Hasta La Ideas

We’ve landed in Calgary. It is quite a relief to be in the comforts of home! And internet access!!! I’ve got dozens of photos and links to post about people and things from Renegade LA, but the internet connection in our LA hotel was so bad it would have been less frustrating not to have any internet at all.

Here is Victoria of Paper & Type. We included her in a previous issue’s subscriber profiles. Check out her lovely papergoods (very appealing photos on her new website and great attention to detail!)

Each Renegade Fair has its own flavour—being outside really creates a different experience. We’re under a really big tent, which provides nice shade and it is much cooler in here. The images above are from early Saturday before the crowds arrived.

And below: pictures of our LA helpers, April and Stephen. Thank you guys, you’re doing a terrific job!

We’ll be here at Renegade LA Sunday from 11am – 7pm. We’re having a big last-day sale at our table since I’d much rather see the magazines and books go to nice customers than have to ship everything home again. If you can’t make it to the fair, you can use the discount code “renegade” for 10% off in the online shop.

16 Sparrows is a delight for those infatuated with mail art, letter-writing, stationery and the lost art of typewriting. (Annie, I think that’s you!)

From their website: “Who are you and how did this all start? 16 Sparrows sprouted from an observation that there were no greeting cards for sarcastic, quirky folks. So Kathy began making her own and after my paper goods out numbered friends and family, she knew something had to be done. With the encouragement of two close friends; Milly & Ilya, Kathy opened up shop. (This is the clean up version of what happened. If you ask Milly or Ilya, the birth of 16 Sparrows occurred in a bar over a table covered in empty beer bottles.) In 2006 Miss Donovan joined Kathy and 16 Sparrows became a partnership. Thanks to her, 16 Sparrows has expanded its product base and has gone on to have great success at craft fairs & retail stores. Donovan and Kathy both share an interest in smart-ass pretty things, which is a commonality that has made their partnership a success.”

Donovan, Kathy and Annie are friends with the co-author of the amazing book Good Mail Day, so I had the chance to meet Carolee Gilligan Wheeler, whose mail art we included in a previous issue. There was a VERY happy moment when Carolee gave Annie a typewriter! Check it out on Annie’s blog, Curbside Treasures.

Pie Bird Press has impeccable letterpressed illustrated cards.

“Pie Bird Press is a little company with a lot of heart.  We do all our printing by hand on antique letterpresses, and take pride in bold, saturated designs that draw from years of flea market hunting and collecting. Our inspiration comes from a love of all things vintage and colorful, and of the good things in life that put a smile on your face: fireworks, glazed donuts, puppies, lunchboxes, and pumpkins on the vine. Our mission is to spread a feeling of nostalgia and cheer to everyone who receives our cards.”

Mission accomplished!

The Sweetie Pie Press caught my eye for her use of colour in her knitwear and display… or perhaps it was just the amazing pattern of her dress against the tablecloth.