Looking for something to do? Get lost looking at maker-designed goods at an indie craft show near you.

The Renegade Craft Fair is the largest multi-location independent craft show and has been a mainstay in the indie craft world since 2003 when Renegade was founded and held its first fair in Chicago. Since that time, Renegade has expanded to include indie craft fairs in New Work, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, Portland, Seattle, Denver, and London. In total, the events attract more than 300,000 visitors annually.

Renegade is to the craft and design world what ComicCon is to the pop-culture and comic world. The Renegade Craft Fair’s motto is “founded by makers for makers,” but it is much more than that. Attendees can certainly expect plenty of maker-designed goods for sale, but there’s also live music, artisanal food offerings, interactive features, and good vibes found at each fair.

One of the attributes that set the Renegade indie craft shows apart is that they are highly curated and attract the best and most innovative from among the world’s indie artists and designers. Renegade also boasts that it is an entrepreneurial incubator and there have been many lesser-known artists whose careers took off after exhibiting at a Renegade. They do even offer some wholesale shows for artists and designers who sell their work to retail locations and who are looking to expand.

Whether you are looking for handmade shoes, art prints, jewelry, home accessories, ceramics, vegan backpacks, macrame plant hangers, or something you’ve never seen before, there is a pretty good chance you can find it at a Renegade Craft Fair.

Check out the schedule to see when one of these indie craft fairs is coming to your neck of the woods–many locations even hold several shows throughout the year.

And to get you inspired, we have put together a lineup of some of our favorite artists and designers who have recently participated in a Renegade fair.

Peg and Awl – Peg and Awl offers home goods and jewelry made from reclaimed wood and other materials. We love this functional chalk pad.

Make Shifter Canvas Works – Maker of user-friendly bicycle bags and other canvas bags like this Picnic Bag.

Alchemilla – It is possible to get completely overwhelmed by the jewelry artists are a Renegade fair, but we like Alchemilla for their use of reclaimed, deadstock, and vintage findings in their designs.

Friend Assembly – Did you know that you needed planters featuring funny faces on them? Friend Assembly has got you covered.

Caiques – Handmade in Rio, these shoes are a family tradition that started out as a hobby and turned into a passion for this maker.

This is just a small sampling of some of the makers that can be found at a Renegade show–some of the shows features as many as 400+ vendors–so, be sure to see when the next fair is near you!

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Top Image Renegade Craft Fair

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Get inspired with these folk art finds to create a magical folkloric hideaway.

In case you are wondering just what we mean, today’s folkloric decor and design is inspired by primitive art styles of Scandinavia, Mexico, Peru, and other countries and cultures of the world. It’s an appreciation for the timeless and simple aesthetics of primitive folk art. And primitive is not intended as a pejorative, but instead denotes the difference between the arts and crafts. Primitive folk art by definition is the culture of the peoples of a region.

So, if you like the homey style of primitive folk art, here are some fabulous folkloric finds you can add to your own home.

Folk Art Finds for Your Home

1. Folkloric Forest Wallpaper from Anthropologie

We love this Hygge & West wallpaper that depicts the flora and fauna of the forest. It’s available in three different colorways–red, neutral, or turquoise. Go big and cover your walls in folkloric splendor.

2. Awesome Project Ceramics

Add a touch of Romanian folklore to your tabletop with these stunning porcelain pieces from artist Madalina Andronic. All the pieces are designed and hand-decorated individually, using porcelain and love.

3. Enameled Coffee/Tea Set from Wild & Wolf

Add this wonderful enamelware from Wild & Wolf to your collection featuring wonderfully illustrated woodland creatures peeking through an enchanted woodland. What a perfect addition for your next brunch.

4. Locust Wall Hanging from Urban Outfitters

Add some simple folk art inspiration with this soft cotton tapestry that could work as a wall hanging or bed or sofa covering.

5. Scandinavian Folk Art Bird Print from Illustrationpop

The easiest way to add folk art style to your home is with the addition of art prints like this Scandinavian bird print.

