The Renegade Craft Fair is one big feel-good event. The people who come are happy. The tattoos are awesome. So are the shoes. And the dogs. For people working the show (like us) the band of Renegade show runners have that right blend of professional-pulled-togetherness and laid back, generous flexibility. (MANY organizations could learn from this particular balance.) We loved being a part of it.
And yes, the goods are pretty awesome too. We noticed lots of good ceramics (talking about you Rae Dunn, Whitney Smith, Sadie and Emma, and Sara Paloma).
And maybe it’s these times but we noticed a lot of map-related T-shirts and graphics. We loved Ork Posters. But we’re wondering, are people feeling a little lost? Or are they just enjoying a sense of place?
Book Flask by PommesFrites.
We also noticed a love of recycled books. Our favorite variation on that theme? PommesFrites‘ hollow book flask safe. Genius. Must have.
Lotion Bar by Etta + Billie.
Also in the genius category is Etta + Billie’s Lotion Bar in Bergamot Ginger. A bar that’s a lotion? Yup. It’s thick and it really does work. Divine scent too, and you can take it in your carry on without pulling it out at security.
Skincare by By Nieves.
Also loved pretty much all of the products from By Nieves. (Apothecary-style packaging is gorgeous too.) My personal favorite was the “C” Perfect Skin.
Earrings by Topiary Designs.
Topiary had these great earrings and necklaces made out of a specially coated and painted lace. Delicate, easy, perfect when you need a pop of sweetness or are rocking a Downton Abbey moment. (Black for me, silver for my goddaughter.)
BC2 Designs Earrings.
We noticed a lot of great laser-cut wood, but particularly liked these refined, superbly-finished Mondrian-inspired earrings by BC2 Designs and architect Beth Corwin.
Also in the laser cut wood category, the ever-stylish Ray McKenzie ordered braille cufflinks from Linnea Oliver’s Bird of Virtue. Very clever, not to mention beautiful.
House of ReBoot had some of the most stylish, design-conscious guys we know raving about their hauls. ReBoot makes shirts and accessories for men and women out of new, unclaimed textiles gleaned from the finest North American & European woolen mills, and sews them with care on vintage machines in Pennsylvania. The details are awesome. The ethos is rigorous. Looking for big things (in small batches, of course) from these guys.
Jules Elin Soley Jacket.
Another friend of ours came running up with her find from Jules Elin, thrilled with her sweater which was made out of cotton, modal, and spandex (she can’t wear wool). Julia Burnbaum designs the kind of clothes we all crave; the kind you can just put on without a whole lot of fuss and know that you’ll look quite fabulous and pulled together.
Horse and Anchor Tote.
Horse and Anchor uses vintage fabrics sourced from around the country to make these gorgeous totes. But it’s not really the fabrics that are the secret, it’s the composition of those fabrics and the artisanal details that’ll make these totes favorites for years.
But our absolute favorite? The Poetry Store, of course. Tell poet Silvi Alcivar a little something about the person you want a poem written for and she’ll write one for you on a vintage typewriter, and even put it in a little bottle. Lovely. And like she told us, it’s a great way to make a living. Agreed.
All images courtesy of the makers.