Starting on April 2nd and running through April 8th, there will be an in-store Easter Egg Hunt at all of our Foursided locations!
Participate in the hunt and you could win some candy, a 10%-20% item discount, or even a $25 gift card! Kids, adults, & pets of all ages are invited to join in on the fun!
Plus, from April 2nd to the 6th there will be an Easter Basket Raffle, where you will have a chance to enter to win a custom Foursided Easter Basket!
We've all been watching the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine unfold in real time from our homes in Chicago. While devastating, we have also found inspiration and hope in the responding efforts to help the residents of Ukraine.
We'd also like to thank everyone who purchased a blue and yellow button to show your support for Ukraine. We were astounded by how quickly they sold out (both batches!) allowing us to double our matched donation of all proceeds to All Out, an organization helping LGBTQ+ refugees, as well as those still living in Ukraine.
We also made a cash donation to Direct Relief, an organization working to get medical supplies to people in Ukraine and refugees who need insulin, oxygen, and other life-saving aid.
We encourage you to consider donating to Direct Relief, All Out, or one of the many incredible orgs listed below that resonates with you:
As an added bonus, we'll be hosting several of these women directly through popups at our Clark and Wellington location in Lakeview throughout the next several months!
A. Favorite Design: @afavoritedesign
Amanda Forgash: @petalpushr
Joining us March 5-6
Anna Hasseltine: @annahasseltine
Ariel Sinha: @arielsinhaha
Joining us May 14-15
Artumie Candle: @artumiecandlestudio
Asutra: @asutra.life
B. Fibers: @b.fibers
Big League Pins: @bigleaguepins
Brayer Babe: @heybrayerbabe
Cali Loves Chi: @caliloveschi
Callie Decor: @callie_decor
Casa 184: @casa184.co
Joining us April 9-10
Catherine Elizabeth: @catherineelizabeth_art
Chicago Neighborhoods Project: @chgohoods
Club Eggie: @clubeggie
Drawn Goods: @drawngoods
Esther Y. Kim: @estherwhykim
Fiorenza Art: @fiorenza_art
Fun Cult: @funcult
La Familia Green: @lafamiliagreen
Leah Birhanu: @leahbirhanucreative
Joining us March 12-13
Mashallah: @mashallah_us
McBitterson's: @mcbittersons
Middle Sister Card Co.: @middlesistercardco
Ork Posters: @orkposters
Remix by Giselle: @remix_lifestyle
Sometimes Christmas: @sometimeschristmas
Joining us April 2-3
Steel Petal Press: @steelpetalpress
Winchcraft Candle Co.: @winchcraftcandleco
Zucchero & Paper: @zuccheroandpaper
Joining us May 7
All of these incredible artists and vendors are carried at Foursided in our Andersonville and Lakeview card + gift locations for anyone looking to support many local artists at once.
]]>Is there a Black artist that isn't listed here that we should carry in our stores? Let us know by sending us a DM on Instagram! We're always taking recommendations!
]]>Each piece is custom made with however many states you choose, even one is cool! You can also decide on hearts or no hearts, a dotted or dashed line, and of course the starting and ending "points" or cities!
Curious about how they're made? We caught up with one of our best States in Love artists, to show us how it's done. The love we put into each custom piece is low key infectious.
The first step is to get a good feel for the composition of the piece, or where each state is going to live inside the frame. This particular customer wanted Minnesota on the left side and Illinois on the right.
Once the pieces are in their right place, they're floated about a quarter of an inch off the mat. How, you ask? Well, I can't tell you that. That's a Foursided secret that we're not quite ready to share. Let's just say that each piece looks as if its actually floating.
And then she gets to work on one of the most intricate parts of the piece: the dotted line. This is where each specific artist gets to make the piece entirely personal for you. After all, no two States in Love are ever the same. You're holding something that was made entirely for you and the person(s) on the other side of that long dotted line.
Once everything is dry, it all goes into a beautiful white frame and is ready to be gifted.
There's something about seeing these behind a piece of glass that really brings about a wide range of emotions. Behind that frame, we see that lover, that friend, or that family member suddenly feel much closer - not only geographically, but in our hearts.
Create your own States in Love in-stores, on our app, or right here on our website!
]]>For small businesses, the last couple of years have been tough. Across our stores, Foursided has learned first hand how difficult it can be navigating health and safety, while continuing to serve our loyal customers, and ensuring employment and benefits for more than 25 employees. And after seeing friends and local shops give way to the struggle, it became clear that this year, one of our top priorities needed to continue to be supporting our Andersonville and Lakeview neighbors in whatever way possible throughout the year.
While we could not contribute as much as we have in prior years, we did our best this year to focus on organizations that we believe are important in our communities and to provide those organizations support year round, not just on a Tuesday in November.
Below are the friends, neighbors, and nonprofits we supported in 2021 that are near and dear to our hearts. We're thankful for their presence and for all that they do to support the arts, minorities, our communities, and many of our very own customers, too. We hope in sharing this list with you, you may discover a new and local organization to support in 2022:
A nonprofit organization, the Andersonville South Neighborhood Association is dedicated to making our neighborhood a safe, friendly and attractive place to live and work.
Researchers from around the world have come together to form the Chicago Diabetes Project, a group of highly qualified scientists and their teams committed to achieving one goal: curing type one diabetes.
An inclusive, community-based performing arts organization that creates musical experiences to entertain and enlighten, inspire change, and build community.
Crossroads Fund supports community organizations working on issues of racial, social and economic justice in the Chicago area. Change not charity!
A nonprofit organization, saving women’s lives by eliminating health disparities in Illinois. Equal Hope addresses women’s health holistically by eliminating inequities in prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship for all women.
Equality Illinois is working to build a better Illinois by advancing equal treatment and full acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community, allowing all people to live freely regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
Lurie Children's is one of the top children's hospitals in the nation, providing superior pediatric care, cutting-edge treatments and advanced research.
A nonprofit organization, Meals on Wheels works to empower local community programs to improve the health and quality of life of the seniors they serve so that no one is left hungry or isolated.
A nonprofit organization, Sit Stay Read's mission is to advance children’s literacy skills using an engaging curriculum, certified dogs, and dedicated volunteers.
Special Olympics is the world’s largest program for sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, inspiring greatness in more than 5 million athletes in 172 nations worldwide.
Thresholds provides services and resources for those with serious mental illnesses and substance use disorders in Illinois. They believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to live an independent, healthy life.
As we plan for our 2022 support, we’d like to hear from you, our customers, what causes and organizations are most important to you.
Share with us what organization and why by below!
]]>Orange you glad summer is finally here??
Here in Chicago, summer is the perfect season. Clear blue skies and green leafy trees set the backdrop for park picnics and patio hangs. Dips in the lake and cool drinks with friends are refreshing for the body and the soul. As temperatures rise, few cities take advantage the way Chicagoans do. After the long, freezing winter (and, let's be honest, most of spring), we've earned it!
Wherever you gather this season, chilled beverage in hand, we want to help make it something special. That's why we're delighted to partner with local company Bitter Ex Bitters for our Summer Mystery Box!
Exes Ryan Rezvani and Stephanie Andrews took an unconventional step after their break up - they went into business together! They created The Bitter Ex Bitters Company to craft unique, small-batch bitters using the highest-quality ingredients. A dash or two of these will take your cocktail game to the next level. All you'll need is a cocktail shaker (a mason jar with a lid will do in a pinch) and your bottle of Citrus Bitters. We've included enough in each box to make 2-4 drinks.
Need inspiration? Look no further! Below, Ryan has offered up a handful of Bitter Ex-approved recipes for cocktails (and mocktails!) to sip all summer long.
Rum Swizzle
The national drink of Bermuda, the Rum Swizzle, is a tropical blend that has roots of, well, roots. The drink originated from a blend of spruce beer (a form of fermented beverage made from the spruce tree not unlike a root beer or a birch beer), with rum, fruit juices, and sweetener, and of course, is balanced carefully by the tartness of citrus bitters.
Add ingredients over ice in a Collins glass, stir, serve.
Dark and Stormy
This is a surprisingly refreshing drink. It’s important to choose a spicy ginger beer. I prefer Goslings or Barritts, but there are many on the market that are made with fresh ginger. Adding a splash of simple syrup is only important if the ginger beer doesn’t have an inherent sweetness so know your product. Steep fresh ginger in your simple syrup if you like it extra spicy.
Shake light rum, bitters, lime juice, syrup, strain over fresh ice in rocks glass, add ginger beer, slowly pour blackstrap rum on top to create a "stormy" look. Garnish with a slice of lime.
Italian Sour
Sours are one of the oldest families of cocktails due to their truly timeless sweet-tart flavor combination. This version features smoky mezcal and citrusy Italicus.
Mix all ingredients and shake/strain into cocktail glass with a lightly salted rim. Garnish with a cherry.
*Note: Though these drinks are considered non-alcoholic, bitters are alcohol-based so, if you choose to add them, they will contain trace amounts of alcohol.
For more ideas, visit the Bitter Ex website.
Cheers!
]]>Here in Chicago, Spring is a funny season. Often characterized by people in shorts and sandals walking alongside others in parkas, flowers blooming adjacent to stubborn un-melted snow piles, and moments of warm sun on your face before you're hit with a bone-chilling gust of wind. Some years you could blink and miss it.
Almost always, we'll have a few gorgeous, warm days in March that the more pessimistic among us may refer to as a "Fool's Spring", suggesting more cold weather is waiting around the corner. To them I say, don't rain (or snow) on my parade! After an even more claustrophobic winter than usual — that seasonal depression just hits different during a global pandemic — I will be making like Sheryl Crow and soaking up every bit of sun I can get.
This box was designed to help you embrace a sunnier outlook this season. Spring is a state of mind after all! For those days ahead that, yes, may bring us more cold & snow, we fill our homes with plants & flowers! Flowers make great friends (good listeners) and reminders that summer is around the corner.
So let's get growing!
You've got your seeds and your tiny pot, now what?
1. Get some soil! Sow seeds in specific seed-starting mix or potting soil available at garden centers.
2. Time to plant! Plant your matchstick tip first in soil
3. Water well! Make sure to use room temperature water so as not to shock your seeds. Try to keep your soil consistently moist without going overboard (water should never pool and soil shouldn't look soggy). Don't let your seedlings dry out! Putting some plastic wrap over the pot you're growing them in can help, creating a little greenhouse effect. Just make sure to remove the plastic once the seeds have germinated.
4. Let the sun shine! Make sure the temperature is at least 60ºF with bright sunlight to ensure best results. While it's still chilly outside, your seedlings may not be able to live right next to a window.
Good luck growing!
]]>And what a year it has been.
If you have had the year you thought you would at the start of 2020, I would like to know more about your psychic abilities and ask you for some lottery numbers. The rest of us — and I think this is putting it gently — were not expecting this. This year has often felt like a rollercoaster that only goes down. Plans were put on hold, opportunities lost, dreams deferred. The past nine months have been characterized by a general malaise and the sense that nothing is as it should be. I think we’re all ready to put 2020 behind us. But in the face of all the unexpected loss we’ve been through, ushering in a new year brings complicated feelings.
The start of the new year has long been seen as a time of possibility. Thousands of years ago, the Babylonians would make promises at the new year in order to earn favor with the gods and start the year off on the right foot. Now we make promises to ourselves to read more books or order less takeout. New year's resolutions are an ancient tradition, but when faced with how uncertain life can truly be, making plans can feel a little absurd.
Forget resolutions, this year we need some magic.
Whether it’s blowing out birthday candles, throwing pennies in a fountain, or just squeezing your eyes shut tight and yearning for something to happen, we all make wishes throughout our lives. Whether or not you believe they’ll come true, that little act of hope has power. You can call it wishing or “setting an intention”, putting a hope out into the universe is its own kind of magic spell!
If you don’t know what flying wish paper is, they’re pieces of paper you write a wish on, roll up into a cylinder, light on fire, and then watch them float up into the air, carrying your wish into the sky as they burn. And they’re your new favorite New Year’s tradition!
Here’s how to safely light your wish and watch it rise:
STEP 1: Write your wish on the paper.
STEP 2: Crumple the paper loosely in your hand to add some structure. Smooth it back out and roll into a tube with about a 1” diameter (doesn’t have to be exact).
STEP 3: Time to play with fire (safely)! Set your tube vertically on a heat safe plate. Note: Make sure you have at least 7 feet of clearance above the plate - your wish is going to fly into the air! Please don’t burn your house down on New Years Eve; that would be so 2020 of you. Not the vibe we’re trying to bring to 2021. To be extra safe we recommend burning outside.
STEP 4: Light any spot of the top of the upright tube.
STEP 5: Watch the paper burn for roughly a minute. It will feel like it’s not doing anything, but give it a moment. Soon your wish will rise into the air!
Have fun releasing your wish into the universe and harnessing the magic and hope that comes with each new year!
On behalf of everyone here at Foursided, we want to thank you for supporting us through this crazy year. We could not have gotten through it without the outpouring of love from our customers and our community — your respect for our new safety protocols, your willingness to wait in line when necessary, your online orders and in store visits. All of this made an otherwise rough time bearable. We love you, Chicago.
Our wish is for you to have a safe and happy holiday season! Whatever the new year brings, we hope to see you then.
]]>
Among your curious collection you've found a thin, black envelope. The crest sealing it shut has the image of a skull—is this a warning, or an invitation? As you break the seal to take a peak inside you notice the air go still. The light in the room seems to flicker. From behind you there comes the feeling that you're no longer the only one in the room.
Quick! Grab the candle, give it a light. White candles are revered for keeping the spirit world at bay—letting only pure souls speak while divining.
The satchel of crystals should be kept close, their energy pulses as you tip-toe into the otherworld.
Thought to drive out any ill-wish or evil spirit, lighting the bundle of sage and letting it douse to just a gentle stream of smoke which you waft around the room to cleanse the space ( tip: when using sage for a full home cleansing, always start from the back and work your way forward, towards the front door of your home. Make sure to get every doorway, closet, nook and cranny. Extinguish your sage outside your front door, making sure to let any ill-spirit or wish outside where it will stay )
Keep your skeleton key close, the door to the other side may be locked and this will guide you through this magical realm.
Now, pull out your cards thinking about what you want to know. Hold this thought in your heart as you shuffle the cards.
Lay out your cards in the order as seen on our FOURSIDED Tarot Reading guide.
The first card connects to your PAST.
The second card connects to your PRESENT.
The third card predicts your FUTURE.
The fourth card ties to the OUTCOME of the thing you wanted to know.
Unlock this DOOR to discover what your specific WAND card means.
Associated with conflict and strife -- both external and internal. These cards cut to the heart of a matter, revealing challenges such as illness, heartbreak, war, loss, and death. But they can also reveal truths we need to face in order to overcome obstacles and move forward, which is ultimately a positive thing.
Unlock this DOOR to discover what your specific SWORD card means.
Connected to our emotions, our relationships, and matters of the soul. When a Cups card comes up in your Tarot reading, pay attention to your dreams, your heart, and your intuitions. From great joy to immense grief, the Cups cards reveal how we truly feel -- and how others feel about us.
Unlock this DOOR to discover what your specific CUP card means.
Sometimes referred to as "Coins", these pertain to things in the material and physical world. Often Pentacles are mistaken as only symbols of wealth and money matters. But in truth they speak of success and prosperity on all levels. This includes money and career success, but also family, body, and health matters. It’s typically an indicator that something in your material world needs attention. This can be positive (such as a successful business transaction or a large inheritance) or negative (such as health troubles or obstacles in the way of your success). This suit also represents your personal values -- the things you love, are attracted to, and collect around yourself. The theme of prosperity is not limited to only a financial experience. Even the poorest person can be enriched and increased by the experience of a golden moment, contact with goodness, or beauty -- all parts of the Pentacles suit.
Unlock this DOOR to discover what your specific PENTACLE card means.
Remember, only you can decide if these cards truly divine your fate. A wrong turn, a chance encounter, a happy find, all of these can change your trajectory. Tarot cards read things as they are and as they CAN be, not as they WILL be. If you don't like your fate, change it. Reflect on your reading and see what you can embrace or what you can work on.
Make sure to thank the spirits as you place your cards back into the black envelope. Let the spiced sent of the locally made Edgewater Candle warm your home with it's delicious notes of apple -- a symbol knowledge, wisdom, and love.
At Foursided, we acknowledge and are working hard to educate ourselves of the racial injustice that pervades our society; the result of centuries of systematic oppression on which our country has benefited from. Now is the time to make changes that have a continuous positive impact. We are listening to the world around us, our customers, and our employees to make decisions on what actions to take, where to invest, and where to adjust our business to reflect and make change.
When we started this business nineteen years ago, we focused on causes that were deeply important to us: including disenfranchised and marginalized people, giving a voice and a place of welcome to the LGBTQ community, and supporting people challenged by diabetes, mental health, and substance abuse. While we continue to support these issues that effect people of all color, race, and gender, we know we need to refocus our support. We acknowledge that we are accountable for, and have benefited from, white privilege and a system that favors white lives over Black lives. We are taking action to focus on this critical issue, using what influence we have in our community and our industry, to make change happen.
Bring Visibility to BIPOC Artists, Makers, and Business Owners.
A significant part of Foursided's mission has always been to cultivate communities who love art, to advance artisans and makers. We will seek to showcase more BIPOC artists and makers, building upon our showcased LGBTQ+ artists. We wish to highlight their voices for our customers through our stores, social channels, and online store.
Bring Products from Black-Owned and Designed Makers To Our Customers
We recently made a pledge to make 15% of our shelf space dedicated to product from Black makers, designers, authors and Black-owned businesses. Our buyers are actively seeking out and placing orders. Our customers can expect to see our inventory change going forward. We made a call for Black artists, makers, and designers last month to our customers and social media followers and have received a wealth of new avenues to support and buy from. We're excited for these new products to bring to you, our customers. Please send us other any of your favorite BIPOC created products, businesses, and artists you'd like to see in our shop!
Further Invest in Black Not-for-Profit (NFP) Organizations
This year and in future years, we will seek out Black NFP organizations, make donations to these organizations, and bring visibility to them with our customers and social channels. In early June we started with Black-led LGBTQ organizations, including donations to Brave Space Alliance, LGBTQ+ Freedom Fund, the Trans Justice Funding Project, and Chicago Birthworks Collective. We plan to do more this year and in the coming years. Each year we donate approximately $15k of charitable giving to various organizations. We encourage our customers to also consider supporting these organizations.
Our owners have also made significant personal contributions to Thresholds and have a space on the board of directors. Thresholds provides health care and housing services to people with mental health and substance use issues. Their programs also strive to reduce unnecessary prison and jail time.
Changes to Foursided’s Policies
We will continue to provide equal employment opportunities and continue to seek out diverse, talented candidates that reflect our society and seek to reduce marginalization. We have made Juneteenth a permanent paid holiday for all Foursided employees, starting with June 19, 2020. We are adding an additional day of paid time off to our policy for all employees, that they can dedicate to volunteering their time to the organization of their choice.
Foursided is committed to future actions that will result in change and equality for BIPOC in the United States. We will use the platform our privilege has created in every way we can to advance this cause. We are accountable for taking action now and in the future, and we will continue to listen to BIPOC voices, our customers, our employees, and our business partners.
We are not perfect, but we are learning, and we will continue to grow and change.
Thank you,
Foursided
The Mantle Makeover!
I've been wanting to do this for awhile now and thought I'd do a display tutorial and take anyone along with me who'd like to go.
This is a shot of the mantle which a long time ago looked very different. You know how you have a nice minimal look on a coffee table or wall and it looks great? Then we think we should keep adding to it and then all of the sudden there is no display anymore. It's now a public storage space. We've all been there, I know.
So what to do with your things when it's starting to look more like a hoarders cove instead of a treasure trove?
First step:
Take a stroll through your favorite things
(I apologize in advance for the amount of times I say "Um")
And just like the documentary about the high-stakes world of big cat collecting you never asked for, here is the final installment of this blog series.
We asked our Foursided staff:
RAY ZUPP - ART+MARKETING DIRECTOR
Foursided
Well, I dragged my heels long enough on this, so I suppose it's time to reveal my time in the clink *errr* I mean quarantine...
To pass the days I've been rearranging furniture in our apartment (don't tell a designer they can move a couch and not expect the rest to follow suit), taking the pup for long walks, working on some exciting projects I can finally pull off the back burner, desperately attempting to keep off the quarantine weight by doing my at home workouts with Orange Theory Fitness, and writing this blog series.
Oh and I turned 32 (I know, I know, I don't look a day over 300!)
I've finally settled into my new desk which sits in the corner of our main room—spoiled with a stunning view of downtown Chicago, an architecture lover's dream. I've done my best to blend my boyfriend's aesthetic (minimal/modern) with mine (old gay wizard). I've kept all the things which inspire and motivate me at my desk—I think it's important to surround your workspace in things which will help drive all your creative energy. Also, I promised my boyfriend I would only bring photos of dead people I'm related to—spoilsport.
But don't you worry, I'm doing my fair amount of couch potato-ing as well. My top favorites binges so far have been:
Outlander (Starz) introducing the show to my boyfriend has allowed me to indulge in a rewatch of the entire series—a former World War II nurse in 1946 finds herself transported back to Scotland in 1743—stunning performances, steamy chemistry, story, costumes, locations.
The Kingdom (Netflix) is the perfect pandemic story—a zombie plague set in an ancient Korean kingdom.
Unorthodox (Netflix) is an incredibly performed piece loosely based on a young woman's escape to the unknown world outside her ultra-Orthodox enclave in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
We fell into the insane world of Tiger King (Netflix), which at this point needs no explanation (except for where Carole hid the body).
And currently we're addicted to Ozarks (Netflix) making our way through season 2—obsessed with Laura Linney and Jason Bateman.
Other binge-worthy shows I suggest (not that any of you asked): Harlots (Hulu) a historical drama about badass women in an 18th century feud between two rival brothels—gorgeous costumes and delicious acting. Shut Eye (Hulu) a dark comedic look at the underground world of Los Angeles storefront psychics and the organized crime syndicates that runs them. And of course The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, a brilliant, quick witted woman turns 1950s housewife to stand up comedian when her husband leaves her for his secretary—the details, the performances, and the writing are superb.
This government mandated time away from everyone has been a blessing and a curse. A curse for the obvious economic reasons, but also the anxiety and constant state of "what if" that is has put everyone under. A blessing, because it's allowed all of us to sit and really focus on what and who matters in our lives—and what we can live without. Not to mention the boatload of creative content that is brewing all over the world.
Honestly, quarantine life isn't much different than the decade of my life I spent as a freelance Entertainment Designer.
Only this time I'm wondering if I bought enough Charmin.
* * *
And remember—we're all in this together.
But what else has happened since PART TWO? Prince Charles got Covid19 but don't you worry America, we've got our national treasure under lock and key--Betty White announced she's safe and healthy (PHEW).
The government announced we're in this at least until April 30th...so in the words of one, Justin Timberlake, the next time we see you "it's gonna be MAY"
(...I'm not even sorry I made that joke...)
SO WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO PASS THE TIME?
To provide you with some ideas, we asked our Foursided staff:
Send us your quarantine tales and tips to pass the time and we might feature you in our next blog!
Email us at customerservice@foursided.com
No matter how you spend your time in quarantine, everyone at Foursided hopes you’re staying safe, healthy and happy!
I have been organizing my desk area and re-imagining everything. I decided to take down everything that was on my cork board to start fresh.
Feels like a good time to invite new inspirations and plant new seeds.
I’ve also been trying to finally read my library books (eee!)
Highly recommend Why We Sleep. Did you know that early humans used to sleep in groups and in shifts for safety purposes? Some of us are descendants of Night Owls and some of us are descendants of Morning Larks. Some of our sleeping habits can be explained by this history!
Quarantine feels like a great time to pay attention to and respect your body’s natural patterns.
**It should also be noted that Mel is an INCREDIBLE artist, her LA CROIX art is one of our BEST SELLERS, along with numerous other prints of hers**
* * * *
CARLA BROOKE - MANAGER + LEAD FRAMER
I have been restoring a knapsack that is "Civil War army surplus."
* * * *
MIKAELA SPENCER - CUSTOM FRAMER
Send us your quarantine tales and tips to pass the time and we might feature you in our next blog!
Email us at customerservice@foursided.com
No matter how you spend your time in quarantine, everyone at Foursided hopes you’re staying safe, healthy and happy!
Todd Mack — Owner and Proprietor
I'm binging multiple, different things on Netflix:
Bloodride: It’s a horror series, very entertaining. Each episode is different so it doesn't matter where you start. I'm begging for season two. Gory—expect blood.
The Hunters: I'm on episode 3 and I can't watch more because my partner, who works 24/7, won't let me proceed with the series without him. It's a story/series about Jewish holocaust survivors seeking out revenge on war criminals from WWII. It's delightful, frightening, and sometimes funny. Expect violence.
Versailles: I've finished it! I'm an anglophile at heart even though this is a series set in France, all the actors sport English accents—It's delicious. Expect sexy actors, wigs beyond your imagination, unspeakable horrors, sex scenes, and multiple scenes that just do not comply with today's world.
Oh, and last but not least... The Morning Show. I just finished. It was like watching Gone with the Wind twice in one day. But very worth it. Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon deliver the goods along with Steve Carell—it's a roller coaster of life in the world of big media in New York City...I can’t imagine keeping up the pace they do on this show. It’s also delves deep in the #MeToo movement, parts shocking. The treachery of men!
Allie Rubin — Manager + Buyer
Foursided Andersonville
As a natural introvert and a person who enjoys constantly eating snacks, I generally love spending time at home.
My cat and I have been tackling a wine-themed murder mystery puzzle called Foul Play and Cabernet—although she mostly likes to kick the pieces around while I try to rescue them: bonus cardio!
I’ve also been binging old seasons of Survivor, one of my favorite shows. It's especially nice right now to imagine what it would feel like to be on a tropical beach, eating coconuts and being duplicitous—instead of being trapped inside, where I can do very little scheming.
Finally, I’ve been tackling some bigger projects, like redoing one of my gallery walls (pictured below), trying to finish some books (currently The Overstory by Richard Powers), and playing Steely Dan on my record player while I drink my morning coffee, secure in the knowledge that no one is around to make fun of me for listening to Steely Dan**.
