it’s friday! what are your plans for the weekend? here are a couple of ideas if you are here in san francisco {you might spot me there, so let me know if you’ll be around}…
to complete my shopping {i’m behind, i know} i’ll be picking one of the best kinds of gifts i could think of. you know, the kind that you can eat. i’ll be grabbing some wonderful stocking stuffers and gifts at the candy store. not only do they have seasonal items, but they have something for everyone’s taste and budget. from old school candies to fine artisan handmade chocolates and caramels, you really cannot go wrong. they know their stuff at the shop and can guide you in finding the perfect present. even better? they are a small mom-and-pop operation carrying lots of local confectioners and primarily unique items that you will not find in any other store here in san francisco {many even in california or the west coast}.
if you really want to see some excitement, head on over to k-one fitness tonight. it’s the final fight nite of the year and it is going to be amazing. seriously. i’m talking about a line up of exhibition style fights in muay thai, mma, and submission wrestling {brazilian jiu-jitsu} including pro mma fighters as they prep for their upcoming 2011 fights. it’s just a $10 donation and there will be alcohol {for 21+, of course}, music and lots of fun. check out the gym {it’s where i train at and i absolutely love it}.
finally, it’s here once again and i have been looking forward to it…
this weekend, head over to the second annual renegade craft fair {it’s the holiday version, of course!} at the concourse exhibition center. with over 250 artists in attendance selling their handmade wares, well…it’s probably where i’ll be spending most of my saturday. i love getting to meet and visit with some of my favorite artists {most of who you’ve seen featured here on mixed plate}. there will also be workshops and food.
this weekend bazaar bizarre is back in san francisco! head on over to fort mason center in the herbst pavilion. enjoy a weekend of shopping over 150+ booths of independent handmade goodies. there will also be food, free craft workshops and a charity raffle. admission during the day is free {but you can buy admission to party at night}. will you be attending? today i’m off from the day job and want to try and swing by.
bazaar bizarre, san francisco
fort mason center, herbst pavilion
saturday, december 11: 12 – 5pm {craft party: 7 – 10pm}
sunday, december 12: 12 - 6 pm
happy spooky day! last night i had big plans of baking, listening to my new vinyl scores, touching up my nails {orange & black!}, and some crafty stuff. instead i watched the amityville horror {the 1979 one} as i stitched a zombie on my shirt…
i was thinking about what i could make for today as treats for everyone…
and then i got distracted by these guys…
then we all played and no work got done…
so all i did was the shirt. no other treats were made. my nails stayed chipped. but today is halloween and i’ll be at the candy store {there’s going to be lots of yummy candy, so go there 2 – 6pm}. so, from me and my zombie friends…
have a safe and happy halloween! hope you get lots of treats!
oh, yes! it’s time for the candy store‘s 4th annual halloween event! i can hardly stand it. it’s super fun and last year there were at least 400 – 500 attendees.
so what happens at this event, you ask? um, only the most amazing thing ever…free candy! and not that crappy stuff that you know you’d just end up throwing out. this is the good stuff. to thank all of their customers, the candy store gives away a takeout container filled with treats from its fully-stocked candy cart {who else would do that for you?!}. in addition, prizes will be given out for creative costumes. that’s right. there’s even a costume contest! trick-or-treaters of all ages are welcome. i’ll be there. how about you?
what: the candy store‘s 4th annual halloween event
when: sunday, october 31 from 2 – 6 pm
where: the candy store, 1507 vallejo street {at polk}
if you are in san francisco tonight, head on over to rare device. owners lisa congdon {who is also a participant} and rena tom are hosting a signing party and live drawing event for the launch of the exquisite book.
at the shop will be a long table set up where artists from the book will be participating in a live drawing session. it’s sort of like a collaborative game where they draw an image and then pass it to the next artist and so on. some of the artists from the book that will be in attendance include julia rothman {one of the co-authors}, caitlin keegan, lisa congdon, eunice moyle, tom neely, kelly lynn jones, susie ghahremani, and lorena siminovich. the finished artwork will be hung on rare device’s project wall. artists will also be available to sign books, so be sure to grab one.
