ASK A 3rd WARD TEACHER: Tracey Toole, mens/womens/petwear designer

(c) Gianna Keiko RankartWe just got word what 3rd Ward instructor, Tracey Toole, will be teaching in her August Art Bootcamp class, and we’re very impressed. In this 5-hour Intro to Sewing class, you’ll make two back-to-school (or work) items: a simple reversible tote with pockets, and a satchel with a zipper and a little case for your pencils, phone, or iPod.

This jam-packed class goes down on August 16th. Enroll today and learn the fundamentals that will last you a lifetime! Plus, read more about this sewing savant in our interview below...

3rd Ward: What classes do you teach here?
Tracey Toole: I teach Intro to Sewing, Sewing Level I and Sewing Level II.

3W: What projects come out of that?
TT: In Introduction to Sewing and Level I, the students learn how to use the sewing machine and the different techniques involved. They learn how to make an apron - adding different trends like bias tape, cutting out pockets, patterns, and using interfacing. The second one is a little bit more advanced. It’s actually sewing a tote, so it’s a dimensional project and it’s lined so it could be reversible. You work with straps, make your own inside and outside pockets, and use interfacing again, making the base of the tote.

3W: What else do you do besides teach these classes?
TT: I am a menswear designer by trade. I’ve designed men’s sportswear, cargo pants, woven shirts... I have my own line of totes and house linens, like placemats, napkins, and tea towels. I sell them in a couple stores. And then I own an animal rescue group.

3W: Woah. How did you get involved with that?
TT: A few years ago I adopted two cats and I just started volunteering, until I was so involved that it made sense to start my own group.

3W: What’s it called?
TT: A Tail at a Time. It’s a rescue group; we take animals from the city shelter when they run out of space. Then we match up people to take care of them until they get adopted.

3W: How did you start teaching?
TT: I ended up going to college for an English Literature degree. My parents didn’t want me to go for fashion design because they didn’t feel like it was worth it and they didn’t want me in New York City in the early 90s because it still wasn’t very safe. So I graduated college with an English Literature degree, but I went back to school anyways and got my degree in design. I worked at Columbia Sportswear for about five years. Then I moved to New York City and started working for different companies.

3W: And you’re involved with Etsy?
TT: Yes, the name of my store is TraceyT; I sell bags, placemats, napkins, laptop covers, and pet beds.

3W: Tell me more about your menswear designs.
TT: I freelance, which involves designing with Illustrator or Photoshop, and then picking out fabrics. I work with clients who sell to Macy's, JcPenney's and other mass market retailers. After 5 years I also started making bags on my own. Originally I only used vintage fabrics –- I bought them at state sales or auctions. They were usually unused, so something that was sitting in someone's closet since the 40s or 50s. But I do like designing menswear as a category – it feels very comfortable.

3W: Do you get to see what you’ve designed in the flesh? If you walk into a store, do you see it on the shelf?
TT: Yes. You don’t see it for a year and half though…

3W: It takes a year and a half?
TT: Yep, for it to actually get to the store. I mean, I’ll see samples of them and I’ll see the production line (because they pull samples off the production line for approval), but then seeing it in a store is different.

3W: What kind of background do the students who take your classes have? Are they crafty, necessarily?
TT: All from different backgrounds. That’s the thing with sewing… you don’t have to be crafty. It’s supposed to be a fun class; it’s pretty simple. Anybody can sew a pillow case, a placemat or napkin. So there’s a great variety of people, from teachers, to video editors… that aren’t necessarily crafty. Which is fine. That’s what the class is for – to learn how to sew and see if you like it. It’s a good time to unwind; the time goes by very fast.  A few people have said that they just come to zone out - it’s relaxing for them at the end of the day or a Saturday morning. It’s good to do something for yourself!

To learn more about Tracey and her products, visit etsy.com/shop/traceyT

Registration deadline for Tracey's special August Art Bootcamp Intro to Sewing class is August 11th. Sign up for this one-day intensive today!




Can't find a job? Create one.

Last week, 3rd Ward took part in a new type of job fair ... one in which you're the one in charge. This intimate event, called Working NYC, allowed people to learn about opportunities beyond the regular office 9-5. Maybe you need space, or a community, or access to tools...

Right now, it's easier than ever to make your product, build your own business and follow your own dreams. (At 3rd Ward, entrepreneurs, freelancers, designers and more make that happen everyday.)

NY1, NYC's very own 24-hour newschannel, even came around to do a segment. Check out Membership Services Associate, Allison Wall, as she gives an overview of how all NYC creatives can benefit from 3rd Ward.

25% Off ALL Plants at Crest Hardware!

Our friends over at Crest Hardware are having a sale! Swing by 558 Metropolitan Avenue and pick up some Summer Plants for 25% off!

Car or Public Park? You decide on Park(ing) Day

In NYC, space don't come cheap... unless you look just below your window. In 2005, Transportation Alternatives realized that for $.50 an hour, they could occupy a valuable piece of public land -- a parking space -- with people, not cars.

