Category: Spotlight

Some people look at what is, while others look at what could be. Rhonda from Not Too Shabby belongs to the latter group. “I love pieces that people no longer love; I see so much potential. I’m not into antiques, I’m into vintage. These are things that people can buy and change. They haven’t got a tremendous amount invested like they would with an antique, but they’ve got a fun piece for their home.”

Building and creating have always been Rhonda’s passions. It’s part of why she became an occupational therapist. But that wasn’t enough for Rhonda, she needed more. She found enjoyment in breathing new life into worn-out pieces of furniture. However, the catalyst for what would become Not Too Shabby wouldn’t come until 2015, following her sister developing cirrhosis of her liver after contracting hepatitis C from a blood transfusion.

Years after undergoing a liver transplant, Rhonda’s sister, Sue, was distraught to find a buffet she had for many years in disrepair after pulling it from storage. Rhonda suggested they work together to fix and paint it. The sisters enjoyed working on the project and Sue was thrilled with the results. To continue refurbishing and reinvigorating furniture together, Rhonda opened Not Too Shabby in November 2015. Unfortunately, Sue’s health took a turn for the worse a month later. After another few months, Sue passed away without being able to see the store. Today, Rhonda continues to work under the name Not Too Shabby to honor and feel connected to her sister.

Rhonda regularly picks up discarded pieces to rebuild or rework them into something completely different. She’s fond of bright, vibrant colors and regularly implements them in her refurbishments. Rhonda also takes custom orders from people who have furniture they want redone in Rhonda’s style. Outside of her furniture work, Rhonda also paints, typically animal portraits, which also showcase her love of bright colors. If you’re interested in having some custom work done, you can contact Rhonda at queenrhonda@gmail.com.

It’s perhaps well known at this point that art has incredible emotive properties. We’ve all been touched by something, a painting or piece of music at some point in our lives. Art taps into a fundamental, foundational element of our humanity which transcends mere language and enables us to convey what words alone can’t. This is what makes art therapy a powerful tool when recovering from psychological trauma. Jennifer Kramer, an art therapist with a studio here at Mellwood, knows this, not just as a therapist, but as a survivor of narcissistic abuse as well.

Initially, Jennfier worked as an art therapist helping kids. Unfortunately, she found herself in a toxic relationship with an abusive narcissist. After leaving that relationship, Jennifer used her knowledge and experience in art therapy to inform her art making; she used the very techniques she uses with clients today to heal. Jennifer knew she needed to use her knowledge and experience as a survivor to help other women.

Typically, Jennifer will start her clients with making art, and then follows that up with responsive writing discussing the client’s art. This process, a refined version of Pat Allen’s Studio Process she refers to as the Redefined Process, helps clients first open and access their emotions and then process those feelings. It’s important to note that trauma is sometimes compartmentalized. This process not only engages the creative and analytical parts of the brain, but also helps bridge the different parts of the mind so that the client is conscious of the stored trauma and can begin healing.

In addition to one-on-one art therapy session, which can be done in-person or via telehealth, Jennifer offers small group workshops. Outside of art therapy, she offers an online coaching program, again for groups or individuals. She also has a free Facebook group survivors can join to share with, encourage, and support other survivors.

From now until September 25th, Jennifer has a Kickstarter campaign running. This campaign is meant to help raise funds for community art and other projects. Her current project is “I Deserve to Take Up Space,” which works to empower survivors of narcissistic abuse and undo the damage done to their sense of self-worth. You find her Kickstarter at kickstarter.com/projects/jenniferannekramer/using-art-to-redefine-identity-after-narcissistic-abuse. For more information, please visit her link tree page at linktr.ee/jenniferakramer. You can also find her on Facebook at @jenniferkramerarttherapy or Instagram at @jenniferannekramer.

For Brittany of Sandra’s Curvy Couture, helping others has been a driving force behind all that she does. Whether it was working in mental health or empowering other women through fashion, Brittany’s desire to help is a constant through line.

It may come as surprise, but Brittany wasn’t a girly girl growing up. She was not a fan of the kinds of things her mom would pick out for her; she wanted to look cool, not girly. It wasn’t until Brittany got older that she wanted to wear the kinds of clothes she saw girls wear on TV. However, she never wanted to blend in or replicate someone else’s style; she was determined to stand out and develop a style of her own.

Prior to starting Sandra’s Curvy Couture, Brittany was a mental health worker. On the side, she followed in her mother’s footsteps. Her mom was a cosmetologist and Brittany learned many things growing up watching her. In seventh grade, Brittany was able to style hair like her mother did and even made some money doing so. In addition to styling hair, Brittany also did eyelashes and eyebrows. She enjoyed helping other women look their best and empowering them. Brittany’s mom had often encouraged her to open her own boutique. Having seen Brittany develop and refine her own style, her mother believed she could make a living sharing it with others. Unfortunately, her mother passed away nearly a year ago. In honor of her mom, Sandra, Brittany opened Sandra’s Curvy Couture.

