Unique Freaque, Ltd.
121 N. Kenilworth Ave.
Oak Park, Illinois 60301
ART WITHIN REACH!
Meet Our Unique Artists
We strive to bring you selected unique works from a wide variety of artists who work in various mediums. We encourage artists to submit their work to us via our Contact Us Page.
The following section provides a brief biography and information on each of our artists. Artists will be listed in alphabetical order by first name.
Couture Art - I have always had design ideas swirling around in my head starting in my teens where upon I began to produce them into actual garments/artworks and such. Many conventional and some not so conventional. I like the One-of-a-Kind aspect most because I have so many ideas floating around in my head that I'm already onto the next one in concept before I've got the one I'm physically working on finished. I have worked with all sorts of mediums and like mixing and matching. I just like going where it takes me.
Daphnae Koop - I have always loved stones, and for the past several years have been creating necklaces and bracelets with smooth beach stones as their focus. I am intrigued with the idea of using objects or materials in ways that are unexpected, and combining ordinary beach stones with the elements of fine jewelry is both odd and elegant. A stone is hard and heavy, and to see such an object floating, suspended on a string of beads, is quirky and contradictory in a way that charms me. I have great respect for the integrity and individual presence of each stone; all embellishments are based on the look, feel and personality of the individual stones that are their focus.
Denise Handwerker - Denise has been handcrafting all her life. Her work is a combination of all the different skills she has acquired throughout her life, from learning to crochet at 12 years old -- to learning to garden at 40 -- and now learning to felt wool at 50 years young!
Ellen Miles - My current jewelry was born out of my energy work. As a Healing Touch Practitioner, I work with gemstones. I love them for their therapeutic value and their beauty. Making gemstone jewelry just seemed to follow.
Julia Jasinski - I've been working for a housecall veterinarian for the last 8 years. Assisting in various functions and handling animals that have never actually been touched by humans before, thats always a treat! Working with animals is what makes me wake up in the morning. I also have a group of feral cats and 2 rogue opposums who I feed and care for and attempt to trap for neutering. I've been painting and sewing for myself most of my life. I like the idea of making art affordable for the average person. I hope people find my paintings funny and interesting. Animal portraits are much more fun to paint than people portraits. I hope you enjoy my work. The School of the Art Institute of Chicago; BFA in painting and bookbinding 1991
Kathy Weirer - I love taking various styles of denim jeans and creating these unique, one of a kind, purses. Each one is different. Using various belts and/or scarf embellishments really makes these one of a kind. The belts/scarves can be removed to create a 'different look' or to match your outfit (replace current belt with one of your own!). OR....embellish them with your own brooches, pins, scarves, whatever your imagination can create! Make it Uniquely YOURS! ~Enjoy your wearable art!
John DeMola - I love creating new things. It's magical to make something out of nothing and watch it grow and grow. It all starts with an idea fused with inspiration and enthusiasm. This past summer, I spent some time with my family who live in the southern region of Italy. As we were enjoying the beautiful Mediterranean Sea, I ventured out and explored the beach and found these gems of natural stones. I really felt like I found a treasure chest of gems and jewels. These unique stones, possibly made of marble and granite, have their own identity and characteristics. Their beautiful combination of colors and shapes made me fall in love with them right from the start. I imagined simple and yet strikingly unique necklaces and this is what I have created just for you. Follow your heart and the path unfolds.
Laura Thoma - Photographer, Laura Thoma is an award winning mixed-media artist who combines her love of photography with the tradition of quilling to create her own innovative line of jewelry, the picture bead™. Each distinctive piece of wearable art features Laura's unique beads that are created from her own photography. Laura also offers a custom line of jewelry the Remembrance picture bead™ that is created from the customers own personal photographs. Each photograph is personally chosen and then hand cut and rolled to create a one of a kind bead. All the beads are hand painted with a glaze to add to their strength and create a glass like finish. Custom Orders Welcome!
Ludka Derka - I was born in the Czech Republic and graduated from Music Conservatory Piano Department. I danced professionally for 10 years. In my free time I like to work with glass and jewelery. I hope you get as much pleasure in wearing my pieces as I do in creating them.
Peter Thaddeus - An artist from the very beginning, I have spent most of my life expressing myself in the form of paintings and drawings. At a young age I became heavily involved in acrylic paintings, focusing on brightly colored tropical landscapes, and tropically themed pieces. By painting with bold colors and strong forms, my intention is to convey drama and excitement in my paintings. I am inspired by many things, including my travels around the world. Experiencing the beauty of the Australian Gold Coast, the beaches of Hawaii, the sunsets in Mexico and the style of Miami, among other places, has had a profound impact on my work. Along with my travels, I am also inspired by social issues and fashion. Painting is my passion, it is what I love to do, and I hope that it brings joy to people, and adds interest and excitement to their surroundings and their lives. I have shown my work in several galleries, and other venues around the United States. I am committed to continue displaying my artwork and sharing it with the world because being an artist has always been my dream, and I believe that having a dream means nothing if you don’t make it happen. Thank you to all of you who make it possible for me to live my dream.
