Blog

We headed down to Chicago's South side to visit Andy Gooding and Brandi Dunkel (and their dog Winston) of Vault Furniture at their 3000 square foot workshop.  This is where the couple does their magic creating contemporary functional furniture and accessories from salvaged material. Andy and Brandi's process starts with going out and salvaging all of their own materials.… Read More

Primarily self taught, Allen Levy lives and paints in Woodbridge, VA. OOAK:  How/why did you get started?Allen:  I was always aware that I had some type of creative streak but never found a way to channel it.  Once in the corporate world, I began painting as an outlet for stress relief.  Quickly I realized… Read More

We had a great time visiting Chelli Look of CHC in her Northside studio. Chelli is a self-taught designer and the artist behind CHC, a collection of fine leather bags with a downtown edge. She told us she started crafting leather bags in high school on her mom's old Singer and, within months, was making bags for friends, family and teachers. As her… Read More

Rachel is founder of Taylor Street Soap Co. located in Chicago's Little Italy neighborhood. Rachel's soaps and body products are made from scratch using natural ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter, and apricot and olive oils. OOAK:  What are you bringing to this year's Holiday Show? Rachel:  In addition to our regular line… Read More

The One of a Kind team hit the road again and this time we ended up at Laura Swinand's studio and showroom in Evanston.  What a treat to see where she creates her delicate modern jewelry line--Laura Tanner Jewelry.  And we got a preview of some of the goodies she will be bringing to the show in December.  Her designs feature high quality chains, gemstones and precious… Read More

David and Patricia Beets of Dell Cove Spice Co. specialize in making small-batch popcorn seasonings and popcorn varieties using organic & sustainable farming practices here in the Midwest. OOAK: How did Dell Cove Spice Co. come about? David:  Things began when my wife's position as a national newspaper correspondent was relocated from the Midwest to LA.  We were newly married… Read More

Last Monday our week started with a visit to One of a Kind artist Dubhe Carreño's home in a suburb just north of Chicago. We were treated to coffee and treats served in none other than her functionally designed tableware.  This Quiet Dust is Dubhe's line of ceramic tableware. Her perfectly simple forms she says are inspired by a minimalist aesthetic… Read More

Israeli jewelry artist Inbar Shahak's greatest passion is to combine ancient textile traditions with a modern new look. OOAK:  Tell us about your work. Inbar:  I am a textile designer by profession and by heart.  I take all my inspiration from ancient textile patterns and from the work of women in ancient times.  My first collection was entirely… Read More

On a beautiful October afternoon, the One a Kind team trekked out to Logan Square to visit fashion designers Jamie Hayes and Gerry Quinton in their studio.  First stop--Bang Bang Pie Shop to pick up coffee (and a yummy slice of apple carmel pie!). The Production Mode/Department of Curiosities studio is a charming storefront with a showroom/event space in the front and a… Read More

Born in Finland, Daria Kessler of Animal Sleep Illustration, creates narrative silkscreened art, illustration and minicomics. OOAK:  Describe your work. Daria:  I work primarily in screen printing as well as watercolor and gouache to create unexpected images.  Recently I have been using graphite to… Read More