We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shea Michals. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shea below.

Shea, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Absolutely—I’d say the core of my mission is about accessibility, creativity, and community. Through Chicago Art Locker, I’ve created a space where anyone—regardless of background, experience, or resources—can engage with art. It’s a public, ever-changing micro-gallery and art supply hub that lives right on the sidewalk. You can take art, leave art, or simply be inspired by what others have contributed. It’s free, it’s weird, and it’s alive.

I love creating with my friends and sharing art with my community. There’s so much joy in making something beautiful and putting it out into the world—not just for profit, but for connection. That moment when someone sees your work and it resonates with them is just as meaningful as getting paid for it. Art shouldn’t be tucked away in a closet—it belongs in the hands of others, where it can spark joy, conversation, and creativity.

As Shea The Maker, I also teach hands-on workshops—like our Labubu sculpting workshop this summer and ceramics coming this fall—designed to make art feel playful and approachable. I want people to leave my events feeling empowered, like they can make something totally their own and be part of something bigger.

At the heart of it all, my mission is to help people remember that they’re creative beings—and to build little pockets of joy and weirdness wherever I can.

Shea, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi! I’m Shea Michals, also known as Shea The Maker—a Chicago-based artist, sculptor, and creative community organizer. I work across a range of mediums including polymer clay, ceramics, illustration, and public art, with a focus on building spaces where creativity is accessible, joyful, and collaborative.

I’ve loved making art for as long as I can remember, and that passion led me to pursue a formal education in the arts. I went to art school for graphic design, which eventually brought me into the world of marketing and corporate America. But my creative passions were always calling me outside of work—especially through ceramics. I started taking pottery classes at Lillstreet Art Center here in Chicago, and it became this space where I could reconnect with joy, curiosity, and hands-on making.

That eventually led me to teaching, and now—more than 15 years after graduating—I still find so much joy in helping others discover their creativity. Whether I’m leading a workshop or just crafting with friends (side note: for my 37th birthday, I hosted a DIY craft night and we literally made art for hours and lost track of time), that feeling of being fully immersed in the creative process never gets old.

Today, I create and sell handmade jewelry, sculptures, stickers, and art objects, but I’m also deeply invested in experience-based offerings—like my Labubu Sculpting Workshops, where people come together to make mischievous little clay creatures in a playful, welcoming space. This fall, I’m also launching ceramic workshops, where we’ll be hand-painting custom mugs—perfect for sipping your morning coffee from something you made yourself. (Follow @shea.the.maker on Instagram to stay posted!)

I also founded the Chicago Art Locker, a free public micro-gallery and art supply exchange that lives on the sidewalk in Avondale, near Kilbourn Park. It’s a space where anyone can leave or take art, and it’s sparked the most beautiful sense of community—people of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels sharing creative energy in a totally organic way.

What sets my work apart is that I’m not just focused on selling art—I’m focused on building creative experiences. Whether it’s through hands-on workshops, public art projects, or simply gifting a piece of art through the locker, I want to create moments of surprise, connection, and joy.

What I’m most proud of is the community that has grown around these projects. It’s not just about me—it’s about all the artists, neighbors, and curious passersby who contribute, collaborate, and keep showing up. That’s what makes this special.

If you’re looking for a space to reconnect with your creativity, meet other makers, or just make something weird and wonderful—you’re in the right place. Come sculpt with me, stop by the Art Locker, or follow along online. There’s always something new brewing.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Back in 2021, I was working part-time as a freelance Senior UX Designer and spending the rest of my time as a full-time ceramicist, selling my work at art fairs and shops around Denver. It felt like the dream—doing what I loved every day—but I was also working harder than I ever had before.

I signed up for my biggest art fair yet—Labor Day weekend, a four-day show I’d been preparing for nonstop. I spent five straight weeks in production, making some of the most beautiful ceramic pieces I’d ever created. But then…the kiln gods did not smile on me. I lost more than half of my work in the kiln, and the pieces I did manage to salvage were ruined by a milky clear glaze I didn’t have time to properly test. Everything was ruined. I had to drop out of the show. I had invested thousands of dollars, countless hours, and all my energy—and I was left with nothing.

Then, as if the universe really wanted to drive the point home, I got sick. Like, stuck in bed for two weeks sick. During that time, I had a moment of clarity. At the beginning of that year, I’d told myself—and the universe—that I wanted to commit to becoming a UX designer. But art had taken over my life that summer. It was time to pivot.

So I picked myself up—truly from my broke bootstraps—and threw everything I had into finding a new UX job. Four months later, I landed my dream role at a digital agency that was smart, creative, and pushed me to become a better designer and artist.

What I’ve learned over the past few years is that doing work you love during the 9–5 doesn’t mean you can’t also carve out space for your craft. It took me a while to get back on the ceramics wheel, and honestly, I think that’s part of why I fell in love with polymer clay—it’s less unpredictable, more forgiving, and still gives me the tactile joy I crave. But I still love ceramics to my core.

As an artist who works across design, clay, illustration, and community-driven projects, I’ve learned that you don’t have to choose just one path. You don’t have to be only one thing. Keep crafting, keep making, and keep finding ways to connect with others through your creativity. There’s room for all of it.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has honestly been showing up in person. Going out into the world, participating in art shows, hosting workshops, and just talking to people face-to-face has been the most meaningful way to build a creative community. Social media is a great tool for staying connected and sharing your work more broadly—but the real magic, for me, happens in person.

There’s something powerful about having a real conversation, sharing your story, or watching someone light up when they see your work in real life. Those connections often turn into friendships, collaborations, or returning customers. It’s more rewarding—and more human—than just chasing likes or algorithms. I always say: art is better when it brings people together.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @shea.the.maker
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sheamichals

Image Credits

Artist: Shea Michals (aka Shea The Maker). Photographer: Shea Michals