Life's a beach, build a sandcastle! Best Wishes, Peter.
Rex LaRoca - I've been working with silver and stones for almost fifteen years now. The most satisfaction I can get during the creative process is to custom design the entire piece. This means not only the body of the design but the earhooks, the clasps, the toggles and the extensions. That is why on most of my designs you will see these items as being unlike any other. Thanks for your continued interest in my work. ~Rex
Rossana Reformado - My work reflects the use of Polaroid time zero film which allows me to manipulate an image to give it a “painterly effect.” The process begins by using a special unit to project a slide image onto the SX-70 time-zero film. As the image is processing, I use a sharp tool to manipulate the emulsion layer on the surface of the Polaroid, which in turn alters the image and gives it an effect reminiscent of impressionistic techniques. The Polaroid time zero film is now a discontinued medium and by itself, is not fit for exhibition because of its size. Digital reproduction and enlargement of the Polaroid manipulation are an essential part of the final photographic process. The enlargement enhances the textural qualities and intensifies the delicate detail, thus allowing one to appreciate the true beauty and mystery of this technique. My newest product is “art on coasters” where my manipulated images are transferred onto 4”x4” botticino tumbled marble tile. Custom made coasters can also be made by providing me with your own images. Very unique!
Tiffany Melin - A local artist, poet and self-described arm-chair philosopher specializing in collage and assemblage pieces; I use microscope slides, lead free solder and unique vintage postcards to create these one-of-a-kind "Convertible Art" Pendants. These pendants can be worn several different ways, or use as a eclectic decoration in the home.
Wendy Bialek - My inspiration for my jewelry is my son Zack who is now 7 and has Autism. I donate a portion of my sales to local school Autism/Cross Category programs here in Illinois. I have been lucky to get some pieces published in a few magazines. I love to use Miyuki Japanese seed beads of all shapes, Hill Tribe Silver, sterling, Swarovski crystals, artist made clay, glass beads and semi precious stones.
Claire Fearnley - I live in Yorkshire, England and I've been a stitcher for as long as I can remember. I invent my DiDi Dolls as I go along, making each one truly unique! Start your collecton today!
Couture Art - I have always had design ideas swirling around in my head starting in my teens where upon I began to produce them into actual garments/artworks and such. Many conventional and some not so conventional. I like the One-of-a-Kind aspect most because I have so many ideas floating around in my head that I'm already onto the next one in concept before I've got the one I'm physically working on finished. I have worked with all sorts of mediums and like mixing and matching. I just like going where it takes me.
Daphnae Koop - I have always loved stones, and for the past several years have been creating necklaces and bracelets with smooth beach stones as their focus. I am intrigued with the idea of using objects or materials in ways that are unexpected, and combining ordinary beach stones with the elements of fine jewelry is both odd and elegant. A stone is hard and heavy, and to see such an object floating, suspended on a string of beads, is quirky and contradictory in a way that charms me. I have great respect for the integrity and individual presence of each stone; all embellishments are based on the look, feel and personality of the individual stones that are their focus.
Denise Handwerker - Denise has been handcrafting all her life. Her work is a combination of all the different skills she has acquired throughout her life, from learning to crochet at 12 years old -- to learning to garden at 40 -- and now learning to felt wool at 50 years young!
Using her imagination, old wool sweaters, embellishments and her skills at sewing, Denise has found a way to create something beautiful from something that may have just been thrown away.
Each item is handcrafted and truly "One Of A Kind"!
Ellen Miles - My current jewelry was born out of my energy work. As a Healing Touch Practitioner, I work with gemstones. I love them for their therapeutic value and their beauty. Making gemstone jewelry just seemed to follow.
I¹ve been involved in the arts for 25 years. As a fabric artist, I hand dyed string and combined it with found pieces and fabric to form macrame sculpture. I¹ve worked with the camera capturing everything from mountainscapes to stretch marks. In the 90¹s I worked with elements of the earth, adorning plaster masks molded on various faces.
My work has been seen in a variety of galleries and fairs over the last 25 years. Most of my work is earth based, from the spirit to the spirit. A native of Chicago, a resident of Oak Park, a short time in Wisconsin, California and Washington, an Oregonian for 20 years and soon to be moving again to further my horizons!
