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