Lexington artisan market has new owner and adds vendors
{Keri Thompson Warren Photo Credits: Vikki Broughton Hodges}
A former vendor at Ravenwood Artisan Collective in uptown Lexington has purchased the business and renamed it but will continue its focus on North Carolina-made art and other products.
Welcome native Keri Thompson Warren has renamed the store at 100 S. Main St. Kickin’ Creations Local Artisan Market. Tommy Wilson of Thomasville opened the shop about a year ago but has decided to pursue other interests.
Warren, a visual artist, began selling her paintings and prints through Ravenwood in September 2021. Largely self-taught, Warren said her mother taught her the basics and she took an art class at North Davidson High School, where she graduated in 2004, but she ended up working for Truliant Federal Credit Union for 15 years.
About five years ago, Warren began selling her acrylic and watercolor paintings, as well as prints, at art shows, festivals and artisan markets at Triad area wineries and breweries. She has also painted a number of murals on commission for restaurants in Winston-Salem, such as Hops Burger Bar and Porch, as well as in individual homes. She has also painted several local storefront windows in uptown Lexington.
Last summer, while she was working her corporate job from home, Warren began teaching art classes to the children at Oak Forest United Methodist Church's after-school and summer programs, which her son attended. The experience reignited her interest in not only painting but teaching others how to paint.
When she heard Wilson was interested in selling the Ravenwood business she decided to take a leap of faith and continue an artisan market with an emphasis on North Carolina products but also have a space to offer art classes.
“I plan to be teaching classes for kids and adults before the end of the year,” she said, adding she will teach at Forest Oaks again this summer.
As a vendor at arts shows, festivals and artisan markets, Warren said she knows first-hand how time-consuming and hard it is to do shows when you are constantly traveling and setting up and tearing down displays. She liked the idea Wilson had to let the store showcase artisans’ work on a permanent basis so they can devote more time to create new works.
“A majority of the vendors are the same but I have added a few more I’ve met at shows,” she said.
One new vendor is Salt Soothers Dead Sea Salt Body Scrub, based in Kinston. Warren said she has used the product line herself for years.
JustJo is also new vendor to the store. Jo Roberts of Lexington creates jewelry and home décor from resin and polymer clay. Ken Curtiss of Mocksville has a colorful display of handmade glass earrings. Leah Barkley of Lexington has a display of whimsical kitchen towels, some embroidered, from her business, Sew It Seams. Larry and Frankie Mefford of Welcome, through their business, Two Alpha Precision, have a display of their woodworking, including cutting boards, baskets and boxes.
Other vendors who have displayed their work since the shop opened remain, including dot mandala paintings from Cheryl Tucker of Lexington, whimsical carved wood gnomes, mushrooms and boxes from Chris Poplin of Mocksville, stained glass by Roxanne Kopp of Statesville and American flags made from wood by Zach and Brittany Tignor of Lexington. Handbags and clothing for women will also remain in the shop, as well as some T-shirts.
Warren said she has also added a line of barbecue and hot sauces from Defiant Sauce Co. in Cornelius and a line of spice blends and dry rubs for grilling from Frag Out Flavor, a veteran-owned business.
“I’ve tried to add a few lines that appeal to men, too,” she said of the grilling items and T-shirts.
Another new featured vendor is Jeanette Gallimore, who operated the Bees Knees at 125 S. Main St. for several years before recently closing the shop. Her line of children’s clothing and baby shower gift items will now be displayed and sold at Kickin’ Creations.
“We want to be a one-stop shop for all kinds of unique gifts — birthdays, wedding gifts, shower gifts, the holidays,” she noted.
Warren is working on a website for the store, where she will list upcoming classes and sign-ups for them. Kickin' Creations is on Facebook and Instagram.
The store is open from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.