the exquisite book signing party and live drawing event rare device, 7 – 9pm 1845 market street {at guerrero}
san francisco, california 94103
415.863.3969
it has been hot here in san francisco! the sun is shining and that means i’m smiling. yeah, i know that was cheesy, but it’s the truth. it’s got me thinking of being at the beach, drinking ice cold water {or other beverages}, eating shave ice, or anything else that will assist in regulating the heat coming off everyone’s bodies…
Anyone who is in San Francisco tonight should stop on by The Candy Store. They are having another party and local confectioner Nina Wanat of Bon Bon Bar will be there sampling out her delicious handmade goodies…
Nina makes some of The Candy Store‘s most sought-after items. Each week she creates {and often hand delivers} small batches of passion fruit and vanilla bean marshmallows, caramel nut bars, and cult favorite {and The Candy Store exclusive} caramallows for the shop. And each week they sell out. Trust me when I say that everything she makes is ridiculously tasty. Take it from a girl who never thought she even cared about marshmallows…you will be a fan. At the event tonight, not only will she have all of the above mentioned treats, but also some other fabulous candy bars available for you to try and even purchase {yes, it’ll be that good}. I’ll be in attendance so I hope to see you there. Stop in and say hello!
What: The Candy Store‘s Bon Bon Bar Event
When: Thursday, August 26 from 5 – 7 pm
Where: The Candy Store, 1507 Vallejo Street {at Polk}
Why: Did you see the photos above?, Champagne, Once more…Did you see the photos above?!
Yes. It has happened again. Each year I am embarrassed that I let this little blog’s birthday come and go. I took a look back and realized why it had slipped my mind. My mom was visiting me around that time. And I was gearing up for Renegade. And on the night that Mixed Plate turned 4, I went to see The Dead Weather {again}. So, all excuses aside…Happy Birthday, Mixed Plate!
Thank you to all of you, my friends, for coming to visit each day. I appreciate your support and encouragement more than you know. I love that you come to hang out with me, share your thoughts, and that we can enjoy these handmade finds together. You are the reason I continue to blog late at night and sometimes during the wee hours of the morning.
I am headed over now to purchase my copy of Creative, Inc. It’s the new book that is “The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Freelance Business” by Meg Mateo Ilasco and Joy Deangdeelert Cho {two of my favorites!}. I’m so excited that they are also embarking on a little book tour with stops in San Francisco {hooray!}, Los Angeles, and New York. Check out this adorable stop-motion film that Meg and Joy created with Thayer Allyson Gowdy…
This book is a definite must. Purchase your copy via Chronicle Books.
ps – the music for the film was provided by the ultra-talented susie ghahremani.
Raise your hand if you attended Renegade over the weekend. I came across some friends while wandering around the fair on Saturday. The next day I learned that others I knew had gone as well. Everyone had a story of what they scored there, as do I. I often tell people {as I mention here} how I’m not your “typical girl” who loves shopping. I guess it really depends on the type of shopping, though. Clothes shopping is something I don’t do unless I need to. It tends to stress me out. Then you see me at Renegade and my tune completely changes. Partially because I am in love with handmade artists {obviously} and because I want to show my support while I’m there. If you were at Renegade this weekend, what did you score?
Like the year before, I searched for and then made a beeline straight for Emily‘s booth…
Her current works included items from her new show, “Lost on the Midway”. She was as sweet as I remembered her being the last time I met her. It was great because this is the second time I’ve seen her here at Renegade and she is a total craft celeb. People in front of and behind me were telling her how they are such fans of her work and how they read her blog. A couple of them really knew a lot about her life. She really is wonderful! I, of course, wanted to buy everything. I ended up purchasing a set of notebooks and one of her wearable art necklaces {similar to the heart one – which I almost got – with her bear drawing on it}.
I stopped over and met the awesome Margaret. She’s the gal behind Paper Pastries. My friend and I chatted with her and her boyfriend a little bit and they were great…
Another booth where I just kind of wanted every single item. My friend, by the way, cleared them out of one of their card designs {see the empty space on the pink stand?}. Hooray!
Those Chef’s pencils are going to be a gift to my friend’s husband because he loves to cook! Perhaps for his birthday in a month or so. I meant to go back and pick up an amazingrubberstamp that Margaret makes {I love that they are on wood with a handle!}. I’ll have to order it online since I flaked out. Oh, and you know why else I love Paper Pastries? They had a card with the Hawaiian Islands on it!
