greetings. i am so excited for this incredible opportunity to share some things with everyone throughout the week (thanks grace!). let me introduce myself. my name is sarah fox and i live in mighty chicago. i create jewelry, home accessories and art under the label cursive design. i also have a blog where i post about my daily inspirations and studio life/home life. as we are quickly approaching the holidays i thought i would write about two of my favorite things about the season: shopping at holiday fairs and decorating. there are so many holiday art fairs/design shows across the country (+ other countries). it’s so wonderful to support local artists and your local economy but even better to buy a gift that is truly original that your loved one will be impressed with. in fact, going to these fairs every year gave me the inspiration to start my own business. i usually have my own booth now but i always find time to get away for a couple moments to shop. each day i will be covering two fairs and two artists from each fair in a different region of the country. to fulfill my love of decorating i will be sharing a d.i.y. decorating project each day. (*since it’s impossible to cover every fair check out this site for more information on a fair near you.

first up is an area i am very familiar with: the midwest! i grew up in beautiful north dakota and now live in mighty chicago so needless to say i have much love for the area. the three words renegade craft fair are synonymous with fabulous independent design. renegade puts on four fairs a year in chicago, brooklyn and san francisco (+ they have a shop in chicago called renegade handmade). their fourth fair is the renegade holiday show in chicago (this was my first show a couple years ago so it’s pretty special to me). check out these great vendors (+ others on their site) at the renegade holiday show (dec. 6th & 7th from 11am-7pm at the pulaski park fieldhouse .

pearl and marmalade are the super duo of dani + lee. they make beautiful notes, cards + stationary. their paper works are charming and their color palette is spot on. pearl and marmalade also offer custom wedding (+ other) invitations. check out their site for more info and to take a peak.

lisa slodki has been making delicate, statement making jewelry for over ten years. she has a large following of loyal customers (me being one of them). her pieces are the kind of pieces that go with everything. they are the perfect combination of simple and ornate. she doesn’t offer her entire collection on her website so i encourage you to check her out at renegade holiday (+ other shows, she does about 20 shows a year!)

the second fair i want to highlight is in milwaukee. it is art vs. craft and it is organized by faythe levine & kim kisiolek. they also own a shop in milwaukee called paper boat boutique & gallery. levine is also the director and co-author of “handmade nation: the rise of diy art, craft, and design” the highly anticipated independent documentary film and book. to say that these ladies know a thing or two about this topic is an understatement. the vendor list looks amazing and i’m smitten with these two artists who will be there. art vs. craft takes place on nov. 29th from 10am-7pm at the humphrey scottish rite masonic center in milwaukee.

up in the air somewhere is susan dwyer. susan creates lovely ceramic, and paper vessels that are inspired by the industrial landscape. any of her pieces would make a stand out holiday gift (i have many of her pieces and get compliments on them all the time) susan also has stunning art pieces on her site.

i love to see images of artist’s workspaces and susan was kind enough to let us in to her studio. (thanks susan!)

the second artist that will be selling her goods at art vs. craft is amy soczka of amy marcella. i found out about amy marcella from the design sponge post grace did awhile back. amy made an amazing paper cut out installation for urban outfitters. it was seriously jaw dropping. amy creates beautiful prints and pillows with the same sensibility to natural shapes and intricate lines to that awesome paper installation.

amy also opened up her studio for a peak at what she has going on. looks like some lovely pillows are in process. (thanks amy!)