If you’re in the San Francisco area this weekend, please come out and support Bazaar Bizarre SF!

(Hey, you might even find some great last-minute gifts at the show … and who doesn’t love something unique, crafty and/or handmade!)

BazBiz SF Holiday is Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at the San Francisco County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park. Admission is $2, with half the proceeds going to support arts & crafts programs in the SF area.

There will be 120+ vendors at BazBiz, including myself (Rosebud Designs) and the lovely Amy of Peptogirl Industries. There will also be craft demos/classes and all kinds of other goodness.

More details here.

If you’re in the Sacramento area, there’s an event called Design Downtown happening every third Saturday of the month. Lots of local artists, crafters, music and even a beer garden! It’s happening this Saturday, August 15th.

Here’s the 411 for August:

On the Third Saturday of every month the Sacramento News & Review transforms Downtown Sacramento into a bustling creative district with fashion, music and art at the forefront.

Discover some of Sacramento’s greatest DIY artists while supporting downtown businesses. With over 50 local art & crafts vendors, community art projects, and live entertainment this FREE event promises something for everyone.

What:
SN&R presents Third Saturday, Design Downtown, A Creative Block Party

When:
This Saturday, August 15th from 4-9pm.

Where:
Downtown Sacramento (on K street between 10th and 11th)

Other:

- Free, all-ages event, open to the public

- Over 50 local art & crafts vendors create an exciting and unique shopping experience.

- Live music performances by Live Manikins, Cowboy Killers, Lite Brite, Scientific Remedies.

- Other performers include Autumn Sky, Jazz Ghitan, Core Dance Collective and more!

- Live art projects by Crocker Museum

- Beer Garden at Cosmo

- Twin Soup after party at Social by Shaun Slaughter, Jon Droll and Crookone.

- Fashion shows by Miko Bella Designs, Dee Aguilar Designs and Atelier

I’m back from Renegade Craft Fair in San Francisco, and let me say that it was an amazing weekend! Special thanks to the lovely Amy of Peptogirl Industries for letting me share a booth with her!

Here was our booth before the doors opened on Saturday:

It was a pretty good weekend for me. Saturday was better than Sunday. I did sell out of hats (yay!) and the coffee sweaters went fast on Saturday.

I also had a kindly older man request I knit him a hat out of some of my handspun yarn that I had on display. That totally made my Sunday!

There were so many amazing artists there and I didn’t get to walk the entire grounds (even with two days to do it). I did end up walking out of Renegade with quite a haul of art prints and posters, and I’ll be writing about those artists here all this week.

That artist list is:

• 3 Fish Studios
• Frank Chimero
• My Associate Cornelius
• Leia Bell
• Big Stone Head
• Fomato
• Dee & Lala

Stay tuned for features (and pictures)!

Yoohoo! If you’re in San Francisco or its environs and you love cool handmade stuff, then go and check out Renegade Craft Fair SF on July 18th and 19th at Fort Mason!

Renegade is always a great time, and there are more than 200 artists there. Holy cow! That’s a whole lotta good stuff!

Many artists who have been previously written about here at indie*galore will be there, including Sweet Meats, Peptogirl Industries, Roxycraft, and Goody-Goody. The full vendor list is here.

(Shameless plug alert: I’ll be there as well with the lovely Amy of Peptogirl Industries. So come by and say hi!)

It promises to be a pretty sweet weekend, so do come by and check out the goodies! And did I mention that it’s FREE?

I know indie*galore has gone without an update for a little bit. I apologize for that! I’ve been on vacation, plus was in the process of changing jobs. But I’ll be back (hopefully tomorrow) with even more indie goodies!

Thanks for being patient!

The EtsyBloggers Street Team is having a Trunk Show in the Etsy Virtual Labs this coming Friday (Jan. 30) starting at 9 p.m. Eastern time (6 p.m. Pacific). See the banner on the right for all the good info.

To join in the Trunk Show, visit the Virtual Labs here at the prescribed time.

