LOCAL ARTISANS & WHERE TO FIND THEM:
A selection of some of our favorite maker's from the old gift shop!
BELLE & NUKA & ELLIE'S
Artist
Creator of Belle & Nuka Sewn Creations & Ellie's. This KitscheCoo sister is multi talented in many mediums but specializes in hand crafted Pet & People products. From velvety soft lotions for us, to paw balms for our fur friends. See our shop page for some of Ellie's all natural products, or check her out at the Milwaukee Maker's Market with her pet friendly products for your fur babies.
CHRISTIAN CASTANEDA
Butcher. Badass. Artist.
Specializing in miniatures and repurposed game pieces, Christian creates intriguing and unusual night light miniatures & low brow magnets. Find his one of a kind creations at the Milwaukee Maker's Market or on his instagram, skinlampshade_shop.
GARDEN GIRL
Artist
Suzie, aka "Garden Girl" is a longtime favorite of KitscheCoo. Many folks may remember, she taught the tea tin jewelry workshops at the former KitscheCoo in Greendale.
Although she is not currently teaching classes, she continues to create & sell her delicate & beautiful jewelry on etsy.
"I call myself “Garden Girl” because first and foremost my passion is gardening. When not working with real flowers, I am working with the floral patterns of my vintage tins; finding their colors & patterns interesting and romantic.
I love working with different tools to create original pieces of jewelry from tin." -Suzie
MILRAWKEE ALT
Photographer & Special Event Coordinator
MilRAWKee Alt. is a collaboration between longtime favorite Milwaukee Photographer & Milwaukee Maker's Market Coordinator, Ryan Laessig, and local painter, Amanda Iglinski. Combining their love for the city of Milwaukee & their love for Science Fiction, this Milwaukee duo creates vibrant images of creatures on familiar skyscrapers. Their work can be found at the Milwaukee Maker's Market & other venues in the area. Laessig brings the Milwaukee community together by creating markets showcasing small business owners. There really couldn’t be a more dedicated ambassador for local Artists than our friend, Ryan.
FAITH ANN ORIGINALS
Ceramic Pottery Artisan
Entirely Handmade,
in a 6 - 8 week process. Hand drawn images and using real flowers, fine white clay,
& intricately veined leaves to form & color each piece in her backyard...
kiln-fired twice, for a unique work of art for your home.
Simple, but elegant,
The process begins in her garden...
Click the link below for info about her beautiful pieces.
MOLLY & VELVET CHARM CO.
Polymer Clay Sculptor
Self taught Artist, Molly was our youngest Artisan in the former KitscheCoo gift shop, selling her creations in a retail store at only the age of 13. She has continued to grow and become an amazing Artist & Sculptor. Check out her instagram below!
HILLS OF CLAY POTTERY
Artist
Handcrafted ceramics, functional and decorative, made in Wisconsin by Barbara and Matthew Hill. Click link below to find her fun & colorful bowls, dishes, mugs, spoon rests and more!
MKE BUTTONS
Custom Buttons & Magnets
Self proclaimed under-paid graphic designer and Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design student, Stephen Dean creates hand drawn & pop culture buttons & magnets. "Buttons are a small billboard with a big expression so let’s make something weird." Check out his creations and where to purchase them, by clicking the link below.
PATTI KLAINOT
Glass Fusing Artist & Instructor
Glass Artist, Patti Klainot, creates vibrant art glass for your home, office, & any window. From plant stakes to Suncatchers, Patti's classes were a big hit at KitscheCoo! Sold out, cozy workshops. Patti continues to host Glass Fusing Workshops at local Art studios in your area too! Click the link below to find a class & where to purchase her work.
K. KORTH DESIGN
Hand Crafted Artisan Jewelry
Milwaukee Artist, Kathie Korth makes jewelry, shadow boxes, magnets and other decorative items sold at art fairs and in local gift shops around the area. Her style is unique and funky, and no two pieces are alike! Find out where to find her by clicking the link below.
TANGLED UP IN HUE
Art Collective
Tangled Up in Hue is an Art Collective in Eau Claire, Wi bringing you a variety of handmade and screen printed home goods, accessories, apparel & decor. Check out their website by clicking below!
SQUARE ONE SOAPWORKS
Lead Instructor
Mother & Daughter duo creating handcrafted, small-batch soapworks that are free of synthetic fragrances, harsh dyes and harmful chemicals. Find them at local markets & online by clicking the link below.
MAMA'S BOY SALSA
Fresh & Flavorful Salsa
Local Mom & Son, Pat & Chris, started Mama's Boy Salsa in 2016. This delightful duo bring you the most delicious salsa we have ever tasted! Find out more about their Indoor Farmer's Market, Market 30, Click below for more info!
ELENI CASTANEDA
Art Instructor & Owner
Eleni is a graduate of the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, with her BFA in Printmaking & Photography. A creative mind with a specialty for collecting art supplies for potential projects. She got her passion for teaching first while instructing painting classes at a wine & paint studio. But after a few years, the 'everyone paints the same image' atmosphere became repetitive. "I desperately wanted to teach other mediums, and host workshops collaborating with other local artists. I knew I could collect enough talented Instructors so in 2015, ultimately decided to open my own studio, called KitscheCoo, (brick & mortar now closed).
KitscheCoo is a name which Eleni has used as her 'Artist name' for the past 20 years while vending Art Markets with her sister, Marina (Belle & Nuka & Ellie's). "Like many Artists, its difficult to focus on one thing. I dabble in many mediums. I'm also fortunate to have so much inspiration around me. It allows me to keep creating."
Eleni has been teaching art classes for over 10 years now, as she continues to offer workshops at local studios & venues in the Milwaukee, (all the way to Sheboygan!) area. With an eclectic Artist background, Eleni is always working on a new project, whether it be painting, needle felting, mixed media, book making, or just tending her gardens, & assisting in renovations of their soon-to-be, Bnb RV Retreat (TBA).
Catch her at the Milwaukee Maker's Market with her felted fiber art, or sign up for one of her workshops where she guides you step by step in creating your own masterpiece while learning new techniques in an open & inviting environment.