Clever Alice

Crazy Good

Call me crazy, or maybe I'm just someone who appreciates all forms of artistry that's out there… (not to mention quality, craft, and design). Now I love to do research, and I've done plenty with this bike project. But I've been having a difficult time sourcing a company that makes custom bike decals in short print runs. And my bike painter didn't feel comfortable painting the lettering, because one of the lines in the font was too thin. The next step?

Hire a master-trained, old-school sign painter, with over 25 years of experience to do hand-painted lettering. Genius.


Visited Alex at the bike shop after work, to consult on ordering a new stem. (our lovely Nitto stem was a mere 1/8" off!!) So I got to see my lovely Oiseau… I was so excited that I was talking a mile minute, in incomplete sentences; I couldn't help it, I was geeking out. The bike will be ready for pick up next week!

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Side note: Eggcellent Koren steak and fried egg salad with ginger dressing from the Harmony Grill at Schubas. Amen.


currently listening to: The Police

Cans of Stuff

Cans of paint in the bike painter's mixing room in Arlington Heights.


Cans of buttons from the notions shop Soutache in Wicker Park.


currently listening to: Loney Dear

Target Pop

The Target Pop store was a hit— it was very cool to see all of the product in place, with all the final lighting, and customer interaction. There were also knock-off white Eames shell chairs at the event too, that were for display only, not for sale.


When the show was taken down Monday, a lot of the furniture was going to be donated… and my friend was kind enough to set a pair of chairs aside for yours truly! >eek!<

Blago in Chicago

There's an artist in Chicago that's spray painting large scale stencils of former Governor Blagojevich around town. Here's one my friend John caught at Kinzie St. down by the Merchandise Mart:


currently listening to: Crooked Fingers

Weekend Rush

Finally dropped off the bike frame and fork to the painter on Saturday. It'll be painted a beautiful olive green and back in my hands in 1 week! I can't wait. Unfortunately the rack has to stay silver— but I think it'll match the pedals nicely. Here's the before:

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My friend Juliana works for David Stark, and flew in for the weekend to install the Target Pop Store she designed, housed in the Chicago Tribune building. I was more than happy and very fortunate to help install the show for 2 days. Too bad all the product placement and styling is going on during my work day. Today I was sitting in front of my computer, missing them and wishing I could be stacking boxes, arranging product, filling buckets with water for flowers… and all the physical labor involved in opening an event. I can't wait to see her designs come to life on Thursday when it opens up to the general public. Check it out if you can: Target Bazaar May 7-10, Chicago Tribune Building 10am - 8pm.

(photos from the initial setup)



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And then there's always good fun and good food to be had when good friends are visiting…
(Magda Abakanovich's "Agora" sculpture and eats at Lao Sze Chuan)




currently listening to: The National

Near and Dear

One of my dearest and most talented friends is here in Chicago for Next and Art Chicago this weekend. And the first stop of his visit was the Hopleaf, for tasty eats and impeccable beer (mussels and Kwak). I'm posting this entry so he may have good "juju" to be one of most coveted fine artists of all time. Enter Greg Mocilnikar.