Renegade Recap

I began my trek to the windy city at 10am last Friday morning, an hour later than I had planned. This ultimately worked out to my advantage, given I had forgotten there was a one hour time difference.

The drive was overall quick and easy. The weather was beautiful. The tolls were ridiculous.

Ridiculous. Totaling almost $30 by the time I arrived (right on time) nearly six hours later.

After getting settled in at Shampton Industries headquarters, cookoorikoo and and I met up with leavesofglass and girlsavage for a yummy dinner at Big Jones in Andersonville. After sharing a couple plates of fried green tomatoes and cheddar herb croquettes, I couldn't resist the gnocchi with mushrooms, roasted poblanos, chevre and basil. I also couldn't resist taking a picture of it, you know me.

At this point it was all feeling a little surreal. I used to be so spontaneous, but you know what happens when we get old and boring. Up and heading to Chicago for a day, just cause I wanted to, felt amazing and was exactly what I needed. Then there I was, sitting at a table with three friends who I could only wonder if I'd ever meet in person. We rounded out the evening with a little computer time, a little last minute crafting and a viewing of Whip It.

Saturday started early, and wet. Rain, rain, rain. Never a pleasant site on the day of an outdoor craft show, but nothing these chicagoans aren't used to. With just enough time to enjoy some homemade sourdough topped with nutella, we were on our way to start the big day.

The weather was slightly unfavorable while I was helping cookoorikoo and pixel party setup their booth. I learned that my favorite gray flats are not so water tight and by the time we finished, my mustard tights were soaked halfway up my shins. No problem, with my car parked nearby, I performed a quick wardrobe change and was back in action.

Despite the stormy weather, the streets were lined with people before the show even officially started and shortly thereafter, the sun began peeking out.

The crafters tents were setup back to back and stretched on for what seemed like every bit of a quarter mile. Talk about some serious handmade goodness! It was overwhelming. By the end of the day I had made at least five rounds up and down the street and still didn't visit every booth, though every booth was definitely worth visiting. You can't always say that about a craft fair, that's for sure.

The best part of the trip was, by far, getting to meet so many Etsy sellers in person that I've become friends with over the past couple years. Fourteen in fact! How cool is that? It's so nice to be able to put a face (and a voice!) to a name.

When the rain cleared up, I started on my rounds. I bounced from booth to booth looking for friends, passing out bakery and fighting off some serious shopping temptation (giving in a little too, of course :).

Here is just a small sampling of the eye candy that lined Division Street last weekend.

The girls can tell booth

Her creative screen prints are even cooler in person and she is just cute as a button!

The uncommon booth was so pretty with it's simple elegance and sweet hardwood floor.

Root beer floats, funnel cakes, elephant ears. Need I say more? Oh, beer trucks. Yeah, that does it.

The street itself is lined with tons of great shops and restaurants. Their outdoor patios were just buzzing with activity all day.

The booth of The Mincing Mockingbird and The Frantic Meerkat was jam packed all day, of course! But I was able to weasel my way in for a couple brownie deliveries and a little shopping.

For those who regularly visit my blog, you'll surely recognize the work of Shawna of Pinkkiss Pottery. She is just as adorable in person as you would expect and was a total champ after I spilled beer on her tablecloth…

Spaghetti Kiss, her partner in crime.

It was impossible to not be drawn like a moth to the flame when passing by the CircaCeramics booth.

Don't eat the magnets, no matter how tempting.

There were dogs. Lots and lots of dogs. Big dogs, small dogs…

Really big dogs…

The nice booth was also extra lovely with it's happy colors and faux brick wall.

And there were pretty displays at every turn…

The amount of amazing handmade goodness really was overwhelming.

The work of Dolan Geiman…

Just amazing.

The day was crazy and went by so fast! I ran out of time to snap pics of a couple friends and fabulous booths such as Jenny N Designs, June Shin, Jessica Swift, Skunkboy Creatures, Elizabeth Williams, Beantown Handmade and Berkley Illustration, but their work was every bit as fabulous in person as you could expect.

With a house full of critters patiently waiting for me back home, I had to hit the open road Saturday night after the show and make the trek back to Cleveland. The drive home was dark and foggy but my audio book kept me awake and memories of the day kept me smiling.

I'll wrap this up by saying if you live within a one day drive of a Renegade Fair, I highly recommend you make the trip!

You can find details on all the Renegade shows across the country on their website here.

By the way, after plastering an 'I Heart Esty Handmade' bumper sticker to each of our cars, I have three left from the folks at the Etsy booth, along with some really cute pin back buttons. If you'd like a little Etsy love pack, leave your name and email in the comments and I'll pick three folks at random.

Happy Friday!