I spent most of my afternoon Sunday hanging out with my beautiful model and Speech Pathologist extraordinaire cousin Megan and her lovely friend Jaime Zollars at the Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn. Jaime is an awesome visual artist from California. I love her bright and dreamy designs! I can’t wait until her mermaid screenprint gets printed on t-shirts in the coming weeks. I’ll be sporting it all over NYC. I love the idea of working for self and managing your own business. I admire women like Jaime and some of the other cool crafty vixens I met. Even though my pocket book feels way lighter today, my heart feels good knowing that my money went to people who bring positive vibes, beauty, and art to others through their love and hard work. I’d rather spend my money on an indie artist than a big corporation anyday.

I love the spirit of DIY business and arts and craft fairs. I was a loyal Crafty Bastards devotee when I lived in Washington, and i’m in the process of saving up for two sewing classes at Sew Fast and Easy’s sewing school. I love being crafty for myself and making cool and fun things that radiate my personality and express my dreams and ideas. Getting crafty is also an excellent way to rid myself of stress. When I was going through a really tough breakup and freaking out about having to leave an apartment when I had no money for a new one or a plan of action, I discovered my love for decoupage and created a beautiful table that I still enjoy today. Everytime I look at the dining table in our living room, I think of the love, modgepodge, varnish, origami paper, and poetry that healed me during a tough time.

Now, I’m looking forward to painting my old bookshelf and releasing the tension from my upcoming move through that… I think i’m going to paint a dragon on the side of it and make the back panels pop in a bright orange or red like fire.

Like DIY designs? Here is a list of the ones I loved from the Renegade Craft Fair:

Patina I bought one of her flowing one of a kind dyed vintage slip dresses. You don’t get sexier and more like an urban princess than these.
Dainty Dirty The leather DIY dress was a work of art. My budget didn’t allow for it… but a girl can dream.
Supermaggie for cool felt scarves that everyone will be jealous of and lovely floral bursts of cuteness.
The Weekend Store I want to start getting more women to wear cufflinks. I’m ordering cufflinks that say “J”, “W” on them for me and my dad. They make them on scrabble pieces. HOT!
The Candy Thief I’m wearing one of her neckties on my hair today. Cutie patootie!
Artikal LOVELY timeless chapeaus for ladies with styles and women on a budget. Plus the owner will customize your hat for you if you are like me and have too much hair to fit most premade hats.
Imogene I imagine that their designs are what heaven must look like.
Biggs and Feather Soap! Mmmmm… Good. Started by two sisters. I love the Clean-Up and Momma Bar.
The Black Apple Your heart is ice cold if these don’t make you smile and coo a little bit.
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