The Renegade Craft Fair is a large-scale DIY event featuring hundreds of independent artists and their unique handmade items.  RCF is held in cities across the US every year - including Brooklyn, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles & Austin.  The fair is known for being one of the first events of its kind, and for having the top-notch indie-craft artists and designers who travel from all over the map to participate.

Each individual fair draws hundreds of applicants and tens of thousands of shoppers. All the fairs are juried, so that only the best arts + crafts are available.  At RCF you’ll find all sorts of cool handmade stuff – including clothing, housewares, posters + prints, plush items, ceramics, jewelry, stationery + more.  The fairs also feature choice local eateries, marching bands, entertainers, dj’s, raffles, workshops, photobooths and other festivities!

Renegade got its start in Chicago’s Wicker Park in the fall of 2003, and has spread like wildfire ever since.  In 2005, the fair traveled out east to Brooklyn, NY where vendors set-up shop in McCarren Park and the infamous McCarren Park Pool.  By 2009, the fair had expanded out west to San Francisco and Los Angeles, CA.  And to kick-off the 2010 season, Renegade is moseying down south to Austin, TX for its very first event there.

The Renegade Craft Fair is coordinated by Sue Daly & Danny Orendorff.  Sue is the co-founder and proprietor of Renegade, and makes jewelry + housewares under the name Timber! Her husband, Mat Daly, designs all of the beautiful silkscreened owl posters for each of the fairs.  Madelon Juliano is our administrative assistant and trusty sidekick at the fairs.

The inspiration for RCF came when two friends wanted to take their hobbies to the next level, and start participating in arts + crafts shows. After looking into some local events, it quickly became apparent that there were no shows representing the DIY community, which already had a huge presence online.  Everything was either geared towards fine arts + crafts – or country crafts.  So, the idea to host an indie craft fair was sparked – and the rest is history!

In the summer of 2007, we opened our doors to a cute little storefront!

Renegade Handmade is a boutique on Division St. in Chicago, where we sell the work of Renegade crafters year ’round.  We carry the work of over 400 independent artists from around the globe, many of whom participate in our fairs.  The office in back of the shop serves as the Renegade Craft Fair Headquarters.  Visit our brick + mortar in Chicago (1924 W. Division St.), or online at RenegadeHandmade.com.

Hope to see you soon!