A few weeks ago, a customer stopped by the Nolita Market and purchased several pieces of my jewelry.  She was kind and complimentary of my work, and it was a real pleasure to meet her.  She introduced herself as Victoria Nuland, Spokesperson for the US State Department, and she said I should keep an eye out for her wearing my designs in the media.  I thought that was great, and I really have been watching out for her in the news.

Last week a friend of mine spotted my work in her Daily State Department Press Briefing video.  She is wearing the Valentina necklace and Jasmine earrings (currently only available in the market).  I think they look just great on her.

Thank you, Ms. Nuland, for your gracious support of my work.

~Shaya

This video was made a few months ago by Christina Fierro, featuring Jamie Greenberg, my friend and neighbor at the Nolita Market, and myself. Christina wanted to know why we sell our creations in the street and how it works for us. As for myself, she really captured my story and the things I aspire to for my design business.

I really like seeing Jamie’s studio for her Devils May Care line of silk screened t-shirts and belt buckles, and her creative process. We both love selling to customers, one person at a time, and we hope to expand our businesses and reach even more people.

Enjoy the video and come see us at the Nolita Market on Prince Street between Mulberry and Mott. We’re both there almost every weekend!

I met Liz Teich out at the Nolita Market recently.  She is a fashion stylist, and she is always on the lookout for unique pieces to include in her work.  I was really happy that she liked my designs.  She has written about my bangles in her personal blog, Dear Andi.

Liz just had her work featured in the October issue of Germany’s Joy Magazine for a spread called “Shining Light.”  The model Liz styled looks amazing, and she is wearing my Big Cleopatra earrings.

A shout out to FancySexyMe, also a New York jewelry company who made the chain bracelet in the photo.  They sells their great handmade jewelry in the city’s design markets too.

Thank you for all your support, Liz!

~Shaya

I am happy to be participating in a Fall Giveaway with SchoolHouse Kitchen and Markets of New York City.

SchoolHouse Kitchen is a family-owned business, based in Brooklyn, that makes fine fruit spreads (better than jams!), mustards, chutneys, and vinaigrettes.  I know them through the former Old Can Factory Market, and now they sell primarily in the New Amsterdam Market, and also at Whole Foods!  Amazing products!

My work is featured in Markets of New York City: A Guide to the Best Artisan, Farmer, Food & Flea Markets.  Author Karen Seiger continues to write about the markets on her blog, www.MarketsOfNewYork.com. If you want to find out about everything in the markets, visit Karen’s blog!

To welcome the new season, we are giving away these prizes to 3 winners:

• Poppyseed Vinaigrette Revival and Coconut Citrus Vinaigrettes, the newest products from SchoolHouse Kitchen
• Signed Copy of Markets of New York City: A Guide to the Best Artisan, Farmer, Food & Flea Markets
• Priscillia Necklace from Shaya Fine Handcrafted Jewelry

To win:

• Follow us all on Facebook by 11:59 PM on Sunday, September 18th!
  • SchoolHouse Kitchen
  • Markets of New York City
  • Shaya Fine Handcrafted Jewelry

• We will post the winners on the three Facebook pages with an email address for you to send us your shipping information.
• You have to live on the continental US – for shipping purposes.

Thank you for participating.  Please share this page with your friends!

- Shay

I am excited about the new Design Museum Holon, in the city of Holon in Israel, just south of Tel Aviv.  This museum, which opened just over a year ago, is an important addition to the design world.

I write about New York as my current design muse, but it all started in Israel, where my mother is a ceramics artist.  My cousin is a glass artist, and we’ve always had family friends who are artists too.  I’m planning to write more about them soon here on the blog.  They were very important influences on my early interest in art and design.

The Design Museum  Holon was created by Ron Arad, an installation artist. The building itself is a work of art.  Its Mission is to “explore the impact of design and the relationship of design to urban spaces and every day life.”  The current “New Olds” Exhibit is about traditional design meeting innovation.

I can certainly relate to that.

New York City is one of my greatest sources of inspiration.  I moved here from Israel in 2000. I had been a paramedic, and I was not happy with what I was doing with my life.  I wanted to see what I could do with my life in a city like this.  And let me tell you, I did a lot of different things.  I got to know the city like the back of my hand.

In 2003 I started selling in the streets.  I made jewelry out of vintage buttons, which was cute, but not classy.  I worked for other artists and collaborated on some projects.  But I realized that I could really run a business and support myself without having to work a 9-to-5 job in an office.  But I wasn’t so thrilled to be a reseller.  I wanted to create and sell my own designs.

At a party in the winter of 2007, someone I barely knew gave me the courage of my convictions.  After a short conversation, he realized how much experience I had, and he asked me, “Why don’t you do your own thing?”  The next day I bought a sketchbook and started to work on my designs (all geometric, even then).  May 30, 2007 was the first day I set up my table to sell my own designs on Prince and Green Streets in Soho.

As I’ve said before, I’ve met literally all kinds of people in my line of work.  Sure, some days it’s hot, or freezing, or raining on the weekends.  But working for myself on my own schedule during the week is a luxury I work hard to keep.  And after four years, I’m still getting my design inspiration for my handmade jewelry from the women I meet and the streets of New York City.

- Shay

You probably know that I set up at the Nolita Market almost every weekend.  The market is on the sidewalk of Prince Street between Mott & Mulberry, and we are an organized community of artisans.  As a group, we are a destination for market shoppers to visit and see the work of local creative entrepreneurs.

I enjoy what I do because I get to make a living by creating beautiful things.  I get design inspiration for things in life from the people I meet, especially at the market.  I meet some very good people, and occasionally nasty ones too.  I meet people of all shapes and colors, from all around the world.  The interactions I have are a big part of my experience in the markets, and they make my work exciting and rewarding.

This week, I want to give away a pair of Isabel Earrings.  They are one of my most popular designs because you can wear them for casual or professional events.  To win, all you have to do is join my mailing list by 11:59PM on Saturday, August 20th!  I’ll announce the winner on Sunday, August 21st.

To thank you all for your support over the years and going forward, I am doing a Giveaway each week for the next month!  This week’s giveaway is a Large Bangle!  All you have to do is leave a comment below, and I’ll pick a winner randomly on Saturday night, July 30th at 11:59 PM!

I have customers and friends who come see me in the independent artist markets in New York once a year or so when they visit from across the country or other parts of the world.  And even people who live in New York City don’t have time to come to the markets every weekend.  So I am especially excited to have this new website, a Facebook Page, and even a Twitter account because I can communicate with people when we’re not visiting in person!

The winner of this first giveaway can choose which finish – gold, silver or rose gold!

You can leave any comment you’d like or a response to this question:  How important is it to you to buy handmade jewelry directly from the person who designed and made it?

Thank you for visiting my new website, and please follow ShayaNYC on Facebook and Twitter!

Hello!

Welcome to the new blog and updated website for Shaya Fine Handcrafted Jewelry!

I have been designing and selling jewelry in the artisan markets of New York City for many years.  I love meeting people face-to-face and helping them pick out the perfect design for their personal style, a specific outfit or special event.

I am very excited to be relaunching my website with more products and more information.  I have so made many friends from around the US and the world in the markets, and when you can’t make it to the markets, you can still get your favorite Shaya jewelry, discover new designs, and stay in touch with me until the next time we meet in person.

It is important to me to share my design ideas and inspirations with you, and I hope you will share yours with me here.

Peace,
Shay Mehubad