Page Title
Hand crafted beaded items
Kristen named her company Grass Roots as her journey began in 2001 when she discovered the
craft of wire bending to create sculptures. Kristen Appleton has worked both in Africa and China
with teams of artisans to interpret her designs through this craft. A trained potter, sculptor and
industrial designer, Kristen utilizes her understanding of shape and form to realize her vision to
create a whimsical handcrafted line of beaded sculptures inspired by nature.
This process of wire bending is an intricate and difficult art, requiring great strength and skill.
Once a frame has been made, it is woven with a rainbow of colorful beads. All our wire is
galvanized and the beads are glass. Her sculptures are perfect in any home as well as adding a
bit of whimsy and delight to the garden and patio.
The China offices and production are headed by Liu Ping (Judy). She started with Kristen in 2004
from a manufacturing background, after graduating from Foreign Language College. She is a
tireless, extremely adept, and dedicated manager. Judy is an example of the many young women
in China forging a path to success in a business society that typically affords opportunity only to
men. Judy supports herself solely and also assists her family in ChongQing City, where she was
born and raised.
The ‘master’ of Kristen’s development team is a 26 year young man named AwFang; born in
GuiZhou Province in rural Southwest China. He has been creating Kristien's designs since 2004,
having brought with him prior metal artwork experience. A dedicated and creative artist, Awfang has
mastered this art form and trained a team of six skilled artisans. On a personal note, Awfang has
recently married and is awaiting the birth of his first child.
Over the past three years, Kristen's company has worked to develop production in a rural factory
setting. This production brings steady work and income to hundreds of people who had no prior
opportunity to create stability for themselves and their families. Their diligence in mastering this
very labor intensive craft is gratifying to everyone that owns one of Kristen's pieces, as well as to
this labor force. Through the constant honing of skills the daily lives of our work force is enhanced
and greater economic uplift is created.
Discover colorful beaded decor and gifts at The Pear Tree in historic Cocoa Village
craft of wire bending to create sculptures. Kristen Appleton has worked both in Africa and China
with teams of artisans to interpret her designs through this craft. A trained potter, sculptor and
industrial designer, Kristen utilizes her understanding of shape and form to realize her vision to
create a whimsical handcrafted line of beaded sculptures inspired by nature.
This process of wire bending is an intricate and difficult art, requiring great strength and skill.
Once a frame has been made, it is woven with a rainbow of colorful beads. All our wire is
galvanized and the beads are glass. Her sculptures are perfect in any home as well as adding a
bit of whimsy and delight to the garden and patio.
The China offices and production are headed by Liu Ping (Judy). She started with Kristen in 2004
from a manufacturing background, after graduating from Foreign Language College. She is a
tireless, extremely adept, and dedicated manager. Judy is an example of the many young women
in China forging a path to success in a business society that typically affords opportunity only to
men. Judy supports herself solely and also assists her family in ChongQing City, where she was
born and raised.
The ‘master’ of Kristen’s development team is a 26 year young man named AwFang; born in
GuiZhou Province in rural Southwest China. He has been creating Kristien's designs since 2004,
having brought with him prior metal artwork experience. A dedicated and creative artist, Awfang has
mastered this art form and trained a team of six skilled artisans. On a personal note, Awfang has
recently married and is awaiting the birth of his first child.
Over the past three years, Kristen's company has worked to develop production in a rural factory
setting. This production brings steady work and income to hundreds of people who had no prior
opportunity to create stability for themselves and their families. Their diligence in mastering this
very labor intensive craft is gratifying to everyone that owns one of Kristen's pieces, as well as to
this labor force. Through the constant honing of skills the daily lives of our work force is enhanced
and greater economic uplift is created.
Discover colorful beaded decor and gifts at The Pear Tree in historic Cocoa Village
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| (photo) Tami meets with Beadworks designer / founder, Kristen, selecting unique items for The Pear Tree |