**let it be known that Ray—who is proofing and posting this blog—did indeed laugh at Allie for loving Steely Dan**
Maribeth Brewer — Manager + Buyer
Foursided Andersonville
This week I've been taking time to introduce newly acquired thrift store finds to my existing collection.
It was nice to have a moment to recall where each object came from—the matchbox from a trip to Amsterdam, a carved soapstone container from my time in Kenya, the lidded glass box from my mother.
As we all hunker down, it's important to be surrounded by the things we love and make us happy.
So...how are YOU spending your time?
Send us your quarantine tales and tips to pass the time and we might feature you!
Email us at customerservice@foursided.com
No matter how you spend your time in quarantine, everyone at Foursided hopes you’re staying safe, healthy and happy!
Initially they explored a very simple frame design consisting of a basic matte black frame and no mat, however once we pulled some other frame samples with mats out for her, it became clear how much matting combined with the perfect frame can really dial up the final presentation.
Once they saw that we had a mat that closely matched the blue in the image, it was meant to be. In the end, the bold, blue mat combined with a stark, glossy white frame highlighted the modern, comic-book style elements of the work, making it POP!
The finished work, with it's vivid primary colors, shows how even if a work is already vibrant, the frame job can be vibrant too! Together, this piece is giving us some seriously bold vibes and satisfying our love for art and comic books! Ahhhh...and the framing too!
Framing or displaying the artist that you connect with is a complement to your individuality, creativity, and growth as a human. It tells onlookers, 'Hey, I'm more than what meets the eye. I'm a thoughtful and artistic being'. ...Or you could simply staple gun Monet's 'Water Lilies' to your wall and call it a day. We've done that, too.
]]>Q: What inspired you to start making?
Marcy: Making things has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I was born lucky to a very creative and talented mama who always had a project for my sisters and I to work on and supplies to share with us. Nature, in one way or another, has always been an inspiration to me. Collecting, cataloging and drawing beautiful organic forms is my meditation and has always been such a big part of my life it feels as necessary as fresh air and water. I will get an itch to draw that must be scratched and without it I would be lost!
Q: What does a typical work day look like for you?
Marcy: I wear a lot of hats on most typical days. Mornings are for coffee and catching up on email, afternoons are all about printing and packing orders, and usually I work on new designs in the evening. I also try to squish in bike rides on wooded trails, backyard bonfires and cocktails with friends whenever I can on work days.
Q: Do you have a particular piece that is extra meaningful for you?
Marcy: So many of my prints are special to me. Landscapes like 'say yes to adventure' and 'sweet wilderness' have been based on beautiful spots I've traveled to and they remind me of dreamy sunsets in the Florida Keys or cliff side log cabins in Kentucky every time I see them. I also have a series of prints spurred by our current political climate, and I think they will always remind me of a brave choice I made to do what I think is right when it comes to my business instead of what's safe. I am currently working on some designs that have helped crystallize my own spiritual connections to nature and I know when finished they will be some of my most personal and most meaningful work to date.
Q: Describe your studio. Is there anything that's always around?
Marcy: I work out of a home studio in my basement. It is not a sun drenched dream space by any stretch of the imagination, but it is my little Fraggle Rock and I love working down here. There's almost always music on, every genre from classic rock to old Dolly Parton to my favorite indie bands. If I am printing a large edition I'll put on podcasts or audiobooks once I get that first perfect print and can go into autopilot mode.
Q: Do you have any advice for aspiring makers?
Marcy: Put your work out there and worry about having everything absolutely perfect later. Nothing will ever be perfect and if you navigate the waters of selling your craft with flexibility, chances are good your target will be constantly moving anyway. Fail with gusto because you will learn so much from it, most importantly that failure is never the end of the world you pictured in your mind. Out of all of the logs of determination on the fire, the ones that have burned the longest and brightest for me were born out of failure and heartbreak, not success.
Make sure to stop by and check out Marcy's awesome prints! OR click here to shop her products on our web store.
]]>After being pressed, the kimono was very carefully hand stitched on. Because it is made of silk, we took extra precaution in making sure that everything lay exactly where it needed to.
Because of its complexity, we made special arrangements for Todd, one of the owners, to install the piece. So we sealed it up and headed to Denise's apartment on Lakeshore Drive.
This was very large! It definitely takes more than just a nail in the wall to hang a piece of this size. Make sure to ask us if you don't know - we've got the hardware you'll need!
We're so happy that we were able to play a part in preserving this heirloom. Now, as it's passed along through the family, it will continue to hang on the walls for future generations, looking just as beautiful as it does today.
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She had supplied the wood backing and the leather straps that we used to secure the tools. It took a lot of figuring out to find the best arrangement and fastening methods to make all of the tools fit beautifully.
We used a stacked double frame for this, because the depth of the frame needed to be large enough to fit all of the tools behind the glass.
To make this project even more special, she wanted a golden engraved plate at the bottom of the piece that read "Bestefar Verktøy," the Norwegian "Grandpa's Tools."
We used his original wooden tape measure to frame out the top three sides of the piece. It was the perfect touch to bring everything together.
With the frame fitted and secured, we carefully added the glass and sealed everything up. This piece ended up being super heavy - so we used a very strong wire hanger in the back to make sure it could safely hang on a wall.
This piece is certainly something to be proud of on both sides. It represents the eternal bond between a family, and it represents the unique craftsmanship that Foursided brings.
