Belated Report from Renegade Craft Fair Austin

We’re sorry we neglected to post the past few weeks! We have been busy installing our two new exhibits, Arline Fisch: Creatures from the Deep and Crafting Live(s): 10 Years of Artists-in-Residence. For those of you who came out to the opening last Friday, we are so glad you joined us! If you haven’t stopped by, Arline Fisch is open through July 30 and Crafting Live(s) is open through September 3.

Besides getting our galleries ready, we have been busy promoting HCCC at different events. We were excited to have a booth at Renegade Craft Fair last month in Austin, Texas.  Renegade Craft Fairs happen all across the United States, and this is the second year they have been to Austin. It is a free public event featuring hundreds of different craft artists and vendors alike. This year, HCCC had a booth featuring work by current artists-in-residence (AIRs), demonstrations by ceramist Jessica Dupuis, and origami making with HCCC staff.

Some vessels by past AIR, Clark Kellogg.

A display of jewelry-in-progress by current AIR, Kristi Rae Wilson.

Many families and visitors stopped by to make different origami objects, including helmets, balloons and bookmarks. The activity was inspired by our current exhibit, Joan Son -- Part Geometry, Part Zen: A Personal Exploration through Paper.

A visitor works with HCCC staff to make a
helmet out of origami paper.

The fair included many vendors from across the U.S., and among the displays were a few familiar faces from Houston. Roxy, from Grrr Feisty and Etsy Houston, shared a booth with Maria, of reigrüche Studio.  Their vibrant booth featured lots of fun upcycled jewelry, fabric headbands, and other unique treasures.

Part of Grr Feisty’s display

Work from reigrüche Studio

Also sharing a booth were Lora, from b.bags, and Emile, of Emilee Rose Designs. Lora’s handcrafted bags, made from upcycled fabrics, can also be found on etsy.

b.bags eco-friendly booth design

Finally, when we thought the craft world couldn’t get any smaller, we ran into ceramist, Carole F. Smith, of McCheeks Mayhem, and Teresa O’Connor, owner of Hello-Lucky, located in the Heights. Carole was an artist-in-residence at HCCC in 2007 and currently has work featured in Crafting Live(s): 10 Years of Artists-in-Residence.

Carole Smith of McCheeks Mayhem, left, and Teresa O’Connor, owner of Hello-Lucky.

We had such a great time in Austin at Renegade, talking to people about HCCC and craft. If you missed it in May, Renegade will be coming to Austin again in the fall for a holiday sale, over the weekend of November 26 and 27, 2011. Make sure to check it out—it’s a great way to support craft and buy handmade.