Chicagoist: Renegade + Do-Division = Awesome Crafty Weekend

guest

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:55:04 -0600

Mo - Understood and agreed. This question stems from having been to Portabella Market in London and witnessing an older male crafter literally flip out over his, admittedly stunning, jewelry which some folks wanted to take pictures of. He looked like Santa Claus and was sternly scowling at anyone who came over to his stand, though the brilliance of his wares kept a big crowd regardless. I keep envisioning a repeat of that scene but I'm glad to hear that was not your experience!

Mo

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 13:16:46 -0600

Guest 12, I took pictures! I tried to do it on the down low, but when in doubt, we asked the booth operator if it was ok. One guy said, sure, as long as you don't sell the idea to Urban Outfitter. ha! So I assumed it would be ok to replicate the idea for myself, as long as I wasn't going to sell it to others. I do agree that many of the items were way overpriced. Like some of the handmade books and journals costing like $10-20, when I know the set up fees for screened items is a one time fee, and just printing an image (especially one made from Print Gocco and an image book) takes minimal time and energy. Same goes for the crazy shrink-i-dink plastic stuff that was big last year. I was more talking about the clothing, knit goods, metal jewelry, etc. The stuff I know takes time to do. But I also don't begrudge the crafters for turning a profit. I would if I put the energy in to have a booth!

guest

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 12:44:56 -0600

a great neighborhood festival all around, but an extra big kudo to urge overkill for playing an unbelievably good set. the boys still have it.

guest

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 12:40:35 -0600

Mo, I understand what is being paid for is quality, uniqueness and alright labor conditions (assuming the crafter does not impose sweat shop conditions on themselves). But I do wonder at the cost of producing the craft v. the price to purchase it. I stand by my statement that the Renegade crafters are good capitalists who will extend their profit as far as possible regardless of the costs of production. This isn't meant as criticism, btw. If the intention is partially to inspire others, what was the policy on cameras? I felt like it would have been out of line to ask to take a picture, but did anyone else do this? I know there were some jewelry items that I want to copy but I just tried to take a good mental picture.

Mo

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 11:59:41 -0600

I actually had a pretty good time at the fair this year. It was a hundred times better than last year, location-wise. Wicker Park always seems to be incredibly muddy. I've been to the fair the past several years, and this time it was pretty good. Though it was still very crowded at times. I found it much more art-heavy this year, as opposed to crafts, and there were about 10x more presses. Guest 8, I kinda think that is part of the intention--to get people crafting themselves. As for the cost, I totally agree, it is so expensive that I couldn't buy much. But being a crafter myself, the time and energy and cost of materials that go into certain crafts actually warrants the price. Especially if you make a living off this. Imagine what you get paid at your current job hourly, then translate it into how long it takes to sew a dress, and add on cost of material (which ain't cheap!), then think about maybe turning a little bit of profit. Handmade will always be more expensive than factory made, but you're paying for the uniqueness.

guest

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 10:48:56 -0600

Um, what the hell is THAT in the picture?

vit

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 10:01:01 -0600

I agree that the items in the fair are generally overpriced. I actually know a two year old girl I would have liked to have bought a little dress for, but they all hovered around $50, and you'd have to be an idiot to spend $50 on a casual dress for someone whose idea of a good time diving face first into mud puddles, eating bugs, and smearing her food onto her knees when nobody is looking.

guest

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 09:21:15 -0600

There were babies and dogs everywhere which is kind of shocking as I can't believe little kids and expensive delicate crafts mix well. More pottery & tiles this year but most things are so expensive it gives a person drive to just do the damn crafting yourself.

guest

Sun, 16 Sep 2007 11:45:36 -0600

Because t-shirts are easy.

guest

Sun, 16 Sep 2007 10:49:40 -0600

Renegade was such a let down. Why are 90 percent of the booths at a craft fair filled with t-shirts?

guest

Sat, 15 Sep 2007 14:12:36 -0600

Wow, nice to see the boys from Urge Overkill back at it. This reunion tour has been what, four years now? Where's the new album?

guest

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 17:09:37 -0600

ow ow ow, that website hurts my eyes. And, uh, is that a dude?

guest

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 16:45:08 -0600

Great fest... If you can get past the wannabe hipster dorks, it's a lot of fun.

Jocelyn Geboy

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 16:20:45 -0600

urge overkill and camper van beethoven? holy crap, it's 1993!

Shannon

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 16:15:48 -0600

nice dress, but i didn't realize clowns were a target market.