What and where to buy at this summer's festivals

Fest your eyes on this
Don’t leave it to the summer sun to rid you of the long winter’s negative effects. Emily’s Treasures’ Evil Eye key chains ($7), sold at Chicago Arabesque (Jun 24–27) in Daley Plaza, are made to ward off negative energy and protect from misfortune. Suzanne Rabi, pharmacist by day and entrepreneur by night, owns Emily’s Treasures, which sends its proceeds to women afflicted by war in the Middle East. Proof that these trinkets might work after all.

Give it the green light
Even before she could read, Kelli Wefenstette could sew. Now she’s put her dexterous fingers to use making Greenie Bean Recycle, her line of ecofriendly tote bags ($10) sold at West Town’s Green Music Fest (Aug 15, 16). Perfect to bring to farmers’ markets, the beach on shopping trips, Wefenstette’s totes are made from recycled T-shirts—picked for their cute, sunny patterns. As for your old tote? Time to recycle.

An inking feeling
Don’t want to permanently tattoo yourself? Jenny Hart’s quirky, Austin, Texas–based company, Sublime Stitching, whips up tattoo-like embroidery patterns that come in 56 designs—think puppies, pirates and everything in between ($5 a kit). Pick one up at Renegade Craft Fair (Sept 12, 13) in Wicker Park. And when the weather’s warm, show off your bare guns by ironing one of these tatts onto a white tank; no lifelong decision required.

A shoe-in
A weekend of summer festivals leaves your tootsies tired and your calves cramped. Good thing Chengs canvas shoes from Penelope’s—a roadside vendor at Do-Division Street Fest (May 30, 31)—pinch your pennies but not your toes. And, at a cool $19, these retro Keds look-alikes will have you saying cha-ching.

NEXT>>

 

Complete festival listings: April/May | June | July | August | September | October

 

---

 

The best spots at Chicago’s summer fests | Index fun | How to dress for this summer’s festivals | Chicago’s summer ethnic festivals | Cheap drinks at Chicago’s summer festivals | Festival treats cost plenty of cash, calories | Cheap summer thrills | What and where to buy at this summer’s festivals | Volunteering at music fests can get you in free | Money-saving tips!