Tag: fair

Renegade 2011: Your Feedback Needed

Leave a comment

I will be selling my Pierogi Picnic wares for the third year at the crème de la crème of indie handmade festivals: the Renegade Craft Fair!

Over the years I’ve learned a thing or to about participating in the show. One of the first is to have a game plan well in advance. Not only am I already sewing my little hands away at fall fashions – I’m also plotting out displays, business cards, and pre-fair graphics. I spent the first half of the day musing up new designs and the latter sitting at my sewing machine experimenting with new pieces.

Now I’m winding things down by contemplating my merchandising, tags and displays. As I started to think about the look and theme of this year’s  fest I realized that I have yet to send in my icon for the Renegade website!

That’s where you come in! I am looking for feedback as to which icon has the most eye-catching look. With 300+ vendors in this year’s event it’s more important then ever to stand out from the crowd. Take a peek at the images above and click on your favorite to be directed to the Pierogi Picnic Facebook page where you can cast your official vote.

Selecting the website icon is just the tip of the iceberg in preperation for the big weekend. I’ll continue to fill you in on all my scheming over the next couple of months. And as if I’m not excited enough with my own planning –  I will be sharing my booth with the lovely and talented Caitlin Peters of Wanderlustings. More info on our collaboration coming soon!

Thank you in advance for voting!

The DIY Trunk Show Preview

1 Comment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The one and only great and fantastic DIY Trunk Show is this upcoming weekend – on Saturday, November 20th from 10am to 5pm in Wicker Park’s Pulaski Field House. Pierogi Picnic will be there – in the same spot as last year – hawking our wears. Though I’m always excited about showcasing my work in person – this is the show where I shop till I drop. Everything from Christmas presents, to housewares, to clothes – the DIY Trunk Show is the whamy of craft fairs.

The secret to the Chicago Craft Mafia’s bazaar’s success lies in one of the underlying premises – all vendors must live within a 100 mile radius of the city. So not only are you buying handmade – you’re truly supporting local artisans! So be sure to pencil in this coming Saturday into your calendar as the day you shop till you drop. Until then – here’s a sneak peak at some of the new goodies I’ll be bringing.

Rockin’ Renegade 2010

Leave a comment

The weekend is over and all of our preparations culminated in the excitement of the last two days! Saturday met us with a chilly and wet beginning. We packed up the car in our pajamas trying to beat the rain. Once we had things lock, stock, and barrel, we slowed down for a simple breakfast and game plan breakdown. It would be wet, we’d be setting up in the cold rain, and we’d have Peanut, our super sweet BT Frenchie mix along for the first half of the day.

Despite the hazy and chilly start to our day – Saturday turned out to be a wonderful day! Once the raindrops stopped we pulled down our tent walls to let some air flow through. We had done minor merchandising for fear of dampening – but once the sun was out we pulled out all the stops! Racks came out into the street, our lil’ vintage bench hit the curb, and an alluring accessories table was placed to peak out of the tent ‘just so.’ Peanut was also quite the attraction – luring visitors into our booth with his sleepy gaze and inviting grin. Continue reading →

Up Up & Away!

Leave a comment

I am immersing myself into a day long Renegade Retreat – and will be shutting down my computer to ward off distractions. I promise to upload some photos from the fair tomorrow night – but until then – please plan on swinging by this weekend for the one and only Chicago outdoor installment of the Renegade Craft Fair!

If you do plan on visiting us – print out this 20% off coupon for yourself and a friend – and pay us a visit in booth #254 on the Northeast side of the event.

Renegade Prep #4: Down to the Wire

Leave a comment

Just 3 full days until the Renegade blast off! We’re almost done with preparations and are just putting the finishing touches on merchandising and signage when BHAM! A new product idea hits me! Inspiration always flourishes under pressure – does it not?

So now I’m debating whether I should give this new design a couple of go’s and make a handful for the fair? Or should I just focus on making extra designs that are tried, tested, and true?

The solution – do both or die trying! David’s screenprinting one final round of clothing tags as I type and print out a few more signs. I’m hoping that tomorrow, post ACS productivity, I’ll find some time to finalize some products that are in process and then maybe I’ll have a spare hour or two to pump these new T Aprons out.

I’ll report back at the end of tomorrow to see what came of the day. ; )

Renegade Prep #3: Picture Frame Signage

Leave a comment

One of the best parts about doing Renegade and other outdoor fests is dreaming up displays. Last year I had lots of color and the original blue and green backdrop at the back of the tent. This year I’m keeping to the same themes but changing the color palette. The backdrop will now be the new gray and white combo that I use in my photos and that will reflect in other decor as well – including my signs.

Last year I hadn’t thought the signage through as much as I would have liked – but in my own defense I only had about two weeks to prepare. This time around everything is different. I have not been sewing in the month of August purposefully so as to focus on the ‘look’ of my booth. Continue reading →