festival musings from the 11th year

I was at the Wicker Park festival in the early years (over 11 years ago) when it used to be on Damen and when the scene was more about the artists than anything else. It was a hot summer day and I was selling jewelry made from seeds, some hilltribe silver and brass beaded earrings from my friend Nan in Bangkok. The festival scene was different in those years, and there was a real feeling of community among the artists and the people that put the shows together. Most of us all did the same shows but what we each sold was very different, making the festivals a really cool place to go to find art, meet makers, and learn what was going on in that community.

In fact it was at the Wicker Park fest that I was approached by a woman named Kara who asked if I would be interested in doing a new show they were organizing on Division. I agreed to try it out despite the fact that there was almost nothing going on back then on Division Street. I wanted to give the show a chance. My memories from that year at Do-Division are of people dancing to house music and DJ sets outside of a carwash, and lots of opportunities to speak Spanish with the Puerto Ricans from the neighborhood. It was a pretty chill festival but I liked the vibe, and have continued to do the show ever since.

As the neighborhoods of Chicago change, so do the festivals. I have noticed more and more venders selling the same things, more corporate sponsors, (far too many Chiro One staff trying to align me) more and more people but less engagement with the artists and local businesses who participate in these shows to promote their art, their stores, and their services. Last year I counted over 5 venders selling the same Thai T-shirts you see all over the markets in Bangkok, and they had eventually all lowered the prices so much so that the shirts will soon be MORE expensive in Bangkok!

We have evolved our jewelry collection over the years as well, but the driving force behind Nomadic Ant remains the same. We are true to only ourselves, selecting designs we think are cool and of good quality and knowing the artists who make them. We steer clear from low quality metals, avoid nickel and mass produced designs. Our love is the hunt for new and yet undiscovered treasures you will not see at every booth at the festival. We like to offer something nobody else has (although this becomes difficult as the world grows smaller) and we love finding designs that are original, one-of-a-kinds. We love being outside during the summers in Chicago and hope to see you at one of the festivals this year. Keep an eye out for us! Our favorite part of the festival season is getting to meet new and old friends from the neighborhoods. We know that a large amount of our VIP customers have been with us from the very early years and without that loyal following we would not be where we are today. And we know who you, love you long time, are will always thank you for that support when we see you!  Happy summer! xo- nomadic ant