Renegade Art Fair - Chicago

Well, it all started earlier this week when I posted to Twitter that I was dreaming about being able to go to Renegade Art Festival in Chicago. They happen in several big cities, and I've heard great things about them. I wasn't sure I was ready for the road trip on my own, but then Deb and Rachel offered to come along and split the cost of a hotel, and help wrangle little L.

We drove over Friday afternoon and spent the night. Then we got up and headed to the Wicker Park neighborhood a little before the fair opened. It was such a fun day, and I'm so proud of what a good traveler our Lachlan is, he just rolled with the schedule changes and different meals. He even stayed pretty happy in spite of being stuck in the carseat and stroller for hours with a drippy nose.

I have to say that I was impressed with the variety and quality of the booths at Renegade. I was worried that my expectations were too high, but it really lived up to them. It was a treat to see some of my favorite Etsy shops in person, including Circa Ceramics, The Small Object, Film Monsters, and MaryInk, just to name a few.
It was also fun to see White Rabbit and a couple other shops representing Iowa City together. And of course Elsie's Red Velvet Art tent was a highlight. I came home with a couple things for myself and several birthday & Christmas gifts, so it was definitely shopping success, not to mention inspiring.

Check out photos on my Flickr, more on Deb's and Rachel's. Thanks for the fun weekend, ladies!