

As part of the series called The Hot Corner, we’re featuring Krrb corners that catch our eye with their well-curated inventory. Whether it’s upcycled, secondhand, vintage or handmade, be sure to see for yourself why we think these Krrbsters have it going on.

After years of filling her home with vintage home goods, Elizabeth Aleckson launched her Minneapolis-based shop, Expo Facto. It was a natural move for this shopping addict with a career in merchandising. Nowadays, she keeps busy perusing auctions, antique shops and flea markets for beautiful finds to stock her business. Items like her gold rimmed agate coasters, antelope mounts and antlers make Expo Facto a hot corner among Krrb’s buyers. Read on to learn more about Elizabeth and this midwestern local business …

Left to right, Brian Wilcox, Marie Zellar, Erik Wivinus and Tim Schumann make up findfurnish. Photo: Jeannette Cleland

When we first caught up with findfurnish, the team of four was out on the road shopping. It was no surprise to us that the Minneapolis-based crew spends much of their time digging through barns and antique stores across the midwest for their fabulous finds. From Knoll loveseats to Danish dining chairs, this local shop located in the Casket Arts Factory is supplying Mill City with plenty of style. Read on to find out where Marie Zellar and her band of merrymen go to discover treasure around town and more …