Kaari Meng has been designing vintage glass jewelry for more than 20 years. After moving to New York City in 1988, Kaari began exhibiting at trade shows and designing for specialty shops, including Anthropologie. Armed with experience in all facets of jewelry manufacturing, she began teaching jewelry making out of her shop, French General. In 2003, French General moved to Los Angeles, where it continues to offer workshops and creative kits to people who enjoy working with vintage materials.
Kaari is the author of several books, including French-Inspired Jewelry: Creating with Vintage Beads, Buttons & Baubles (Lark/Sterling, 2007) and Treasured Notions (Chronicle Books, 2010).
Contact:
Web: www.frenchgeneral.com
Wendy Addison was born in Missouri and raised by artist parents. She studied fine art at an early age. In 1993, she opened her studio in an old garage and began creating what she called “objects for an imaginary life.” Made from old sheet music, tarnished tinsel, vintage crepe paper, Victorian scrap, and other flea market treasures, Addison’s work evoked some lost sense of magic from times past. Her signature look quickly evolved and found its way to fine stores across the country, such as Bergdorf Goodman and Tiffany. In 1997, Wendy moved to a tiny town north of San Francisco. Her shop “Theatre of Dreams” is open by chance or appointment, and she continues to create new and innovative paper objects. Her designs are licensed to Tinsel Trading Company in NYC and Midwest of Cannon Falls, and are sold in gift stores everywhere.
Contact:
Web: www.wendyaddisonstudio.com
