Visit The Chi Shed in South Milwaukee filled with creations from local crafters
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Many recall the tragedy when Cheryl’s “she shed” burned down in the viral State Farm Insurance commercial.
South Milwaukee is now home to its own Cheryl’s Chi Shed ― spelled differently, but pronounced the same.
When asked if the commercial played a role in the naming, owner Cheryl Wells said, “there’s a bit of that.” The Chi Shed involves more, however.
“Chi is energy,” Wells said. “It’s in everything. It’s everything we do, everything we breathe, everything we create. I’d like to think everything I do is providing good energy to everyone around.”
What is The Chi Shed?
Wells opened The Chi Shed, 916 Milwaukee Ave., in early May with the official grand opening and ribbon cutting in June. It’s home to many local crafters' creations, from photography and paintings to chainmail jewelry, upcycled clothing and more.
The Chi Shed is also a workspace with a sublimation printer, heat presses, ovens and a 3D printer available to artists.
“I have some things here, but if there are other needs, they can bring their own,” Wells said.
The concept for The Chi Shed is crafters coming together.
“For me, it was something I thought about 10 years ago working for a luggage and gifts store,” Wells said.
She was working in Tampa, Florida, and saw customers looking for souvenirs. Wells thought she could create something for them, leading her to sublimation printing, a special process that first involves printing onto a special sheet of paper, then transferring that image onto another material.
“It’s an interesting way to make something permanent,” she said.
Who and what is at The Chi Shed?
Cheryl Wells: Drawing, painting, using sublimation on a variety of surfaces such as keychains, mugs, towels and more.
Art of Zen (Julie Jones): Painting on a variety of substrates from canvas to skulls.
Lisa's Boho Chic (Lisa Treder): Upcycled clothing using different methods of bleaching and embellishments for a fun playful statement.
David Tomasi (Wells’ son): Chainmail jewelry and accessories made from resin, permanent vinyl decals and window clings.
Jon Morgan: Landscape photography.
Wells said creators set their own prices and items range from $5 up to $300.
To be part of The Chi Shed, artists can pay Wells a straight percentage of sales or set a monthly rate plus a lower percentage of sales. The latter guarantees a certain amount of space in the store, Wells said.
Where did the idea for The Chi Shed come from?
About five years ago, the family-owned company Wells was working for in Tampa, Florida filed for bankruptcy.
“I kind of had a lot of upheaval in my life, a lot of loss,” she said. “I lost my husband and then having that happen, it was just kind of like, ‘OK, now what?’”
Originally from Milwaukee and with family still in Wisconsin, Wells applied for jobs in Florida and Wisconsin with intentions to take whichever offer came next.
Wells was hired by G.H. Bass in Oshkosh and she moved back to her home state.
She’s lived in South Milwaukee for the last four years calling it “just a great area.” Last year was her first time as part of the South Milwaukee Downtown Market and other holiday markets.
“It transitioned into ‘we need a storefront,’” Wells said.
Friends let her know about an available space on Milwaukee Avenue and the concept changed into more of an artist collective model. After the removal of a divider creating one space from two, and a few trips to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Franklin to get shelving, the space took shape.
“I was very lucky, every time I needed something, it was there (at ReStore),” Wells said.
How and when to visit The Chi Shed
The Chi Shed is open 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
“Hours will be expanding as the business grows,” Wells said.
Outside of business hours, patrons can shop at www.thechished.square.site.
The best way for those interested to sell at The Chi Shed is to connect with Wells through The Chi Shed Facebook page or via email at thechished@gmail.com.
Contact Erik S. Hanley at erik.hanley@jrn.com. Like his Facebook page, The Redheadliner, and follow him on Twitter @Redheadliner.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Find arts and crafts and more at The Chi Shed in South Milwaukee
