San Francisco | Backyard Roots

The Renegade Craft Fair came to SF July 19th and 20th and I went to check out local crafts. (I know, I know, it’s not an urban farm, but the HANDMADE crafts made by talented mostly LOCAL artists, many using SUSTAINABLE material and the stuff was AWESOME.) And some was even farm inspired… Check out the edited version of some of the really great stuff I saw below. If you missed the fair and are interested in buying just contact the artists via their websites…

(Above, L-R) Beautiful, texture-y yarn Necklaces by SF artist Rachel Robertson www.racheltrobertson.com

I wanted to buy all of the bright, bold hand-printed vegetable screen prints by SF artist Jen Kindell www.jenniferkindell.com

Art Toys by Boston based Mimi Kirchner http://mimikirchner.com/. Her animals and tattooed men reminded me of Wes Anderson characters.

(Above) I had to buy a t shirt from local artist Ritsuko Hirai https://ritsukohirai.com How could I resist the cat driving a station wagon?

(Above, L-R) I still want a necklace from Santa Monica artist Justin Marsh. He makes jewelry from keys. https://www.etsy.com/shop/goatandkettle

Mountain pillows from Olympia WA http://www.threebadseeds.com

Practical, beautiful and interesting cherry wood utensils from Jonathan Simons http://treespoons.com

(Above) San Francisco artist Alyson Thomas makes food and drink inspired art. http://drywellart.com/

(Above) And who are these guys?? I think the artist is the one holding the dog, but I can’t find his card… If anyone knows let me know! His work is great!

Recently I photographed Michael Swaine for Sierra Magazine. Swaine, who is known as the “Tailor of the Tenderloin” has been mending on the street for close to 15 years. It started as a performance art piece called, “Reap What You Sew” in which he pushed a cart around the city on a weekly route, meeting, mending and creating social interaction where there was none. He found the Tenderloin had the most need and so he decided to continue his project once a month (on the 15th) at the Tenderloin Forest. He says “his small act is mostly a gesture…but I think the bigger importance is the example of participating, of being a citizen and acting outside of what is normal.” (quote from ecoterre.com) Read more about Michael Swaine by Wendy Becktold on SierraClub.org. Then go check it out –and if you’ve never seen the Tenderloin Forest it’s a beautiful little spot that needs a some praise too.

Started in 2009 with grants and city funding, the Tenderloin National Forest is really an alley near Leavenworth and Ellis surrounded by high density buildings and hotels in one of the roughest parts of San Francisco. Now it’s a not-so-hidden oasis, a garden with benches, mosaics, murals, sculpture, dense foliage and even a redwood tree. It’s a magical place and a real hidden gem in the city and shows how important garden space can be in a neighborhood.

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Category Archives: San Francisco

Renegade Craft Fair

The Tenderloin Forest and Michael Swaine