This month, I wanted to take a quick pause and recap the amazing ladies featured on Women Who MAKE thus far. It’s been five months and five (really seven!) talented women that have shared their passions and creative business advice with us. I also wanted to give you all a bit of background on how I became inspired to start the series.

I spent more than two years working at one of Chicago’s largest visual art center’s, Lillstreet Art Center, in the Ravenswood/Lincoln Square neighborhood. It’s a pretty special place where any novice (or expert) can take art lessons in a wide variety of media. There are also working artists who rent studio spaces on each floor.

On any given day during my tenure, I could roam the halls and see an artist spinning clay on the pottery wheel, painting on canvas or even metal smithing (making metal jewelry). It was so inspiring to be around these constant sources of creativity! At the time, I don’t think I realized just how much I’d miss seeing all those makers on a regular basis.

Fast forward about a year, and I was really missing all that creative energy. I was also just starting this blog and looking for news ways to create content and inspire others. There was born Women Who MAKE. The series incorporates many of my favorite things, namely: women, creative minds, entrepreneurial spirits, artistic endeavors, business advice, and collaboration.

Fitting that my first interview would be with Katie Mills of Lady Faye Jewelry! Katie was one of those lovely artists I’d happen upon at the art center on a break. I was always taken with her personal style and wearable approach to jewelry. Read Katie’s Interview on Women Who MAKE.

Up next was lovely Lydia Crespo of Argaman & Defiance. Lydia’s scarves first caught my eye at a shopping trip to Modern Cooperative. When I got back home, put on my new scarf and investigated her web site I became totally taken with the her natural dying process and amazing color palette. Read Lydia’s interview on Women Who MAKE.

Meg Piercy was another creative gal I discovered near the Ravenswood corridor. I would always pass by her sweet little store front and admire the brightly painted furniture. When I learned she’d moved her operation closer to my house, and expanded her business into a larger warehouse with custom orders I was sold, literally! I can’t stop customizing client pieces with all their awesome services. Read Meg’s Interview on Women Who MAKE.

For my fourth feature, I shared a triple threat! The amazing Nate Berkus Studio Team. Tara, Meredith and Gabby work alongside Nate to bring his ideas for affordable home decor to the marketplace. They do a lot of work with Target specifically, and who does not love Nate’s Target line?! There is something for everyone within an affordable price point, so much to love. Read the Nate Berkus Studio Team’s Interview on Women Who MAKE.

Closing out the round up is the uber talented Chentell Stiritz of Convivial Production. Chentell was our first out-of-town interview and it was exciting to see some of the creative talent Kansas City has to offer! I purchased some of her work and was awed by Chentell’s ability to create such modern and clean designs, out of a medium that can often feel heavy and stodgy. Read Chentell’s Interview on Women Who MAKE.

Next month I’ve got a fashion designer feature, and can’t wait to share the fun images with you! They may or may not involve me wearing a turban (i.e. the latest fall/winter hat trend!). AND I’m making a special trip out to San Francisco to close out the year and series with some stellar Cali ladies.

Thanks for reading!

XO – Claire