PBR mudflaps anyone? Offered by
Edwin of A Convenient Cycle.
(Photo © Elly Blue)

I hope you bring your holiday shopping list to BikeCraft. The big show happens this Saturday (10-5 at 420 NE 9th Ave) and it's going to be a-ma-zing.

We've got around 50 vendors. They're all based in Portland and they all have fantastic, handmade bike-related wonderments to share with you.

Behold, the most marvelous gathering of crafty bikers (or is it bikey crafters?) ever assembled: (more...)

The double-spiral
bamboo bottle holder.
(Photos © Adams Carroll)

After Paul Conte graduated from Syracuse University’s industrial design program, he took an office job -- but realized before long that he wasn’t living the life he wanted to lead. So he quit, trained to be a carpenter, and moved to Portland in search of a workshop and a good place to live.

Now he’s living his dream, making stunning products and creations that you can see for yourself at BikeCraft V this Saturday. (more...)

Sara Stout is busy creating
wonderful things for BikeCraft.
(Photos © Elly Blue)

I recently paid a visit to Sara Stout in the treehouse where she lives, paints, and tends to her bike fleet and aging dog Betty (a longtime fixture at bike moves). This week, the treehouse has been transformed into a BikeCraft factory, where Stout has been busily turning old materials into new, useful things.

When I dropped by, the final coat on a colorful tray of light-switch plate covers, was drying by the woodstove. Stout had moved on to making bicycle-shaped seat covers, with waterproof material above and a drawstring underneath.
(more...)

A little something to fight the chill.
(Photo © J. Maus)

BikeCraft V is right around the corner. The daylong affair on Saturday, December 5 from 10am to 5pm, will be an unprecedented gathering of bike-themed, Portland-made arts and crafts.

Since we announced the event, we've had over 35 crafters sign up to participate, including old friends and new faces. Here are two of the many craftspeople who will be joining us this winter for the first time: (more...)

[This is the first of several vendor profiles we'll share in the next month as we prepare to entice you to attend our super-excellent BikeCraft V event coming up on December 5th.]

Bike Cozy's "Toe Cozies to Keep Feet Dry"
were a hit at BikeCraft IV.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Do you ever wonder how to solve that problem of cold, wet feet on your bicycle? Or do you have trouble finding a cycling cap that will actually fit your head and your sense of style? Ever wish you could carry and organize your cycling tools in a practical (yet oh-so-aesthetically-pleasing) way?

No problem! Check out Bike Cozy, a local, NE Portland based business that sells handmade cycling caps, tool rolls, shoelace wranglers toe cage covers, and more for "the fashionably practical rider." Bike Cozy’s tag line doesn’t lie: its products come in a variety of colors and patterns and are made from practical, durable materials such as wool, canvas, and cordura. (more...)

Crowds were a bit
cramped at BikeCraft III.
(Photo © J.Maus)

BikeCraft is an annual holiday bazaar that gathers under one roof the many unique and interesting Portlanders who create handmade, cycling related crafts.

We can hardly believe it, but this is the fifth anniversary of BikeCraft!

Each year BikeCraft has grown by leaps and bounds, and this year we think we've finally found a space that can hold all of our talented, creative crafters, the people who flock to the event to purchase hand-made gifts, art, gear, and fashion...and even all of our bikes. Sandbox Studio, a former forklift warehouse turned gorgeous photography studio, has generously invited us to use their large, light-filled space.

The BikeCraft fair will be free and open to the public on Saturday, December 5 from 10am-5pm at Sandbox Studio located at 420 NE 9th Ave (between Flanders and Glisan). (more...)

Enjoy a cold HUB Bike Beer from the
Hopworksfiets this Saturday.
(Photo © Elly Blue)

Since we broke the story of Hopworks Urban Brewing's new bicycle pub on Tuesday night, site traffic has been through the roof. Our story about the Flaming Lips' upcoming naked biking video shoot raised that further. Then this morning, a couple of popular national nerd-news aggregator websites discovered the story, and our server couldn't handle the traffic. (Huge thanks to our friend Ben Foote for getting the site onto its feet again.)

The good news is that you can see the bike that's getting all the attention live and in person this Saturday at its unveiling at Hopworks' free and carfree Biketobeerfest celebration.

The Hopworksfiets is far from the only demonstration of Portland's robust bicycle scene that will be out Saturday. Hopworks and the crew at Good Sport Promotion have come up with a real cross section of local bike wildlife. There will be roller races. BMX. Sprockettes. Kids' activities. A derby for bike shop workers. Lots and lots of bike parking. And Hopworks' new, seasonal Bike Beer, sales of which will raise money for next year's Sunday Parkways.

And finally, a scaled-down version of one of BikePortland's proudest accomplishments: The BikeCraft Fair. (more...)

Bikes and beer will be celebrated in true Portland style this weekend at Biketobeerfest, a carfree event being thrown by Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB). The event is Saturday, September 19th, from noon to 10pm. And it's totally free and open to the public.

There's one catch -- the event is carfree. There will be plenty of bike parking right outside the entrance, but no car parking. The block of SE 29th next to the bar will be carfree. And attendees are asked not to arrive by car. (more...)

On the midway at MCBF in 2008.
(Photo © J. Maus)

"It's the bike-gasm!"

That's how the Multnomah County Bike Fair was explained to me on my first time around back in 2005.

The description holds true. After 17 exhausting, exuberant days of Pedalpalooza, fatigue is setting in (and there were even rumors on Twitter of a pedalfluenza outbreak). A gentle but seriously fun sort of decompression is needed after spending over two weeks on such a cloud. Enter MCBF, the closing event of Pedalpalooza, a culmination of all the creativity, energy, and socializing of the last two and a half weeks. (more...)

