jan & äya

transitions

2009-04-14T11:34:00.000-07:00

our greenpoint shop is now officially closed and as you can see our little Äya is not too happy about it. BUT you haven't seen the last of us yet and soon our online gallery | magazine will be alive with featured local artists, events and reporting on great design.

party and sale this weekend

2009-03-13T09:44:00.000-07:00

Dear friends,
This past year has been filled with wonderful discoveries, adventures, hard work, dedication and love. It is with a heavy heart that I have to announce that our space on Franklin St. will close at the end of March. I want to thank each and every one of you for all your support, love and commitment to buying local.

jan & äya will continue to represent local and national artists and designers online. We will feature a monthly local artist on our site and report on local design here in greenpoint. In addition, we will continue to hold events and special "pop" up stores in the near future.

Please come and celebrate with us at the store on Sunday, March 15th from 4 to 7pm! Everything will be between 30- 50% off. Join us for cupcakes, wine and celebrating new beginnings!

Much love,
Carolyn & Kai

NOTE: If you have a store credit or gift certificate, please email or call me 917-609-1691 to make arrangements.

DESIGNERS | ARTISTS: I will be writing to you this week with more details about picking up your work, payments, etc..

almost a year

2009-03-03T07:24:00.000-08:00

Looking back at almost a year at jan & äya...

Philip Ficks

2009-03-03T07:18:00.000-08:00

Philip and I worked together at Real Simple magazine a few years back. When he offered to do some photos of the shop and it's products I could not refuse. The once art director turned photographer has exactly the beautiful combination of elegance and sublime lighting. Here are a few sneak peaks at what we are working together on.

llubav new site

2009-02-22T10:44:00.000-08:00

jan & äya's design services had the wonderful opportunity to collaborate with llubav to create her new website which was featured on DesignSponge. And a super thank you to Steve of Poppybagel for all his fabulous web programming.

Esther Derkx

2009-02-22T10:40:00.000-08:00

Our fabulous Esther Derkx wine and champagne glasses have been featured in NYmag.com. Add a little conversation to your dinners for $15 each. Give us a call to place an order.

Julie Floersch- part 2

2009-02-22T10:33:00.001-08:00

Our wonderful Julie, seen here on opening night with her beautiful quilt has gotten some great press in Daily Candy and NYmag which only deserved to be shared!

Daily Candy

2009-02-22T10:21:00.000-08:00

Kai, Aya and I celebrated jan & äya's Daily Candy's nomination in Tribeca on january 28th. It was a lovely evening filled with talented people. As you can see, Aya proved to be quite the star.

Julie Floersch

2009-01-22T08:33:00.000-08:00

Tonight from 6-8pm we celebrate the opening of the remarkable work of Julie Floersch. Her modern approach to quilt making is elevated to fine art and we are proud to have her work in our space.
Julie generously took the time to answer a few questions for us:

1. You started out as a fashion student, what inspired you to start making quilts? I grew up all over the Midwest and the West Coast, mainly in small towns. When I moved here I really had no understanding of fashion. School was a struggle from day one, and working in the industry was no different. One day, a friend told me that when she is struggling she asks herself what she would be doing if she only had three years left to live. If she would be doing exactly what she was, it meant that the struggle had a purpose to it. If not, it was time to make a change. I asked myself this question, and the answer was not working in fashion or even having my own line, it was making quilts. I had been thinking about making quilts for about four years at this point, but had brushed it off as something I could do when I retired. But I was tired of trends, image and the disposability of fashion. I wanted to work with my hands, making something that would never be thrown away, as well as push my imagination and abilities to the limits. It was a very natural transition for me and life seems more natural.

2. Describe a bit about your process. My process stems from my love of patternmaking, structure and geometry. I start off with a general image or feeling in my head that I want to put on paper and set very narrow guidelines for myself. Then I start making the block pattern. This usually takes about a month because I draft everything on paper. It means a lot of trips to Staples oversized copy machines - printing out the blocks, taping them together, making revisions, and doing it all over again until it’s perfect. Once the pattern is finished, I dig through piles of used denim clothing for the fabric. I have everyone I know collecting denim for me at the moment.

