Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristina Lewis
Hi Kristina, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have always been a flower gal. Growing up, you could always find me outside in the garden. It is no surprise that I went on to graduate with a Horticulture degree. I started really preserving flowers after my wedding 5 years ago, when I could not say goodbye to our wedding flowers after 2 days. I created a shadow box with them and they are still beautiful, hanging in our bedroom. That started catching people’s attention and I slowly realized there is a need there. Many people during the event planning process forget about after the event. It is such a waste to pay hundreds of dollars for 1 day of beauty. Extending the life of your flowers through preservation keeps those memories alive forever!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not all smooth. I started the business a week before having my first child. Naïvely, I thought I could raise a baby while also growing a fresh business which created a lot more bumps in the road than needed be. The business was put on the back burner for a little bit, while I got my groove on in motherhood. But the more I devote time and effort into it, the more potential I see The Garden Gallery KC becoming a service that will make so many people happy.
The process of preserving the flowers has a lot of steps and requires certain physical requirements in terms of humidity/temperature of the room so working in a home basement studio has its challenges.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I preserve flowers! Whether it is a wedding, funeral, special event or just flowers from a special garden, I believe they hold a lot of memories and symbolism. There are many forms you can preserve them in. Three dimensional is my favorite because it holds the flowers true shape which gives the art pieces a lot of texture. But pressing the flowers flat is also an option. Many want them framed, but I have the option to cast them in resin blocks or functional pieces as well as jewelry pieces.
I am proud of showing up every day to get better. As an artist, you never feel like you are done learning. Each piece gets better and better because of the past pieces. It is a huge growing curve from doing this for yourself to commissioning pieces for others.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love the talent in Kansas City. Around every corner, there is so many people to look up to for their craft and gumption. Growing up in the Midwest, you’re seen by “bigger/more popular” cities as being a fly-over state. There is so much talent here and people who are growing out of the weeds to find their niche and that makes me excited about the art seen here in KC.
The weather can be brutal sometimes as you get into the heat of the summer, which is when most craft shows are being hosted outside. Spring can be a hard time to create, with my craft specifically, with all the humidity in the air.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thegardengallerykc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegardengallerykc?igsh=eGNkZW1wNG1idjEw&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegardengallerykc?mibextid=LQQJ4d