In her boutique, Brittany is very selective of the garments and accessories she stocks. Her carefully curated inventory includes clothing from small to 4X, styles ranging from active to formal wear, and array of accessories, such as sunglasses, earrings, handbags, and belts. Color and versatility are very important to Brittany; every item she sells is as colorful as her personality and can be worn in a variety of ways and settings. When selecting garments and accessories for her inventory, Brittany strives to find unique items unlike anything found anywhere else. Her selection currently consists of bright, summery colors and tie-dyes. Before she stocks up for fall, Sandra’s Curvy Couture will have an end of summer sale just ahead of Labor Day weekend. To see more of what Brittany has in stock at Sandra’s Curvy Couture, check out her Instagram at @sandrascurvycouture.

Prior to starting Sandra’s Curvy Couture, Brittany was a mental health worker. On the side, she followed in her mother’s footsteps. Her mom was a cosmetologist and Brittany learned many things growing up watching her. In seventh grade, Brittany was able to style hair like her mother did and even made some money doing so. In addition to styling hair, Brittany also did eyelashes and eyebrows. She enjoyed helping other women look their best and empowering them. Brittany’s mom had often encouraged her to open her own boutique. Having seen Brittany develop and refine her own style, her mother believed she could make a living sharing it with others. Unfortunately, her mother passed away nearly a year ago. In honor of her mom, Sandra, Brittany opened Sandra’s Curvy Couture.

In her boutique, Brittany is very selective of the garments and accessories she stocks. Her carefully curated inventory includes clothing from small to 4X, styles ranging from active to formal wear, and array of accessories, such as sunglasses, earrings, handbags, and belts. Color and versatility are very important to Brittany; every item she sells is as colorful as her personality and can be worn in a variety of ways and settings. When selecting garments and accessories for her inventory, Brittany strives to find unique items unlike anything found anywhere else. Her selection currently consists of bright, summery colors and tie-dyes. Before she stocks up for fall, Sandra’s Curvy Couture will have an end of summer sale just ahead of Labor Day weekend. To see more of what Brittany has in stock at Sandra’s Curvy Couture, check out her Instagram at @sandrascurvycouture.

Perhaps you’ve seen their sign as you drive down Mellwood Avenue, or maybe you’ve walked our halls and saw a set of stairs leading down with “Antiques” painted on the wall. If you haven’t made a trip to the mammoth space that is Mellwood Antiques and Interiors, it’s well past time to rectify that. Whether you talk to Peggy, the store’s manager, or Phil, an antiques dealer, you’ll hear the same thing: there’s something here for everyone.

Peggy’s first foray into the world of antiques was at the Louisville Antique Mall, where she started as a part-time cashier and never ventured on to the floor. A year later, she was full-time and started working the floor, where she gained an appreciation for the craftsmanship each antique had, especially when measured against comparable items manufactured today. Peggy eventually worked her way up the ladder and managed aspects of the Louisville Antique Mall until it closed during the recession in 2008. Peggy took a ten-year break from antiques.

Before the Louisville Antique Mall closed, Phil was an antiques dealer with a space at the mall. He got his start in antiques in 1970, when he opened his own shop. When the antique mall opened, Phil took on a space there as well. During the recession, Phil closed his shop and rented the building out to someone else. When the Louisville Antique Mall closed, just as Peggy had done, Phil left the antique world for ten years.

In 2014, the antique mall on Goss Avenue moved into their current space here at Mellwood. In 2018, after recommendations from various antiques dealers selling from Mellwood, Peggy was approached about managing Mellwood Antiques and Interiors; she accepted the offer. After assuming leadership, Peggy made it a priority to increase the number of dealers. One of the first dealers she reached out to was Phil. When he heard from Peggy and learned she was now the manager, Phil eagerly joined.

While most antique malls have an array of different dealers and can claim to have a little something for everyone, Mellwood Antiques and Interiors has more than a little. With 127 dealers, each having their own niche and style, rarely does a shopper leave empty-handed. Those that do usually return within a few days to snap up something that caught their eye before someone else does. Whether you’re looking to furnish or redecorate your home, or are a collector of any stripe, odds are Mellwood Antiques and Interiors has something for you.

If you’d like to learn more about Mellwood Antiques and Interiors, check out their site at mellwoodantiques.com. You can also find them on Facebook at @mellwoodantiques or Instagram at @mellwoodantique.

While most antique malls have an array of different dealers and can claim to have a little something for everyone, Mellwood Antiques and Interiors has more than a little. With 127 dealers, each having their own niche and style, rarely does a shopper leave empty-handed. Those that do usually return within a few days to snap up something that caught their eye before someone else does. Whether you’re looking to furnish or redecorate your home, or are a collector of any stripe, odds are Mellwood Antiques and Interiors has something for you.

If you’d like to learn more about Mellwood Antiques and Interiors, check out their site at mellwoodantiques.com. You can also find them on Facebook at @mellwoodantiques or Instagram at @mellwoodantique.