After earning my Masters in Ceramics, I received the Japanese Fulbright Alumni fellowship, providing an extraordinary opportunity to study and work in Japan for three years. Under the guidance of Master Kaoru Fujimoto, I honed my skills and brought back traditional Japanese methods to my studio, Flying Plumtree, in rural Illinois. My work combines gas and wood firing with nontoxic, wood ash-based glazes.

Hello, I'm Benedicte, owner of Bella & Olive, a women-owned natural personal care line inspired by Norwegian nature and simplicity, located in Chicago. Our mission is to raise awareness about harmful ingredients, offering a clean alternative. We're committed to saving the rainforest by avoiding palm oil, donating to orangutan and rainforest preservation, striving to make a difference.

Robert Leopold, a lifelong Chicago resident, started painting in 1960, primarily using acrylics but also experimenting with Paintpens, charcoal, and markers. His art focuses on unique perspectives, bold colors, and texture. Now retired, Bob paints regularly in his Glenview, Illinois studio, actively engaging with the local art community as a member of the Glenview Art League, specializing in Impressionist-style contemporary art featuring various subjects inspired by the Chicago area and Lake Michigan.

I create one of a kind pieces using layers of glass, glass powders and glass elements. All pieces are fired in a kiln two or more times to create the design and desired shapes.

Freddie has been an artist for as long as she can remember, known for her award-winning series '1 2 3 Draw.' Beyond her books, her creative touch extends to illustrating various projects, from picture books to copper enamel jewelry under the name Parakeet Moon. With a BFA in art education and an MFA in art history, she's a talented artist who also enjoys puppeteering in her spare time.

Ila Allen, the creative mind behind Ila Allen Designs, is an Evanston resident bringing her unique handbag creations to the Artist Hand Made venue. Using various fabrics like vegan leather and cork, Ila crafts distinctive handbags that are a blend of textures and colors. Her commitment to crafting every bag herself reflects her dedication to showcasing alternative materials for accessory design and promoting creativity in fashion.

I'm a Chicago native and Marketing student at the University of Illinois at Chicago. My journey into candle making began in 2019 when I wanted to create unique holiday gifts for loved ones. The experience ignited my passion for the craft, and the joy it brought to those I gifted the candles to was truly rewarding. Inspired by this, I transformed my hobby into a business, motivated to continue bringing happiness through my creations.

I've embarked on a journey exploring various forms of glass art, honing my skills through experimentation and study. My initial foray into stained glass involved creating architectural panels, a meticulous and puzzle-like craft. As I transitioned to fused glass, I found greater creative freedom. Torch work opened up new possibilities, and my current focus is on glass enamels, blending them with my acquired skills. In this journey, I see us all as alchemists, and I relish the playful freedom that glass, with its texture and color, provides, allowing me to remain a child at heart.

Maike van Wijk designs unique handmade jewelry and home adornments. Her Wax and Wire Jewelry has gained recognition at Chicagoland art exhibitions. Maike artfully shapes steel wire into organic and abstract forms, embellishing them with waxed paper, beads, and meaningful elements. Her creations are an expression of gratitude and joy in everyday life. With a trilingual background and a history of creating greeting cards, larger collages, and encaustics, Maike's work is infused with cultural influences and linguistic subtleties. She is the past President of FUSEDChicago.

Michele Gaudioso transitioned from a high-stress career to rediscover her passion for creating art. Initially working with beads, semi-precious gemstones, and recycled materials, her craft has evolved to include metals, wire wrapping, and alcohol ink. Every piece is meticulously crafted, making it unique wearable art. In addition to jewelry, Michele has ventured into photography, offering a delightful collection of photo cards. Her creative journey knows no bounds, and she is dedicated to sharing her joy through The Gaudioso Collection.

Transitioning from a career in documentary filmmaking to animation, Ron has seamlessly woven his drawing talent into the realm of visual storytelling. From animating commercials to theatrical pursuits on Broadway and in black box theaters, Ron's artistic journey unfolds with a touch of impulsiveness. He brings everyday scenes to life, capturing vibrant moments inspired by the bustling city and tight schedules. Ron's art is meticulously crafted through the Giclée process, blending hand-drawn sketches with intricate computer work, marking a contemporary 21st-century art form. His individually crafted prints are both accessible and available in museum-quality versions, bearing the distinction of gracing the homes of renowned figures like Frank Sinatra, Mia Farrow, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

Sara Sela Jewelry, brought to life by self-taught designer Sara Mizrachi, radiates innovation and style from Brooklyn, NY. Sara, a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, chases her passion for creativity by crafting unique jewelry inspired by the natural world. She meticulously selects materials, from metal to stone, to shape her designs, emphasizing the allure of organic elements. Her one-of-a-kind pieces blend custom-blended colors and expert studio techniques, coupled with carefully chosen clasps and findings, reflecting her deep appreciation for nature's raw beauty.

From Belgaum, India, to Skokie, IL, my journey is painted in vibrant colors. I'm Sarita Kamat, and my artistry blossomed from India's boutique design to crafting hand-painted glass jewelry in the USA. With Swarovski crystals, gemstones, pearls, and more, I create timeless pieces that speak through color, texture, and shape, resonating with your soul. Explore my collection, including minimalist gemstone jewelry and hand-painted wood jewelry, each designed to be your newfound favorite.

For over 15 years, I've been deeply immersed in the world of polymer clay artistry, specializing in creating polymer clay mosaics, "paintings," pendants, and earrings. My passion lies in surface techniques, where I artfully apply various mediums such as oil and acrylic paints, alcohol inks, mica powders, pastels, foils, and gilders paste to polymer clay sheets. I then transform these veneers into intricate mosaic tiles, a process that I have honed through my active membership in the Chicago Area Polymer Clay Guild for more than 15 years, during which I also served as the guild's secretary. In addition to my polymer clay endeavors, I craft intricate necklace and bracelet designs using seed beads.

Twidley Bits is the labor of love of former chocolatier and French Pastry School alumna, Lauren Ocello. While the world of fancy chocolates and beautiful pastries drew her in, her passion has always been in the simple, the accessible and the delicious.

What are “Twidley Bits” you might ask? Put simply, they’re “the extras that make life’s moments extraordinary!” They’re what make breakfast worth waking up for, entertaining a breeze, a cheese plate accessible to all diners, and eating just plain fun!”

William Marvin is a nature enthusiast with a lifelong connection to the great outdoors. Growing up along the Fox River in rural Central Wisconsin, he developed strong Midwestern values and a deep appreciation for a land-based lifestyle. After falling in love with the Western landscape during backpacking trips throughout Oregon, Washington, and Yosemite National Park in California, he pursued a career in art and design. Bill's artistic journey has seen him explore the wilderness, illustrating children's books, designing annual reports, and finally returning to his first love: painting the beauty of nature. His work has garnered recognition in regional and national competitions, and his art graces both private and corporate collections across the United States