Day One of BikeCraft 2011 is in the books. There was a great turnout today and many many fine things to browse and buy.
Below are some of the things that caught my eye. Remember, if you’re just waking up on Sunday morning, you’ve got plenty of time to get down to 420 NE 9th and do some shopping. BikeCraft is open from 11 – 6pm and there’s lots of good stuff left!
Lots of people were buzzing about this new “Crate” bicycle basket made by bike designer Michael Downes and boat maker Jeff Sayler under their Art & Industry label. At just $80, they’d sold several in the first few hours of the show. They’re designed to fit two grocery bags, made with bamboo plywood and come with no mounting hardware. “Fire up your DIY muscle and figure it out or, failing that, take it to a bike shop,” reads the instructions…
This is Sarah Shackleford from OffBeat Seat. She crochets bike seat covers out of thick repurposed yarn. These covers are durable, yet comfy on your behind. She also takes custom orders…
Johnnie Olivan of Rejuiced Bikes debuted his “Ninja Locks” ($25). In true Rejuiced form, Johnnie has taken old steel fork legs and crank arms, welded them to heavy-duty chain links, and then covered them in inner-tubes. “It’s a cross between a U-lock and a chain lock,” he says…
Sara Collins brought back more of her beautiful chainring stained-glass pieces this year (the one below is $40)…
And she also showed up with a new item; terrariums ($30-40) that have tiny bicycling figures riding inside. Sara has taken old glass jars, filled them with soils, rocks and plants and added bike trails and miniature figures on bikes that she got from model railroad sets…
Luke Mathers continues to refine and improve his Truce Designs bags. Here he is with his workhorse, super-waterproof and full-featured backpack ($230):
And new this year are waterproof and reflective seat bags:
The most pleasant surprise for me so far is Tomas Quinones and his new endeavor, Flying Snail Creations. I’ve known Tomas for a couple of years and I knew he had artistic yearnings; but like many people, his desk job stressed him out and kept him from doing his art. Now, free from his past job, he was at BikeCraft with a big smile on his face. His illustrations — and especially the collection of them he has put together into a kids coloring book — are fantastic!
Nice work Tomas; I hope we see a lot more of it in the future.
Amy Erickson of Firefly Gear had several things that caught my eye…
Her Madonna del Ghisallo (patroness of those who ride) patches ($6) are very pleasing to the eye…
And she’s done some great work with reflective fabric. Her vibrant flowers make great broaches and bands ($10) that you can wear for fashion…
and safety (this is what they look like in the dark)…
And here are a few more shots from the day and items you won’t want to miss on Sunday!
Author, activist, and more, Elly Blue, is selling her latest zines…
Nyan Nyan Factory has these great locks with very tightly-woven fabric and heat-shrinked rubber at the ends ($25 for small, $45 for large)…
These warm and fuzzy helmet strap-mounted ear covers from Gigi’s Handy Work were selling well…
It’s always good to see Dave Stoops from Black Star Bags. He’s been to nearly all the BikeCrafts and his business is going strong…
And last but not least, it was great to show my mom, who’s visiting from California, some of Portland’s bounty. Here she is modeling her new bag from Philosophy Bags…
Don’t miss these and many other vendors at BikeCraft on Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm at 420 NE 9th Ave.