Sneak preview of new crafters for BikeCraft V

Now that BikeCraft’s over, we’re already thinking about next year — more space, more time, more days, and more amazing bike-related crafts are in the works.

My one big regret from this year is that we had to draw the line at 35 (!) crafters, for fear of not having space for any actual shoppers and revelers.

Here is a sampling of a few of the crafters and artists who got in touch after we hit that line. I’m hoping they’ll all be at BikeCraft V in 2009…in the meantime, enjoy this quick look:

A Becca Bikes geisha tee

• Sarah / Becca Bikes. Sarah just began printing t-shirts with designs that I would love to wear. Whimsical images include a lady in a kimonos on a heavy cruiser, and an octopus thinking of — what else? — a bicycle. These shirts are for sale in a couple of local shops, and she reports rave reviews.

• Suzanne Keolker / Mugwump. You may be familiar with Suzanne’s colorful seat pads, sold at Clever Cycles, that can be used to make the rear board of an Xtracycle a comfy place to ride. She also makes shoulder bags and reflective pant cuffs out of reclaimed materials. I love seeing classic Portland reused materials craftiness converge with utility cycling in new and creative ways.

Hand-carved Labelle Maverique hip belt

• Barbi Touron / Labelle Maverique. There are a lot of folks out there finding creative uses for old bike tubes, but these arm cuffs and belts with handcut designs really stand out.

I’m really looking forward to seeing what new crafters emerge next year. If you are in Portland, and have a great idea for hand-made, bike-oriented art, crafts, jewelry, clothes, or gifts that you’d like to make for next year’s bazaar, go ahead and get in touch now and I’ll put you on my master email list of bikecrafters to notify as soon as we open up vendor registration: elly[at]bikeportland[dot]org

[NOTE: We have gotten many requests for vendor contact information from BikeCraft IV. We’re putting together a list/directory and will publish it soon — Jonathan]