Last week Whitney posted about our wish to attend the Renegade Craft Fair this weekend, December 5-6 in Chicago. She mentioned a few artists we admire and ended her post with a teaser that I would post a few can’t-miss artists as well. I know you have been waiting with baited breath (haven’t you?), so without further adieu, here are few I would enjoy checking out in person:

First up a perennial favorite of ours: Ork Posters

We love their typographical renditions of city maps, including the Chicago poster which happens to grace the entrance of our home.

We also love their new Brain poster. This, along with the heart poster, would be great for our studio as these are two things that are used to create each of our designs.

Next up: Tugboat Printshop

I love these Deep Blue Sea woodcuts. The illustrations are great and the colors used are beautiful.

And finally: Delicious Design League

We’ve been fans of Delicious Design League since we saw them last year at Renegade. They design and screen print all of their posters and create stellar design and illustration work as well.

Two great Fleet Foxes posters (a favorite of ours!). I love the use of white in the second one.

I had to show this one as it displays two of our favorite things; David Bowie & Flight of the Conchords. Gotta love it.

These are a just few of my picks – there will be so many great artists at Renegade this year so it was hard to pick. It’s definitely a great show – if you’re in Chicago, GO!

This time last year, we were on our way to Jonathan’s hometown, Chicago. Our trip coincided with Renegade Handmade’s holiday sale at the Pulaski Park Fieldhouse – so of course, we took advantage of the coincidence and went to check it out. This year, the sale is December 5 & 6 – alas, we won’t be there, but if you are fortunate enough to live in the windy city go check it out (we will live vicariously through you)! Thankfully, each artist I’ve mentioned here also sells online (phew) so I’ve also included links to each artist’s etsy shop if, like us, you won’t be attending.

If we were there, we’d definitely be picking up a few of the following items from some of our favorite artists…

Jonathan and I are huge fans of the witty cards from Mincing Mockingbird, but I’m also smitten with the prints of these expressive little birds. I’d love to pick up these two little guys. (etsy shop)

Pearl and Marmalade is one of my favorite letterpress studios – their illustrations are gorgeous! I’ve recently depleted my supply of blank cards and I’d love to pick up some of these lovelies. (etsy shop)

1Canoe2 has some beautiful letterpress prints available (love the home sweet home print) but I’m especially smitten with the letterpress recipe card box. The recipe cards and tabs feature hand lettering and original illustrations; even the darling wooden box is handmade! (etsy shop)

Sigh. Wish we could see these lovelies (and so much more!) in person. If only Renegade would come to Seattle (or even Portland!). Until then, we will continue to lust after our favorite pieces online. Stay tuned early next week for some of Jonathan’s Renegade picks!