Super cute little gift shop. I bought some little wooden cars for 2 year old's birthday AND was able to visit a mini art vending machine (my goal for going). Glad the mini art drew me in because the store is so fun and the staff was lovely. read more

So much jewelry! I bought a necklace there that allows me to change the length to what I want, which hadn't been easy to find. Super nice staff too. Looking forward to visiting again soon. read more

This store is one of my favorites! When I came here for the first time, I was already completely smitten with it. They got a large number of different products, including mugs, jewelry, pins, cards, and other types of goodies. It is conveniently located in my neighborhood, making it convenient for me to come and go whenever I please. When I was here the last time, I purchased some mugs for myself because my favorite mug had been broken. I really like that mug, which is why it's been difficult for me to find a suitable replacement. Fortunately, a staff person assists me in choosing. Everything about this place is fantastic, from the ambiance to the customer service to the beautiful products on display. This is a place that I will definitely recommend to all of my friends. If you have the opportunity, you should consider shopping some time here. read more

The shop itself is great, has really unique and lovely nick-nacks. The reason I'm actually so torn about the rating is because I had gone here with a group of moms for a moms night out and we decided to do the $40/per person jewelry making evening. I didn't think the price was bad, it included all of the materials and it is byob so right there, I'm sold. The woman who led the class or whatever you want to call it just had a really stand-offish personality. I found her to be rather cold and not super engaged. I understood that we had rented the space for a limited time, but at 9pm on the dot, she walked around collecting all of the beads and cleaning up. It was just very abrupt and didn't leave the best impression on our group. read more

I discovered this shop at Do Division Street Fest, and fell in love right away. Jewelry has a polished, bright, and chic quality to it. This shop screams Etsy and artisan. I had my eye on a turquoise necklace for $40. Also seen in the shop were cards, mugs, and other home decor items. I will return to this shop! read more

I love this store. They have super cute cards, jewelry, mugs, pins, and other miscellaneous goodies. Lots of fun Chicago merch too. I come in here all the time to browse, but when I came in needing a gift for a bachelorette party but with no idea what to get, the owner asked me a ton of questions about the bride and walked me around the store, showing me options based on my answers. She was so helpful and I'm happy to continue to support this small business. read more

I had the most positive experience when I walked into this consignment shop looking to buy something to boost my spirits and encountered a shop owner with a sweet soul . I'm not sure if she owns this establishment or not , but what I do know is she should be making someone proud right now with this review. She was very courteous, knowledgeable and overall helpful with answering my questions about different items the shop has to offer . If you are here from out of town and want souvenirs for your hometown , then I recommend this spot for you . I even picked up a few gifts for my daughter's.And if you aren't too busy ,check out some of the surrounding spots as they have a nice local dine-out scenery and a smoke shop right up the street on Damen for those who are smokers . Thank you One Strange bird for such a positive experience. read more

This place is the cutest to find unique gift ideas to fun pieces of jewelry and beautiful candles! Even my boyfriend had fun in the store! Highly recommend stopping in! read more

The cutest shop with great gifts and of course shopping for yourself! Unique and perfect items for housewarmings, hostess gift, baby showers and one of a kind greeting cards. Shop local! read more

If Yelp had a feature to rate something more than five stars, we would give Nicole and her team at One strange bird ten. My fiancé and I approached OSB for a special request - we wanted to paint our save the date and have some of our engagement photo shoot there because OSB was special to us. Not only did Nicole say yes, she and her team went the incredible extra extra mile for us. We painted w Nicole after studio hours and she was so incredibly helpful and truthfully just an awesome human being to get to know. We recommend this place to anyone looking for an authentic and creative experience in an incredibly adorable place. Good people do exist in this world and OSB is living proof of that every day. We cannot thank them enough!! read more

Love this cool, unique little local shop. My Son did some art classes awhile back to great success. I've picked up a number of items over the years from candles, incense and the elusive Palo Santo to lotions, soap and other body products, for me or for gifting. Also lots of interesting odds and ends, knicks and knacks which make its namesake true to form. read more

I wandered in yesterday and was blown away by how warm and friendly the store and it's owner/artists are. They're cheerful and bubbly and fun to talk to and so sweet and I'm beyond excited about the classes I signed up for in November. The selection of jewelry/shirts/bags/birdhouses/art/etc was impressive- well chosen, reasonably priced, and oh so appealing. I'll be back to let you know how the classes go, but I'm pretty sure these folks are a great addition to North Ave. read more

