Sarah Jo

Michigan based crafter Sarah Jo
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My name is Sarah Jo. I have lived in Michigan my whole life and am currently living in Grand Rapids which has a lovely arts and crafts scene. I like to go all around the state and region and participate in arts and crafts shows, it's a great way to spend the summer and you can meet people who are making interesting work. Last year the Renegade Craft show in Chicago was a really nice opportunity to get exposure to the big city masses.

The clothes I make are designed to be casual, comfortable and unique. I make mostly one of a kind pieces but also take custom orders. I love to make clothing for people because I enjoy the actual work of sewing and serging away. I also think that it is important for people to retain the skills of making handmade goods, participate in local economies and have local alternatives to the big business exploitation and fake high fashion snobbery.



Sarah Jo
www.joclothing.etsy.com
www.sarahjoy.etsy.com

Coalfire Pizza, Chicago IL

Oh deliciousness. I love pizza. Really, what's not to love? The melty cheese? The awesome crispy yet chewy crust? Having a love affair with carbs and cheese, pizza is my dream come true.

So I try a lot of different pizzas. At Coalfire Pizza in Chicago I found one of the best pizzas I've ever eaten. Granted, I haven't been to Italy. But this is seriously some good pizza. I had the sausage and ricotta pizza and couldn't have been happier.



The atmosphere was relaxed. A great place to stop in whenever. And they don't take reservations so you avoid that awkward moment where the hostess gives you with the shocked "you don't have reservations and you think you're going to eat in the next 2 hours??" look.

BYOB . Tasty. Affordable. Perfect.

The giant empty cans of tomatoes serve as pizza stands at your table. How's that for recycling?



Coalfire Pizza
1321 W. Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL
312-226-0354
www.coalfirepizzachicago.com

In the Dark

Last night the power went out. I can't remember the last time I was stuck without electricity! I feel like it happened fairly often when I was a kid. But I guess that might just be how kid memories work. Or maybe the power company in Berwyn IL wasn't all that reliable.

Instead of calling it a night, which would have been the prudent thing to do, I lit a lot of candles and stayed up late reading a book instead. And took a lot of photos.

James Spicer

Chicago based artist James Spicer
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"Being an artist is a blast. I live everyday like a tourist or a child, and then share those experiences with anyone that is interested. Doing photography, illustrations, and books that question reality, illusions, and scale are my top areas of interest. I also like to point out how beautiful life is, but with a touch of sadness because many things are temporary, threatened, or already in ruins. Then I balance it all out with a sense of humor and strive to be uplifting. Speaking of ruins, in order to do all of this full time with complete freedom, I drive an embarrassing Chevy Cavalier station wagon. Nonetheless, I live well, get all my groceries from Whole Foods, and do a fine job being a human for a living, with a camera for a necklace."





jamesspicer.com
jamesspicer.etsy.com

Vella Cafe, Chicago IL

Tucked away near the Western Ave. blue line el stop is Vella Cafe. On a Saturday morning, it was full but we were able to sit down without much trouble, which scores a lot of points with me. I am not the most patient person when waiting for my breakfast. Or any meal really. Or in traffic. Or in line at the grocery store. But I digress... suffice it to say...waiting is not my favorite activity.

The food was delicious. I had a crepe with proscuitto, goat cheese and fig jam. The sweet and salty flavors were perfect together. I also sampled the Amaranth pancakes and can give those the go ahead also.

And the staff was ever so courteous. A most enjoyable breakfast.







I also really enjoyed the decoration of cardinals among twigs. The red colors against the frosted glass was lovely.

Vella Cafe
1912 N. Western Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
773-489-7777
vellacafe.com

The Quiet Hours

A book of photographs by Mike Melman. Black and white photographs taken in Minnesota between 1985-2002. All capturing the quiet. The quiet of abandoned buildings. The quiet of predawn streets. The quiet of empty spaces.