In addition, the below 26 participating shops — all EtsyBloggers members — are having a sale in their shops on Friday night in honor of the show. See the list to pick up some good deals:

http://leakymouth.etsy.com
Specials for trunk show – 10% off

http://spottedcowsoaps.etsy.com
20% off Valentines Section 1/30/09 ~ mention “Trunk Show” to receive discount Handcrafted soaps, toiletries and crochet bath accessories

http://dorsethillbeads.etsy.com
FREE U.S. SHIPPING
One of a kind handmade lampwork beads

http://tiltcreations.etsy.com
Free US Shipping
Handmade handbags and accessories

http://TulipsTreasureBox.etsy.com
10% discount and free USA shipping on any item $50 and up Handmade Women’s Jewelry

http://storybeader.etsy.com
Free US shipping
one-of-a-kind jewelry and original haiku with each necklace

http://NicoDesigns.etsy.com
15% Off, valid 1/30/09
Mention “Trunk Show” in note to seller for discount Messenger Bags and Accessories

http://naturemanipulated.etsy.com
10% OFF and FREE SHIPPING.
Visual, wearable and practical art

http://aliciamaeprints.etsy.com
10% off all prints, valid 1/30 only
Photography

http://miesmama.etsy.com
handmade felted bags, bowls and other goodies!
For free US Shipping and surprise gift! Just quote “trunk show” on 1/30 only.

http://memoriesforlifesb.etsy.com
10 % off everything in my shop!
Memories for Life Scrapbooks-Scrapbooks and More

http://panoptica.etsy.com
10% OFF before shipping
Eclectic accessories and vintage goods

http://beckykazana.etsy.com
Free shipping on orders of $40 or more
Cards, prints and one of a kind gifts from Becky Kazana!

http://devinedesignsjewelry.etsy.com
15% off every item in shop, and with purchase, you will receive a coupon for 10% off next purchase. Buyer please put “TRUNK SHOW” in notes to seller.

http://mamasmagicstudio.etsy.com
10% Off and Free U.S. Shipping
“Fraternal Earrings” and other beautiful beadwork

http://stormydesigns.etsy.com
10% OFF with code “trunk show”, valid 1/30 only Hand-crafted jewelry, decor & more. Many OOAK.

http://abracapocus.etsy.com
10% off
Digital Art, Photography and Note Cards

http://impawsibletoresist.etsy.com
10% off
Doll Clothes and ACEOs

http://feltartistic.etsy.com
I will be offering Free gift with purchase – when mentioning “Trunk Show” in note to seller.

http://peacoxcreations.etsy.com
Two free apple scrubbies with any order!

http://AKeepersJackpot.etsy.com
Free shipping worldwide on any item from 1/29/09 through 2/1/09 Put TRUNK SHOW in the message to the seller to get the free shipping.

http://3rexesjewelry.etsy.com
Free Priority Shipping Upgrade & Valentine’s Gift Wrapping….. Upon Request Please!
Mention Trunk Show in customer comment box.

http://lilbees.etsy.com
free shipping with code “trunk show”, valid 1/30 only

http://brightblack.etsy.com
free shipping with code “trunk show”, valid 1/30 only

http://quirkydolls.etsy.com
free shipping with ” trunk show” code in order

The very cool indie blog Indie Fixx is sponsoring a contest to celebrate the blog’s second anniversary!

Basically, if you’re the crafty sort, you’ll have to craft something that incorporates the number 2. You could make something that has two colors, two of one thing … the sky is the limit. All that’s required is it be handmade!

Awesome prizes are in store for the winners!

Check out more details by clicking this logo:

Do vegetables make you sad? Well, these may be the perfect gift for you (or your veggie-phobic friends):

These awesome pins/magnets/applique patches are made by Chrissy at BitterSweets. She says she began making these BitterSweets characters in between art classes and loves coming up with new ones. They’re pretty cute and funny and are wholly appropriate to stick all over your fridge.

These characters come in pin, magnet or plain ol’ patch form. (Read each description carefully to determine which one you’re ordering.) Some even come in keychains! You could carry a bitter eggplant around with you!

The angry food isn’t just limited to veggies, either. There are fruits, ice cream, pastries, and even a few breakfast items. Angry pancakes, anyone?

It’s springtime and the time that many folks probably think about planting things in the yard.

If you have a penchant for killing plants instead of nurturing them (oh yes, there are many of us green thumb-less folks out there!), maybe you should look into these:

(The actual Etsy listing is only for one cactus. But the whole range of cacti was just so much fun to look at!)