Look at these fabulous bags she creates in Seattle out of recycled wool. You can tell they are extremely well-made…
During my time there I went to Lisa Congdon‘s booth {I forgot to return to chat with her and take photos}. I also met the very sweet Jamie of Jamie Lau Designs. Her tote bags and fabric-covered notebooks were adorable, as was her logo {check her banner}…
Of course, I wanted to visit my pal, Leslie of Feisty Elle. I always rave about her earrings and how it racks up compliments because of how unique they are. Well, I wore a pair of her earrings that I already own {represent!} to the fair and got stopped by people. I happily pointed them in her direction.
I had missed Leslie who arrived a little later in the afternoon to the show. I did get to meet her friendly assistant, Rebecca.
Last year at Renegade was the first time I met Shana of Cookoorikoo. I love her! She greeted me with a smile and a hug. She and her hubby {pixelparty} shared a booth full of their handmade goodies…
I ran in to a friend while roaming the aisles of Renegade oohing and aahing over things. He told me he was friends with this guy…
I couldn’t believe it! I have been a fan of Gregg’s {GIGART} for a while now and was happy to visit his booth. As you can tell, he was pretty popular and as nice as can be. Yup, one of those Tough Chick stickers made its way home with me.
Next up, Fuzzy Ink. Yes, the all-things-mustache-clad guys. I had been spying their shirts for some time now and featuring some of my faves from their shop. I took the plunge and chatted with John who helped me with my purchase.
pssst – that’s the shirt I got {the v-neck hanging}.
I visited with Mimie and her husband for a little bit and picked up a yummy Coconut Lemongrass Soy Candle. In fact, I’m burning it right now!
Michelle Brusegaard was also at the fair. I had trouble deciding what I was going to get and it’s mainly because I wanted almost everything.
Between her beautiful illustrated sticky notes {you know how I feel about paper/sticky notes!}, shirts and tote bags that said “Crafty” and “Make Things” on them to scarves and much, much more, I decided on a set of Peacock Feather screenprinted dishtowels.
Then there were the Red Velvet Art gals. I was so very excited to finally meet Elsie and her lovely sister Emma. They were as sweet as I imagined…
I scored a hair bow! What’s cute is that Elsie told me she taught her little brother how to sew and these were his creations!
ps – that’s Twinkie Chan in the background sharing a booth with them. I forgot to take photos of her and her goods.
Someone I didn’t get to chat with last year is Robert of Mahar Drygoods. I adore Robert! He was kind and told me about the wonderful products he brought with him.
While I wanted to buy everything at his booth, I controlled myself and left with a turquoise blue small party bird. It holds a candle and can sit on a cupcake/birthday cake/pie/your desk or wherever else you can think of. Robert mentioned that he was very proud of this…
It’s a sash fashioned after boy/girl scout ones and is reversible. The buttons represent your years. You know, it’s for celebrating your birthday! I told him that I kind of wish I could get one. He replied that he has gotten a number of requests for an adult version, perhaps with bigger numbers? Too cute!
One of the last folks I was set on finally meeting in person was David of SEIBEI…
I also met his girlfriend, Kate, and his friend Yvonne. They were all so fun. Yes, he is as cool and awesome as you would expect. Yes, he is wearing an In-N-Out Burger hat. Yes, I did walk away with a shirt, a tank top, and a tote bag.
There were so many others I wanted to visit with and take photos of, but I just ran out of time. Next time. Oh, next time…
Whew! That was a crazy-long post. Hope you enjoyed it. If you attended, I want to hear about your experience and scores.
ps – one more thing. here’s my stuff. i’m not ashamed…
This weekend is the 3rd annual Renegade Craft Fair here in SF! Hooray! I can’t wait to check out all of the artists. I’m making it a point to visit some old friends and to finally meet some new ones in person.
Remember when I did that post about bow tie Brad? Well, I came across more lovely ties that I have to share. I am going to do it in two separate features because I feel they each deserve their own space.
Jenny Rinzler’s shop, Ciuccio, is full of all sorts of handmade goodies including ties that are sewn almost entirely by hand. She is based here in San Francisco and I’m excited to pay her a visit at Renegade this weekend. Check out these lovely fabrics…
aloha! i’m Liana. this is my site. i am not a professional writer. i pretty much just write the way i talk. it’s fun meeting new online friends and introducing these amazing artists. i’ll do my best to keep you entertained.