Posted by Darlene Ostrowski
Left: Handmade soap by Soaphappy!. Right: Chicago-themed art by Lucius Art
Looking for handcrafted wares made in Chicago? The Urban Folk Circuit has taken over a neon-painted empty storefront at Clark and Belmont for its first ever popup shop.
Located at 3226 N. Clark St., Chicago (right next door to Architectural Revolution and longtime goth/alternative culture icon The Alley), the shop is loaded with jewelry, bath and body products, home decor, clothing, purses, and artwork made by Chicago craft business owners. It will stay open through Sunday, April 22.
Left: Screen-printed T-shirts by Megan Lee Designs. Right: Crocheted earrings by Muggy Tuesday.
"It coincides with Earth Day, which we think seems fitting, as many of our artisans make their goods with reclaimed materials, and buying handmade goods is a more sustainable way of life," says Jessica Duff, a Chicago craft business owner and one of the shop's organizers.
The UFC partnered with Architectural Revolution in February for one of the organization's monthly markets, and organizers are excited to be working with this store again, according to Duff. "The owner, manager, and employees are absolutely fabulous, and this location brings in a lot of walking traffic," she says.
Left: Mosaic sugar skull plaques by Rest in Pieces. Right: Hunger Games and Alice in Wonderland-inspired chainmaille bracelets by Do Bats Eat Cats?
For those shoppers who also want to learn to make their own crafts, the shop is hosting several hands-on, no-experience-needed workshops led by UFC organizers:
• Friday, April 20, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.: Upcycled T-Shirts with Jess
• Saturday, April 21, 2 p.m.-4 p.m.: Natural Cleaning Products with Kelli
• Saturday, April 21, 7 p.m.-9 p.m.- Consignment 101
Shop hours are noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday. For more information, check out the popup shop's Facebook event page.
Left: Beaded watches by LuDesigns Creations. Right: Day of the Dead artwork by NatashaBlue
Participating Chicago craft business owners are:
Bonnie
Do Bats Eat Cats?
Elmhurst Etsy Team
Fox and Bauble
greenie bean recycle
High Hope Knits
JAKIMAC
Lindsay Streem Designs
look! something cute
Lucius Art
LUCIUS Jewelry
LuDesigns Creations
Madcanvases
Megan Lee Designs
Milton and Margie’s
Muggy Tuesday
Natasha Blue
Pink's Parlor
RedAvaDesigns
Rest in Pieces
spinalfusion
Soaphappy
whether bags
