Crafts and Camaraderie

By Veronica Murtagh in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 11, 2009 8:40PM

Wicker Park plays host to Chicago's 7th Annual Renegade Craft Fair this weekend. Over 300 artists from Chicago and beyond will set up shop on Division between Damen and Paulina, selling a vast range of handmade goods including artwork, housewares, jewelry and clothing.

Get ready for Division street to be transformed from a strip for dinner and drinks into a bustling marketplace championing the DIY cause and supporting independent artists. Raffles held throughout the weekend will give fair goers the chance to win craft-centric publications, paper goods and books. As you're wandering the block, be on the lookout for the Renegade Handmade shop's unveiling of a storefront mural by the uber-talented artist/designer/crafter Jill Bliss.

The level of execution and variety in offerings at The Renegade Craft Fair is consistently impressive, so leave your preconceived notions of "crafters" at the entrance gates and prepare to enjoy the weekend, talking with face to face with vendors and exploring tent after tent of curiosities.

The Renegade Craft Fair runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13 on Division St. between Damen Ave. and Paulina St.