Renegade Craft Fair

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I am addicted to the new generation of craft fairs that have been springing up. First, I wanted to inform Chicago EAD readers that the Chicago Renegade Craft Fair is coming up.

2009 Renegade Craft Fair in CHICAGO!

September 12 + 13 from 11am – 7pm, on Division St. between Damen + Paulina.

For the last couple of years, they have been hosting shows in Brooklyn, Chicago, and San Francisco. They were having their first show in L.A. I was ecstatic. It is very similar to Unique L.A., but is a little more established. They have a greater variety of vendors.

I sent an email to my craft afficionada friends inviting them to join me. Two of them decided to join me. It was the first day of the show. From what we could tell, the show seemed to have a great turnout.

There were A LOT of screenprint and t-shirt vendors. These guys, Campfire Goods, were one of my favorites.

Campfire Goods

They have several t-shirts that allow people to rep where they’re from. I was this.close to buying a shirt that said “East Coaster” and another that said “Southerner”.

Photo by Pamela Masters

I purchased this shirt from them. I love geeky Mac Humor.

from Campfire Goods website

Mary Ink

There were many plush vendors as well. Some of my favorites from Unique L.A , {I Heart Guts, Sweet Meats, and Hi-tree} were there. I also enjoyed this company, Fuzzy Ink. They have stuffed mustaches! So kitschy, yet so cute.

Fuzzy Ink

Photo by Pamela Masters

Photo by Pamela Masters

These dolls were so cute, but all the little girls that I know are either too young or too old to appreciate them.

Lil Sprinkles on Etsy

There were also lots of jewelry vendors. I loved many of the lucite necklaces and hair barrettes. I meant to go back and purchase some barrettes, but completely forgot :(

Cara Lyndon - Vintage Jewelry and Hairpins

Adjowah Brodie of The Weekend Store

Aside from jewelry made from vintage typewriter keys, The Weekend Store had jewelry made from deconstructed watches.

Jane E. Roberti explains how she creates her jewelry

One of Jane’s necklaces on Etsy

There were also a lot of great illustrators and poster artists. Berkeley Illustration had a great niche in that all of their characters had a story that was included with their print.

Berkeley Illustration

Print available on Berkley Illustrations’ Etsy store

For those that wanted to make their own goods, there were several vendors like Super Buzzy that sold fabric and kits to make your own quilts and stuffed animals.

I bought a kit similar to this one for my niece.

Super Buzzy

We stumbled upon these great iPod cases. They are cute and have a holder for your headphones. Why didn’t anyone think of this sooner?!

photo from Mr. Poncho website

It was a good show. I love these kind of events because they offer many of the items at a discounted rate. As an extra bonus, you have an opportunity to meet the masterminds behind some of your favorite designs and products. I had a great time.. although I wished I had brought more money.

{***All photos were taken by the author, unless otherwise noted.}