an SF RENEGADE CRAFT FAIR overview

Sunday afternoon mom and I headed to the Renegade Craft Fair. It was in a beautiful location next to the San Francisco Marina. It took us a few minutes to find the actual Craft Fair because we walked into the opposite side of the Fort Mason Center, but eventually we saw the sign and all of the super stylish people entering and exiting. I was so excited to be there. My mom said I was acting like a kid in a candy shop. I can't believe how insanely creative everyone was with their booths and merchandise. Everything I had previously looked at online was 100 times more amazing in person. Next year I will have to save up $500 so that I can come away with maybe half of what I want. It was so great being able to meet and chat with all of the talented artists and crafters. Everyone was incredibly sweet- such a fabulous community of unique and caring people.

It couldn't have been a more beautiful San Francisco day. We parked a number of blocks away, but enjoyed admiring the gorgeous homes on our sunny walk to the Fort Mason Center.

I came away with loads of business cards, an Etsy pin and chapstick, an "I Love You Because" print from Seattle Show Poster, and the tugboat and print below. Next year I hope to return home with one of Mat Daly's prints as well.

I fell in love with this little KG & AB porcelain tugboat. When I took it out of my bag to look at it later, I noticed it's little smiling face for the first time and now I love it even more.

My very own print from The Mincing Mockingbird. I adore this little bird and the beautiful colors. I definitely could have walked away with many more. Mincy and his fiance' Kim were so sweet and it was great to meet them. I also enjoyed meeting Danni of oh, hello friend (such a sweetheart), Brandy of Beestorms, and many others. It was such a wonderful day. I wish Renegade Craft Fair was every weekend. Or how about someone opening a Renegade Craft Mall? Yes, please! I can't wait until next year!

sf renegade craft fair: MY LAST ATTEMPT

Surely I have given you a big enough taste of the San Francisco Renegade Craft Fair in the last few days. I am confident that if you live in the Bay Area, I will see you there unless you have a good excuse. I don't have to start calling you out by name, do I? Kristen? Alison? Just kidding. I love you guys. Here is my very last attempt and then it is up to you what you will do this weekend...

oh, hello friend

Danni sells adorable jewelry, hair pins, and lots of other sweet things. Her blog is absolute eye candy. The poor dear is sick with a sinus infection right now, so I hope she can still make it. Send her some love.

Orange Slice

Gorgeous laser cut wood jewelry, adorable pillows and bags. There is something for everyone. Check them out.

Old Tom Foolery

I love a card that can make me laugh out loud. Tom Foolery is full of them. If you can't read it, the note on the bottom of the card above is "Which just means I'm standing up, if you really think about it." Yeah. I just laughed out loud.

Rag Trader

I love the charm of Rag Trader's jewelry made with antique molds and vintage findings. I absolutely love this spinner necklace. I'd have no use for it though, because I know it's "yes". :)

Sara Paloma Pottery

Her pottery is just gorgeous. I love the colors and simple, elegant shapes. These mini bottles are my favorite. I'll take 5, please.

Treat Zone

Filled with art, notecards, banners, light boxes, and all sorts of little treats, Treat Zone is inspired by the every day overlooked things and uses vintage and repurposed materials to create their goodies.

Okay. PLEASE tell me you are convinced now. I know that did the trick. See you there! And don't forget to check the blog next week for a ("a" meaning "one") post on the actual San Francisco Renegade Craft Fair experience.

And now we will return to our regularly scheduled (entirely sporadic) programming.

sf renegade craft fair: MOLLY M DESIGNS

Molly McGrath of Molly M Designs makes gorgeous laser cut jewelry. I am newly acquainted with her work and must say that when I first visited her site, I was an instant fan. Her jewelry is made with sustainable materials whenever possible and the designs are all works of art. I could see them all translated into amazing wallpaper. (Let me know when that happens.) Do yourself a favor, take a look at her pieces and visit her booth at the San Francisco Renegade Craft Fair!

sf renegade craft fair: MARYINK

Maryink has long been one of my favorite Etsy stores. I love their tees and am pretty sure I could live in them, and their silk-screened votive holders have the sweetest designs.... ferris wheels, cameos, quails, and more. A good evening would be: wearing one of their tees to relax on the couch with a book, a cup of tea, and some candles lit within their votive holders. I am definitely stopping by their booth at the San Francisco Renegade Fair. If you aren't able to visit them there, please stop by their Etsy shop to come up with a Maryink scenario of your own.

