Chicago Renegade Craft Fair
The following is a guest post by Danielle of Art Room Meloday.
Chicago hosted its 9th Annual Renegade Craft Fair in early September, and I was there to enjoy the crafty festivities. After checking into my Chicago hotel and taking in a couple of the local sights, I made my way to Division Street in Wicker Park, and enjoyed a weekend of crafting workshops and handmade delights. Read on for descriptions of some of my favorite vendors.
Alternate Histories
This vendor was one of the most creative that I found during my visit. Alternate Histories brings the past to life by refashioning archival images with anachronistic monsters and science fiction elements. Matthew Buchholz uses digital pictures and prints the finished product on recycled paper, making these environmentally responsible as well. There were many prints from which to choose, and I ended up buying Floating Saucer Crafts and the Chicago Fire, a rendition of a lithograph of the true cause of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871; I will give it to my UFO-crazy brother for Christmas.
AD LOVE
I have seen Angel D’Amico-Bauer‘s work before, but never had the opportunity to browse and purchase until this weekend. Angel (aka AD LOVE) is a freelance illustrator and designer who creates one-of-a-kind hand screen-printed clothing. I bought a super-comfy teal tank with her rendition of the Brooklyn Bridge and plan on gifting it to a New York-native friend. She is sure to love it!
Girls Rock! Chicago
Girls Rock! Chicago had a booth at the Renegade Craft Fair this year, and I was super excited to see them there. This nonprofit organization gives girls ages 8-16 an outlet for creative expression through music education programs, because they “believe that girls are rarely encouraged to explore self-expressive creative outlets and are less likely to be given access to musical and technical instruction or equipment” otherwise. In addition to information about their motivational week-long summer camp, they offered button-making, which brought out the artist in everyone.
For Strange Women
As someone who has frequently been labeled as strange, I was drawn to this booth like the proverbial moth to a flame. Jill owns and operates For Strange Women, and offers unique perfumes and concoctions that are sure to tickle your fancy. I bought a tin of Absinthe Lips, made from all-natural ingredients and flavored like Absinthe prepared with sugar; and a vintage-style solid perfume locket in Patchouli. When I got home, I realized that these would make an awesome gift for my mom, so I visited Jill’s website and ordered more for her.
Hello Wars
For all of you Hello Kitty and Star Wars lovers out there, Hello Wars is pure Nirvana. By cleverly blending these two childhood icons into characters such as Darth Vader Kitty, Chew Kitty, and C3KO (among others), this vendor has created a line of merchandise that is at once creative and eye-catching. My niece happens to be a fan of both of these, so I bought her a Storm Kitty shirt that she’s sure to love.
For those of you who missed out on the Renegade Craft Fair this year, don’t fret! The 6th Annual Renegade Craft Fair Holiday Market in Chicago will be held December 3 and 4 at the Pulaski Park Fieldhouse, and you will be able to do all of your last-minute holiday shopping then. See you there!
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Twitter: HealthyOpal
says:
Craft fairs usually smell heavenly. Oh I love crafts, so I’d know I’d love to attend an event like this.
I’ll have to check out the Strange Woman website, I’m betting they’ll have things that I’d actually like. I tend to make all my own skin care products, and make my handmade soaps too.
Opal´s last [type] ..A crafting start; All that glitters