6. Sagaform Story Tea Towel from Huset

Incorporate the folk art style to your kitchen with this black and white tea towel inspired by the world of the Norse sagas.

7. Woolen Blanket from Koromiko

Add some primitive folk art warmth with this handwoven blanket made from natural wool in soft cream with black embroidery. It’s hand-loomed in Central Mexico using the highest quality wool from sheep herded in the mountains. It’s then embroidered with simple folk art designs.

8. Wooden Dala Horse from Swedishdalahorse

Add hand carved and hand painted Swedish Dala horses to your home for that Swedish folkloric touch. The are made with sustainable wood and hand painted with eco-friendly paints.

9. Bear Pillow from Frydendahl

Cover your throw pillows with these Scandinavian-inspired screen printed bear pillow covers to add some folkloric style to your couch.

Related on EcoSalon

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Image: Breakfast Modern Table via Shutterstock

The post 9 Fantastic Folkloric Finds: Adding Folk Art to Your Space appeared first on EcoSalon.

The folkloric design trend is in full swing—from Scandinavian-inspired embroidered pillows to Ikat-printed textiles, folkloric designs and themes are on trend.

Just what is folkloric exactly? According to dictionary.com, folklore is “the traditional beliefs, legends, customs, etc., of a people” (folklore is the noun and folkloric is the adjective).  So folkloric design is one way in which those traditional beliefs, customs and legends have been transmitted—it’s the representation of the culture via produced goods. Along with the oral and written tradition, creating arts and crafts has been a mainstay in transmitting the culture of a many peoples. And this artistic transmission of culture is a beautiful way to celebrate home, no matter where you are in the world. 

Today folkloric design encompasses an additional layer as designers are drawn to and inspired by primitive and folksy designs of cultures around the world in their own designs. It’s not uncommon to see folkloric inspired designs while shopping at Anthropologie, Pottery Barn, Etsy and others.

It’s important to note that the description “primitive” isn’t meant as an insult, but is used as a descriptive word that signifies the difference between low art (the crafts of the people) as opposed to high art (fine art). It’s the difference between culture with a “c” and Culture with a “C”. High art has often been what’s revered and coveted, but with folkloric designs becoming more popular that trend just may be waning.

So, if you like the primitive, folksy and homey feel of folkloric designs and want to add more to your home, here are 7 great folkloric pieces you can add to your own home.

1. Folk Art Letterpress Coaster Set

Image: pressbound

Protect your coffee table from rings and show off some folkloric style; this is a quick and easy way to add a bit of style.

2. Handprinted Folk Art Veggie Tea Towel

Image: ChestnutStreetStudio

Even drying dishes can be stylish! Or you can just use these for drying hands and save paper towels for real messes (and make these last longer).

3. Dala Horse Screen printed Pint Glasses

Image: vital

Dala horses are traditional Swedish carved and painted wooden horse statue and figurines. Try them adding them in a non-traditional way, like with a more formal tabletop.

4. Giclée print “Deva or Maiden”

Image: anyapany

This illustrated print of a Deva (a maiden turned into a bird by a magic spell) is stunning, and would add a strong graphic element to any room.

5. Hand Painted Folkloric Chotchkies 

Image: TheLewisKingsleyCo

Inspired by folkloric designs, these handpainted wooden knickknacks would look really cool on a mantle or nestled between books on a shelf.

6. Folklore Cups and Saucers

Image: Ninainvorm

And for something a little more practical, these vintage cups and saucers are perfect for that morning (wee) cup of joe.

7. Traditional Romanian Handwoven Rustic Pillow Cover

Image: folklorelove

This pillow cover is made from a Romanian handwoven and hand embroidered vintage textile and features a folkloric geometric design.

Top Image: OLMstudio

Related on Ecosalon:

7 Modern Ikat and Tie-dye Home Decor Prints without A Hint of Hippie

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