SHOP FOR A CAUSE

Susan Pettit has worn many hats: wife, mother, registered nurse, and missionary. Now, she’s added a new one: store owner. The Red Thread in Shawnee showcases the artistic talent of artists from Haiti, Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Vietnam, as well as artists from Shawnee and Gladstone, Missouri.

When thinking about a name for her store, she found a Chinese proverb that she felt perfectly described the store: “An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break.”

She purchased a home at 11405 Johnson Drive (it had previously housed a veterinarian office and a chiropractor office) and turned it into a showcase for art. Each room exhibits original artwork: pottery, wildlife wood-carvings, watercolor paintings, and more.

Handmade rugs, baskets, and quilted wall hangings share a room with hand-crafted jewelry adorning old dressers.

“I am amazed at the jewelry pieces that the artists send in. The pieces are never the same. Even though it is the same product, such as earrings or necklaces, each one is different,” Pettit says.

One of several jewelry artists featured at The Red Thread is Julie Koch. Her designs are earth inspired, using precious metal clay and silversmith methods.

“I have always loved jewelry. I create jewelry inspired by the places I explore,” Koch says.

Step inside the kitchen of The Red Thread and find pot holders, covers for bowls, and dish towels. A light fragrance wafts from the bathroom, where there’s a delightful display of local handmade Firefly Soaps, created by three sisters inspired by their heritage and childhood to make soap with scents that conjure memories. Shoppers will find original art pieces or framed prints for sale. Pettit points to the work of a 16-year-old whose watercolor paintings feature wildlife. “She is not ready to give up her originals, so we have her prints for sale. She may be giving some art classes here at the store,” Pettit says. As local artists discovered her store, they began to come in and talk with her about displaying their work. “I currently have about 25 artists …. I have at least four artists (who) live here in Shawnee,” she says. The artists who submit work to The Red Thread range in age from 16 to 85. The mission of The Red Thread is to combine local talents with those of Haiti, Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Vietnam, as a way of promoting a self-sustainable lifestyle that will continue for generations to come. Every turn in the house holds a surprise as shoppers browse handmade shopping bags, a locally produced calendar planner, greeting cards, baby items, and wooden toys. “We at The Red Thread are grateful and truly honored to showcase the talents of so many creative, hard-working artisans and “We at The their crafts,” Pettit says. The store also sells CDs from pianist Red Thread are grateful and composer Joseph Nimoh. His music ranges from classical to jazz to gospel, and is crafted to inspire hope and bring healing and truly to his audience. Pettit originally opened The Red Thread in honored to 2017 in Gladstone, Missouri, then relocated the business in October 2019 to Shawnee. showcase the “Presently we don’t have a huge amount of people through the door every day, but it is talents of so enough. I find that word of mouth is the best many creative, advertising for us,” Pettit says. Hoping to increase public awareness of the hard-working store, Pettit and several artists had planned to attend this year’s Old Shawnee Days; though artisans and this year’s event was canceled, the 2021 event will be June 3–6. their crafts.” “This will be our first time there. I am told about 250,000 people attend the event every year. We are looking forward to that. I am meeting with the artists to talk about how they want that to run,” she says. Accomplishing a dream to showcase talented artists from overseas and in her local community has been a blessing for Pettit. “What I love about the work I am doing now is meeting the people that I would probably never (have) met before, seeing the talent out there and the new ideas they come up with all the time for their art,” she says. Currently, Pettit is adding a breakroom for staff and visiting artists. A wheelchairaccessible ramp is being added, and she plans to create a sitting area outside the store. “I want to put in a rain garden. We will have a sitting area as well. (Passersby) are welcome to come in the shop and look around or they can just sit outside and relax,” she says.

On Johnson Drive, The Red Thread accepts consignments from area, national, and international artists, such as Lillie Howard of South Carolina who displays her sweetgrass baskets (top) at the store.

The Red Thread 11405 Johnson Drive Shawnee, KS 66203 913-526-9940 theredthreadllc@gmail.com www.theredthreadllc.com Closed Sunday and Monday; open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday