Brass Owl Studios is the handmade art brand of Gail, a Chicago-area artist. Since 2015 she has created steampunk-inspired mixed media art, handmade junk journals, and home and holiday decor, selling both online and at Chicago-area art and craft shows.

Brass Owl Studios sells handmade, steampunk-inspired goods including mixed media wall art, shellacked and junk journals, hand-poured soy candles, real wax timer candles, home decor, and seasonal holiday decor. The shop also carries select mixed media craft supplies from respected designers like Tim Holtz and Finnabair, so artists can buy both finished pieces and materials in one place.

You can shop Brass Owl Studios online at brassowlstudios.com, or find pieces in person at two Illinois locations: The Artsy Heart in Glenview and America's Antique Mall (booth H6) in Algonquin. Gail also sells directly at art and craft shows throughout the Chicago area during the year.

A junk journal is a handmade book made from repurposed and salvaged materials such as vintage paper, fabric, ephemera, and other found objects. Unlike a plain notebook, every page is layered and textured, so each junk journal is one of a kind. People use them for journaling, scrapbooking, planning, or simply as art.

Steampunk art combines Victorian-era style with industrial elements like cogs, gears, brass, and clockwork. In mixed media form, these motifs are layered onto journals, wall art, and decor to create pieces that feel both antique and inventive. Brass Owl Studios specializes in this aesthetic across its handmade collection.

Soy candles generally burn slower and cleaner than paraffin, release less soot, and are made from renewable plant-based wax rather than petroleum. Many people also find they hold fragrance well at lower temperatures. The soy candles at Brass Owl Studios are hand-poured in small batches by local makers and the real wax timer candles are likewise handmade by local makers, each crafted with care in small batches.

Our handmade timer candle is a flameless candle made from real wax with a built-in timer that turns it on and off automatically each day. Because it has no open flame, it is safe to leave unattended and gives the warm glow of a real candle without the fire risk, which makes it ideal for mantels and windows.

Yes. Every Brass Owl Studios piece is handmade by Gail, who has worked in mixed media and paper crafts for many years and has sold at Chicago craft shows since 2015. Because the work uses salvaged and layered materials, no two pieces are ever exactly alike.

Brass Owl Studios offers a wide variety of craft supplies from mixed media materials and paper crafting essentials to tools, embellishments, and more - including trusted lines from respected designers like Tim Holtz and Finnabair. These are the same materials Gail uses in her own work. With the closure of JoAnn Fabrics and evolving product selections at other craft retailers, finding specific papercrafting and mixed media supplies can be more challenging. Brass Owl Studios has direct access to a variety of manufacturers and distributors, so if you’re looking for something specific, just ask! Gail can most likely get it for you.

Yes. Brass Owl Studios pieces make distinctive, one-of-a-kind handmade gifts because each one is unique and crafted in small batches. Candles, journals, and small decor pieces suit many budgets and occasions, while mixed media wall art makes a memorable statement gift for art lovers and fans of vintage or steampunk style.