I love everything about this place! The whole concept is really neat- handmade, crafty items, and they offer classes. It's a great place to wander around in and you can definitely find something nifty to buy as a gift for someone, or yourself. The prices are very reasonable considering most (all?) of the items are hand made and unique. It's like Etsy jumped out of the internet and landed in Humboldt park, right by my house! I've been driving by every day and finally decided to come in. I'm glad I did because I bought a cute necklace for a friend of mine for her birthday. I plan on checking out the classes as well. read more

We went to One Strange Bird to paint one strange peacock. It was a BYOB painting class, which costs $40/person and that includes all of your materials (paint, brush, canvass, apron, etc.) and I had a wonderful time here. I consider myself a creative person, I love art and design, but I've never been very good at "creating." I almost failed ceramics class in high school, and I got a 'D' in photography. Granted, a lot of that had to do with my work ethic and absences, but I didn't do very well on the assignments that I DID complete. When a friend showed me her painting of the Eiffel Tower from a similar class, I was intrigued but also doubtful that I could make anything that good. The instructor at One Strange Bird was very helpful. She took us through every step basically by breaking down the peacock into circles and ovals. Maybe it was all of the wine and earlier drinks, but my confidence was boosted when more than one person complimented my painting including the instructor. Looking around, mine definitely wasn't the worst. My husband was a little discouraged working on his, but if you ask him what he loves, it isn't art and design. It's football. He would much rather be making trades on his fantasy football team than mixing paint colors - and he definitely got frustrated making the "just right" green. Still, I think his painting also turned out really well and he said he enjoyed the class. It's a really fun concept for couples, but it is definitely more popular for "girls' night." The class size was maybe 12-15 people, which was just right. Some girls were really struggling, or they had too much wine, but I heard too many questions like, "how do I make green?" and "how do I make orange?" Make sure you can withstand the potentially drunk girlies here before registering for a class. The class is 2 hours long, which is just long enough to get your stuff done and leave. I was a little disappointed that they didn't check to make sure our paintings were dry or wrap them in paper. We walked several blocks back to the Blue Line, clutching our paintings for dear life and praying they wouldn't smack against us, or someone else, and leave wet paint behind. An extra 10-15 minutes of drying or wrapping it up would've been much appreciated. One Strange Bird is also a shop, and several accessories and items here caught my eye when we walked in. I would highly recommend One Strange Bird for their classes or just as a shop when in Wicker Park. read more

The 3/18/17 6:00 pm or 6:30 pm event started off with customer service that was not inviting nor warranted. My wife and I entered the shop and a staff member acted as though we were not present, in fact, we had to approach the counter in the small intimate space to be acknowledged. After initiating the intro, we explained that the we were present for the 6:00 pm event and were told that the event did not start until 6:30 pm. In fact, the staff member asked if we received any notification of the start time and we stated that we focused on the web site, which highlighted 6:00 pm start time. In any case, we decided to walk the neighborhood to pass the time until 6:30 pm. The event started around 6:45 pm, with just about a full class. The instructor was very vocal, however, the technique to draw in the class was lacking. I could be a little discriminating, as I have a background in training. I felt as though we were given a canvas and a painting platform with 3 colors and told to mirror the image that was pre-painted. I was under the impression that the session would take the participants, set by step, with the instructor showing and illustrating each step. From the beginning, to the end, the session, needed to be planned and concluded with a much more sociable, entertaining and calculated element. The whole experience would need to have been recorded to explain the experience, which by the way was shared by by another couple on the way out of the event. read more

I have taken WAY too long to write this review. I give One Strange Bird and its owner Nicole my highest recommendation. The shop itself is full of cute, local wares from soap to necklaces to screen printed shirts and bags. Plus, if you want an entertaining evening, sign up for ANY of the classes. Seriously an excellent time. I also held the beginning of my bachelorette party at the store when it was at the old location. I ordered in pizza, brought plenty of booze, and even my most Type A friends has a fantastic time making handmade jewelry. I would recommend them for any event and I will definitely be back often. read more

Amazing !!! Got a recommendation from a friend and sent my daughter to one week of summer camp it was such a positive experience that she asked me to sign her up for the following week. What a lovely place! The staff is so kind and patient with the kids, we love Jessica and Ashley! The projects were great and I'm loving the art my daughter is bringing home! It was an wonderful way to ease into our summer and I'm looking into classes year round! Thanks One Strange Bird! We Love You!!! read more

I called ahead to see what painting would be used for the byob class and was told it would be an owl painting. I was really excited & told my friend because I know she likes owls too. However, when we got there is was a simple beach scene. That was kind of a disappointment. Overall, it was an ok experience. The shop itself has a lot of cute unique items. read more

I took hand printed fabric here with a Groupon deal and it was great. Class was 5 people and I think for this one would probably 7 or 8 max. Instructor was very helpful in explaining the process and helping us with our designs. I left with a handmade rubber stamp and a large piece of printed fabric- you would have to sew it yourself if you want finished edges. It can be heat set and is washable so you can make super adorable tea towels. Our class went over the scheduled time and they were very accommodating and patient to make sure we all finished up. You get 10% off in the store with a class so you can buy materials to continue at home or they have small gift items and jewelry. read more

Love, love this store! It's one of my go to shops for gifts. They have such a variety of merchandise- jewelry, cards, accessories- basically something for everyone :) They also have classes which I hear are super fun and affordable. I can't wait to try one myself. read more

I wish I could give more than 5 stars!! Amanda at One Strange Bird made my life so much easier! I live out of state and my niece (who is also from out of state) had major surgery at Univ. of Chicago and has been there for a couple weeks. I wanted to send her some sort of care package but being that she is on a feeding tube, i couldn't send chocolates or any food. She is 12 so what fun would flowers be?! After hours of searching online for something unique, this store came up. I called not sure if they would be able to help but they sure did! Amanda helped me pick out items from their store that were fun and different. Not only that bt she wrapped it up and had it delivered to the hospital. She even hand wrote out a card for me too. Thank you for making this such a great experience. read more

One Strange Bird - Thank you for helping me to bring a smile to my sweet niece who recovering from a very difficult surgery at the University of Chicago. - Jewelry Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I love this place! The classes are absolutely awesome and they sell the the most adorable accessories, clothing, candles, and little cutesy knickknacks. I had been eyeing the collage mixed media class for awhile and I finally took it. So glad I did! It was a really relaxed evening and they provide really great materials to work with. I will definitely be back here again soon! read more

Came here for a holiday party for work and it was amazing! We all made a pair of earrings and a necklace, the woman helping us could not have been nicer! They have a lot of cute things for sale as well, my personal favorite were the candles. This place is a must for a fun, chill night out with some friends. read more

I love the jewelry and gifts in this store and my kids loved the art camp. Emily has made the camp so much fun and really lets them explore their creativity. She is a great addition to the neighborhood! read more

I had my baby shower here and it was awesome! Staff was attentive and helpful and everyone enjoyed the activity (decorating baby onesies). We brought our own food and drinks and they provided basic decor. It's a nice space to hold a small private event and the store has cute stuff! read more

I absolutely love and adore this shop. Amazing environment, cute and affordable goodies, and it's local! What's better than that? I always come here to get gifts for my friends because I love them so much... And they love the gifts too! lol. Keep it up!! read more

One Strange Bird is the perfect spot for gifts. They have fantastic unique and local things. Emily provides amazing customer service! Check them out online during this crazy time, and go in as soon as they open. read more

This is my favorite place to get creative in Chicago. The owner, Nicole, is the nicest and sweetest person you will ever meet. I've gone here for a bachelorette party to make tote bags stamped with our own designs (look for my Eiffel Tower stamp!) and I've taken the girls I work with here for a BYOB painting night. I've never considered myself to be very talented in the art department. But Nicole really knows how to bring it out of people (or maybe it's the wine). Either way, I look forward to going back and checking out a mixed media class to make a collage painting. I'd highly recommend this place if you're in the mood to get creative! read more

I love this little place. They have an awesome selection of stuff and Nicole is so nice. Their customer service is above and beyond anything I'd ever expect. I get all my candles here! read more

What a great experience. I came here for an art class last night - mixed media collage. Nicole and Jess are not only good instructors, but they make you feel welcome as soon as you walk in the door. These ladies are two incredible artists who make art accessible and do-able for all of us. The collage I made had a happy ending. I wasn't thrilled with my piece so when I got home I stood it on my kitchen counter against the backsplash. I walked away and when I came back I realized it was upside down, and I loved it! It took on a whole new dimension. The techniques they taught were easy and impactful. Thanks, girls! You're awesome! Love the store, too! read more

