Eilquinn

From the Designer:

I am Eileen Quinn and my etsy shop is simply, eilquinn. I am a full time mom, part time bartender and now also a full time tote bag factory….my family likes to joke that the studio I have created in my basement is my sweat shop – and this past summer it literally was my sweaty shop! I graduated college with a degree in photography, but have never really wanted to make that my career…in fact, as my schooling was wrapping up, instead of taking pictures for my final project, I hand stitched a full size quilt make out of casted rubber squares using the same rough little stitch I now use on the outside of my bags.

I created the first set of bags for a friend of mine a few years ago when she got married…I was looking for a personal, practical and sweet gift that wasn’t on a registry…I have always loved to make and wrap presents and take great pride in finding or constructing the perfect thing…So, I decided to personalize a set of my most favorite canvas grocery totes…

A friend of hers saw them and asked if I would make a set of them for her daughter too…I opened my etsy shop in June of 2011 after my second daughter was born, figuring it was a chance to make some extra money while the girls were sleeping…I started to brainstorm and read up on printing by hand – originally because I wanted to create totes that could bear the adorable logo of another project and etsy shop I am involved in waldosluggoandme. Through some experimentation of using lace as a stencil, I discovered I really loved the colored lace…I have never been so fulfilled creatively than I am right now…I am obsessed with finding and using beautiful old materials, such as found lace and doilies and repurposing them to make an everyday practical thing, like a simple tote so lovely.

I truly am so proud of each of my bags as they go off to be given as gifts…they are each a unique little collage, stitched with love. It makes me so happy to know that I am part of a personal gift exchange between two people. 
www.eilquinn.etsy.com
www.waldosluggoandme.etsy.com

Diego Kahlo

From the Artist:

My life has always been about art. Classes when I was young. Artists in the family. Traveling to Brazil, Argentina, Spain, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Israel, Bosnia, Switzerland, Belgium, much time in the USA, and of course, Mexico. Everywhere, art museums. I started drawing at a very early age, sculpted, painted, and then found myself with the camera.

If there was something that proved to be my biggest inspiration, it was the time I spent in Chicago with the artist and photographer Darryll Schiff. He taught me look at my subject and not to worry about the camera. I learned to look and feel first, the technique comes last.

Threading Marigolds

Threading Marigolds Etsy Shop was established this past summer as a creative outlet for 2 sisters and a cousin to share with others their vintage finds and crafting wares. We are all “homegrown” in Illinois, but Kristi is the only one still here. Jamy and Lisa (2 sisters) were raised in Palatine, Illinois until making several moves around the country with their parents. Eventually, Lisa landed in Virginia and Jamy is in Florida. Cornfields still pull their heartstrings though. Kristi was raised in Lily Lake, IL and currently lives in Sycamore, IL. All three of us work in education at the elementary, middle school and college levels.

We like to consider ourselves lifelong handcrafters and we have the fun pictures from our childhood to prove it. We can honestly say that if there is a craft we have probably tried it. Whenever we find the time to all be in the same place we make a trip to our nearest craft store to try out a handmade idea. If we are together you can guarantee we are practicing a new craft and probably having an 80’s dance party.

Threading Marigolds is our creative outlet for all things crafty and vintage. We love that our shop has an eclectic mix and variety. Lisa makes handmade scented soy candles in fun vintage containers. Jamy creates fabric owls and handcrafted brooches. Kristi crafts fabric pom pom garlands. 

Take a moment to check out our shop!

Spotlight: Jessica Bone

Jessica Bone is a freelance artist from Lombard, IL. She received her Bachelors of Fine Arts degree with concentrations in painting, drawing and graphic design from Elmhurst College. She specializes in a number of different visual art forms including pyrography, tattooing, portraits and murals. You may view and inquire about her work through www.bonedesigns.com. 

