Thanks to everyone who came out to enjoy BikeCraft last night. We packed Migration Brewing with all the warmth, smiles, and festive fun that got me so excited about this event way back in 2005. Imagine being nostalgic for something, then having that same feeling return 20 years later!
Luckily the sky stayed dry and — despite the chilly air — it was a very tolerable winter night. We even turned on the outdoor fire pits and folks hung out under the stars. Vendors reported brisk sales and it seemed like everyone left with something they were excited about. But BikeCraft was never just about buying and selling. It’s also about all of us bike people coming together in the dead of winter to check out cool things and hang out.
I could go on and on about all the cool things for sale and the interesting people who make them. Folks like bike lover and illustrator Spencer Hawkes of Nomad Patches. He started out making patches to commemorate a family bike tour. He made a few extras and friends loved them, so he made more and now it’s his business. Or Richelle Sandoval, whose UpTassels business also started by accident when she co-hosted a big party and decorated with a bunch of mylar (that shiny, plasticky stuff used in what cheerleaders call “pom-poms”). “After the party, everyone wanted to throw it all away and I just couldn’t bring myself to do that. So I stewed on it and after a few months I settled on these bike tassels that you can put on your handlebars,” Richelle told me. “They bring a lot of joy and people smile at you for no good reason.”
Another thing I love about BikeCraft are the unexpected vendors and surprises. Since that first one in 2005, I would let folks show up with whatever they have (we don’t charge a vendor fee to encourage very small makers to join us). Last night a Bike Happy Hour regular, adventure photographer and off-road cycling advocate Andrew Stringer showed up with a bag full of his latest project: a tongue-in-cheek calendar titled, The Radical Lefts of Portland. Calling it a “dad joke that went too far,” Andrew put together a calendar of his photographs — not about politics or protests — but about “iconic” left-hand corners around town. From the smooth and fast pavement on SW Hewett Boulevard, to narrow singletrack in Powell Butte, the calendar is equal parts funny and inspiring. Andrew calls it, “The perfect gift for your conservative family member.”
Then there was my friend Eric Ivy (who you might know as the Grilled-by-Bike guy), who showed up with meme-inspired stickers all sold to support BikePortland! The one with Bernie Sanders that said, “I am once again asking for a donation to BikePortland,” that he stuck to a tip jar had me rolling with laughter. He even made some Zohran Mamdani-styled Bike Happy Hour stickers. Thanks Eric!!
BikeCraft would not have happened without the inspiration and organizing of Lady Max. This dynamo behind Flat Tire Creations (whose table full of bikey ornaments and other cool things was mobbed all night!) did all the detailed work behind the scenes that made the event turn out so well. Thanks Max!!! And thanks to our wonderful hosts at Migration Brewing — especially Alex and Tyler who hustled all night with a smile.
It feels obvious that we’d do BikeCraft again next year. Heck, some folks say they’d like to visit a bike-inspired marketplace more often than just once year. We’ll see about that. For now, enjoy the photos and video.
Thanks for reading.
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I know I would! I was interested in this event but was a bit turned off by the heavy Xmas theme (no hate on those who are into such things, but it is extremely not my bag). I’d definitely show up to one that was just about bikes.
@Karstan, I can appreciate the sentiment! From someone whose Dec 25th is mostly about going for a ride cuz no traffic and have nothing else to do…With that said, I was one of the planners and artists for BikeCraft. and trying to work on a building a summer market too.
But if u zoom in on the pictures to check out the various products, most were about bicycles, not about Christmas. Only a few Makers had ornaments or holiday-specific items.
The majority were fun accessories, lots for winter or fun art, and bikey stuff for the home.
For example, in addition to ornaments, i brought huge variety of my creations made from recycled inner tube, spokes and other random bike parts…
* earrings
* necklaces
* sunglasses keepers
* mask holders
* magnets
* hanging mobiles
* floating vase (this was so cool!)
* fidget toy keychains
* towel holder
* helmet wall hook
* plant soil aerators
* poker tool (also duals as 420 tool)
* … and a few more things I can’t think of right now
Whew! (no wonder I was so tired come last night)
Anyway, long response to…. I hope you might consider coming next year.
(And ps; I will post separate comment asking feedback about a summer market. You can also private msg suggestions via Instagram @FlatTireCreations)
Thanks, my reaction was more a response to descriptions of the event here on BP. I didn’t expect the products themselves to be themed. I don’t even like going to the grocery store this time of year! 🙂 My bananas don’t have Xmas branding on them, but everything else in the store sure seems to.
You can’t please everyone all the time, least of all yours truly. So I certainly don’t expect to be catered to. I commented more to express my enthusiasm for another event at a different time of year. Apologies if I came across as critical.
Please provide feedback about when/where you would like to see a summer market. For example,
1) Bike Summer (pedalPalooza) MERCH PICK UP PARTY at Rendered.Co location: May 30th or 31st, don’t know exact yet but falls on weekend 2026
2) Bike Summer LAUNCH RIDE: June 1 (Monday)
3) LADDS 500: April
4) MADE show; August (but requires paid entry ticket
Other suggestions?
Speaking only for myself, of the 4 options the MADE show would be one I’m least likely to attend. The others are all equally appealing. I could see one at the start of nice weather in the Spring (perhaps at Ladd’s?) and again another as things cool off in early fall?
Please not at Ladds 500, there is already too much an overflow of people for that small space/park as it is. Sometime during pedalpalooza makes sense, doesn’t need to be at kickoff
Spring and/or early summer at Blandford’s new [framebuilding and bicycle community hub] spot in John’s Landing would be a possible fit!
I missed the xmas event but will try next year regardless – thank you for putting together the event!
i really like the stained glass bike wheels. Do you have a link for the creator?
Hi Mike. I think those were made by Tamara from Magic Hour Glass https://www.themagichourglass.com/
It was so cool to have a few stained glass artists there. Funny story: They were just at Migration having a beer one night and it happened to be Bike Happy Hour. Max struck up a conversation with them and told them about BikeCraft and they said, “we can make bike-related stuff!” so she invited them. Now they’re planning to make more bike-themed stuff after having so much fun at the event! Someone even bought their biggest one. They’re really beautiful.
What do i gotta do to get my hands on one of those calendars!?!?