Young thirty-something, Vermont-born Stephanie Walker opened Walker Contemporary in Boston’s artsy Sowa neighborhood almost two years ago, just as many Boston gallery owners were abandoning their storefronts due to the recession. Deemed a little bit crazy by friends and family, Walker stuck to her instincts. After almost ten years toiling in galleries in rural New England and Boston’s Newbury Street, followed by a two-year tour of the West Coast art scene, Walker knew she was ready. And her gut steered her right. Today, the gallery is thriving. The sleek white space showcases contemporary works in a variety of mediums, from emerging and mid-career artists. Walker talks to us about her artists, gives us a glimpse into the day in the life of a gallerist and trolls eBay for artful objects. read more

“When I was growing up, canning was for old folks and cranks and separatists,” writes Liana Krissoff in the introduction to her new book out this week, Canning for a New Generation: Bold Fresh Flavors for the Modern Pantry. Not anymore! Canning is making a comeback (not that it ever truly went out of fashion on the long dirt roads of my youth). eBay has seen a 56 percent jump in listings for Mason jars since this time last year, while canning entries are up 38 percent. read more

Snip N Sip, hidden on the corner of Waverly and Charles in New York City’s West Village neighborhood, is one of those old timey barber shops-cum-salons that have been popping up quite frequently as of late. So what differentiates Snip N Sip from the others? It’s been around for 11 years, long before the Americana trend really hit the ground running. That’s good news for stylist and shop owner Ricky Pannell—he’s had years to stock up on quality vintage pieces, from old salon signage to authentic barber’s chairs, before those copycats could get to them. Now the three-room shop is replete with an old-fashioned soda machine, a wooden phone booth, and more early and mid-century salon doodads that one could hope for, most of sourced on eBay. read more

Whether it’s a revolt against the digital music age or simply an extension of the everything-old-is-new-again trend, the return of records as a viable music form is making vinyl junkies out of a whole new generation. (Not surprisingly, in the last year, eBay has seen vinyl listings jump 21 percent, according to Terapeak, a public tool for eBay users and sellers.) We recently popped into Heathers bar in Manhattan’s East Village to chat with New York deejay—and avid record collector—JR Spiegel about the vinyl resurrection, his own stash of LPs and what newbies (like us!) should know about starting our own record reserve. read more

It’s not often that you can eat something you bought at auction. But Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell, stars of Planet Green’s hit reality series "The Fabulous Beekman Boys," have teamed up with Sotheby’s to offer just that. On September 23, 2010, the storied auction house will host The Art of Farming, a sale of heirloom seeds from the New York tri-state area. The mission? To raise funds for GrowNYC New Farmer Development Project and The Sylvia Center at Katchkie Farm, two groups that trumpet locally-grown produce and support local farmers. Can't wait that long? From now until August 12, eBay is auctioning off more heirloom seeds and a chance to meet the Beekman Boys—on the set of their show. read more

In the ten years that Gina Pell has been at the helm of Splendora, a site dedicated to all the latest fashion, beauty, and lifestyle trends, she’s also mastered the art of online shopping. Recently, she found another outlet for her interests in style, technology, and bargain hunting, with the launch of Splendora SalesCast, a free iPhone app which aggregates picks for top online deals daily. read more

Museums are as ubiquitous in Paris as Starbucks are in Manhattan, dutifully anchoring every other block. I need only walk five minutes in any direction of my Marais apartment to visit the National Museum of Modern Art, the Picasso Museum, the Museum of Hunting and Nature, the Magicians Museum, the Key Museum and Museum of Arts and Crafts. Easy to miss because it’s tucked in an impasse between the main boulevard across from the Pompidou Center and the public gardens of Saint Aignan, is the doll museum or Musée de la Poupée. And for anyone who ever carried a Cissy, a Barbie, a Tammy or an American Girl, this little den of dolls is not to be missed. read more

You can tell a lot about a person from what’s on their coffee table. Besides adding a personal touch to home decor, an interesting selection of coffee table books can spark conversations, fill awkward silences and double as an inexpensive way to display art—all while hiding the water rings on your furniture. (They also make great gifts!) So what do you want to say about yourself through your displayed reading material? Check out our selection of eBay’s coolest coffee table books and pick one that piques your interest. read more

I was lucky enough to spend 10 days in beautiful South Africa this June enjoying the World Cup games and the thousands, upon thousands, of die-hard global soccer fans. As much as I loved watching the matches, it was really the landscape, the sights, and the fantastic design scene that left me wanting to stay longer in the country. At the very least, I wish I’d had a way to bring back all the aesthetic inspiration I came across during my trip. For those who want to more than just a tchotchke to remind them of their trip, or perhaps something to inspire them for future travels to South Africa, eBay is stocked with stylish and charming vintage South African keepsakes. read more

Tie dye is back, and it’s moved way past hippie territory. Lately, we’ve spotted the splotchy, amorphous prints on all manner of clothes and accessories. Simple, streamlined silhouettes keep the vibe modern (avoid embellishments like love beads and fringe or run the risk of looking costume-y), without detracting from the breezy, carefree connotations we’ve always loved. read more