Giggles and Green

This is Giggles and Green, the super cute, super friendly neighborhood shop specializing in all things kids! It's perfectly situated across from Carroll Park in Brooklyn, NY.

Joanna Kayata is the owner and she is committed to being Green 95% of her products are organic. Most of the clothing is made in the USA and imported items are produced through fair trade practices. Giggles and Green celebrated their 1 year anniversary this July '09 :) I will add a link to their site once it is up and running.

In the summer months they sell refreshing ices in their courtyard, which kids and adults enjoy! However, on this particular day, it awaits maintenance :( A few people came in to ask about it while I was here. *This fall/winter they will sell hot dogs, pretzels, soups & hot cider, too!

Here is Joanna (right) with Virginia (left) who is credited with keeping the store so very neat & organized. Below, is the wall behind the register where they've just started posting kids' artwork and photos of babies & kids in their clothing. Couldn't resist including my dog pic here ;D

Giggles and Green carries a large selection of educational toys and children's products by Melissa and Doug Started in 1988, they've been leaders in creating a wide array of toys and activities for the kids' market.

Clothing here is all made from natural fibers using only organic dyes, with the exception of raincoats ;)

Still plenty of beach time in August!

Smart is good and Brain Quest sees learning as a fun adventure! Their Question/Answer decks and Workbooks are sold here.

Above are some adorable games by Eeboo one of my very favorite companies! I dream of licensing artwork to them :) I highly recommend Bingo! in French or Spanish. Love these little diaries & stationery sets, too.

Below is G&G's small, but well organized playroom where they offer art classes 3 days a week. The summer sessions have just finished, but will start up again in September on Saturdays. For now, it's a great spot for kids to draw, paint or play while you do some shopping!

Starry Night --kids paying homage to Van Gogh here!

Above, the g diaper starter kit. These are breathable, plastic-free and biodegradable! This is a great company, check out their website if you haven't already.

All in the family--below is the chiropractic office of her brother & sister-in-law. Once part of Giggles and Green before it sold retail. They decided to leave up the vibrant murals by Joanna's friend, Julio Candelario. I've included the one in their bathroom below.

Giggles and Green is located at 369 Court Street across from Carroll Park right by the F & G lines. They also sell products by Manhattan Toy, Green to Grow BPA-free baby bottles, Isa Booties and many more top notch companies :)

Telephone: 718.222.2444 / Hours: M 10a-6p, T-F 10a-7p and Sat/Sun 11a-6p

Ruby Moriarty in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn

This is Ruby Moriarty -- A new shop opened by Jessica Dineen at 516 Court Street between Nelson & Huntington Streets in Brooklyn, NY. I first met Jessica about 10 years ago when she & her husband, Terry ran their space as an art gallery. I brought some slides over and it turned out I had been in a painting class with Terry at NYU. He is a very talented artist and they curated some fun shows here. I had the chance to exhibit in a couple myself! Her new store showcases her great line of handmade dresses, as well as her lines of skirts, ties (for women!), bandanas in playful, vintage fabrics and an array of super cute Japanese vinyl bags by minmie (pictured in window below) also Pocky bags and best of all-- the real thing-- Pocky chocolate sticks! In fact, plenty of tasty japanese candies can be found here! You will also find some cool jewelry, kids' pajamas, stationery and my *adorable Brooklyn Buckaroo line of baby & toddler tees, plus tanks for women :)

Yummy!!

One of Jessica's lovely summer dresses and a bag by Minmie...

Ties are Cool!! Hello Annie Hall ;)

Funky fun necklaces drape The Last Supper above...

Such cute and colorful pajamas for kids (will have to get back with name on these, sorry)

Yes! That is Popeye the Sailorman you see. You never know what film or cartoon you may see projected while you shop.

Above is Ruby, herself, taking a nap...

This is a detail of a neat-o game called Paradice designed by John O'Neil that doubles as sculpture!

Jessica's style infuses the shop with a fun mix of sleek & modern with tongue-in-cheek vintage, which combines to give Ruby a smart, yet easy going feel. Neighbors, shoppers, browsers and friends stop in, often to find nice snacks & lemonade in back.

*Sneak peek at fabrics for new skirts!

Oh soooo cute ;)

Here is Iris (Jessica's daughter & top notch model) in a Top Dog Tee (now wearing a women's medium!) Think it fits, because I've been using American Apparel for my designs & they are all cut quite tiny, even for kids!! Nice choices in colors, though. I love this hot pink.

Here is Jessica with Iris from 4 or 5 years ago. Jessica & Terry moved to Ireland for a period of time (with Iris & her older brother) and I've rarely been as flattered as I was when they contacted me about sending another Rocky Rabbit Tee because Iris had to have another (can't remember if the original was too dirty or lost?) Nevertheless, she remains one of my best promoters!!

Ruby 516 Court Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231 Phone 347.275.0770

Hours: Thurs 1-7p Fri-Sat 1-6p and by appointment :)

Take F or G train to the Carroll Street or Smith & 9th Street Station

Studio pics

Thought I would share some photos of my studio. As you can see I find it hard to keep neat & tidy, but it is a workspace afterall! I like to continually look at what inspires me, so I tend to tape or tack images and sketches to my wall. The bottom picture shows my upstairs studio which I now share and use prodominantly for business, printing & storing of T-Shirts and Art Prints. The top photos show the workspace off my living room where I do most of my painting. I love Lascaux paints, they are quite smooth & creamy! I'm also a fan of Tri-Art, especially the fluid version for mural painting. I also use Golden and Liquitex paints. My blip blop (shiny, dimensional) paintings were made using liquid pigments and Acrylic 65 from Guerra Paint Supply in the East Village, NY. Art Guerra was a NYC based muralist who developed very saturated lines of pigments that can be mixed with various types of binders for some wonderful effects and range of thicknesses. He opened this store on 13th Street and Avenue A in 1984. As far as surface, I work on almost anything, wood, canvas & watercolor paper all appeal to me.