Here we go again, back to the Renegade Fair with a selection of pretty things that grabbed my attention.
First one up is Lady Alamo from San Francisco with a selection of reversible bags in great colors and good sturdy quality fabrics. She also had a small surprise selection of jewelry that incorporates felted things…I wonder why I liked this one?
Jennifer S. Fisher, an industrial designer, makes these wonderfully colorful ceramic vessels. They are all rather small, which made them very appealing, since the dimensions were somehow unexpected. I love the colors, and particularly the hanging vessels. You can find more details on her webpage!
Meg A. Myers‘ booth was very striking, a whole room set up with vintage window frames and lighting. She makes boxes and frames out of old windows.
I had seen this before one summer on Ashbury Street in San Francisco, but I’m not sure whether it was the same lady. Her name is Silvi Alcivar, you can go up to her sitting at an old-fashioned type writer, give her a few cues and she will compose an original poem there and then for you. How fun and original! I think this would be a great idea for a wedding.
This man is behind the Wool Buddy needle-felting kits that you might have seen in museum shops or other places before, Jackie Huang. He also published a craft book on how to recreate his animals. He was super friendly, needle-felting away while talking to customers. His booth was filled with his fun creatures and attracted a lot of people. Don’t you just love his needle-felted Visa/Mastercard sign?
Another felter, Patty Benson of Papaver Vert, more the crochet-and-wash kind of felter (and a few wet-felted things on display). I believe she is located in Oakland and also advertised felting classes. I liked her felted jewelry, big bangles and necklaces.
Another wonderful shop sign by Jennie Phan, The Crocheting Machine – what a crazy name! She was sitting behind her booth crocheting as if determined to live up to her shop name – she sure did.
Interesting art combining crocheted and knitted pieces with wooden structures by Geoffrey Campen and Diana Ruiz alias Rice and Beans. In the second picture you can catch a glimpse of Geoffrey behind his work. Very novel idea!
I loved this idea by Speechless Studios: “The Memory Bank is designed to accept photos, letters, and other items of personal significance, so you can save more than money”. They also had beautiful colorful bowls and a very simple, but striking display (of which I failed to take a picture, duh!)
A few vendors offered edible goodies, such as hand-made granola bars or these fancy lollipops for grown-ups (and kids, I suppose) with very unusual flavors. We went for the salted caramel. They had melon and pepper, nutmeg and spices, oh, I can’t remember. Look her up at This Charming Candy!
Lots and lots of booths selling jewelry, some very chunky and loud (not my style), but mostly (to my delight) very understated, subtle and sweet designs, for example this one here at Tangleweeds (my photo doesn’t do it justice at all).
Wishing bracelets at Linea Carta - cute idea, you make a wish when putting on the very delicate bracelet. You wear it until the thread dissolves and the bracelet falls off, which is when your wish will be fulfilled. Worth trying, isn’t it?
To do some other artists justice I am adding a list of other businesses for you to check out and be delighted by. This is a completely subjective list, of course.
More jewelry
www.iheartramsi.com
www.uppermetalclass.com
www.impressedbynature.wordpress.com (I’ve never seen this before: pressed and dried leaves and flowers made into jewelry)
www.julienolanjewelry.com
Crewel embroidery kits and art
www.takofibers.com
Ceramics
www.eripottery.com
Lovely printed linen textiles
www.sometimesjane.com
Designs in industrial felt
www.isalcorbett.com
Very small, very charming, very original
www.leafcutterdesigns.com
Have fun browsing (and shopping?) and getting inspired!
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I earned a few dollars for my daughter’s class selling the soap we made with the students.
Amy, a fellow vendor and textile artist who makes and sells quirky stuffed animals liked the little landscape so much that she and I swapped some things at the end of the day. All in all I can’t say it was a financial success, but I had a really good day and enjoyed myself.