Since then, the movement now known as Park(ing) Day has spread around the world, inviting communities to reclaim parking spots and transform them into playgrounds, gardens, sculpture parks, performance stages and more.  

What would you build from the asphalt up? This is an opportunity for YOU -- artists, designers and NYC-residents -- to revive our urban landscape and transform public street space. Find an 8’x15’ spot where you and your (old and newfound) friends can hang out. Liven it up with some decor, an activity, and maybe even a theme. Lay down a rug. Set up your art. We recommend you provide some shade and a place for passers-by to sit and enjoy your new digs.  

If you’d like to host a Park(ing) Spot on September 17, 2010 please take a moment to register here by August 25th. For more info about Park(ing) Day NYC visit, http://blog.parkingdaynyc.org/

Ravishing, futuristic lookbook shot @ 3rd Ward

What do get when you cross a high fashion editorial + a graphic novel + a real and present social conscience?

We knew that photographer Tanit Sakakini and her team from Nightjar Creative were up to something very special when they shot in Studio C and outside 3rd Ward last Fall. We had no idea that Tanit, her 30 models, and more than 30 creatives would create this.

Sand County is an adventurous, ambitious piece that challenges what we think of as advertising, art, and the story-telling experience. We simply can't take our eyes off of it. Bravo team, and keep doing what you're doing.



3rd Ward Member published in the New York Times

(c) Brian Rea for the New York TimesWhether you create with paint or pixels...wood or words...3rd Ward's got ya. Yesterday, new 3rd Ward Member, Robin Grearson, was published in the New York Times "Modern Love" section, not as the illustrator, but as the author! Here's an excerpt from her touchingly honest essay, "The Accidental Older Woman":

He folded his arms across his chest and said: “Go ahead. Ask me anything.”

“What’s that body language all about?” I said, laughing. “Your body is not saying, ‘Ask me anything.’ ”

In one motion he picked up his chair, brought it next to mine, faced me, held both my hands, looked me in the eye and said, “Is this better?”

The stories he told about himself were clearly designed to make him look promiscuous and experienced. I ended up giving him the same impression, unfortunately. When he asked how many people I’d slept with, I said, “Do you mean guys?”

I believe he thought the date was going extremely well.

Want to work with this talented writer (who once impressed Prince so much, he requested to use her work in his newsletter)? Well, as is the case with so many of our members, Robin is more than just a one-title wonder. Because words are sometimes not enough, Robin is looking to collaborate! If you're in need of a "words person" for your art, or are interested in the possibilities of visualizing narrative, contact Robin here. 

More fashion and photography, shot at 3rd Ward

(c) Rick Wenner || Photographed at 3rd WardYou saw the behind-the-scenes video, now see Rick Wenner's final shots from his day at 3rd Ward on his blog. We love the different lighting effects and can't wait to see more from this photographer.

To learn more about scheduling your shoot at 3rd Ward, visit our NYC Photo Studio Booking page.

Follow @GoodsFoodBK for specials, news, promos & more!

(c) Liz ClaymanSo you already know Chef Alex McCrery makes a mean burger and breakfast biscuit, but he also makes some pretty amazing off-the-menu specials, made with the day's freshest ingredients from the Union Square Greenmarket.

Here are some recent specials:

Farm broccoli salad, blistered peppers, orange segments, citrus vinaigrette

Sugar snap pea salad, sungold tomatoes, farm cheese, lemon vinaigrette

Yellow beefsteak tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil relish

Fried whole wild red mullet with a mixed potato salad

Corn-fried New England oysters, herbed farro and kidney bean salad, housemade hot sauce

"Jenny" Biscuit: Open-faced biscuit, braised pork, red cabbage slaw, hot sauce

Dark chocolate-pistachio crunch bar

Blueberry cookies, blueberry ice cream, whipped cream

The specials are always written on the blackboard, but if you're not in the nabe, the best way to get all specials updates (as well as the latest news and promos), is to follow @GoodsFoodBK on Twitter. You don't even need to be that close! Just call 347.763.1622, and we'll deliver.

3rd Ward's 3rd Annual Pig Roast // See the Pictures!

To see all the pictures from Saturday's Pig Roast check out our 3rd Ward Flickr page.

Special thanks to  The Fieros, In Cadeo, Le Mood, The Ramblers, Cletus & the Barnburners and the hundreds of people who came to pig out!

The 3rd Ward Photographer & his Muse

Last week, editorial and portrait photographer Rick Wenner took over Studio C with one of this favorite models from BMG. Check out this video for a behind-the-scenes peek as Rick goes through his process, from experimenting with wardrobe styling and lighting techniques, to directing the model to do some impressive footwork and vest popping. 

To learn more about booking your photo shoot at 3rd Ward (for a fraction of what Manhattan studios cost), click here.