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Northbrook Art in the Park: Highlights
The weather in the Midwest is famously capricious, making any kind of outdoor show a gamble of sorts. There were plenty of gamblers present at the first day of Northbrook Art in the Park, a juried art show featuring more than 80 artisans on the Northbrook Village Green, May 21-22. The rain started about an
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Amazing Recycled Yard Art
I used to work at Studio 817, an antique store where the owner had a delightful and eclectic assortment of yard art and whirligigs in front of his shop: pigs made from recycled oil tanks, gigantic chickens, even the odd dinosaur or two. These amusing sculptures were designed to attract the attention of passersby and
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Best Coffee Mugs, Part I
I just purchased a Kati Cup made by Tea Forte for my morning coffee and I couldn’t be more pleased. The beautiful lotus flower image on a background of celadon green is a treat to see every morning. And, unlike my taller thermos mug, it fits nicely under my Keurig coffee maker spout! Technically this
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For Father’s Day, give your Dad a high-quality, artisan-made gift
What do you give the man who has everything? This age-old question has stumped many, but I have always relished the challenge of finding just the right gift for those who are hard to shop for. Your father may insist he has everything he needs, but there are still ways of finding just the right
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Top Artisan Galleries in the Suburbs: Coquelicot Gallery & Cafe
My husband and I moved to the Northwest suburbs of Chicago almost a year ago, and we are still exploring the area, searching out the local artisans, galleries, and art shows that look promising. With this post, I am launching a series about the best artisan galleries of the Northwest suburbs. Coquelicot Gallery & Cafe
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Creative Search Terms Yield Etsy Surprises: Squiggle Vases, Cactus Lanterns, and Sound Wave Art
There are millions of products available on Etsy, and the primary method for finding what you are looking for is by typing descriptive terms into the search bar. This naturally gives preference to items that are easy to describe and categorize. But what about the flights of fancy that are dreamed up by creative artisans
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New Crossbody, New Handbag, New Outlook for Spring
Nothing improves my outlook like a new purse or handbag. I feel refreshed and ready to go places. Take a look at the inspiring artisan bags I recently found on Etsy and the Sundance Catalog. These handmade purses are perfect for spring and summer occasions and just right for gifting. This Japanese-style smartphone purse arrived
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Browsing the One of a Kind Show: Highlights
The One of a Kind Spring Show is this weekend at the The Mart in Chicago. I always look forward to attending this show, one of the premier artisan events in the city. From out of the hubbub surrounding the well-attended booths on the 7th floor, the following artisans stood out to me: Selma Karaca
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Artisan Gifts for Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is May 8, and it’s officially time to get serious about finding your mother a gift. Etsy is overflowing with beautiful artisan gifts to choose from. In fact, there are so many possibilities that we have narrowed it down for you! You are planning to give your mother a bouquet of flowers on
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Korean television hooked me on these stunning lanterns
One of the unexpected things I have discovered during the pandemic: the addictive dramas of Korean television! Thanks to Netflix, my husband and I have watched shows like My Sassy Girl, Her Private Life and Forecasting Love and Weather. I am rapidly becoming hooked on these dramas and their fascinating, sometimes quirky characters. The breakout
Design Hunter's Journal
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