sf renegade craft fair: ETCH YOUR HEART OUT

I have a little obsession with glasses... especially unique ones, colored glass ones, and big ones. Fortunately (or unfortunately) for me, Etch Your Heart Out provides all of the above. Mustache glasses, animals glasses, shopping cart glasses, and a glass every girl should have at least one of for a glamour day- the Audrey Hepburn glass. Now I just have to think of a good place to hide them so hubby doesn't find out... and because my cabinet has no more room for glasses... Take a look at Etch Your Heart Out's Etsy shop, make room in your cabinet, and visit them at the San Francisco Renegade Craft Fair.

sf renegade craft fair: KG & AB

Porcelain has to be one of my favorite mediums. Just about anything can look beautiful done up in white porcelain. KG & AB create porcelain animals and snacks and send them out into the world via their etsy shop. If you will be at the San Francisco Renegade Craft Fair and want to purchase something from their shop, you can order on Etsy ahead of time and pick up your new little friends at the fair. Or, if you are a thrill seeker, you can just visit their booth and hope that all of the little owls haven't already been snatched up. The choice is yours.

sf renegade craft fair: THE MINCING MOCKINGBIRD

Speaking of The Mincing Mockingbird... who doesn't love these beautiful birds? The colors are so vivid and accurate of the birds I see frequenting my backyard and the ones I wish frequented my backyard. I would love to adopt a few of these little guys. Check out the shop and take a look at the creative names for each piece of art: "Braving danger and darkness to eat, but I wouldn't call myself a foodie." And, as if I haven't reminded you enough, check The Mincing Mockingbird out at the San Francisco Renegade Craft Fair!

sf renegade craft fair: MAMA'S LITTLE BABIES

Mama's Little Babies is full of whimsical necklaces, earrings, and bracelets inspired by Victorian Era illustrations. I can see the necklaces with a simple tee or a Lover Boy bracelet with your little black dress to add a little quirkiness. The possibilities are endless. Check out all of the Victorian goodies in Mama's Little Babies' Etsy shop, and while you are there, remind yourself that there is free shipping worldwide! And if you want more free shipping opportunities, stop by the San Francisco Renegade Craft Fair for all the free shipping you can handle.

sf renegade craft fair: DUTCH DOOR PRESS

I've mentioned Dutch Door Press before, and so has everyone else in the blogosphere. We all can't help but mention a shop that makes such fabulous folksy letterpress prints, cards, and totes. And as if the prints aren't special enough on their own, somehow finding out that Mara and Anna print everything on their antique presses adds a new element of appreciation for their work. Check out their site and shop and visit them at the San Francisco Renegade Craft Fair, for goodness' sake!

sf renegade craft fair: CINDY TOMCZYK ART

Cindy Tomczyk's art is filled with soothing colors, intricate detail, and sweet sentiments. You have to know that her animal prints are my favorite, but I also love her "We're All In It Together" print which is on sale right now! If you are a music lover, she has some wonderful prints for you as well. I would love to play the bango, but I think owning one of her bango prints is probably as close as I'll ever get... Check out her Etsy shop, website, blog, and of course, visit her at the San Francisco Renegade Craft Fair!

sf renegade craft fair: COO-KOO-RI-KOO

Coo-koo-ri-koo may seem like a strange name for a shop, being that it is what a Russian rooster says, but you have to give a girl credit for giving her shop a name that makes her laugh. Shana's Etsy shop evolved after she made some hand warmers with yo-yos and realized she loved them enough to wear them as necklaces, earrings, and hair accessories. Thank goodness she came to that realization because without her, the rest of us might not have realized how fabulous we can look with yo-yos draped from our necks. Shana also makes the most darling rings and you can become a member of her Ring of the Month Club. That is definitely a club I want to be a part of! Visit Shana at her blog or over at Etsy and visit her booth at the San Francisco Renegade Craft Fair. I read on her blog that her booth is near both The Mincing Mockingbird and The Frantic Meerkat and The Juxtaposed Hippo (I'm kidding... I made that last one up... it would fit though, huh?). That is a fabulous spot to be. See you there!