3. How has your upbringing in the midwest influence your designs? My childhood was spent in constant flux. If we weren’t moving to another state, we were changing houses, schools, jobs etc. Because my life was a constant cycle of leaving things behind, I never surrounded myself with things of value. Everything was disposable to me. I was ready to leave at any moment. Once I realized this pattern I was forming, I wanted to change it. Quilt making plays a big role in this effort. Creating these big, time consuming projects are very comforting to me because no matter what is going on in my life, it’s there waiting for me. These concepts of stability, foundation and longevity are reflected in my work through designs that give the illusion of unending repetition, heavy fabrics that weather to become more beautiful over time, and meticulous attention to construction.

4. What are your thoughts about how the gap between art and craft/design are coming closer? Do you consider your work to be fine art/ craft/folk or somewhere in between? I’m very excited to see the lines blurring between art and craft. It wasn’t that long ago that people were outraged over the quilts from Gees Bend being shown in a museum. There are so many exciting possibilities in the genre of fiber art, that it can’t be ignored anymore. I guess I consider myself a fiber artist, or maybe an extreme crafter? I’m just getting started, though, so I don’t want to label myself just yet.

5. How has living in greenpoint influenced your work? I love living in Greenpoint. Living in this neighborhood has changed my perspective on New York and given me a place to be where I feel at home. Because I don’t have this constant desire to leave in order to have peace of mind I’ve been able to get a lot of work done. It’s been a very productive year, but I think my roommate is ready for me to go on vacation!

6. In today's economic climate, what place does art and the handmade have for you? I feel right at home in this recession because I would almost always rather make something myself than buy something mass produced. I also work better when my resources are limited and I have to be inventive. I’m excited to see that there’s a renewed excitement in the handmade, and people are remembering that they can “do it themselves”. It’s a very empowering feeling.

glü wine and stockings

2008-12-21T21:50:00.000-08:00

Nothing like the smell of glü wine on a snowy day. Saturday we feasted on hot wine and cookies surrounded by some beautiful new things in the store.

VOTE for jan & äya

2008-12-21T18:05:00.001-08:00

I'm quite humbled that our store has been nominated by Daily Candy for it's 2008 "Sweetest Things". Vote for us and you are not only voting for a cute store, but for the local artists and designers we represent and greenpoint! Tell all your friends!
Love,
Carolyn

Holiday Sale at Jan & Äya

2008-11-25T22:07:00.000-08:00

Hello dear friends, as we cosy up for the holidays surrounded by those we love it is a great time to reflect on the year, and what a year it's been. At least for me, personally, I feel a tremendous change in the air in a way that is completely unknown, a bit scary and exciting at the same time. There is a great sense of community unity percolating, everyone wondering what the new year will hold.
As for Jan & Äya the new year will also hold a lot of new things which I'll detail at a later date. For now come on by this weekend for 20% any purchase with the above coupon. There are some lovely new things such as our super cute hand painted kid's clogs $65 (adult sizes can be customed orders), llubav felt flowers ($50) and garlands ($38), delicious, and very adult, chocolate at $8.5 a bar or 3 for $24, fir scented votive candles ($33) and teas (such as chocolate and mint, perfect for a cold night) $18 a tin.

Love and thanks to all,
Carolyn

mast brothers chocolate

2008-11-05T10:03:00.001-08:00

so I've had a little crush for a while, a chocolate crush and being swiss that is not surprising, but these chocolates are not from switzerland, rather from right here in greenpoint and jan & äya will be carrying them. I'm very excited to announce the arrival of the "mast brothers chocolate". Impeccably home-made of pure raw cocoa beans with such things as fleur de sel and cocoa nibs and wrapped in the finest italian papers, these are affordable luxuries in slim times. $8.50 a bar, these make the prefect little gift from not only someone who cares about chocolate, but about supporting local artisans.

