I have very, very cool friends. Even though I don’t see them as often as I’d like to in real life, I’m amazed by their talent and resourcefulness.
This webpage is bound to be imperfect and always a work in progress so if you’re a friend and you don’t see your page in here, don’t be alarmed :)
HOME GOODS AND HOMELY THINGS
AWRY POTTERY - These mysterious and mediative ceramics can be seen simultaneously as a piece of art and a functional everyday object, which is, if you ask me, the perfect balance.
SWEETCORN VINTAGE - Don’t you like it when you walk in a store only to find way more than you expected? Sweetcorn has a wonderful selection of furniture and home decor you just can’t live without.
BRIAN SCHUTH - You probably have a plant lover nearby, or you can transform into one yourself by placing one of Brian’s bud vases on your shelf - wait & watch the magic happen! Each piece is unique!
YARNIES BY MIKEY - Please explore the colorful world of Mikey Anderson, an artist, art therapist, and activist. Mike’s Yarnies and Queeries are here to remind you that we need to look out for each other.
GIRL AND THE HOOP - Nature-inspired embroidery art and embroidery kits!
ITTY BITTY MINI M(ART) - Eighties inspired miniatures, turntables, boomboxes, TVs, rugs, mugs, records, everything mini to bring you to your personal happy place.
MEMBERSHIPS, SUBSCRIPTIONS AND COOL PLACES TO SUPPORT
FACETS MEMBERSHIP - Give the gift of knowledge to the movie-buff cousin who thinks they’ve seen it all. What a glorious feeling to be able to rent DVDs again!
ZINE-A-MONTH - For zine lovers who don’t have immediate access to a great indie bookstore, what if the bookstore came to you? Discover new artists every month with this subscription.
THE WASTESHED - I urge you to offer Wasteshed Gift Cards to your whole family as it is the perfect gateway to creative reuse. The store has been around saving litteral tons of material from landfills and has been providing a space for artists, teachers and everyone interested in making their dreams come true.
CHICAGO SIGN SYSTEMS has been painting signs by hand all around Chicago since 2005. But you don’t have to be a building to sport some beautiful lettering - you can also check out some signs to hang on your walls or wearables to be fashionable at all times.
CHICAGO TOOL LIBRARY -
THE TURTLE SHOP - A retail space inside The Plant in Chicago!
JEWELRY AND FASHION (in progress)
ONEBATLIED - Adele Tamae’s enigmatic work on resin & paper (tattoos too!) will draw you in…
GHOST EYES - Sparkly, cheeky earrings and bedazzled berets - be the main character of your own adventure!
BABY GRANDMA VINTAGE - First of all, best name ever. We are all baby grandmas in this season, and we need to look cool and festive! This Vintage boutique has all you need to look effortlessly cool for the holidays and beyond.
NIGHT EYES LEATHER - Animal-inspired, hand-crafted and dyed leather wallets, apparel, and accessories with a serious kick of color and humor!
Naomi hand makes jewelry in Chicago. Their work is inspired by nature, movement, architectural elements like tile work and stained glass, & afrofuturism. They’re now focusing on one of a kind pieces and it’s so exciting!!
WIRED RESISTANCE - Yes, you can be punk, classy, and care about the planet at the same time. Take a look at Melissa Kolbusz’s collection of upcycled jewelry!
COLUNGA JEWELRY - How to elevate an outfit tenfold? By wearing one or several of the gorgeous statement pieces by master jewerly designer Stephany Colunga.
TUTTUT TATTOO - get yourself a rad tattoo or gift it to your loved one instead of getting another stupid gift card!
ARTWORK!
CORI LIN creates wonderful posters celebrating the diversity of an ecosystem, be it the aquatic fauna of Okinawa, a community organization, or a glorious tribute to Taiwanese cuisine.
WENDI NAPOLI - Wendi’s Window Worlds could soothe literally anyone. Perfect for a living room, bedroom, or therapist’s office, as a reminder to breathe, an invitation to meditation.
PROJECT ONWARD - A treasure trove of amazing art by all the artists at Project Onward, an art studio and gallery for neurodiverse artists.
NEATLINE CUSTOM CARTOGRAPHY - Get a special moment in space and time immortalized in the most delicate way possible! Your walls will thank you.
COMICS, BOOKS AND PRINTS (in progress)
this section is very much under contruction, as a large percentage of my Chicago friends are comic artists and wonderful people all-around. It takes a while to put things together, stay put!
HARDSCRABBLE CAFE-
NATASHNA A. - Elegant prints, cards, and apparel - elegant and effortlessly cool creations by designer Natashna A.
Meet Debbie’s cast of whimsical characters and get yourself the coolest totebag or beanie!
INGA BOOKS - Carefully curated gift sets for everyone. Grow your mind in 2025
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WERIEM- Unique designs and prints by the wonderfully talented Costume Designer Weriem.
TASTES AND SMELLS (in progress)
BIKE-A-BEE rescues and relocates swarms of wild bees in Chicago and produces honey in the summer with the help of the community. Each jar of honey has a different label based on its provenance. Each neighborhood “tastes” different!
PEARFAT PARFUM -
SOLIS ILLUMINATUM - Uniquely designed candles and carefully crafted blends for your altar by Damian Han.
SPACE ODDITIES - once a staple in Humboldt Park, Space Oddities has now transcended into the world wide web, and can be found at pop-up events. The online store is here to provide you with a perfect selection of artwork, jewelry, incense and much more.