More Than Roses: Handmade Valentine’s at Artisan Pop-Up

A weather advisory on Feb. 8 afternoon couldn’t keep love — and a little bit of hustle — from filling the air in Jarvis Square. The chatter of vendors and customers could be heard over the howling wind, excitement setting the tone for the anticipated day.

A few steps from the Jarvis Red Line station, Jarvis Square transformed into a loving hub of creativity during its annual Valentine’s Day Artisan Pop-Up. The event, hosted by Charmers Cafe and the Jarvis Square Tavern, celebrated the heart-filled day by providing local artists and small businesses a free space to showcase their talents.

Vended items at the pop-up included ceramics, jewelry, crochet and knitted items, baked goods and art.

Tom Cathcart, owner of Left Handed Love Letters and husband of Carrie Flynn, owner of Charmers Cafe, said he wanted to make Valentine’s Day gifts more meaningful.

Instead of traditional roses or chocolates, Cathcart offered handwritten notes tied with ribbon and sealed with wax. Customers can order the notes for $12 or a “Love you a Latte Gift” from the Charmers Cafe, which includes the customized letter with hand-tied flower bouquet and other Valentine’s specials.

“It’s just kind of a cool little something different to give your sweetheart,” Cathcart said. “This idea of something so crafted and neat and elegant with the hand-drawn detail, but then to be so silly — that kind of combination makes for a unique gift.”

Cathcart said he wants people to be able to gift their significant other something both inexpensive and thoughtful.

“What I’m giving here is a fun positive thing and we all need that right now,” Cathcart said. “The letters are so delicate and handled with care, but also unnecessary and unexpected. This absurdity is what makes it stand out and makes the gift even more special.” 

In addition to the pop-up being memorable, some vendors said it was a place for community. Stefanie Cirillo, owner of Oh Wow Neat Jewelry, said the pop-up represents a strong support for local businesses in Rogers Park. Her products include earrings shaped like insects, gummy bears and leaf vines.

“There is a strong sense of local flavor,” Cirillo said. “We want to support our local businesses and what’s more local than your neighbor who also makes something interesting? It’s much more fun to buy from them, someone you know, than it is to buy from some faceless stores.”

Cirillo said her products are reasonably priced, and her customers appreciate having accessories that showcase the unique sides of their personalities.

Stephanie Young, owner of Comfortably Queer, brought handcrafted sensory goods designed for touch and smell. As a neurodivergent queer business owner, Young said she recognizes both neurodivergent and queer communities have faced significant marginalization in the business industry.

“It’s really important that everyone has somewhere comfortable to shop and just be comfortable in the products they buy,” Young said.

Young said her Valentine’s Day-inspired scents can set any atmosphere, whether romantic, cozy or just plain fun. She sells incense, soaps and fragrance roll-ons with prices ranging from $8 to $15. 

In addition to her scents, Young said she picked up a crochet hobby during COVID-19 quarantine in 2020, and she now sells the crochet stuffed animals she makes. 

“Flowers are going to die and candy is going to get eaten, the stuffy is gonna be there forever,” Young said.

For Paige Jordan, owner of Heartful Sparkles, Valentine’s Day is about embracing bold self-expression that may not fit the norm. At her table, Jordan had Drag Queen Oracles cards laid out for passersby to pick up and try out their luck. Jordan said she wants to make people happy — even if they don’t have the money to buy her jewelry. 

“I just love bringing color and glitter to the world, especially now since it’s a little dull,” Jordan said. 

Valentine’s Day is a holiday about love and wearing pink, but Marina Khan, owner of Cherry Disco Cupcakes, said she thinks Valentine’s Day is about having fun and bringing out your inner child. 

Khan said she brought her love for baking to the pop-up with her signature heart-shaped cupcakes — homemade with fresh ingredients. Khan said she likes to add a bit of herself in her art, so she spelled out the Arabic word for love — حب — on the cupcake icing.

“We grow up so fast and I think it’s important to remember the child we are within,” Khan said. “I love to keep everything just very fun and friendly like it used to be when we were younger.”

Khan, who described herself as a “mad scientist in the kitchen,” said she takes pride in the freshness of her homemade treats, as she makes the butter from scratch and uses the freshest fruits. She said she made the cupcakes a few hours before the event to ensure their zest. 

The pop-up gave vendors a space to showcase their unique talents, offering people one-of-a-kind creations. For Jordan, it was also about breaking stereotypes — embracing femininity for Valentine’s Day doesn’t mean compromising strength.

“Valentine’s Day is a day where you have an excuse to wear pink,” Jordan said. “This day brings softness into the world because the world, the world teaches you to be hard but this day you get to be soft. We can still have pink on the table and still be serious businesswomen.”