OBAMA

2008-11-05T09:57:00.000-08:00

how on such a momentous night can anyone not praise the events of last night! To Barack Obama, To America, To Democracy (for once!), To a new era. How blessed we are!

hooray for greenpoint artists!

2008-11-03T17:49:00.000-08:00

A warm and whole-hearted thank you to all the very talented greenpoint artists and designers that participated in jan & äya's first greenpoint design conference. Our first evening included artisanal baker Sarah Magid and felter/stylist Llubav Choy Duerr. This past saturday Mia Hebib of Oblik Atelier and Jaqueline and George Schmidt of Screech Owl Design joined us, as well as an inspiring video about Joey Roth's Sorapot. The evening was filled with thoughts on art and design, and lovely conversation. More picture to come soon!

Greenpoint design conference part 1

2008-10-25T05:04:00.000-07:00

I'm very excited to announce that we will host our very first "greenpoint design conference" saturday, oct. 25th and nov.1st from 6-8pm featuring six amazing local designers. In a casual setting designers will share their thoughts, process and work.

This saturday Oct. 25th:
Sarah Magid Cakes: The woman behind the amazing "Golden Twinkees"
Andreea Avram Rusu: Sublime lighting design
Llubav Choy Duerr: Combining her background in textile, surface and interior design, her love of fashion, and a personal aesthetic of art as visual feast, Llubav seeks to brighten your day with her stitched-felt stationary, hand-crafted fashion accessories, and ornate home adornments. After spending the first ten years of her life in the small fishing village that is Chimbote, Peru, Llubav left her native land on a journey that would take her – after a two year sojourn in Mexico – to Herndon, Virginia, and then New York City. Heavily influenced by the vibrant cultures of Latin America, and professionally trained at the Fashion Institute of Technology, Llubav uses Hungarian wool felt, American wool, filigree, and vintage embellishments to produce creations that are as unique and colorful as her upbringing. Llubav lives in Brooklyn and can be contacted at llubav.co@gmail.com.

On Nov.1st:
Screech Owl Design: Refined stationary, homewares and art
Joey Roth: The unique and handsome teapot
Oblik Atelier/ Mia Hebib: Limited edition exquisite jewelry design

Toast the evening in support of local design!

A contribution of $15 suggested. The wine's on us!

higher ground

2008-10-15T20:23:00.000-07:00

Dear friends, I'm very excited to be able to show the work of two amazing artists this month. South Carolina artist Danna Ray and New York resident Jane Virga will show a collection of paintings and sculptures inspired by their love for the natural and the rural wilderness.

Join us this friday evening, Oct. 17th, from 6-8pm for the opening reception. Wine from our wonderful local Dandelion Wines will be served.

(photos, Jane getting her deer ready in the store, Danna's "in the light")

sneak peak

2008-10-15T20:16:00.001-07:00

Thank you to everyone for their lovely comments regarding our sneak peak in design sponge this week. And a super big thank you to Kai, my family and Grace and Anne! xo

flowers for martha

2008-10-07T20:39:00.000-07:00

A little personal note here as I embark on my first project for Martha Stewart Weddings (thanks to the brilliant Vanessa Holden). You'll be finding me at the store a lot these days, sipping Tay tea in the light of my starlightz, designing with flowers in mind...

sweet songs

2008-10-07T20:14:00.000-07:00

Our very wonderful au pair Marius volunteered to model for jan & äya a few weeks ago. With the help of the incredible hair styling talent of my friend Yasu, Marius' sweet serenades transported us back to the folk days of the 60's. (thank you Tuva, our neighbor's loving chow dog, for being part of our shoot)

open calls, sweet weekends and our community & the world all this saturday

2008-10-01T13:52:00.000-07:00

1. OPEN CALLS: Interested artists and designers should contact us by email or phone to make an appointment. Open calls will be held every first tuesdays (6-8pm) and saturday (6-8pm) of the month. Currently we are looking for work that would coincide with our "alpine" fall theme, but are open to see all works for future shows. Please email us and wonderful new intern, Sarah, will contact you to schedule an appointment.

