Fourth Ward resident Maddie Sykes was driving down Dempster Street in January when she spotted an empty storefront, which she thought was the perfect space for a new business.
That moment kick-started a new chapter of Sykes’ life, and on April 4, she opened Crafted, a small business dedicated to highlighting local artists.
“My grand opening party was like being in a mosh pit,” Sykes said. “You couldn’t walk.”
Sykes grew up spending time in Evanston and noticed the city’s appreciation for local artistry and business. She said she wanted to create a space for local artists to display their work in a way that was more accessible than a traditional gallery.
Crafted carries work from 30-40 artists on consignment, meaning the artists dictate the price of each piece and the percentage of each sale that goes to Crafted, Sykes said.
Jena Doolas is one of Crafted’s artists. A few of her paintings hang near the front register.
“(Maddie) is my biggest cheerleader, besides my loved ones, and I just can’t believe that someone loves my work so much,” Doolas said. “It has truly been a life-changer.”
Doolas will be Crafted’s featured artist at the upcoming Arts and Craft Beverage Crawl on May 15. Doolas said she was excited to meet other artists coming into the store and to showcase her work.
Morgan Patten, another Crafted artist, said Sykes “cold-called” her after finding her online and asked to include her work in the store.
Patten said her work includes prints inspired by nature, as well as some “edgier” pieces about banned books.
“When Maddie approached me about getting some work up in the shop, I asked, ‘Which kind of flavor do you want?’ There’s the ultra vanilla, like butterfly stationery, and then there’s stuff that’s a little bit more politically edgy. And she was like, ‘I want all of it.’” Patten said.
Crafted’s art includes a wide variety of media — everything from photography to furniture has its place. Sykes is looking to expand into smaller pieces intended as gifts to provide more small-purchase options.
Along with running Crafted, Sykes juggles an interior design business and three children. The biggest adjustment thus far, she said, has been having a strict schedule with less flexibility.
“I have always had a really flexible schedule,” Sykes said. “I (could) just schedule to see clients or go to the merchandise mart while (my kids) were at school, and I had time, and now I have to be here, I have to unlock the door and let people in.”
Despite this new challenge, Sykes said she is excited to continue developing her business and providing a space for local artists to display and sell their work.
Some artists, including Patten, are similarly excited to continue working with Sykes.
“It’s just not something you think is ever gonna happen when you start making art and start showing people your art, that people are actually gonna like it and want to show it and actually pay you for it,” Patten said. “So it’s cool that (Sykes) has given that opportunity to people.”
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Skyes has a graphic design business. She has an interior design business. The Daily regrets the error.
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