I’m what you’d call a crazy flea market/craft fair/art festival devotee. I could spend every weekend seeking out cool local artisans in church basements and school parking lots–provided there’s also a lemonade stand or cider donuts so I can bribe my kids to join me. In fact, it’s how I find quite a few of the artists I share on Cool Mom Picks.

(And also why Brooklyn artists get more than their fair share of ink here. )

So I was really excited to learn that starting this weekend, we NYC mamas will have access to The Marte, a series of weekly upscale markets. (You know, no tube socks or lucite key chains.) It’s a collaboration between school PTAs and local publisher Manhattan Media to benefit not just the artists, but the public schools themselves.

It’s such a smart idea, I’m hoping this spreads beyond Manhattan. Because all things being equal, I’m sure I’m not the only parent who would rather buy cool handmade jewelry and handprinted kids’ tees to support our schools, than another baggie full of stale Rice Krispie bars.

Besides, I hear they’re going to have a gelato bar at PS 63 this weekend. I’ll be there. –Liz

[photo: Marte vendor Rivington Jewlery]

Find this weekend’s Marte at PS 63 William McKinley School, 121 East 3rd Street/Avenue A from 10-5 on Saturday and Sunday. For updates, follow them on twitter at @TheMarteNYC.

If you etsians and artists want to become a vendor, apply here. Prices are decent!