Crafts For All; Classes, Parties, Projects

services;  shopping

Donna Palicka is a young woman with a purpose.  She's combined  work with parenthood in a most imaginative way as the founder of Sister-ARTS Studio www.sisterartsstudio.com .  Donna left her 20 year position as associate partner in the interiors studio of  Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, Chicago recently to open up this unique,  exciting storefront at 721 W. Wrightwood.

She researched her plan for two years and it shows.  Beginning by teaching various crafts after school at Francis W. Parker (the Parker Plus program) and at nearby St. Clements School, she implemented many of her ideas in a kind of on the job training which she continues.

At Sister Arts she teaches and sponsors classes for children and adults, organizes a host of different parties and gatherings and sells craft kits of all descriptions.  Craft kits may not sound creative but the ones Donna has sleuthed out actually encourage creativity.  In addition she has assembled her own kits, particularly jewelry ones which contain only glass beads, thus eschewing the usual plastic components. Unusual yarns are also stocked.

There are kits to make paper, airplanes, architectural models (with miniature bricks and real mortar), rubber stamp sets, lots of jewelry ideas; flower presses, even kits to decorate flip flops with crochet.  A teddy bear kit gives you a choice of four styles but one sews and stuffs and dresses these bears as desired.  A display model boasts accessories of handmade felt!  All kit prices at Sister Arts are very reasonable, generally ranging from $20 and under.

In the short two months the studio has been open, there's an impressive list of birthday parties scheduled.  These are all held at Sister Arts which is also equipped with a kitchen, pneumatic tables with adjustable heights and a beautiful cork floor!  There are two separated class areas and Donna reports (miraculously) that the birthday parties are very quiet affairs since the guests are always extremely absorbed in their individual projects.  A general price range for the birthday parties is $10 per child plus materials which range from $5-$10 each.  Parents may attend also, usually advisable when smaller children are involved and hosts may bring cake and beverages to help celebrate.

Donna's nine year old (almost ten) year old daughter Ona, is hugely enthusiastic about her mom's project.  She serves as student, critic, and all-round helper and, says her mom, "She's my inspiration."  When customers have age related questions re the suitablity of a particular item, Ona is a perfect advisor.  Donna also enlists her aid as a guinea pig on whom to test new classes.

Knitting and crochet is also taught for adults, children or a combo;  Mom can bring offspring along so that both can learn together, embodying the spirit of this enterprise.  The design of the space is particularly handsome and efficient and a tribute to Donna and her professional expertise.

Donna is very open to involving other skilled teachers with a variety of interests in the studio and its growth.  She's warm and excited about the studio, with good reason.

As a former retailer myself I was extremely impressed with this project.  You should go and look around carefully;  there's a great deal going on here and it takes a while to absorb it all.

Sister Arts Studio, 721 W. Wrightwood. 773.929.7274. Please call for hours.