Behind the Counter- April

Welcome to Behind the Counter. Take a glimpse behind the scenes at Thistle & Bess to connect with people who inspire, hear the thoughtful stories behind the goods that I love and find out what is currently sparking joy in my life. 

Detroit-based artist Mo Neuharth currently has her art on display at one of my favorite places in Ann Arbor, Homes Campus. The show is titled "House Holds" and is a meditation on domesticity that uses common household objects as a whimsical experiment in color and mark making. I love the playful and colorful nature of Mo's work. The show is up through the end of April- go grab a Smooj (a delicious hard seltzer smoothie) and check out Mo's work. 

Can't make it to Homes? We carry a selection of Mo's art prints and paper goods at the shop. 

We are elated about our Jennie Kwon Designs Trunk Show  during the weekend of April 13. Jennie herself will be traveling from L.A. for the event for the second year in a row. I am always amazed and so proud when designers that I admire want to collaborate with our little shop. I love working with like-minded, strong women and Jennie Kwon and her business are such an inspiration to me. I recently asked Jennie some questions about being a designer, business owner and a lover of 90's Hip-hop. I hope that you join us at the shop for our Jennie Kwon Designs Trunk Show the weekend of April 13 so you can meet her for yourself. 

Jewelry is not your first career. You were previously a classically trained musician and then an attorney. While these ventures all seem so different, do you find that there are any similarities between them?  
I'm a Virgo and my Chinese zodiac sign is a dragon.  This makes for a very type A make up.  While all three of my careers each seem like a random tangent from the other, the throughline is the level of meticulousness, attention to detail, and creativity all required, while operating within defined parameters.  Whether it be drafting around certain terms that are agreed to by both parties, playing a piece of music with the composer's intentions in mind, or  designing a piece of jewelry considering the delicate scale and aesthetic that create a cohesiveness throughout our collection, I've had to think outside of the box to create something unique and detailed.

Do you have any advice for someone currently running or thinking about starting a creative business?  
It's rare of anyone to reinvent the wheel in any industry, but whatever it is, make sure to bring your own unique perspective to the world.  It's tempting to see things trending and want to jump on that very thing to try to ride the wave, but if you're interested in the longevity of your business, focusing on something you're passionate and sincerely care about will take you through the hard, discouraging and frustrating times you inevitably encounter running a business.

What JKD moment or achievement are you the most proud of?
I'm not sure there's a singular moment that I'm most proud of.  I'm proud of creating our own space in a super crowded industry and having stayed strong for the past almost 11 years now.  I'm proud of the super loyal clientele we have that come back time and time again to celebrate each milestone in their lives.  I'm proud of people trusting us to make their most treasured pieces of jewelry, that hold so much meaning in their lives.  I'm also proud of the long-standing relationships we've established with our retail partners- some going on almost 11 years now.

Is there anything that you look back on wish you would’ve done differently in your business?
I think each step in the growth and development of JKD has made the brand what it currently is.  I could have poured more into PR, branding, or otherwise, but what we have now still retains the authenticity and essence that existed when I first started the brand out of my house, and this is something I'm proud of.

What is currently inspiring you or bringing you joy?  
Call me an old lady, but nature continues to inspire and bring me joy.  The more I mature, the more I find my grounding in the outdoors.  After a long day of managing a business and parenting, I find joy in sitting outside, watching the hummingbirds flock around the feeders, noticing the fragrance of all of the plants and flowers around me and slowing down to appreciate all of it.  I'm also inspired by watching my kids morph into young adults.  It's been a struggle relearning how to parent teens versus younger children, as it's an adjustment acknowledging that they're no longer safely within my control, but it's been the coolest thing getting to know them as their older selves and hearing their opinions and thoughts on things.

We have a shared love of 90’s Hip-hop and R&B. Do you have a favorite artist or song from that era? Do you listen to music while you design?  Aw yeah!  The 90s will forever have my heart and the hip-hop / R&B from that era is untouchable.  Of course Tupac- he was a true poet and a genius in communicating his views of the state of things while he was alive.  Watching his interviews and how prescient they were gives me chills.  Of course Biggie, Snoop, Jodeci, Babyface, Pharcyde, Public Enemy, Beastie Boys, Outkast, Wu Tang, Jurassic 5 to name juuuust a few.

Sofia Coppola's film Marie Antoinette is one of my favorite movies of all time. From the imagery to the costumes to the soundtrack and the fact that I am a huge history nerd- I love every second of it. Sofia recently released her first book, Archive, which details the entirety of her influential career in a scrapbook form, with behind the scenes photos and stories.

I am finding so much inspiration from this book. Sophia's films, which are mainly about the female experience of girls becoming women, have a particular aesthetic that draws you in and sticks with you. 

I am also inspired by Sofia's classic and unfussy fashion sense. It is almost like she wears a uniform of sorts- crisp shirts, timeless silhouettes and basic colors. The older that I get, the more this style appeals to me. It's also interesting to read about her thoughts on fashion and women directors. In the beginning of her career (Virgin Suicide days) she made a point to wear dresses and more feminine styles while working because she was trying to rebel against the male dominated industry. 

See some of my favorite images from the book below. Reading this has got me wanting to watch all of Sofia's films again as well, which sounds like a fun Spring goal. 

Thank you so very much for following along with us! I hope that you are having a wonderful start to the spring season and that we see you at the shop soon.