2. SWEET WEEKENDS: Sarah's Goldies return this weekend!

3. OUR COMMUNITY & THE WORLD: great discussions on life, politics and society. Join fellow New York citizens for a casual breakfast, hosted by my husband, Kai Krienke.

fall is here

2008-09-15T14:05:00.000-07:00

It may seem that all has been quiet here at jan & äya. Lots of new things are arriving for fall including the amazing Tay Teas by tea connoisseur Nini Ordoubali and wood earring by montreal designer Orno (see photos above).

I've also been working away planning an exciting october and november! To give you a sneak peak, here are some the events to come:
1. First of all for all of you who have been asking and craving, our "sweet weekends" with Sarah Magid's confections will return this coming weekend!
2. open call days: starting saturday oct.4th we will hold our first open call from 1-3pm. Interested artists and designers should contact us by email or phone to make an appointment. Open calls will be held every first tuesdays (6-8pm) and saturday (6-8pm) of the month. Currently we are looking for work that would coinside with our "alpine" fall theme, but are open to see all works for future shows. Our wonderful new intern, Sarah, will contact you to schedule an appointment.
3. danna ray: The beautiful work of south carolina artist, Danna Ray will be on exihibit from October 17th to Nov. 30th. Her delicate and modern forest mountain scenes will grace the walls of our store. Come join us on Friday Oct. 17th from 6-8pm for an opening reception to kick off our fall season.
4. greenpoint design conference: Ok, I'm super excited about this one. Please save the date on your calender for our very first "greenpoint design conference" on Saturday, October 25th. Five super talented local designers will share their work and their thoughts for what I believe will be a truly inspiring evening. $15 a person, wine and cheese on us!
More to come!

solidarity and love

2008-08-24T14:10:00.000-07:00

This saturday was a wonderful mix of community awareness and art as we hosted two events. Kai Krienke will be holding his very popular "community and the world" discussion groups every other saturday in our garden from 11-1pm. $10 a person including delicious pastries, coffee and juice. I can't imagine a better way to have brunch. For more information please click here. Kathleen Scully, a very talented local designer held "detaching, with love" all saturday in the shop and it was a great success. Inspired by the process of letting go a collection of her works and sketches were curated. Hurry on by since her show is up only a week and not much is left!

a lovely sunday

2008-07-06T19:34:00.000-07:00

My beautiful daughter generously and patiently spent her sunday with me at the store while I labored over my accounting and other administrative tasks. Here she is after an inspired moment of arranging our Holztiger animal collection as well as a few other pictures of the day.

bake sale for Obama

2008-07-06T19:26:00.000-07:00

Our bake sale on June 21st was a big success and thank you Kristin for pulling it all together! And to our wonderful enterprising little ones who came up with the most creative ways to add to our donation. From lemonade for Obama, hola hoop, magic tricks and dancing... this was definitely an innovative afternoon!

local lux

2008-06-05T19:45:00.000-07:00

jan & äya will be graced with exquiste jewelry of two amazing greenpoint designers, Mia Hebib of Oblik Atelier and Lisa Levine's new "spirit" collection. Along with the lovely pieces from local Bon Bon Oiseau our Greenpoint collection is being born. They will be housed in a new display shelf being built this week by the very talented artist and sculptor George Schmidt (see previous post). Details will come soon!

stationary show

2008-05-21T10:03:00.000-07:00

So on a very rainy sunday morning the Krienkes all piled into the car to go to the ICFF and the stationary show at the Javitts center on Manhattan's west side. Being that we had two kids in tow and Kai's very design savvy mother-in-law, it was sure to be an experience.
To start with the stationary show we first headed over to say hello to our favorite local card company, Screech Owl Design, whom you may have seen in our store. Not only were Jacqueline's new designs beautiful, but the booth build by her husband George, was like a mini getaway of cool. Of course Jan and I are pretty crazy about the bench he designed and made from Cherrywood (I'm hoping to have one for sale at the store very soon). I just hope Jan's greasy little chicken fingers didn't ruin the finish!
Some of my favorites from the show that are on the jan & äya list for things to come!

