#makers show

American Craft Exposition, North of Chicago, This Weekend

I am too swamped by deadlines, or trampled by a herd of deadlines, or whatever metaphor works to attend the American Craft Exposition, but those of you with some free time this coming weekend can enjoy yourselves. The Chicago Botanic Garden is beautiful anyway, and now you can also see the many talented artisans whose work will be on display. You see here a gold cuff with diamonds by Barbara Heinrich, one of my favorite goldsmiths.

For more on the show, go here: http://americancraftexpo.org/

One of a Kind Show In Chicago, Friday, April 29- Sunday May 1, 2022

Next weekend the spring One of a Kind show opens at the Mart in downdown Chicago. Featuring both fine and decorative arts of all kinds, this show has jewelry, clothing, home goods, and gourmet foods. This is a great venue for buying gifts from artisans or makers, as we are currently calling them.

You see here earrings by Rach B Jewelry “an independent feminine and casually luxe jewelry line designed and crafted by only the artist since 2007.” And then shoes by KJMAde. This is a great venue for gifts from artisans, and is open the week before Mother’s Day.

The One of the Kind Show at the Mart in Chicago, December 2-5, 2021

This is a wonderful holiday artisans show in downtown Chicago where you will find gifts for yourself and everyone you know. I show you some of the fashions available, but the range of items run from the fine arts to ceramics and food. Over 400 artists, so this is a day’s outing. I have always had a wonderful time at this show.

The gorgeous draped dress is by Anez, a company founded by two sisters, billed as a sustainable & contemporary womenswear brand from Skokie, Illinois. I don’t often see clothing that makes me think, “Give Me That Now,” but this dress does. The hat is from  Brim and Dash Millinery Couture which offers men’s and women’s hats in Northfield, Illinois and there are more examples on the website. And the mittens which make me think, surely there is a pair there in a color combo that will suit everyone you know is from Peapack Mitten Company mittens which upcycles wool sweaters, and is a 1-woman operation in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Show Hours are Thursday, December 2 — 10am-8pm, Friday, December 3 — 10am-8pm, Saturday, December 4 — 10am-8pm, Sunday, December 5 — 10am-5pm.  Tickets are $10 a piece and a children’s hospitals receives a portion of the ticket price.