Family has always been a source of wisdom and inspiration. For sisters Cheryl and Sarah Hinman, family has taught them the joy of creating together. They are the minds behind the design studio Gingergold, which started in 2020 as a product-based studio. Through Gingergold, they have been able to collaborate and offer various services such as packaging, branding, and web designing.

Discovering Creative Skills

Both sisters learned their skills in college through different paths. Sarah studied graphic design at the University of Kansas, while Cheryl focused on art and design at Columbia College Chicago. Cheryl took non-traditional classes like bookbinding and letterpress, which, along with woodworking, type design, and illustration, allowed Gingergold to thrive. They have worked on projects like murals, signage, menu fabrication, and design for an ice cream shop and a brewery.

Missing Something

The Hinman sisters felt that something was missing. They loved creating together but were also part of the Chicago craft and makers community. This community provided them with encouragement and support. They wanted to create a permanent space where people could share resources. Three years after opening Gingergold, their friend Hannah Sellers found a perfect spot in the Avondale neighborhood. In 2023, they opened Lot’sa.

The Hybrid Space of Lot’sa

Lot’sa is a hybrid and fluid space. It is filled with local art and handmade items like cards, magnets, totes, notepads, socks, prints, and original art. There is a makers’ area with a Riso printer, a wall of tools, and a large communal table. Monthly workshops are held here on topics like botanical cyanotype prints, risograph notebooks, and concrete castings. These workshops are hosted by various artists and offered on a sliding scale.

The Complementary Skill Sets

Cheryl and Sarah have different skill sets that complement each other. Cheryl is skilled at looking at the big picture and building prototypes, while Sarah focuses on details like spatial design and printing. Their works can be seen in Lot’sa, such as gorgeous quilted wall hangings of flowers.

Inspired by Grandmother

The sisters grew up near their grandmother Gladys, who was a big sewer and quilter. Her creativity and sense of design influenced them. Every time they visited her farm, she would teach them how to do things. This instilled a creative problem-solving mindset in them.

Sharing and Learning

Cheryl and Sarah are excited about taking an idea and transforming it into a physical object. They focus on solving problems rather than just being productive. They share what they have learned and learn from others. Sarah was inspired by the different zines made during a workshop. They invite people to approach making with curiosity and playfulness.For Cheryl and Sarah, sharing and making together is a learning tool. It builds community, shares ideas, and gives a different perspective. They believe that these skills are meant to be shared, just like their grandmother taught them.