I went to my first class at one strange bird this past Sunday and it was so fun! I did the wreath making class. Nicole, the owner, is so friendly and welcoming. I plan on going back for more classes in the future! read more

We collaborated with One Strange Bird for a toddler craft and story class in their space this summer and it was SUCH a fun morning. The space is very creative, clean, artistic, and engaging. The room in back was organized, colorful, and overall welcoming for little ones and parents. Working with Nicole & Amanda was a dream. They were on point when it came to professionalism, accessibility, and promptness. We look forward to shopping in their store and collaborating on events in the future. read more

Love this cute shop! A great place to stop and get a really unique gift. They have everything from Chicago-themed items to handmade jewelry, bags and candles. Super reasonable prices and a friendly staff. Kind of like having a local Etsy shop that you don't have to wait for delivery! Oh, and a great card selection too! read more

Did you ever walk through a store, pick up something artsy and say, "I should totally do this home?" If you answered yes, this probably the place for you. The art they sell is super cool and a lot of it is Chicago-centric, but the real beauty of this place is in the learning aspect of things. They offer affordable classes where you can learn to make some really cool things. Step by step painting instruction was a blast. I took a collage class that covered a lot of advanced techniques. This place has a lot going for it. After the classes, you can purchase the materials you need to work on art at home. Oh, and did I mention that they let you bring your own wine. It's a store like no other. Please check it out. It's amazing! read more

One Strange Bird is one of my favorite finds in Chicago so far. We just happened upon it walking by with our dogs - who were welcomed into the store! There are all sorts of one-of-a-kind things great for gifts for others, or (if you're like me) for yourself. From what I can tell, almost everything is handmade and many support local artists. You can find jewelry, candles, onesies, tshirts, cards, artwork, etc. Someone else made the comment that's it like Etsy - exactly so. And prices are very reasonable. And that's only the retail part of it! Another aspect that makes this shop so awesome is that it doubles as a studio and you can take a whole assortment of different classes from the owner, Nicole. (Who is amazing by the way.) Anything from painting classes, to mixed media, to card making (with homemade stamps). Classes are BYOB and very relaxed. Nicole is incredibly talented, but equally warm and inviting. It's a nonjudgemental space where you can just relax, have fun and geek out on arts & crafts. I've always left with something nifty; earrings made of old bicycle tires, a vintage ashtray, my very own artwork or even just the recommendation for a cool band to check out. Exactly the kind of business/people I am happy to support! read more

Super cute little shop with awesome little nick-nacks. (really cute dog too!) went here with my friend and we did paintings of our pets, pretty neat. also i might add lots of good gifts! read more

I know they have classes and parties here and though I haven't experienced those events I always see happy smiling participants, both young and old. I love to shop here and find treasures for myself or unique gifts. I have purchased really pretty candles, bubble bath, warm comfy gloves, etc. They have cool things u found as gifts including mask on jar shot glasses, a robot can opener, light up and holiday earrings. This is a great place to shop and the owner is super friendly and happy. It's my go-to now for gift ideas. read more

This is a great boutique with a pretty excellent selection of handmade goods: leather belts, feather earrings, hand printed t-shirts and posters, and plenty of smelly things- incense & candles! The owner, who's especially friendly, told me that they hold art & craft workshops every so often- I'll definitely have to sign up for one of those and leave an update on that! But overall its a quant little boutique with some great stuff! Think Renegade Handmade but more welcoming! read more

You know that universal dilemma you find yourself in where you need to pick up a little gift or something special for somebody, but you've put it off for weeks and you're scrambling at the last minute because you don't know their shirt size or their favorite band? Well, One Strange Bird is the solution to years of gifting stress. The shop is filled with inventory you'll never find in a mall - from earrings to home decor, or beauty products to handmade cards - and great people who are always eager to help you sift through the dinosaur earrings and the desk terrariums. read more

This shop is literally right next door to my apartment. I've gotten T-shirts, jewelry, stationery, and soaps.... so far, and there's lots of other stuff I'd love to get. They have a lot of different products, and they change out the main display pretty frequently. I'm looking forward to taking one of their classes--they have quite an extensive list. The store owner is always extremely friendly (and a great neighbor, too). :) read more