Report from the Front: Preview Wendy Mink

Prices start at just $4 at Wendy Mink's Mother's Day sample sale. One of the best bonuses of shopping at Wendy Mink, on sale, or even if I daresay full price, is the customer service. If you've spotted the perfect bracelet, but need it in a smaller size, they will it adjust it for you in a snap. Wendy also do custom work if you want a piece in a larger size, or a special setting. Whether your taste runs whimsical, or classic, this is a serene sample spot to put a spring in your step for yourself, or anyone who may be on your gift list.

72 Orchard Street
starts today at noon and runs through Sunday

/nancy brenner

Hidden Treasures at Hester Street Fair: Report From the Front

I cruised through this spot a couple of weeks ago and was completely unmoved.  But leave it to Nancy Brenner to unearth that which should be treasured:

Open Saturdays and Sundays at Hester Street off of Essex Street, lots of booths looked like discarded junk drawers tossed on a  table and priced at whim.  Which is why one potential buyer mistook the price of a collectible Kenneth Jay Lane frog from the 70s at a $1plus change at Treasures & Pleasures.  Educated consumers and converts to collectibles will discern a fetching couture Jean Patou 1940s blue clutch from the 70s, a 50s lucite Koret handbag that evokes Fontainbleau poolside with cosmo in hand.  There was a 50s bronze beaded beauty with the original Saks tag still attached. Also spotted, Judith Lieber.  Vintage handbags and jewelry mainly from 40s through 70s.

Be prepared to splurge, as most items are $50 and up, but talk to Rafael, and mention you read the Guerilla Shopper... If you are in the market for an original Mother's Day gift, this is the spot. Prices are
lower than their uptown store at 1050 2nd Avenue (near 56th St.), Gallery 20. Check out their website at tpleasures.com.

Exclusive Mother's Day Jewelry Discount!

Just in time for Mother's Day (Sunday, May 13), Dori O'Dea (jewerly designer) and Guerilla Shopper (me) are offering a 20% discount on Ike Designs - the exquisite jewelry meticulously hand crafted by Dori herself. She has created intricate necklaces and earrings using beautifully colored gems that will thrill any mother in your life including -- but not limited to -- your: mother, wife, sister, daughter, niece, cousin, mistress, girlfriend, acupuncturist, beer wench...

Visit http://www.ikedesigns.net/catalog.html to peruse Dori's inventory and make your selections. To receive your 20% discount on online orders made between today and Tuesday, May 8, follow these steps:

1. Place your order online - http://www.ikedesigns.net/catalog.html

2. Then, send an email to dori@ikedesigns.com with "Guerilla Shopper" in the subject line and your order number in the body.

3. Dori will then discount the charge when she processes the card (it won't show at checkout, but will be reflected in the receipt she emails back to you as confirmation upon Credit Card Authorization).

4. Alternatively, there is a space for comments on the cart page, where you can write "Guerilla Shopper" and get the 20% discount, as per step #3., above.

Also, on Saturday, May 5, stop by Actorcrafts at 332 W. 43rd St. where Dori will be selling her good works at half the Web site price to promote a great cause and a great day. The show benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Dori offers her whole collection at half of its retail price on that day only (no combination with any other discounts). In addition, other great artists will be there selling their creations thereby making Mother's Day shopping a snap!

Be nice to the mothers,

Ike & Guerilla Shopper
. . .

About Ike Designs

Pictured above: Antiqued silver filigree earrings with faceted quartz briolet and ivory freshwater pearls.

Dori also works in gold and other gems - labradorite, pearl, solmonite, smokey quartz, rose quartz, quartz, goldstone, hematite, calcite, andalusite, malachite, jade, sapphire, diamond, and whatever else she can get her hands on! Dori's online collection includes necklaces and earrings, but she also does bracelets and is developing a line of rings. Dori does custom work and specializes in bridal parties, with all kinds of budgets.

About Guerilla Shopper NYC

Launched in October 2006, the Guerilla Shopper is your feet on the street in New York, telling you where to get great stuff at a good deal. Follow her as she treks through the stores of New York (and upstate, New Jersey and online) on your behalf...relaying sample sales, interesting shopping tidbits, retail warnings, restaurant recommendations and more. Listed on and quoted by other reputable shopping Web sites including Racked and A Girl Must Shop, the Guerilla Shopper is helping the non-socialite set to own tons of great stuff while having fun and not breaking the bank.