Photo by Kaitlyn Winston
After designing jewelry from her Chesterfield studio for almost 10 years, Maryellen Kim of Twist Style jewelry recently opened a handmade artistic wares storefront and design studio, Handmade Happiness Boutique , at 4308 Chester Village Lane.
"It's great to have another way to support my friends and get their stuff in front of people in this area more than just once a year at Spring Bada-Bing," Kim says of the Richmond Craft Mafia event. Many of the local and regional artists whose work she displays in the store are members of the craft collective.
A beige curtain separates the storefront from the production studio where jewelers sit at long tables assembling pieces for Twist Style that will be shipped to more than 50 boutiques across the country. Most of the jewelry makers are moms who work part-time around their children's schedules.
At the front of the shop, Kim displays work from local artists, including gnome and bird pottery by Tasha McKelvey, prints by Carter Carpin and oilcloth items by Kelly McCants. The vintage, nautical theme of the store mirrors Kim's earthy, textile-based jewelry. Paint-torn shutters, tattered window frames and vintage ladders add to the shop's seaside cottage charm.
"Having the shop is inspiring because now I have this platform where I can show more people what I'm making," Kim says, adding that she continues to produce new jewelry designs. "I want to have something new to show customers all the time. That's a really good catalyst for being on top of designing."
Kim hopes the shop will serve as inspiration for customers as well. Throughout the store, she sells hard-to-find craft supplies including rolls of crepe paper and bags of beads with tags that say, "Supplies for Getting Crafty."
"If they're inspired, they'll be able to pick up some unusual crafty items," Kim says.
For more information, call 796-7999 or visit facebook.com/HandmadeHappinessBoutique .
