By Anna Lebedeff

If you think it’s too early to start making your holiday gift list, you’re not thinking like a crafter. Do-it-yourselfers from across the country and beyond are already making plans to attend San Francisco’s next Renegade Craft Fair in December.

I had the occasion to meet with some of the bike-inspired booth-holders at the recent RCF at San Francisco’s Fort Mason Festival Pavilion. Their one-of-a kind goods were as rare and exciting as the few hours of sun we were graced with that afternoon. As I perused the aisles, I took it upon myself to begin my own wish list.

Not one, not two, but four of my favorite vendors peddled bags. And the beauty, besides the obvious contained in the designs, was their diversity. Each bag, though derived from a love of bikes, has a unique concept, fabrication and aesthetic. It is for this very reason that even some men I know have more bags than I do.

Hambone’s Top Tube VeloPocket will be celebrating its 2-year anniversary this holiday season. Originally created as a Christmas gift among siblings, the VeloPocket, and its companion, the Balzac, have evolved into a year-round business for Lisa Marie Grillos and her brothers. Hernan, who made the first bag for Alex, continues to produce the leather versions in Santa Monica, while Lisa, who prefers working with prints, keeps the (sewing machine) pedal to the floor in San Francisco. Most recently, Lisa and stylist/designer Gwen Lutz are collaborating on a new venture, which they hope to reveal at the holiday RCF.

When life gives you a flat tire, take that old tube and weave it into a bag! Or if you don’t have the time, buy one from Tia Meilinger. The first Vaya bag was a canvas messenger. Six years later, Tia and her husband John are making a full line of upcycled canvas and inner tube bags and wallets. Custom designs from a seemingly endless variety of colors are available on their web site, or in their new Queens store. Place your orders now; once Tia’s messenger bag is featured in the new Joseph Gordon-Levitt film, Premium Rush (2011), this Mom & Pop is gonna go off.

When riding through Golden Gate Park donning a satchel by Wooly Bison, feel secure knowing that its recycled fabric will not rile up the buffalo. Should one of them gaze up from its grazing, simply whip out your iPhone and show them* Ingrid’s Etsy page, where you can not only choose from a variety of one-of-a-kind wool bags and accessories, but in some cases see photos of the skirt, pants, or coat they got their skins from. With its home base in Seattle, there is no shortage of warm fabrics to inspire the next batch of goodies from Wooly Bison. Each piece is so darling and incredibly well made, that the only challenge is choosing one. (*Seriously, do NOT approach the buffalo.)

Jamie Lau rode across Portland with 19 yards of a rare bicycle print fabric stowed securely in her bag. One would never guess by looking at her collection of whimsical fabric treats at the determination and diligence that goes into their creation. But upon closer inspection of an at once simple tote bag, you’ll find that it’s reversible; and that once reversed, even the lining of the pockets match the bag’s new exterior. That’s the beauty of Jamie’s style. While her items are all functional in their own way, there’s nothing like the joy they bring to everyday life.Cassette clocks from 1.by.liz remind you that it’s always a good time for a bike ride (left). Tell someone “I bike you” with one of Adrienne Vita’s note cards (right). Photo by Anna Lebedeff

Liz Dickey and her husband moved to Oakland from Portland about a year ago, bringing with them their 1.by.liz magnets and clocks made from upcycled bike cassettes and reclaimed fabrics. Cassette ornaments will be available as early as October. Check out Liz’s Etsy page, or if you live in the Bay Area, look for 1.by.liz at these shops.

Visiting from Portland, Adrienne Vita brought her imaginative artwork in the form of prints, magnets and pillows. Though her subject matter spans from cityscapes to nature, my eye made a beeline for her bike illustrations. Adrienne’s use of watercolors and markers conveys her childhood inspiration to draw, as well as her love of the outdoors.

A couple of Bay Area knitters (who know we’ve been freezing our saddles off lately) represented with their needle know-how. I tried on some precious button gloves from k.m. knits, and drooled over Phydeaux Designs’ petal-soft hand-dyed knits. Darn it if these ladies didn’t inspire me to pick up a set of needles and make some arm warmers!

So I hope you’ve been taking notes in your fabric-covered notebooks, and will find a way to fit all these gifts into a hand-knit stocking come December. In the meantime, visit these and other crafters on their Etsy pages, or wherever they sell their wonderful products, and help support their year-round wish of making a living, making things by hand.