The Real Chicago

Top Menu

  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

Main Menu

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
Sign in / Join

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login
  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

logo

Header Banner

The Real Chicago

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
  • Chicago’s hidden gems: Kiss Kiss Cabaret, Unabridged Bookstore, Lulu Belle’s Pancake House and TNT at The Annoyance

  • New on the scene: Recapping recent restaurant and bar openings in Chicago

  • The Big City Blog: A Chicago summer bucket list

  • Outdoor drinking: A guide to some of our favorite beer gardens and rooftops in Chicago

  • A day at the museum: Exploring the iconic Field Museum in Chicago

Shop Around the Corner
Home›Shop Around the Corner›Shop around the corner: Fresh, unique art and apparel make it difficult to just window shop at Arts & Artisans

Shop around the corner: Fresh, unique art and apparel make it difficult to just window shop at Arts & Artisans

By TheRealChicagoOnline
September 2, 2010
558
0
Share:

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

By Patricia Hall

If you thought you wouldn’t be able to afford that one-of-a-kind piece of art for your home, you couldn’t be more wrong. For almost 20 years, Chicago has been home to Arts & Artisans stores, showcasing a wide variety of hand-crafted art from all over the country.

“We are always seeking out existing and emerging artists with fresh, innovative looks, great quality and affordable pricing,” says owner Amy Hoffman, who attends several buying shows throughout the year.

I could tell as soon as I walked in that this is not your average gift shop. Between the wall art, glass décor, jewelry and apparel, I wasn’t quite sure where I wanted to start — so I headed straight for their new merchandise.

My favorite in the new line had to be the guitars made from vintage license plates. Who would ever think to recycle license plates and then make something so cool out of them? Artist Carol Braden creates rustic American art that repurposes materials you wouldn’t think to keep around. Each piece is created by hand in her Seattle studio, so no two pieces are the same. Arts & Artisans will also help you have one of these guitars custom-made.

From designer Corki Weeks, I next happened upon some glittering and clever necklaces. Even though they may seem a bit chunky, the meticulous beadwork gives an ethereal quality to the necklaces. Weeks created a name for herself designing elaborate kaleidoscopes. Some of these are also in the store.

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

Arts & Artisans also carries hand-made apparel. Designed and made in California by Venzal is a collection of colorful blazers for women. With a shapeable lapel and lightweight fabric, these jackets are cut to look good on any body shape and in any time of year.

The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, making Arts & Artisans the perfect place to find a gift for that someone who seemingly has everything. I saw three things I wanted for myself in the window before I even walked in.

There are four locations in the loop (720 S. Michigan, 108 S. Michigan, 321 N. Michigan and 35 E. Wacker), but Amy warned me that while each location may carry the same popular pieces, they are all a little different. Visit www.ArtsArtisans.com for more info.

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

TagsArts and ArtisansChicago ShoppingChicago tourism
Previous Article

Chicago Insider: Samantha Cybor on West Loop ...

Next Article

We Ask, They Answer: Q&A with comedian ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

TheRealChicagoOnline

Related articles More from author

  • We Ask, They Answer

    We Ask, They Answer: Q&A with fashion expert and Shopping Girl XOXO founder Lora LaPratt about summer trends, eye-catching boutiques ...

    April 15, 2019
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Shop Around the Corner

    Shop Around the Corner: Plenty of designer brands to go around at Luxury Garage Sale

    October 28, 2014
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Hidden Gems

    Chicago’s hidden gems: Band of Bohemia for an adventure in beer and food; eclectic shopping at RR#1

    October 20, 2016
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Shop Around the Corner

    Shop Around the Corner: Rent the Runway offers luxurious looks for a fraction of the cost

    August 9, 2015
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Down-home Chicago: The search for the city’s best comfort food

    December 1, 2010
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Good Eats

    Good Eats at Weber Grill: A lively atmosphere with experts cooking over an open charcoal grill? Sounds like heaven in ...

    February 10, 2011
    By TheRealChicagoOnline

You might be interested

  • Around TownHidden Gems

    Hidden gems: Pequod’s pizza, Bottle & Bottega art parties and a Wrigleyville newcomer

  • Around TownHidden Gems

    Chicago’s hidden gems: Swim Cafe, Rudy’s Roundup General Store and Colors and Bottles

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    It’s cold out there: A few spots to warm up this winter

  • LATEST REVIEWS

  • TOP REVIEWS

Timeline

  • November 11, 2021

    Inside Scoop: Massive FoBAB beer festival returns to Chicago this weekend, Nov. 12-13

  • July 31, 2019

    Chicago Insider Etienne Padin on obscure museums, shopping in Andersonville and dining at Maple & Ash

  • July 30, 2019

    First Look review: CMX CineBistro provides a fun, fresh take on the luxury dine-in theater experience

  • July 28, 2019

    Finger lickin’ good: Six trusted Chicago spots for a stellar barbecue experience

  • July 25, 2019

    The Big City Blog: Four Friday Night Flights beer tastings remain this summer, including July 26 in Ravenswood

Latest Comments

  • The 14 Best Fireplaces in Chicago | UrbanMatter
    on
    October 11, 2017
    […] Photo Credit: The Real Chicago […]

    Cozy on up: We asked active Chicagoans for their favorite spots to warm up in the ...

  • Why You Should Visit a Museum | FreeForAll.org
    on
    January 16, 2017
    […] Photo Credit: Therealchicago   […]

    It’s cold out there: A few spots to warm up this winter

  • Why You Should Visit a Museum – FreeForAll.org
    on
    October 23, 2016
    […] Photo Credit: Therealchicago   […]

    It’s cold out there: A few spots to warm up this winter

  • The Real Chicago – The Big City Blog: A very Chicago night on the town
    on
    May 31, 2016
    […] up was The Redhead Piano Bar for drinks and live music. I’ve said it before ...

    Friendly, unfussy, and serious about music: Hanging with Marshall Nelson from the Redhead Piano Bar

  • Scouting Logan Square: A Renewed Historical Neighborhood - The Annex, a blog by Casamatic
    on
    March 10, 2016
    […] (cover photo via The Real Chicago) […]

    The rise of Logan Square: Why this diverse area has quickly become one of Chicago’s hottest ...

Find us on Facebook

Originally launched in 2006, The Real Chicago — as a glossy entertainment magazine, website and email newsletter — has consistently provided the very best insider information, features and reviews to help both tourists and active locals get the most out of exploring the greatest city on Earth.
  • Latest Posts

  • Inside Scoop: Massive FoBAB beer festival returns to Chicago this weekend, Nov. 12-13

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    November 11, 2021
  • Chicago Insider Etienne Padin on obscure museums, shopping in Andersonville and dining at Maple & ...

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    July 31, 2019
  • First Look review: CMX CineBistro provides a fun, fresh take on the luxury dine-in theater ...

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    July 30, 2019

Photostream

    Follow us

    © Copyright The Real Chicago. All rights reserved.