"A 'bit of Whimsy So Bro" offers local handmade artisan items, workshops, and cake balls at 5208 N. College Avenue, between the Aristocrat Pub and Luna Music. The shop features local handmade and artisan merchandise. Owners Wilene Gillim, Linda Birch and Rosemary Fowler, are collectively known as Three Crafty Chics. The shop has been open since September 2018 and provides over 40 Indiana handmade artisans an affordable brick and mortar store in which to sell their creations. Each one is juried by the owners. Currently the store has local artisans making handmade cards, jewelry, soap and beauty products, signs, pottery, baby items and upcycled yard art, to name a few items.

The three, all Indiana born and raised, met at a shop similar to theirs and decided South Broad Ripple was a great area to open a handmade artisan shop as Broad Ripple is known to support the arts.

Linda is a seamstress and sells baby items for the shop. She also bakes. In the shop's commercial kitchen at the rear of the store, she makes chocolate-dipped cake balls. A coffee and tea bar is available to complement the cake balls.

Wilene restyles furniture and also makes signs. The shop also carries Dixie Belle chalk paints.

Rosemary makes upcycled birdbaths, bird feeders and plate flowers out of vintage glass as well as selling unique home decor items.

Wilene states she likes looking for the right artisans and giving them an opportunity to sell their merchandise. People walk into the store and Linda makes instant friends. "I enjoy meeting new people when they come in," states Linda. Rosemary says the store is "just plain fun. I enjoy helping people find things that are unique one-of-a-kind items they are not going to find anywhere else."

Every third Thursday, A 'bit of Whimsy So Bro participates in the Broad Ripple Art Walk. More information is listed at the store's Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/abitofwhimsysobro/ and their Instagram page at #abitofwhimsysobro. They can also be reached at abitofwhimsysobro@gmail.com.

They will be offering a variety of workshops taught by the shop's artisans, throughout the summer. The artisans participate in pop-up markets on the sidewalk in front of the store a couple of times each month.

The store is expanding into additional space at 5206 N. College Avenue and this area will offer artisan restyled furniture, fine art, and vintage upcycled and farmhouse home decor and more.

A 'bit of Whimsy is glad to be part of the Southern Broad Ripple business community. Neighbors frequently walk their pets by the shop and bring them into this pet-friendly location for a dog biscuit treat. A 'bit of Whimsy So Bro's hours are 12 noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are closed Monday and Tuesdays. The store phone number is (317) 426-4336.

The friendship and artistry that Linda Birch, Rosemary Fowler and Wilene Gillim share awaits your visit at A 'bit of Whimsy So Bro at 52nd and College Avenue.