Getting the word(s) out
Decorative expressions take hold in home decor
"Faith, Family and Friends," "Always Kiss Me Goodnight" and "All Because Two People Fell in Love."
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These are just a few examples of the many decorative expressions used for home decor. The expressions can be used on walls, doors, mirrors and windows or can be placed on candle jars, ceramic tiles, cabinet doors or anything that has a flat surface.
"It's scrapbooking on the walls, and using it as home decor is hot right now," said Karlee Anderson, manager of Ben Franklin Crafts in Brainerd. "These home expressions have grown over the years and we're finally able to get some up on our shelves.
"These sayings are comforting. You walk into a house and see a saying and it gives the home a relaxing atmosphere. It's welcoming."
"This is a new approach to home decor," said Kelli Weaver of Breezy Point. Weaver is an independent demonstrator for Uppercase Living, which sells decorative expressions and graphic embellishments.
"Wine is bottled poetry" was recently displayed in Kelli Weaver's kitchen.
Brainerd Dispatch/Jennifer Stockinger
"It's easy to do and it doesn't damage any of the surfaces," Weaver said. "It's an adhesive sticker that can be easily removed, so if a person wants to change their saying, they just peel the old one off and put the new one on. People can't reuse the expressions once they've been removed."
Weaver said decorative expressions have become so popular because of how they transform a room and how they make people feel when they read them.
"Words have the ability to influence behavior," Weaver said. "They can motivate or inspire someone."
Weaver said Uppercase Living was created two years ago by two friends in Salt Lake City, and she began selling the products last June.
"We moved into our new home four years ago and I saw so many sayings painted on people's walls and I loved it," Weaver said. "I procrastinated because I didn't know what saying I wanted. Then a friend told me about Uppercase Living and I decided to do an open house. I loved it so much that I decided to be a demonstrator. It's a hobby of mine. Now my house is full of expressions."
These display items were created by Weaver, of Breezy Point, an independent demonstrator for Uppercase Living.
Brainerd Dispatch/Jennifer Stockinger
After selling decorative expressions for almost a year, Weaver's still amazed at how creatively people use the product.
"There are so many things you can do with these expressions, besides putting them on the wall. You can put them on a board, a sign, on your boat or mirror. They can go anywhere," as long as it's a smooth or lightly textured surface, she said.
Weaver said the reaction to these expressions has varied.
"Some are surprised with it and some say this is the best thing they've ever seen," Weaver said. "Businesses are using them for their office or shop and these make great personalized gifts, too."
Anderson said Ben Franklin Crafts is in the process of getting decorative expressions on the walls so people can see what they look like. Anderson said the store purchases its decorative expressions from River Spirit Crafts in Brainerd, which is owned by Theresa Barrett and Mickey Hudson.
Karlee Anderson, manager of Ben Franklin Crafts in Brainerd, recently held one of the larger decorative lettering expressions that the store recently began selling.
Brainerd Dispatch/Jennifer Stockinger
Hudson said he and Barrett have been doing crafts for close to 10 years. It started out as a hobby, turning into a business in 2005.
Hudson and Barrett talked about making decorative expressions about a year ago. They did the research and noticed they were being sold online. They talked with Anderson and partnered up to sell decorative expressions at Ben Franklin Crafts.
River Spirit Crafts creates the expressions with a vinyl cutting machine and works with Mike Voss of MTV Designz, who also does vinyl work - the decorative expressions are made out of vinyl. Hudson said they can custom design any expression from 2 to 23 inches wide and any length.
"I think this will be around for a while," Hudson said. "But fact is, something new always comes along. But eventually, everything comes around and it'll be hot again."
Hudson said the expressions are popular because they're easy to use, are versatile and there are so many colors, fonts and sayings to choose from.
"People can put these sayings on their wall or wherever they want," Hudson said. "And when someone decides to redecorate their house, it come off easily and they're relatively cheap to buy."
Hudson said the best seller has been "Always Kiss Me Goodnight" and one of the more humorous is "Laundry Today or Naked Tomorrow."
JENNIFER STOCKINGER may be reached at jennifer.stockinger@ brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851.