If you’re lucky enough to be in or around Brooklyn this weekend, don’t miss the Renegade Craft Fair.

What: The Renegade Craft Fair began in 2003 and now takes place in Chicago and Brooklyn, NY. There are over 150 stall holders at each event selling a huge range of products including comic books, zines, jewellery, clothing, craft patterns, gig posters - the list is endless.

When: June 17 and 18 2006 - 11am to 6pm (Get there early because the first 500 shoppers each day who stop by the Renegade Craft Fair booth will receive a FREE Goodie Bag filled with magazines, postcards, stickers, buttons and more.)

Where: McCarren Park Bedford Ave. & N. 12th st., Brooklyn, NY.

More Info: www.renegadecraft.com

I’ve heard so much about the Renegade Craft Fair. It sounds like such an exciting event. It’s such a shame that we don’t have something similar in the UK. It’d be such a boost for the craft/DIY scene. If anyone has any ideas, I’d be very interested to hear them.

An ingenious idea to glam up your denims. Hunki Dori Jean Jems, put simply, are brooches for jeans. They clip easily and securely onto the buttons of jeans and denim jackets and skirts. There are a number of glitzy styles to choose from, from sparkly Swarovski butterflies to velvet and silk flowers.

Hunki Dori are also involved with the charity Jeans for Genes. They are donating 25% of all sales of their most popular design, Crystal Sunflower, to the Jeans for Genes appeal. Full details and the collection are available at www.hunki-dori.com.

I have a thing for hair accessories and I couldn’t resist these super cute Animal Magic hair slides from Heidi Seeker. Meet Captain Tigerfuzz and Dr Zebedeelicious who have arrived all the way from somewhere in the 1960s.

The Heidi Seeker website is a real treasure trove of kitsch accessories and sassy clothes. Another little gem that I couldn’t resist sharing is the ‘Tainted Love’ cardigan. It’s made from 100% lambswool and comes in a range of colours. The slogan at the back reads, ‘Now I run from you’. Watch out for the vampire kitty!

The full range is available at www.heidiseeker.com.

It’s Friday afternoon and the sun is shining. The weekend beckons. For those of you who haven’t taken an early dart to watch the Germany/Costa Rica game, have a look at this ingenious idea by Smoy.

The photoCuff is a brand new take on the age old tradition of carrying a photo around in a locket. Now you can wear your photos on a bracelet. The photoCuff is made from laser-cut vinyl and has nifty pockets where you can slip in your choice of photos. You can change them as often as you like to suit your mood. Each one is handmade and they come in a range of colours and styles including the glitzy Chelsea cuff (above left) which has added retro glitter.

Take a look for yourself at www.smoy.net.

Last year I became an auntie for the first time and on Sunday I’m going to be one of baby Thomas’ godmothers. When I was little I thought that a godmother was the same as a fairy godmother, like in Cinderella and for years believed my own godmother (Auntie Estelle) had secret powers. But I’m digressing.

The arrival of a baby sparks new interests in baby clothes, toys, accessories (who would have thought that babies would need accessories?), nappy bags and so on. As a result of familiarising myself with all of the above I discovered ‘Mommy Tags’.

‘Mommy Tags’ and ‘Daddy Tags’ are a fantastic way of commemorating your baby’s birth. They are handcrafted from .999 fine silver and each one is personalised with your baby’s name and birth date. A recent addition to the range is the ‘Circle of Love’ pendant - which can be personalised with the date of your wedding/union. Lovely gift ideas and truly unique.

‘Mommy Tags’ are available to buy in the UK from www.boutiquetoyou.co.uk.

And on another note, I’m still wondering what to wear for the christening. Perhaps I should contact Auntie Estelle.

I’ve found a whole bunch of bright, playful jewellery over at Australian store, Jotija. Like for instance, this fun Fruits necklace made from copper chain with crocheted strawberry, banana and grapes. The necklace can be worn long or choker style.

And if you’re looking for something to complete the look, what about these cheeky Cherry Dangly Earrings.

And these Fairy Floss Pompom brooches would brighten up any conservative suit jacket.

The full range is available at www.jotija.com.

If you hear about a company with an intriguing name like ‘Pink Flamingo Swizzle Stick’ you have to check it out. Well I do and I did. And what did I find out? ‘Pink Flamingo Swizzle Stick, named after a cocktail stirrer, is a girl, a sewing machine, too much ribbon and not enough temping jobs.’ And when combined with a minor handbag obsession and a creative spark, the result is a pretty collection of bags, clutches, iPod covers and notebooks.

I immediately spotted the Hibiscus Gather Clutch Bag (above right) - it’s so fresh and summery. And ther’e a good range of iPod jumpers on offer, including the Flowers in the Window design (above left). Each iPod jumper has a clear vinyl window and button holes to enable you to read the screen and operate the buttons without removing the jumper.

The full range is available to buy at http://pinkswizzlestick.etsy.com. Custom orders are also available.

Nicola Jane brings us a whole world of quirky, elegant characters - sophisticated shopping fashionistas, flirty femme fatales, pretty outdoorsy girls complete with pet pooches, jaunty Scottie dogs and contented cats.

These beautifully hand drawn characters adorn canvases, cards, badges, mirrors and address books. The canvases (shown above) combine hand screen printed illustrations with applique and are mounted onto chunky canvases.

And if you’re looking for something a little smaller, there are lots and lots of cute badges to choose from, priced from just £1.00 each.

To delve into Nicola Jane’s world go to www.nicolajanesboutique.co.uk. (All designs copyright Nicola Jane.)