The Talk Shop series is where we interview independent store owners from across the country, to get their inside take on their running an independent business.

In this Talk Shop, Sue Daly gives us lowdown on Renegade Handmade, an indie craft haven in Chicago, IL, which boasts an awesome array of handmade goods, and supports many local and national independent artists and crafters.

Daly, with long-time friend and business parter Kathleen Habbley, has been running the wildly popular Renegade Craft Fair since 2003 in Chicago, IL, as well as in the Brookln, NY and San Francisco, CA markets. It seems only natural that Daly and Habbley open up a shop to bring all the indie craft goodness into one location, where people can get their hands on unique, handmade goods year round.  Since opening Renegade Handmade in 2007, the Renegade brand is showing no signs of slowing down; with a Chicago Holiday Sale coming up in early December, and a soon-to-launch Renegade Handmade online shop, it’s clear that these gals have created one heck of a successful indie craft business model.

Tell us what  Renegade Handmade is all about:
Renegade Handmade is a brick + mortar shop in Chicago that serves as a permanent location for people to buy and sell unique handmade items.The store came about as an extension of our Renegade Craft Fairs, which are held several times per year across the country.  At Renegade Handmade, we feature over 200 artists from all over the country and abroad, and carry all sorts of items including jewelry, stationery, prints, clothing, housewares, bath + body, kids stuff and more.

Do you have any sort of background in crafting or the arts?
Yes, I make jewelry and accessories at timberhandmade.com. Jewelry-making was a childhood hobby I reclaimed after college, and wanted to take to the next level by selling online and thru local fairs.  When I couldn’t find an art or craft fair that appealed to myaesthetic, and the aesthetic of other DIYers out there, I decided to start my own event.

How does your business support independent artists and crafters and/or the handmade community?
Renegade Handmade allows an opportunity for artists and crafters to make more of a go at what they’re doing.  The shop puts this kind of work in the hands of people who would otherwise not know how to find these items, therefore growing the community at large.  We also give all of our artists a logo on our website, which drives a lot of traffic to them directly.  We’re going to be launching an online version of our shop too, so hopefully everybody will start benefitting from that in the very new future!

Who are your favorite local designers?
This one is tough – there are so many!  Some of my favorite Chicago designers include Abbey Christine, Cursive Design, Essimar, Intimidnation, Megan Lee Designs, Owly Shadow Puppets, Qylaar and tons of poster/print artists that are way too many to name.

How can local designers and crafters get involved with Renegade Handmade?
They can fill out a consignment application on our website @ Renegadehandmade.com.

What’s the most unusual item(s) for sale in your shop?
The Damned Dollies are pretty unique, which are handmade dolls with insane facial expressions, crazy hairdos and outfits, and sometimessporting a beer/cigarette/eye patch/gold tooth.  We also have some pretty neat plush taxidermy animal mounts by artists Cherry Box and T&A Friendly, that include a unicorn, autumn deer, cow, boar, goldfish and others.

Any exciting upcoming events or holiday sales going on at Renegade Handmade?
The Renegade Holiday Sale is December 6 + 7 in Chicago, at the Pulaski Park Fieldhouse from 11am – 7pm each day.  There will be over 150 booths, great food, goodie bags for the first 100 shoppers each day, and a special performance by Mucca Pazza on Saturday afternoon.  An after-party will follow at the Bottom Lounge that night too. Renegade Handmade will be launching an online store sometime in the very near future!  Keep tuned to our website for the grand opening – Renegadehandmade.com.

If you own a boutique, gallery or other place of business that supports the indie craft community, and want it featured in Talk Shop, email hellocraftinfo@gmail.com with Talk Shop in the subject line.