Local artist Amy Allison is determined to inspire the kid in all of us with her sweetly illustrated paper and ceramic creations. Each of her products, which include porcelain cups and charms, paper goods, and even wallpaper and fabric, is adorned with sketches of childlike images (think bunnies, tree houses, and choo-choo trains). A former furniture designer who once worked for Holly Hunt, Allison tired of the fast-paced corporate world and decided to spin her sketching habit into a business. “I was always doodling as a kid, drawing little critters and writing things in different ways,” Allison says. “So I started out doing stationery and paper goods, and then once I got into wallpaper, it just kind of grew from there.” She launched Soda by Amy two years ago, so named because of soda ash, or sodium carbonate, a component of both paper and clay. Her products are available at Homeboy (3327 N. Broadway, 773-472-0548), Hazel (1902 W. Montrose Ave., 773-769-2227), and Paper Doll (2048 W. Division St., 773-227-6950), as well as through sodabyamy.com.

1. Soda by Amy wallpaper is available to the trade at Betterman’s (bettermans.com).

2. These porcelain cups ($16 Each) can be purchased at various area stores and through sodabyamy.com.

3. Soda by Amy pillows are available on the designer’s web site.

4. Textiles such as those used for this crib set can be purchased through Betterman’s.