Artful Creations

I’ve made a few pieces of jewelry. When I find some beads I like, I string them together. Of course, I know about jump rings, crimp beads and own a few tools. So I guess I’m a stringer, not a true jewelry designer–which is why I really respect the creative ladies behind Kansas City’s Artful Creations.

Randi and Debby have been friends and business partners for ten years. They first collaborated when Randi owned a bead store in Kansas. Both designed jewelry pieces and shared in the teaching of jewelry construction classes. The bead store has since closed but they moved on to their new adventure: Artful Creations.

Randi and Debby creatively work with semiprecious stones, found vintage components, and unique beads from around the world. Their inspirations come from pieces they hand pick. The women who wear their designs appreciate unique handcrafted pieces–pieces that tell a story.

Artful Creations also rescues family heirlooms. They will take an older beaded piece and redesign it to reflect the current owner, or divide it for members of the next generation. That is telling a story!

Having done some designing myself (fiber pieces), I am always interested in the creative process and asked both Randi and Debby about theirs. Randi, with and art education background, likes to draw her designs out first. Debby, a mechanical engineer, tends to lay all her elements out and visualize what she wants to create. The two process combinations work. Their jewelry is gorgeous.

Beading Parties

A year ago, Debby and Randi had which has proven to be a great idea: “We bring the beading party to you!”

At an Artful Creations’ beading party, friends and neighbors may gather for a casual, fun evening of socializing while learning how to design and put together a necklace or bracelet. The host for the beading party may provide food and beverages for everyone to enjoy.

Randi and Debby provide a beautiful selection of semi-precious stones, pearls, crystal and glass beads to choose from. And Randi and Debby provide knowledgeable instruction in designing and executing the jewelry.

Artful Creations beading parties are a great idea for fundraising. Artful Creations will give a percentage of proceeds to a host’s designated charity. A fundraising idea might be an auction of jewelry once finished with the money raised going to the charity of choice. Another option is that the host may charge a little above cost per person and donate that toward their cause.

The minimum needed for a party are five guests for a fee of $150 and $30 for each additional guest. For parties exceeding 30 guests, a $50 fee is needed for an additional instructor. If you are interested, please contact Artful Creations at artfulcreationskc@gmail.com

Future Plans

At this point, the only way to purchase Artful Creations jewelry is to catch Randi and Debby at a show like I did earlier this summer. They would like to change this model and add a online website.

However, they do have a Facebook page to make it easier for customers to connect with them FOUND HERE.

Next on Artful Creations’ Calendar

Artful Creations will be at the Kansas City Jewish Culture Festival 2017 this Sunday, September 10th. This twenty-year old tradition is being held at 5801 W 115th Street, Overland Park, KS 66211. I’ve provided a link Kansas City Jewish Culture Festival 2017. I’ve been before and am going to try and make this one. Debby also creates Judaic items and I am looking forward to checking them out.

Again, a few ways to reach Randi and Debby of Artful Creations:

Artful Creations Facebook page HERE.

Artful Creations Email: artfulcreationskc@gmail.com

Also, a friend of mine Debbie Dubinsky, is also showing her work at the Jewish Cultural Festival. If you are in the Kansas City area, don’t forget to stop by her booth. Knowing Debby, she will have some very yummy yarn that she has designed along with other fiber works.

That wraps it up for this week. Thank you for stopping by. I’ll have another blog bit next week. You are certainly welcome to leave a comment or two or three. I love to hear from you.

I link up with some great blogs every week. To see who they are go HERE.

Except where noted, I took the photos for today’s post.

Again, thanks for stopping by. Take care……..

Time for my usual link-up blurb!

It’s time for the August 2nd Loved 1st Friday Linkup which stays open until September 30th.

Any post on a blog, Instagram, Facebook or the like can linkup to this style celebration. If you can copy and paste the URL in the Linky box, you are good to go!

One item is quite OK—a hat, skirt, pants, shoes, purse, or a piece of jewelry.  That item (or items) can be from a thrift shop, eBay, consignment shop, vintage boutique, one of the online consignment shops such as RealReal–or even something a friend gave you because they didn’t want it anymore.

When you do post, I would appreciate a description about your 2nd Loved item (or items), what type of shop you found it and what drew you to it. Tell as much or as little as you want. To be featured in my collage, which I will put on Instagram along with your links, you have to say what item is second loved. That is a “have to”.

If you have never participated in a linkup before, no fear. Go to Linkup 101 guide that is found on my 2^nd Loved 1^st Friday linkup page (also found at the top in the tab section).

Just click the frog below to link up and join the fun!

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