We found the perfect floral wallpaper to really pop from inside the letters. Once this beauty landed inside of a frame, it was clear that we'd conquered our artistic challenge. It couldn't have turned out better!
What do you think? We could totally see this on any Mother's wall. And don't worry - we're sure she still loves your popsicle stick frames just as much.
What you'll need:
Step 1: Find your center
Measure the mat board on both sides to determine where you'll glue your rock. It doesn't have to be exact - but it gives you a good ballpark range of where to glue.
Step 2: Get sticky
Glue your rock to the mat board in the way that makes it the flattest it can possibly lay. You want to make sure it fits perfectly inside your frame!
Step 3: Let 'em sit
While your rock friends are drying, it's a good idea to clean your glass and get your frame ready. Make sure all those pesky little specks and fingerprints are nowhere to be seen! Once everything is good and dry, put your frame back together and marvel at your awesome DIY skills.
You can experiment with all kinds of rock shapes and frame sizes. If you're feeling extra crazy, try using a patterned piece of paper or a bright color mat board. We wanted to keep things simple and elegant, but there's no limit to what you can do with these!
Come mine through our shelves of rocks and geodes until you find the perfect little stone for your project. Oh, and if you need a frame, we're pretty sure we've got you covered on that, too.
]]>STEP 1: MEASURING
The first thing you'll want to do is measure the inside of your frame to get the size of your foam-core and cork board. After laying the frame face down, measure the inside back walls from top to bottom and side to side. Make sure to measure from lip to lip and not the inside opening of the frame - you don't want your cork board falling out the front when you're all done! It may seem very obvious, but because what's inside the frame is slightly larger than the opening, it stays put. Once you've got your measurements, write down the length and width.
STEP 2: SNIP, SNIP, SNIP
Mark your measurements on your foam-core. Using a ruler or some other sort of straight edge, cut the foam core to size. We use a box-cutter because it's more accurate, but a pair of sharp scissors could work too. Mark the same measurements on your cork (or trace your foam-core) and cut to size.
STEP 3: SEAL THE DEAL
You'll probably want to do this next part outside, unless breathing in really harmful chemicals is totally your thing (we get it but just this once be safe and go outside). We tacked our foam core to a wood column out on the deck and coated it with spray glue. It doesn't take as much as you think! A side-to-side vertical pass followed by a top-to-bottom horizontal pass should do the trick. You'll want to stay about 12 inches away from the foam core. Once you've finished spraying, it's time to attach the cork. Make sure to start at the top and gently rub your way down to avoid any air bubbles. It's kind of like giving a massage - but without the oil and awkwardness.
STEP 4: SAFE & SECURE
Once our cork is glued on to the foam-core, place it inside the frame. If your frame is face down, you'll want to be looking at the foam-core. If you're looking at the cork, take some deep breaths and flip it over. If your frame already has clamps and a hanging mechanism, then clamp that sucker and move on to step 5. Because we're a fancy frame shop, we've got a special gun that inserts small metal brads that hold the foam core in place. Since you probably don't have one of these, we recommend using what are called glazier points. These you can also get at a craft or hardware store. They're essentially the same thing, they just involve a little more work to get them in. Read the instructions on your package, but it most likely involves nothing more than light tapping with a hammer or wedging in with a flat head screwdriver. Once the foam-core was secure, we hammered in our sawtooth hanger. These can also be purchased with tiny screws that secure the sawtooth to the frame (also available at the same stores). Read the package on your sawtooth and follow the instructions provided. It'll read something like "find the center and whack it in!"
STEP 5: PIN CRAZY
Now's the fun part. Pat yourself on the back because the hard part is over. Find some pins that make you happy. We're using these adorable little gold ball points and some vintage upholstery pins we had in the shop. Different pins can be used for so many different things - so use your imagination! Once you're satisfied with how everything looks, it's time to put this baby on a wall. We recommend using a nail with a flat head so your sawtooth hanger has something to rest on and keep it from sliding forward and off the wall.
TIP: Once you've hammered your nail and hung the frame, apply pressure to the top to drive the nail deeper into the wall. This eliminates the gap between the frame and the wall and makes for a more secure final product!
STEP 6: STEP BACK AND ADMIRE
Congratulations! You're now a real DIY-er. Here are a couple examples of how you can use your new cork frame. No more piles of pins and no more tangled necklaces - now you can officially stay organized.
Make sure to tag us on Instagram @foursidedchicago with your finished products! Happy corking!
US: What inspired you to start making?
CHRISTI: I initially studied Art History in college, but I had always played around with clay here and there as a hobby. It never really stuck for me until my boyfriend got me wheel throwing classes at Lill Street Art Center for my birthday after we graduated. That sort of sealed the deal for me.
LAURA: I've been making things since I was a kid -- creativity was always both the escape hatch and my main way of entertaining myself. I remember my friend and I had a magazine we "published" weekly with hand-drawn fashion spreads and ads and stories that we wrote. We had a pretty low subscription rate though (just our parents) so unfortunately that endeavor didn't last super long. In college, I was a performance major but I minored in design so I also worked with costumes, makeup, and scene painting for the theatre. The first thing I painted there was a 40-foot replica of a French Renaissance painting for a backdrop, which involved a lot of long nights alone in the theatre having panic attacks, but it all worked out. There's no better way to learn than by getting thrown into the fire, so I'm actually grateful for that experience. I started making my own work in my mid-20s after a really hard time in my life -- a long-term relationship had ended and my father got ill and passed away. I tried running away to another country and when that didn't work out, I came back to Chicago and just started painting and drawing every night to try to distract myself.