These cacti are from Barbara at Blazing Needles. Barbara is an avid knitter who turns out a lot of really unique and interesting things. And not just cacti!

Check out these awesome things for your home:

There are also ipod cozies, lip balm bags and even a little Judaica if you’re so inclined.

If you’re a knitter or crocheter, then you no doubt have had some bout with that uncooperative skein of yarn that gets super tangly. Or maybe your skein has gotten away from you. Or maybe it’s not even in a ball in the first place.

Well, if you have a burning need to take control of your yarn so that you know, you can actually create stuff, maybe you need a yarn ball holder:

You’ll find these cute (and functional) critters at Popsie Daisy. Brandi is the brains behind this operation, and she turns recycled wool sweaters into many cute things! She also uses repurposed wood and zippers in the yarn ball holders. How fun!

But back to those recycled wool sweaters! They not only make the yarn ball holders (which, by the way, come in all kinds of animals). You can even pick up a scarf or two made out of the sweaters. Or this hedgehog pouch:

Yay for recycled goodies!

All things fuzzy and animal-like are always welcome here:

It’s a jacabunny from Squidge. (Now, to be quite honest, I don’t know exactly what a jacabunny is. It’s kind of a cross between a bunny and a pig (because of the button nose) to me. But it’s danged cute, nonetheless.)

Many of these jacabunnies inhabit Kit’s world. Many different colors and sizes. The orange one in the photo happens to be a baby jacabunny. They’re all handmade and carefully needle felted, with the buttons and details sewn on.

Very cute.

If you’re looking for a sweet little creature to keep you company, you can’t go wrong here.

And there are other felt goodies in the shop too!

It’s a little early for Easter and bunnies, but appreciating this cute little guy (not to mention the craftsmanship involved) is absolutely timeless:

This needlefelted bunny is the work of Stephanie of Rivulette Craft. She is an extremely talented artist who does needlefelting and incredible glass work. And sometimes she combines the two, as in this piece from her jewelry shop:

(Yes, those are handmade glass beads!)

And then there’s the hand-blown glasswork like this:

Really, there are so many eye-popping creations in both stores that there’s just not enough room for all of them here! Stephanie’s attention to detail is amazing — it especially shows in her needlefelt figures — and she exhibits a high degree of skill in everything she does.

Everything is almost too pretty to use because you’d hate to break it. (Or have guests/kids/some other random friend or family member break it.)

What’s a crafter to do when he or she has many talents and interests? Indulge all of them, of course! And excel at all of them.

That’s what Susan of Elbit Enterprises does. She makes jewelry, crochets, sculpts, makes dreamcatchers. Here is a sampling of her work:

Do check out the jewelry, crocheted wristbands and even runestones in the shop. Susan is bursting with creativity and bless her, she’s sharing it with the world! Or at least stop by to see what she’s going to come up with next!

There are toy dogs and then these toy dogs:

Then again, these dogs are such amazing works of art that you definitely don’t want to consider them toys or anything that children should play with! (Besides, they’re awfully small and dangerous to kids.)

But if you want to put one on your shelf to admire, head on over to Kay’s K9s.

All these dogs are painstakingly needle-felted by the artist, Kay. They are all one of a kind comissions. She works off pictures of people’s dogs, and has depicted several breeds. Her attention to detail is amazing!

(If you want to see a gallery of Kay’s work, head over to her website and click “gallery.”)

Kay also does pins and keychains of dogs. Here’s a sample keychain:

This would be a great gift for the dog lover who has everything!

This only serves to prove that you can crochet just about anything, and it’s even more awesome when it’s one shop producing the varied body of work.

Observe.

Here’s a cake …

And maybe after you’ve had your cake (say it’s your birthday …), you can wear this out if you like:

This is the work of lubee, a crafty fiber team based in Jacksonville, Florida.

It’s a pretty varied store. There are all sorts of yummy foodstuffs (don’t miss the donut bracelets … or the crocheted chocolate chip cookies). Or maybe the crocheted animals. Or the scarflets and other accessories. Or the handspun yarn, even.

If you have a fiber lover in your life, or maybe are looking for a host of eclectic gifts, it might be a good place to start!