Wildflower offers gifts, painting and crafting

As a little girl, Jennifer Moore remembers coming to The Garden shopping center to buy shoes and other items. She loved the shopping center and vowed that she would one day have a store of her own in the complex. That dream became a reality earlier this year when she and her friend Wendy Erhart opened Wildflower.

“It was an idea that’s been brewing in my head since I was a kid,” Jennifer said. “I’ve always wanted to have a shop in The Garden and I finally had the opportunity to do so.”

“She just drug me along for the ride,” Wendy added with a laugh. “And I’m happy to go.”

Although the concept of the type of store she wanted changed, Jennifer finally decided to stick to what she and Wendy knew best.

“I wanted something that was art-centric and had handmade items,” Jennifer said. “We are a gift shop that sells plants and specialty coffees and teas. Pretty much everything is something you can gift to someone.”

Additionally, the two women decided they wanted to offer

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// Continued from Page 16 // painting and crafting classes for individuals who want to learn or as a fun night-out option.

Jennifer is a sculptor who has spent the last seven years as a high school art teacher and Wendy is an all-around crafter. Together, they teach classes in small wood decorations, macrame, painting and more. The classes are designed to be for anyone of any skill level.

“Anybody can do it,” Wendy said. “You can do it and it will be just as good as anybody else’s. The stuff we buy is not perfect–it’s distressed.”

While there is a class schedule listed, Wendy also wants customers to bring any projects or items they like to them and they will try to help.

“We want to do whatever they want to do,” Wendy said. “If somebody comes to us with an interest, we can do that.”

“We want to be involved in the community aspect of things and be a place where people go to hang out and craft or paint or what-have-you,” Jennifer said.

One of the items for sale in the store is Prodigal Pottery, made by women affiliated with the King’s Home who are escaping domestic violence situations.

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“We look for vendors that have a social message or are involved in something good,” Jennifer said.

Other items for sale in the shop include Bemele Candles, handsewn and handmade items from Stacy Phillips and tabletop concrete firepits and jewelry made by Riley Phillips, as well as private-labeled coffees and teas that are exclusive to the store. There are also houseplants, various artworks and vintage items for sale.

“People don’t have to go across town to buy a nice gift or a nice candle,” Jennifer said.

“That’s also what we thought about these paint parties,” Wendy explained. “You can go across town and do that, but we want you to be able to come here and do that. Some people don’t want to drive to the other side of 280 or Hoover or wherever.”

Open to the Public:

Open to the Public:

Thursday, March 10 -- 8am-7pm

Thursday, August 24 -- 8am-7pm

Friday, March 11 -- 8am-5pm

Friday, August 25 -- 8am-6pm

Saturday, March 12 -- 7am-noon (many items discounted 50%)

Saturday, August 26 -- 7am-noon (many items discounted 50%)

Featuring gently-used children’s clothing size ne wborn to “big kid” 18, children’s shoes up to “big kid” 9, baby equipment, bikes, spor ts equipment, toys, games, puzzles, and more!

Featuring gently-used children’s clothing size ne wborn to “big kid” 18, children’s shoes (all sizes), baby equipment, bikes, spor ts equipment, toys, games, puzzles, and more!

KingdomKidsConsignment.com 805 Crest Drive, Gardendale

KingdomKidsConsignment.com 805 Crest Drive, Gardendale