US: What does a typical day look like for you?
CHRISTI: I have a hard time getting out of bed, so my morning process is very slow. I like to check my emails in bed and lounge for a bit with my cats. I'll then make some coffee and figure out what I have to do for the day. My studio is less than two blocks from my apartment so I usually walk over there around 10 or 11. From then it's a full on mud fest. I'm not a very tidy person, so when I have time to sit at the wheel for the entire day, it gets really messy. Depending on how many orders I have, I head home anywhere from 5-10 pm. If I can get into a good groove, I'll stay as late as I can before I physically conk out.
LAURA: Coffee first and foremost, followed by freaking out about whatever insane news has developed since I went to bed (a new routine that I'd love to end soon), followed by a mix of administrative and creative things -- working on sketches or plans, emailing, updating websites and social media, sorting out color palettes, prepping panels, working in the ceramics studio, ordering supplies, completing illustration jobs, and of course painting. I've been working way too many hours lately because I had back-to-back exhibitions, so I've mostly been just working from 10 am until anywhere between midnight-2am. Not super glamorous! But I'm hoping to slow it down a little this year. I try to get dinner or see a show with friends or my partner sometimes and either do yoga or get outside for a run or walk at some point during the day. That helps everything.
US: Early on, how did you find outlets for your work?
CHRISTI: When I first started wheel throwing, I never planned on turning it into a job. Wheel throwing was something I could do for myself and enjoy, so I mostly gifted a lot of my first pieces. As I started posting more photos on instagram, I think people became more interested in that part of my life, so I shifted gears and eventually got my own studio. I think most of my wholesale orders have come through instagram views, which is kind of crazy, but it's been pretty successful so far!
LAURA: I actually never intended to make my work for any other reason than to make it -- it was something I went to when things fell apart as a way to try and feel better. But then someone told me about Etsy, which was new then (this is like 2008) and I thought I'd set up a shop just for fun. It seemed like there was a nice sense of community there, which I'm always longing for because my family is very small. Then someone bought something and I was really surprised. After that, I started doing the Renegade shows, which were great experiences, and some small gallery shows. And a lot of opportunities just came to me from people finding my work online. It's all been very slow and gradually evolving, and I'm constantly looking for new ways to shape the way I'm making work, what things I'm spending time on making, and what I want my work life to look like.
US: Tell us about your work space. Is there anything that's always around? What helps you work best?
CHRISTI: I actually share my studio with my boyfriend who's a printmaker. It gets really messy with all the clay and dust. There's a coffee shop a block away, so there are usually lots of leftover coffee cups sitting around. My boyfriend prefers to listen to music, but I almost exclusively listen to podcasts. My hands are covered in clay, so I need something that's gonna play for a while where I don't have to change tracks often.
LAURA: My studio is the extra bedroom of my apartment that I share with my partner Kyle. We live in Andersonville in a 3-story vintage walk-up building. The room is small, which has presented some challenges recently as I've started painting larger pieces, so I have to figure out what's next. But I'm making it work for now, and my space is cozy with a few plants, some nice incense, and a pink chair. I listen to a lot of stuff -- usually a rotating mix of NPR, music, podcasts, and dharma talks. I also really like working in silence sometimes, so I usually do that for a couple of hours each day.
US: Do you have any advice for aspiring makers?
CHRISTI: Don't sell yourself short! Set your prices where you're actually paying yourself. Being an artist or a craftsman takes a lot of time and skill, and you should pay yourself accordingly! Also, pay a lot of attention to the business aspect of being a maker. That kind of pragmatic thinking doesn't come naturally to me, but it's such a huge part of being a self employed artist. We enjoy making the things make, so set yourself up in a way that you'll continue to enjoy making what you make.
LAURA: I think the best thing is to just keep going and always be working. Persistence is key because the more we make the more we settle into our own voices and create really honest stuff, which I think is what ultimately draws people in to someone's work. I also think discipline is huge and it's important to constantly be working and learning and putting stuff out there -- Instagram is great for this -- and to not be overly hard on yourself. Ok, that's way easier said than done and I know I need to take my own advice on the self-kindness front. But it's good to keep working on it! :)
Want to see more work from both of these amazing artist? Make sure to stop into our stores, check out their websites, and follow both of them on Instagram!
CHRISTI AHEE: www.christiahee.com / @chrisi.ahee
LAURA BERGER: www.lauraberger.com / @_lauraberger_
]]>Once we figured out how wide the frame needed to be to be able to fully encase these cuties, we started looking at a few options. We both agreed on a thick, brushed gold frame with a black frame doubled on the inside. This is called "capping" - the outer frame acts as a "cap" to the smaller inside frame. This allows for more customization with frame options.
We measured where each doll should sit and attached them to a small strip that sat inside the spacer inside the frame. We use silicone to make sure that they stay put. Silicone won't damage the object like regular glues would.
We closed up the back and this beauty was ready to be awed over!
What do you guys think? We're obsessed. This was such a fun and unique project. Sometimes it's hard to let these beauties go - but we know the customer will love it just as much as we do!
Then it was time for one of my favorite parts - the reveal.
Have any three dimensional objects that you think would be pretty awesome inside of a shadow box? Come by and talk it out with us. We'll make it happen.
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