Chicago Renegade Craft Fair

I'm headed to Chicago this weekend for the Chicago Renegade Craft Fair, Saturday and Sunday, September 7 & 8. I'll be in Booth #256 along with Marcy Davy from All Things Grow. The booth is toward the Damen end of the fair on Division, away from Paulina.

It's been two years since I've done this show and I'm looking forward to a weekend in the Windy City. I'll be thinking of my friends at the Kerrytown BookFest. If you come looking for my new calendar there, you can find me next weekend at the DIY Street Fair in Ferndale with 2014 calendars fresh off the presses!

New work, road trippin' and food to go!

I'm in the final hours of prepping to hit the road for the Austin Renegade Craft Fair. I always go into a last-minute frenzy where I'm cranking out new designs right before a big show. This one was no different and I have several new designs to share. Above is Rex the Reading Dog (if you follow along on Facebook, you've already seen a glimpse of him!) and below, is my Cloud Mobile. I also have some new stickers and a couple of other tricks up my sleeve, but you'll have to either be patient until I return — or if you're in the area, stop on by the show in Austin this Saturday and Sunday.

You won't hear much from me on the blog while I'm away, but I hope to give regular updates via Facebook and Twitter, so join me there if you haven't already! Courtney Fischer and I will be seeing the sites along the way from Michigan to Louisville to Nashville and Memphis to Hot Springs, Arkansas right on down to Austin, Texas. We've got a couple of days to explore when we get there and I am just busting with excitement!

While I'm gone, I encourage you to check out Mark's Carts, the new food cart court right behind Downtown Home and Garden in Ann Arbor. I went twice last week and can't wait for more. The food is amazing, the people are kind and the atmosphere is hip. Go now!!!

That's it for now, peoples! See you back here May 25 or 26 with news from the Deep South — Yeehaw!!

Off to Chicago: Renegade Craft Fair

Detroit Urban Craft Fair, November 21, 2009

Well, I'm off for the weekend! I'll be at the Renegade Holiday Fair in Chicago this Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. It is the hottest show in town this weekend and takes place at the Pulaski Park Fieldhouse. Over 150 indie vendors will be selling their wares and spreading cheer, so come on down!

I'm Smitten with …

Swan boy by I'm Smitten

I have to admit that while at Renegade, I barely ventured away from my booth to see the wares. I had fantastic helpers on hand, but felt the need to stay put. Lucky for me, I didn't have to go far to see some terrific things. Today I thought I would share with you one of my favorites: I'm Smitten.

Elephant girl by I'm Smitten

I only had a quick peek Sunday morning while she was still setting up, but let me tell you these online images don't do the art justice. They are so rich in person, but I think you'll get the idea. Ashley Alexander is the artist behind I'm Smitten and her drawings are available on handbags, t-shirts, stationary and as prints. Her web site has a wonderful blend of drawing and eerily charming photography. The opening flash page is also the image from her business card and I find it incredibly compelling. Check it out!

Home again, home again

Good morning! OK, so it's not really even close to still being morning. Yet here I am in my pjs at 1 p.m. after a fantastic weekend in Chicago at the Renegade Craft Fair. I had a wonderful time and am eager to update you all, but am simply wiped out. We got back in the wee hours of the morning and I am taking the day to rest a bit. I'll give you the brief recap: gorgeous sunny, warm weather, huge crowds, helpful friends, rockin shoppin and fun all around. Major highlight: mention on Readymade blog naming Sloe Gin Fizz best shop name for day one Renegade roundup — yippers! Thanks so much to everyone for their warm wishes last week, to the terrific customers at the fair and stay tuned for details…

Summer blogging slowdown

Happy August! I can't believe it's already August — but then again, I 'm sure I say that every year. I wanted to let you know that for this month I will be posting much less frequently than my usual weekday posts. Rather than hold myself to a self-imposed daily schedule, I've made a goal of testing out a different work schedule for the month and spending less time at the computer. I just found out today that I will be a vendor at the Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago in September and have a number of other shows planned for the fall. I plan to spend this month focusing on making new products, doing lots of drawing and freshening up my Etsy shop. That doesn't mean I won't be around, just less often. So happy summer everyone and we'll chat soon…

P.S. I should mentioned that I will still be tweeting. That's right, I've quietly been sucked into the world that is twitter. It's addictive. That's all I can say. @sloe_gin_fizz