Renegade Craft Fair - San Francisco

It was an ideal day for this apron thrift girl. I was able to sneak in two hours of yard sales before jumping in the van and heading an hour south to the Renegade Craft Fair in San Francisco. It is hard to describe the emotions of thrifting in new territory but maybe if I tried I would say there is bit of giddiness, excitement, nervousness and sense of freedom. I'm giddy to be in a new place that is probably 10 times the size of our island in the puget sound. I was excited that Santa Rosa has so many sales on a Saturday. Nervous that I didn't really know where I was going. If it wasn't for Janet (our GPS) I would have been lost a hundred times over. And I felt a bit of freedom being in a city with neighborhood after neighborhood of sales. I'll save my finds for another post and get on with the craft fair.

We arrived around 11:30 at the craft fair. Dh dropped me off as planned and took the children on to Fort Point underneath the Golden Gate Bridge. The weather was a refreshing 72 degrees or so with a slightly sunny sky. 

So maybe I got a little excited on the picture photography....

Once I stepped into the venue I felt a little overwhelmed. Where do I start? What should I buy? Would there be anything that my thrifty self would buy? I decided to go up the center aisle and see where it takes me. I was only a few stalls in when I found Cathy of California. It was a few days ago that I discovered her blog and her announcement of the Renegade Craft Fair. I spent at least a half hour looking at her blog and store when I came across it. Just delectable. 

My favorite vendors was a tie between Rock Scissor Paper and Olaria. Check out the crowd at Rock Scissor Paper. It was hard to even get to the tables to look at anything.

In blue is the lovely Amy of Olaria. I purchased one of her gorgeous necklaces made from pottery dangling from an oxidized sterling chain. I passed over nearly all the jewelry at the fair as my frugal taste usually searches for thrifted finds. I especially am fond of jewelery from the brand 1928. But something about her art left me trying on necklaces to find the perfect one even before I realized what I was doing. I purchased one very similar to this . Amy was so lovely to talk to and has offered a give-away here at Apron Thrift Girl. I'll let you know when I have more details.

As you know, even when I am in a retail environment I am still shopping with frugality in mind. There were many things I really wanted but just couldn't bring myself to splurge. Amy's necklace was my favorite purchase of the day. Here are some of my other finds.

Free wild flower seeds from Etsy, $2.00 packs of coasters from Hello Lucky and an array of business cards. Oh and underneath everything is some gorgeous wrapping paper also from Hello Lucky. 

Post cards from Handmade Nation, Rock Scissor Paper and Olaria.

The Animal Wallpaper book I purchased because of one of your comments about my art post. I am going to carry this around and scribble down ideas to use in my writing or art. The card is for my friend's birthday. How sweet are those owls? In the corner was another favorite vendor called Mary Jane's Attic. I don't know how I have two children in a Waldorf school and yet I have never tried felting wool before? Not that I need another craft to attempt but it was lovely to work with. My close friend Jacki does remarkable things with felt so I think a barter is going to be on the tables when I return home.  

My peacock necklace from Amy.

This was the hardest booth to walk away from empty handed. Everything was pretty much outside my thrift girl budget. But I was able to drool a bit and think of many "what ifs". Rebe would fit perfectly at Anthropologie. I really, really, really wanted one of their bags. This bag in particular had my name written all over it. 

Some more various photos...

 

This thrifter is beat with a full day of thrifting and craft fair shopping under her belt. No matter how few hours I stay, the city always wears me out. I'm quite the country mouse really, as long as a Target, Michael's and Anthro shop isn't too far away. I'm out again early tomorrow to a couple flea markets. More thrifty finds to report tomorrow.

Comments

[lucy]

Wow--what a delightful craft show, it really looks like it had a lot of 'etsyish' items, and by that I mean modern crafts with fresh bright colors, clean lines and inventive designs! You definitely found some cute items to take home with you. I'm glad you had so much fun, and I believe the journal will be perfect for you as you embark on some creative endeavors, one step at a time. It's easy to forget ideas or small snippets of things you'd like to create when you don't have a journal to put your ideas into.

[Vicki K]

Thank you for a vicarious shopping experience - I like hearing your thoughts and emotions... seems like some people have such a purpose or mission while I feel rather bewildered about where to start! I think the necklace is lovely and really like the texture of it along with the antiqued chain.

[Guusje]

Now that's my idea of a great craft show - not one painted rock or tacky airbrushed t-shirt to be seen! I love the necklace.
Stunning!

[elizabeth holcombe]

Whine!!!!~~~I wanna GO! Looks like a HUGE amount of fun! Thanks for sharing!~~XXOO, Beth

[Amy]

Great Pictures. I love the owls. They are my favorite find of yours. And I can't wait until you learn how to "deconstruct" sweaters--I'm starting my collection now!!!

[julie]

What a great show! ANd to add to the above.. no crocheted toilet paper holders either!

Thanks for sharing!
Julie