Renegade Craft Fair - Top 10 Finds!

Hey Dolls!  Last weekend we braved the sun, heat, humidity, and tornado-like winds at the Renegade Craft Fair in search of handmade treasures to share with you. Talented local artists were out selling creations ranging from cards to baskets to t-shirts and handmade children's toys and the quality of the work was seriously impressive! Overall we had a great day, met some wonderful people, and, of course, ate more Italian ices than we care to admit. Although it was very hard to choose just 10 out of the many beautiful things we encountered throughout the day we have managed to come up with a list of our favorite items. So, as promised, here are our Top 10 Picks (in no particular order) from last weekend's Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn, New York.

All you need is L-O-V-E... even if it is only worth 7 points. We L-O-V-E these adorable "Letter Tile" coasters by Yard Sale Press. These wooden coasters are handmade, sanded with care, and then screen printed with letters that you can use to create your own words! How F-U-N!  These babies were so popular that they sold out!  But, never fear, there are more in the making and you'll be able to purchase your own set soon, just send Bryan at Yard Sale Press an email!!  

 To say that we adore PaperPastries would be an understatement! Kittens, cupcakes, and candy, oh my!  You will find these common things on many of their products in colors that just drip with ooey gooey sweetness. Their notebooks and cards are beautiful, but, what we really are enamored with is this customizable address stamp! This stamp comes in your choice of one of 4 whimsical fonts and would be the perfect way to add your own personal flair to your next correspondence.

Calling all hipsters!  We've got just the card for you. This card features a tall emo boy and just-a-bit-too-short gal smooching in their crazy colored pants and classic Converse All Stars.  It is simply perfect and we can't imagine a better card to give your sweetie. Plus, the ladies from the Rubina Designs table were completely awesome and we can't help but love girls with a sense of humor that dig classic literature (the one girl told us her favorite book is Pride and Prejudice, one of our all time favorites, so major props for that). 

These chair necklaces, by Colleen Heineman, really rock! There is just something so fun about taking natural everyday objects and turning them into art. These are hand punched out of a sterling silver sheet and strung on delicate silver beaded chains for a modern, yet still vintage, look.  And, if you think these are great, check out her nautical knots series! We wouldn't be surprised if these were making their way to an Anthropologie near you in the near future but until that day comes let us enjoy this talented local artist while we can.  

What craft fair would be complete without unique prints for your walls?! Jason and Briana over at Brainstorm Print and Design are an extraordinarily talented (and super friendly!) duo with big ideas. We were delighted by their totally one of a kind prints, like this one above, that feature some beautiful graphics, bold messages, calming nature themes, and funky retro colors.  These inspiring and creative prints encourage us to set our worries aside, relax, and take it easy... and we couldn't be more willing to oblige.

There is just something about letterpressed invitations - the look, the feel, the history.  Whatever it is, we can't help but be drawn to beautiful things and the gorgeous stationary, by Sesame Letterpress, certainly got our attention. Sesame Letterpress, of Brooklyn, creates intricate and detailed stationary on 100% recycled cotton paper using old 19th century Victorian letterpresses.  We initially were drawn in by the colorfulletterpressed coasters , but on closer examination we fell in love with just about everything else, even their business cards, which are pretty little works of art all in themselves!!

Regardless of the situation, it's always important to stay classy.  So, if you want to call someone a "jerkface" the only appropriate thing to do is to write it in a formal letter or card, which they can hold in their hands and treasure for a lifetime.  But, in all seriousness, Blue Barnhouse is great and their cards are hilariously funny.  Why buy your average run of the mill card when you can get one with a kitschy letterpressed image and unusual and cleverly inappropriate saying??  We have no idea!  These are the perfect cards to give your girlfriends, siblings, lovers,or really anyone with a sense of humor enough to enjoy them.

 How cute!  These tree branch bud vases, by designer Jennifer Fisher, are some of the most original items that we came across in our shopping.  They are minimalist and modern, but are still semi-rustic and romantic. These bud vases are meant to hold just a couple small flowers, but even with just a few blooms, they have the power to make a huge impression. Display one solo if you're going for sleek and modern but we also enjoy the look of all three arranged as a sort of little collection to add interest and drama.

A gift without a tag is like a cupcake without icing..a total travesty. And in search of a great gift topping, we've found these fun little tags by The Small Object. Who knew that one tiny little tag could be used to serve so many different occasions? We dig things like these that are completely practical and simple but serve to display a bit of our own style and personalities. These are the perfect blend of  old fashioned etiquette and modern, personal expression that says you have a sense of humor but still appreciate the beauty and formality of tradition.

No more pencils, no more books... wait, wait... we like books! And pencils! And folders. And, actually, every kind of school supply imaginable. Call us nerds if you must, but we just love school and organization and that is why Urban Posture will round out our Top 10 picks from the Renegade Craft Fair.  They have great style and we are thoroughly enjoying their fantastic line of eco-friendly, ultra quirky, school (or office!) supplies. Being quirky is a good thing and sets you apart from the crowd, so don't be afraid to express your uniqueness, even in something as simple as a binder or folder.





Get crafty, dolls!



XOXO,

Jen & Saira