Shaun Deller's hats are back!

Pedalpalooza culminates this Saturday (6/27) with the infamous, one-of-a-kind Multnomah County Bike Fair. I know, you're sad because that means eleven long months of waiting for next year will commence -- but, you can keep the spirit alive, and remind yourself and the world of your love for bike fun. Come check out some of the unique goods from our BikeCrafters who will be selling their wares in the BikeCraft section of the MCBF Midway.

Summer BikeCraft at the Bike Fair is going to be awesome.

Last month we highlighted some of the amazing, creative Portland-based crafters who are planning to bring their bike accessories and bike themed crafts. See a few more pics of what's in store, and a full list of confirmed crafters below the jump. (more...)

Screenprints of bikes and bridges
by newcomer Ben Parsons

Our annual BikeCraft Fair is a bazaar for local crafters to sell and showcase anything that they make by hand, in Portland, for and about bikes. Each year (we're now on year five!) the fair gets bigger, with 40 vendors and hundreds of attendees crowding into our biggest space yet last December.

By popular request, we'll be holding a full-sized BikeCraft this summer on the midway of the Multnomah County Bike Fair this June 27th from 2pm to 7pm. (more...)

Yes that's duct tape,
with a reflective star.
(Photos © J. Maus)

Tomas Quinones can be seen frequently on Shift bike fun rides, Cycle Wild camping trips, and other bike cultural events.

He recently began making, and selling, simple handlebar bags made out of duct tape. In Quinones' words:

I started making them for my own use back in January after I grew tired of my large Ortlieb handlebar bag preventing me from using a light on my handlebars. I just wanted something small and simple for snacks, batteries, and camera so that a light can be used effectively without any type of special mounting. Most other bags I had seen were too large or more complex than needed.

(more...)

Last night's BikeCraft event was fantastic. The turnout was massive, everyone seemed to have good time, and Portland was introduced to an impressive and inspiring array of artisans who shared their arts, crafts, and other wonderful things.

On that note, I present the slideshow below: (more...)

BikePortland readers gathered at Roots earlier this year
(Photo © J. Maus)

It's nearly here -- BikeCraft IV!

I hope you'll join us tomorrow, December 10th, at Roots Organic Brewing (on SE 7th just south of Hawthorne -- find us in Roots' new event space right next door to the main bar).

Doors open at 5:30 and the party goes until 11pm when Roots closes -- so if you want to have some dinner and come by a bit later, the event will still be going strong.
(more...)

BikeCraft IV will be here next week! We have an amazing collection of crafters and artists this year. More people than ever before came forward, with work ranging from gorgeous artisan metalworking to silkscreened patches for your messenger bag. There is something for everyone -- so shop local this holiday season as you replenish your stylish warm-weather gear and find perfect gifts for all the bike lovers in your life.

So without further ado, here's the full 2008 lineup: (more...)

Queen Bee Creations will
debut these at BikeCraft.
(Photo: Queen Bee)

We've already shared some of the cool bike-part jewelry you'll find at BikeCraft IV.

Today, we'll share a bit of info and photos from not one, not two, but three(!) Portland artisans who will offer up their handmade bike panniers for sale at the event.

The first is Rebecca Pearcy of Queen Bee Creations. I first mentioned she was dipping her toes in the pannier waters back in March. The response to that story was so positive, Rebecca has decided to make them a regular part of her successful line of handbags and wallets. (more...)

Bike-inspired earrings by Jim Duthie.

Do you love bikes enough to wear friction-shifter earrings?

Looking over the final vendor/artist list for BikeCraft, I'm amazed at the unexpected ways our local craftsmen and women use bike imagery and bike parts in their work.

This year, we've got several vendors who are putting a bikey spin on jewelry. Here's a quick roundup of the jewelry makers you'll see at BikeCraft IV.

Jim Duthie makes beautiful earrings and necklaces out some of the most beautiful parts of bikes (including the shifters pictured above). He has been selling his work at Last Thursday and the like for a while, but this is his debut in the bike world. (more...)

Justa Phillips will return this year.
You'll have to show up to see
if her classic cowboy design
will be there!

BikeCraft IV is just around the corner. We've gotten so much response from vendors that we've capped attendance and now have a full lineup of folks eager to sell their wares. Before we share more about who will be there, a quick reminder...

BikeCraft IV will be December 10, from 5:30pm to close at Roots Organic Brewing at 1520 SE 7th Ave (just south of Hawthorne) in Portland.

With that out of the way, here are the final fantastic additions to the list (Check out our other vendors here and here). (more...)

A Queen Bee wallet.

BikeCraft IV is right around the corner and we've got a fantastic line-up of new and returning vendors you will not want to miss.

Since we last profiled several of this year's confirmed BikeCraft vendors, more creative, bike loving folks have stepped up wanting to share their wares.

Here's a sampling... (more...)

Liz Dickey will return this year with
her fantastic bike-inspired clocks.
(Photo © J. Maus)

BikeCraft IV is just around the corner! Wednesday, December 10th, at Roots Organic Brewing (on SE 7th, just south of Hawthorne). The event is in Roots' great new space next door to the regular bar, and will go from 5:30 until closing time.

BikeCraft is our fourth annual emporium of bike-related crafts, fashion, art, and more -- all handmade right here in Portland. Come do some holiday shopping for the bicycle lovers in your life -- then stick around to enjoy a beer (brewed on the premises!), win raffle prizes, and enjoy the company of other bikey locals. (more...)