Chicago - August 01, 2007

The Craft

Renegade Handmade Opens

Junior high really sucked a fat one.

Among three-way calls, nasty rumors, and the stink eye from the cool crowd (until they asked you to sit with them), you could barely distinguish your real friends from the fake ones.

Ha. Sue Blatt and Kathleen Habbley scoff in the face of teen angst. Managing to stick out a friendship that started in seventh grade, they now own Renegade Handmade, the new permanent home for craft-makers from the Renegade Craft Fair.

Carrying a hand-picked selection of more than 40 designers’ creations, the shop is a quirky conglomeration that leaves little to the imagination. Pick up a shadow puppet from Owly; a stuffed ham from Mr. Pickles; stationery from Boygirlparty; and posters from Leia Bell, Jay Ryan, and Etui.

Or stop by the vintage corner for a sweet little dress from the pals’ personal collection, one of the best Wicker Park has to offer.

For reals.

Renegade Handmade, 1924 West Division Street, at Winchester Avenue (773-227-2707 or renegadehandmade.com).