Jessica Herman

Organized by a handful of entrepreneurial leaders, armies of artisans will occupy the city during the holiday season. Transforming local haunts into markets and bazaars, arts and crafters are offering an alternative to spending mind-numbing hours in line at the mall to purchase one more generic gift.

After sending a call for artists and tapping into the DIY community with help from "Nice Lena" Kim of Monkeybusinesswebsite.com, Ellen Gradmen has rented out month-long storefront spaces at her Lincoln Park Studio9 Gallery (1450 Webster Place). From Kim and friends' science-fair-style setup of well-dressed posters to a wall of inspirational placards, the range of prices stretches from $1 to $2,000. On December 18-19 from 11am-6pm, DIYers will also spend a weekend selling their wares at the Annual Hothouse Holiday Market (31 East Balbo). The items include soaps and body butters, bridal headpieces, Japanese textiles, messenger bags and jewelry.

This year marks the first Holiday Show (2200 North Oakley), held December 4-5 from 11am-5pm and organized by Bucktown Arts Fest founder and graphic designer Maria Mariottini. Besides the selection of sparkly, furry and felted handbags, Mariottini makes special note of Nancy Deal's "not chunky but funky" modern jewelry, Susan Powers' architectural ceramics and Steve Haflinger's tissue-paper lampshades. Two other markets worth checking out include: Merchandise Mart's fourth annual One of a Kind show, taking place December 2 from 6-9pm, December 3 from 11am-8pm, December 4 from 10am-8pm and December 5 from 10am-5pm. Featuring more than forty local artists, the Cornelia Arts Holiday Show (1800 West Cornelia) runs December 3 from 6-9pm and December 4-5 from 11am-5pm.

If new isn't your thing, the Chicago Antique Market (1380 West Randolph) offers one final extravaganza to track down gift-worthy vintage goods. On November 26 from 5:30-10pm, Nov. 27 from 10am-7pm and Nov. 28 from 10am-5pm, sort through a flood of collectibles, from shaving mugs and vintage prints to costume jewelry and crystal. Happy hunting.

(2004-11-22)

Also by Jessica Herman

Fur or Faux?
Contrary to popular belief and scientific truth, furs are aging like fine wine in the world of high fashion
(2004-11-17)

Body food
The Whole Foods of body products has arrived
(2004-11-10)

Poster Boys
Jay Ryan and his print-making cohorts at The Bird Machine have been posting around Chicago for six years now, and they're finally getting due recognition
(2004-11-09)

Political circus
"See this? This is what I mean by `conspiracy theory one-upmanship'"...
(2004-10-27)

Brand jam
(2004-10-27)

Monkey business
(2004-10-20)

Romance of the nerds
(2004-10-20)

Costume ball
(2004-10-20)

Really easy riders
(2004-10-13)

Hiccup to the chief
(2004-10-13)

Material girls
(2004-10-06)

Custom couture
(2004-09-29)

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