Julia Jasinski - I've been working for a housecall veterinarian for the last 8 years. Assisting in various functions and handling animals that have never actually been touched by humans before, thats always a treat! Working with animals is what makes me wake up in the morning. I also have a group of feral cats and 2 rogue opposums who I feed and care for and attempt to trap for neutering. I've been painting and sewing for myself most of my life. I like the idea of making art affordable for the average person. I hope people find my paintings funny and interesting. Animal portraits are much more fun to paint than people portraits. I hope you enjoy my work. The School of the Art Institute of Chicago; BFA in painting and bookbinding 1991
Kathy Weirer - I love taking various styles of denim jeans and creating these unique, one of a kind, purses. Each one is different. Using various belts and/or scarf embellishments really makes these one of a kind. The belts/scarves can be removed to create a 'different look' or to match your outfit (replace current belt with one of your own!). OR....embellish them with your own brooches, pins, scarves, whatever your imagination can create! Make it Uniquely YOURS! ~Enjoy your wearable art!
John DeMola - I love creating new things. It's magical to make something out of nothing and watch it grow and grow. It all starts with an idea fused with inspiration and enthusiasm. This past summer, I spent some time with my family who live in the southern region of Italy. As we were enjoying the beautiful Mediterranean Sea, I ventured out and explored the beach and found these gems of natural stones. I really felt like I found a treasure chest of gems and jewels. These unique stones, possibly made of marble and granite, have their own identity and characteristics. Their beautiful combination of colors and shapes made me fall in love with them right from the start. I imagined simple and yet strikingly unique necklaces and this is what I have created just for you. Follow your heart and the path unfolds.
Laura Thoma - Photographer, Laura Thoma is an award winning mixed-media artist who combines her love of photography with the tradition of quilling to create her own innovative line of jewelry, the picture bead™. Each distinctive piece of wearable art features Laura's unique beads that are created from her own photography. Laura also offers a custom line of jewelry the Remembrance picture bead™ that is created from the customers own personal photographs. Each photograph is personally chosen and then hand cut and rolled to create a one of a kind bead. All the beads are hand painted with a glaze to add to their strength and create a glass like finish. Custom Orders Welcome!
Ludka Derka - I was born in the Czech Republic and graduated from Music Conservatory Piano Department. I danced professionally for 10 years. In my free time I like to work with glass and jewelery. I hope you get as much pleasure in wearing my pieces as I do in creating them.
Peter Thaddeus - An artist from the very beginning, I have spent most of my life expressing myself in the form of paintings and drawings. At a young age I became heavily involved in acrylic paintings, focusing on brightly colored tropical landscapes, and tropically themed pieces. By painting with bold colors and strong forms, my intention is to convey drama and excitement in my paintings. I am inspired by many things, including my travels around the world. Experiencing the beauty of the Australian Gold Coast, the beaches of Hawaii, the sunsets in Mexico and the style of Miami, among other places, has had a profound impact on my work. Along with my travels, I am also inspired by social issues and fashion. Painting is my passion, it is what I love to do, and I hope that it brings joy to people, and adds interest and excitement to their surroundings and their lives. I have shown my work in several galleries, and other venues around the United States. I am committed to continue displaying my artwork and sharing it with the world because being an artist has always been my dream, and I believe that having a dream means nothing if you don’t make it happen. Thank you to all of you who make it possible for me to live my dream.
Life's a beach, build a sandcastle! Best Wishes, Peter.
Rex LaRoca - I've been working with silver and stones for almost fifteen years now. The most satisfaction I can get during the creative process is to custom design the entire piece. This means not only the body of the design but the earhooks, the clasps, the toggles and the extensions. That is why on most of my designs you will see these items as being unlike any other. Thanks for your continued interest in my work. ~Rex
Rossana Reformado - My work reflects the use of Polaroid time zero film which allows me to manipulate an image to give it a “painterly effect.” The process begins by using a special unit to project a slide image onto the SX-70 time-zero film. As the image is processing, I use a sharp tool to manipulate the emulsion layer on the surface of the Polaroid, which in turn alters the image and gives it an effect reminiscent of impressionistic techniques. The Polaroid time zero film is now a discontinued medium and by itself, is not fit for exhibition because of its size. Digital reproduction and enlargement of the Polaroid manipulation are an essential part of the final photographic process. The enlargement enhances the textural qualities and intensifies the delicate detail, thus allowing one to appreciate the true beauty and mystery of this technique. My newest product is “art on coasters” where my manipulated images are transferred onto 4”x4” botticino tumbled marble tile. Custom made coasters can also be made by providing me with your own images. Very unique!
Tiffany Melin - A local artist, poet and self-described arm-chair philosopher specializing in collage and assemblage pieces; I use microscope slides, lead free solder and unique vintage postcards to create these one-of-a-kind "Convertible Art" Pendants. These pendants can be worn several different ways, or use as a eclectic decoration in the home.
Enjoy your "Wearable Art"!
Wendy Bialek - My inspiration for my jewelry is my son Zack who is now 7 and has Autism. I donate a portion of my sales to local school Autism/Cross Category programs here in Illinois. I have been lucky to get some pieces published in a few magazines. I love to use Miyuki Japanese seed beads of all shapes, Hill Tribe Silver, sterling, Swarovski crystals, artist made clay, glass beads and semi precious stones.
"Designing a world of hope for children with Autism"
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