delicious things

2008-05-21T08:42:00.001-07:00

It was such a pleasant surprise to go to my shop a few weeks ago and see Sarah Magid and her crew working on her cookbook. Our beautiful table will be featured in her cookbook, releasing next may 2009 and includes this fabulous apple tart made by a friend of hers. I had the great pleasure of getting to take that tart home and let's just say it was one of the best of it's kind I've ever eaten. And that is saying a lot since I come from a history of swiss apple tarts! Anyway I can't wait till I can get my hands on the recipe when the book comes out. In the meantime please take a moment to browse the beautiful work of her photographer, Noah Sheldon.

a light in the dark

2008-05-15T11:07:00.001-07:00

Some of you may have noticed a glow in the store at night and that is thanks to local lighting designer Andreea Avram Rusu. Her carefully hand designed pieces flow with an understated grace using plates of glass and washes of color. With a background in architecture Andreea has a natural understanding of light in a space. It is a pleasure to host such refined local talent. Check back in june when we have a larger piece of her's in our window!

a little bit of luxury around your wrist

2008-05-14T20:30:00.000-07:00

Here is a young designer who definitely has a clear vision of the luxury of handmade. I was honored by getting an email from the lovely Paris based Ashley Ashoff who desired to have her silken items in my store. Each piece is hand dyed with love, features rolled hems and are of superb quality. Her Billet Doux scarves are decorated with an exquisite letter from Balzac. According to a NYLON interview this past january even celebs like Kirsten Dunst and Dustin Hoffman sport one or two. Jan & Aya got a limited quantity so hurry to check them out before they are all gone.

Sara Paloma

2008-05-09T13:35:00.001-07:00

Sara Paloma's sublime vases and votives came in yesterday with a few more on the way and are even more beautiful in person than I expected. I've always had a strong attachment to pottery, something about working such an earthen material between the hands along with the mediative and circular movement of the wheel just feels like the perfect handmade art.
Since I'm on the subject of pottery, my recent discovery of Nancy Bauch's work has me day dreaming about her gold weave bowl. I hope to carry a collection of her things in the store one day.

mother's day this weekend!

2008-05-06T10:46:00.001-07:00

jan & äya is thrilled to present beautiful mother's day bouquets by the very talented Nicolette Camille! Her flowers have been featured in Domino and Design Sponge and are available this sunday only. Also, our beloved baker Sarah Magid, who is finishing up her first cookbook, has miraculously found time to whip up some delicate cupcakes and golden brownies for both saturday and sunday. There will be a limited quantity of both so please call 718.609.1404 to place your orders by this thursday, May 8th!

And, just for mother's day, we have lovingly put together all natural and organic lavender/rose and anise/calendula bath gift sets for $34 each! Our beautiful Therapy Spa Products and Ruth Cross knitwear are 20% as well.

so much spring

2008-04-23T14:21:00.001-07:00

I'm afraid that the beginning of this blog may be a compact expression of the past few months. I have so many ideas and things to share that have stock piled in my head, so bear with me as I release them to you, one by one as they come. At some point, I believe this blog will find it's natural rhythm, for now here goes...
My friend Manena, creative genius extraordinare (to whom I owe many thanks for all her brilliant ideas for the shop) hosted a lovely Easter brunch along with her husband Xico and their two daring babes, Imogen and Fabian. Äya and Imogen have known each other since birth as we lived for awhile in the same building, they pretty much grew up side by side. It is always beautiful to see children have an unspoken connection as they play along in their fantasy worlds. Luckily for us adults the day had the same effect on us as we lounged around and drank mimosas in the sunshine of their bright Bushwick loft. I couldn't resist sharing these photos with you.

2008-04-11T15:44:00.000-07:00

It has been an exiting month since the opening of jan & äya and there are so many people to thank for their tremendous generosity and wealth of ideas. How do I even begin, you know who you are!

I want to extended a very big thank you to Jeralyn and Kat for their super thoughtful and warm article in Daily Candy on April 8th, 2008, as well as many other wonderful write-ups which I will list on my press page.