Willow

Searching for something eclectic for the home? A trip to Willow is in order.

This small shop on the burgeoning stretch of Damen in the West Ukrainian Village houses an impressive collection of giftware and accessories, many so unique you’re not likely to find them at your friend’s or neighbor’s place next time you drop in for a visit.   



“In my travels, I found really great things that I couldn’t readily find back home in Chicago,” said owner Amy Doehla. “So I’ve focused on small produced lines and artists that you can’t easily get anywhere else in town.”  

Items like the “rehabilitated” dishware from Brooklyn-based artist Sarah Cihat, who re-enamels each piece with her own art. Many of her plates and cups are now collectibles (Doehla can hardly keep them in stock), as are Joanna Mendicino’s ceramics featuring sweet-faced baby deer and birds etched into the glaze.

Lorena Barrezuela turns aluminum take-out containers into boldly colored ceramic pieces. “It’s one of those simple ideas – one of those ‘why didn’t I think of this myself’ ideas that people really love,” said Doehla.  

Equally unusual is Willow’s small but choice collection of jewelry, including Brooke Saizwedel’s layered resin belt buckles, and some pieces by Doehla herself, including several of her leather handbags.

But showcasing her own work is something Doehla seems a bit uneasy with, preferring instead to draw attention to others – like heaping praise on illustration artist Aaron Stewart’s pillows, with their strangely compelling line drawn characters. Everything here has a sense of whimsy without ever going over the top.

Antler horns as wall hangings and ceramic plates glazed with the outline of a gun have strong allure despite their context. But if your taste runs to the more traditional, the shop’s simple white ceramics, colored glass tumblers, and Asian influenced teapots will satisfy.

Product changes frequently, but Doehla is always on hand to discuss the artists.  

 

Willow  

908 N. Damen Ave.
773.772.0140  

(Web site coming soon)

---

SeeMore Shopping Contributing Writer – L. Heller.
 
We recommend checking with stores for product availability. Suggested prices may change without notice. SeeMore Shopping strives for accuracy, but is not responsible for errors or omissions. 

Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. SeeMoreShopping incurs all expenses associated with reviews. Publ.  09/07.