Monthly Archives: May 2010

“It was the greatest field trip of my life.”

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Ooh, what do we have here?

Major thanks to Faythe Levine for bringing this little nugget of joy into our lives. What is it, you ask? Oh, only a treasure trove of crafty DIY goodness. This binder came to us FULL of notes and photos and brochures from the (now-defunct?) Chicago-based Education Resource Center.

We’re not totally sure what they did there, but if the binder is any indication, they had awesome DIY get-togethers, threw rad kids parties, and generally made the late ’70s/early ’80s a good ol’ time. It looks like the folks behind the Center were ahead of their time in terms of recycling, upcycling, and understanding the life-changing qualitites of macrame. We’re definitely taking notes for our next projects.

Things we need to know: How did they make those awesome bubble machines (second row, right side), and just how cool can one man be (third row, left side)?

Craftin’ Lodge Opening

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Our newest Spotlight Gallery show, Craftin’ Lodge, opened with a bang last night! Summery evening temps, lots of shoppers and art-lookers, wine to drink and, of course, an impressive array of hunting lodge inspired arts and crafts to delight and entertain. The photos just can’t do this show justice– you’ll have to come see for yourself the amazing transformation the gallery has gone through into this modern craft hunter’s paradise. The show’ll be up until mid-June, so don’t let it be “the one that got away!”

Spotlight Series #6: Craftin’ Lodge

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Hey hey hey, what are you up to tonight? That’s right, you’re heading to Renegade Handmade for our Hunting Craftin’ Lodge Spotlight Series Pop-Up Show. Stop on by (1924 W. Division St.), have a glass of wine from Lulu B., and scope out the sweet lodge in our Spotlight Gallery. We’ve got feltidermy, lodge-themed prints, and maybe even a handmade felt beer cozy or two. We’ve also got sweet lodge furnishings from Andersonville’s Brimfield. It’s gonna be lots of fun, so swing by tonight from 5-8p!

Renegade Recap: Austin

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The 1st ever Renegade Craft Fair in Austin was last weekend and we had a grand ole time!! We had an incredible turnout, with attendees traveling from all over to check out the handmade wares of over 250 marvelous indie-craft talents!!

Big thanks to Etsy, StitchLab, The Austin Craft Mafia, Public School and The WonderCraft (who had their 30-foot long airstream trailer at the event!) for coordinating such wonderful workshops!! We also must thank KVRX for coming out and spinning the best indie-jams all weekend long, Minor Mishap Marching Band for blowing the roof off the Palmer Events Center, and Shotgun Party for playing two terrific sets each day – dang, Jenny has an amazing voice!

The crowds went crazy for our free issues of Juxtapoz Magazine + Uppercase Journal, and thousands signed up for our free raffles provided by Uppercase Gallery, Jenny Hart’s Sublime Stitching, Beautiful/Decay and BurdaStyle!

We’ve posted a whole slew of photos from the event to FLICKR – check them out by clicking here! And, don’t forget that you can still shop RCF Austin online by visiting our Artist Page!!

And now, without further ado, we present to you our Renegade Staff Buys!!

Sue’s Buys

Clockwise from Top Left: 3 prints from Leah Duncan, Tiny House Mobile from mogo, “Hello, I Love You” card from Vahalla Design Studios, Flock of Birds cotton dress from Supermaggie, Arrow Underpants from Recession Clothing, Wood-burned tiny-box and bear magnet from Madelon Juliano, Painted pendent necklace from Leah Duncan, “Make Stuff” banner from Public School

Danny’s Buys

“Red Balloon” print from Lisa Chow’s Apt. 3303, Laptop satchel from Wooly Bison, Public School Tee Shirt, “True Love Never Dies” print from Will Bryant, Jackrabbit tea-towel from Leah Duncan, Vintage pocket-watch from LOVE NAIL TREE

Madelon’s Buys

“Sike” banner, Fortune-Teller, Two Photographs + Tee Shirt from Public School, Keyhook from Timber!, Antiqued turquoise bracelet from Courtney Fischer Jewelry, Tiny Viking ring from VERAMEAT, Vintage pocket-watch from LOVE NAIL TREE

Lastly, we have to share with you these awesome school-portraits of Renegade Staff + Hubby that the great guys from Public School took at the Fair!


Mat + Sue Daly | Danny + Madelon
You can check the full set HERE!

Thanks again Austin – we had a blast – and you will DEFINITELY SEE US AGAIN NEXT YEAR!!!!!!!!!

Spotlight Gallery Sneak Peek: Renegade Hunting Lodge

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We’ve been slowly building up a stash of awesome stuff for our next Spotlight Series Gallery Show, and we wanted to give you a li’l sneak peek. We’ll give you the full deets soon, but for now, just think lots of buffalo check plaid, logs galore, and maybe, just maybe, a handmade stuffed felt hunting rifle. Yes. So grab your coonskin cap and stay tuned.

And here’s a teeny round-up of some of our favorite lodgey items at Renegade Handmade right now. It’s enough to make you want to curl up on a bearskin rug.

L-R: Wool Hudson’s Bay blanket card by Gold Teeth Brooklyn, $4; Wool log by My Imaginary Boyfriend, $45; Deer Locket by Verabel Jewelry, $40.

Mat Daly + RCF On Grey’s Anatomy!

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Okay, file this one under “totally awesome.” An eagle-eyed fan of Renegade spotted not one but TWO of Mat Daly’s awesome Renegade Craft Fair posters on last night’s episode of “Grey’s Anatomy.” Whoa whoa whoa! Peep more of Mat’s work (seriously you guys, it’s really cool stuff) here and here.

Hey-O, McSteamy!

1st Ever Renegade Craft Fair in Austin is This Weekend!!!

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We hope to see you at the 1st Ever Renegade Craft Fair in Austin!!!!!!

Join us at The Palmer Events Center this Saturday + Sunday (May 15 + 16) from 11am – 7pm for this free-to-attend art, craft, design + DIY extravaganza!!!

When we aren’t shopping at the booths of over 250 fantastic, indie-craft talents you can catch us at one of the great workshops organized by The Austin Craft Mafia, Etsy.com, Public School, StitchLab + The WonderCraft!!

Boisterous pandemonium is sure to erupt when Austin’s Minor Mishap Marching Band makes their way through the Fair + only the best in independent music will be on blast with DJs from KVRX on hand! Also be sure to catch a set by Americana folkster’s Shotgun Party!

Swing by the Renegade Craft Welcome Station to pick up a free issue of Juxtapoz Magazine + Uppercase Journal while they last + sign up for one of our free raffles, provided by Uppercase Gallery, BurdaStyle.com, Beautiful/Decay and Jenny Hart’s Sublime Stitching!

And don’t forget to get your photo snapped in a free-to-use photobooth provided by The Magnolia Photobooth Co.

Woo-hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You’re A Pal & A Confidante

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Whoa, how great was Betty White on SNL last night? Can we be bold and call it the best show of the season? Yes, yes we can. We’ve been talking about it all day here at the shop, and it turns out our very own Abbey even made this amazing cake to celebrate the occasion. A Betty White cake! Genius. If Betty White were to walk into Renegade Handmade (a dream come true), maybe we’d suggest this fancy brooch from Schmutzerland.

Seriously, try not to laugh. She’s so good!