Bright Expectiations

From The Artist:

My Bright Expectations shop is stocked with handmade baskets woven with traditional reed. Baskets have a never ending list of possibilities for their design and are their purpose. I would say that I am an adventurous crafter with a curious nature. I love learning new techniques and the challenge of conquering a unique design. Some of my favorite days are spent weaving baskets.

I started weaving only two years ago and it has become a passion for me. I sell baskets on my Etsy site , do custom orders for people I know, and have a booth at a few select art fairs.  The 13th Annual Illinois Wine & Art Festival at Rend Lake in southern Illinois is September 29 & 30 and I will have a booth there.  There will be 50 artists demonstrating and displaying their work, 13 wineries promoting and giving samples of their wines, 3 bands to listen to while you shop and enjoy your wine, and various selected food vendors. Stop by and say hi.

Becky Bechtel

Bright Expectations, LLC

Pierogi Picnic

Pierogi Picnic is the brain child of Lydia Krupinski who is a homegrown Chicagoan with roots in Eastern Europe. Having studied film and media creation in college – she never imagined that it would be her clothing designs that would set her creativity ablaze. In 2008 she set out to create a line of clothing that was infused with joy, comfort and a sturdy set of ethics. With a whisk of recycled fabrics here, and a pinch of whimsy there, Pierogi Picnic was born! Inspired by vintage styles, green design, and urban living, Pierogi Picnic strives to create comfortable and stylish clothing for men and women of all sizes. Whether it’s ready-made items or custom work – it’s about creating a look that’s as unique as the wearer.

Pierogi Picnic isn’t just about originality, it’s also a brand that raises awareness about living compassionately. It’s about using eco-friendly, cruelty-free materials, that are re-used and re-purposed in both wearable designs and packaging. It’s about volunteering and living a conscious lifestyle. It’s about living, giving, loving and having fun!

In addition to sitting around and fantasizing new ways of using old threads, Lydia is also the co-creator of the urban eco-living guide Sprout Chicago. Beyond sewing and blogging, she spends her days managing volunteers and foster homes for Chicago’s oldest and most respected animal welfare organization – The Anti-Cruelty Society. And when she’s not doing one or all of the above – she can be found singing at Harvest, cooking vegetarian treats or relaxing at home with her hub, artist David Paul Downs, and their three mischievous pets Peanut, Butter and Tomato.

http://pierogipicnic.com/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/pierogipicnic

https://twitter.com/pierogipicnic

Steelribbons

from the artist:

There is something special about an item that has been handcrafted, it possesses an energy that does not exist in a product that has been mass produced. Handcrafted items are personal and the attention the artist gives each piece becomes part of its' character with an essence that can be felt and appreciated by those who admire it.

I’ve been designing and creating for as long as I can remember in fact, it is my passion. After earning my degree in Art and Design, I began my career designing displays for Neiman Marcus where I had the privilege of working with the worlds most exquisite merchandise. Working for Neimans fueled my appreciation for fine quality, the unique and unusual and for handcrafted workmanship. My creative freedom with them allowed my artistic talents to evolve and eventually they lead me into an entirely new direction, working with metal. 

Being a minimalist by nature my contemporary style is a reflection of my belief that less is more. I love working with metal for many reasons but mainly because it is a totally recyclable resource. I work with stainless steel, aluminum, copper and brass. Nothing goes to waste or ends up in a landfill. I use recycled materials whenever possible for creating as well as for packaging and shipping, doing what I can to help preserve our natural resources.

Using tools that my grandfather designed in the 1930's, each piece is handcrafted in my Chicago area studio. The tools that I use to cut, form and shape the metal are powered by hand so the main energy source in creating each design is me. Each piece is made to order and because they are handcrafted no two are exactly alike. I am happy to accommodate any size order and welcome custom requests.

I love designing things that have yet to be seen and enjoy the challenge of putting a new twist on an old concept, making it fresh and new again. I receive such joy creating each and every piece. I hope that joy is reflected through my work.

Patricia Zilinsky  

For more from this artist visit

www.patriciazilinskydesigns.com

www.etsy.com/shop/steelribbons