Renegade Craft Fair and Unique LA Favorite Vendors

The past two weekends, I attended two of LA’s more popular holiday marketplace/craft events: Unique LA and Renegade Craft Fair LA. Both events are carefully curated and feature local, independent artisans. Oftentimes, you will see the same vendors at both fairs, which is great if your schedule only allows you to attend one. This was my second year attending Unique LA and my first visit to Renegade Craft Fair LA. I brought my daughter to both events. We had more fun at the Renegade Craft Fair LA, probably because it was outdoors, we were better prepared (I took the time to view the vendors online and make notes – thanks, Alda), and we weren’t in a time crunch. There were more vendors at Unique LA, but I didn’t have a chance to see them all. From what I did see, here are my favorites from the events:

T-shirts: Bad Pickle Tees

badpickletees

Almost everyone who writes a Yelp review considers themselves a “foodie.” Husband and wife duo Cindy and John create t-shirt designs for that crowd. Their tongue-in-cheek phrases put a smile to my face and made me want to buy them all. Check them out at: badpickletees.com

Caffeine Fix: Knight Owl Coffee

knightowlcoffee

Knight Owl Coffee was at both fairs, but I didn’t have a chance to try them until Renegade Craft Fair LA. I’m so glad I did because I needed a caffeine fix. I had the Saigon Blend, which is a strong coffee with flavors similar to Vietnamese coffee, but without the bitter aftertaste. Combined with condensed milk and a little half and half, it was one of the highlights of my day. At the playground area for kids, one of the dads told me he goes to the farmer’s market every weekend to get their coffee. That’s dedication! Learn about Knight Owl Coffee online at: knightowlcoffee.com

Raw & Sweet: Massey Honey

maseyhoney

maseyhoney-2

I’m a big fan of raw, local honey because it helps with my allergies. Also, my two-year-old daughter loves honey on a spoon as a natural, delicious treat on occasion. That’s why I don’t mind spending a little more on “the good stuff.” Massey Honey is a labor of love, a family-owned business, and sustainable. I bought the Wildflower Honey (for allergies) and Avocado Honey (because it was delicious and unusual). Visit them online at: masseyhoney.com

It doesn’t get more hipster than this: Tin Machina

tinmachina

Got the latest iPhone? That’s nice. So do a million other other people. Have a photo of yourself taken with a camera from the 1800s using a wet plate collodion process from that same era? Didn’t think so. Enter Tin Machina. It’s a vintage tintype studio in Los Angeles that specializes in aforementioned process.  They offer studio or on-location sessions as well as workshops. Check them out at: tinmachina.com

Hand-drawn, Indie, Limited-Edition T-shirts: Easter Egg

thisiseasteregg

Easter Egg is a line of limited-edition, fun and artistic t-shirts designed and printed locally in Los Angeles. The donut designs were selling like hotcakes at both markets. I had the opportunity to chat with the owner, who is very friendly and nice. There are other (non-donut) designs available, which you can see at: thisiseasteregg.com

More info

Unique LA is part of Unique Markets
www.uniquemarkets.com

Renegade Craft Fair LA is part of Renegade Craft
renegadecraft.com

Both markets are usually held a week apart in early December. Plan ahead for next year and #buylocal #buyartisan

westsidemommy

I am a new mom to a baby girl. I live in West Los Angeles. This blog is about my experiences as a new mom and navigating my way through kid-friendly L.A.

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