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Louann Redard: A Passion Set in Concrete

The Journey of Concrete Creative

Louann Redard is a visionary based in Delhi, New York, whose love for artistic expression has manifested in a unique business venture known as Concrete Creative. At 45 years old, Redard embarked on this creative journey about five years ago, channeling her passion into crafting handmade gifts and practical household items from concrete, a material often overlooked in the realm of art.

“I started going down the road of concrete art five years ago,” Redard shared enthusiastically. “My love for plants and nature inspired me to create a planter, and from there, my creativity expanded exponentially. My friends admired the planters I was producing, sparking a demand for more styles. This prompted me to explore vases, and eventually, I ventured into creating beautiful jewelry pieces.”

A Creative Career Path

Redard’s foray into the world of art and crafts began as a side project, a creative outlet while she worked within the hospitality industry for many years. “Throughout my entire career, I have been closely involved in running and building restaurants,” she explained. “Working with design teams and selecting decor for those spaces fueled my creativity. However, during my ten years in New York City, I struggled to find the space for my artistic endeavors. After moving back upstate eight years ago, I finally had the room I needed to explore my creative ambitions fully.”

Concrete Creative has since blossomed into a retail shop located at 35813 State Highway 10 in Hamden, officially opening its doors in May. As the brand evolves, Redard has plans to rebrand her shop, intending to name it Made and Found, which reflects her commitment to showcasing handmade and vintage items. “It will feature all things that are made or discovered—primarily handmade products, along with a focus on local artisans. While most items are U.S.-made, I also have a curated selection from Japan and the Netherlands, known for their exceptional craftsmanship,” she explained.

Nature-inspired Creations

The pieces offered at Made and Found breathe life into Redard’s artistic vision, drawing inspiration from the natural world. “Concrete can take on various textures and forms,” she noted. “I’ve experimented to discover my own custom mixtures tailored to specific projects. The concrete we see on sidewalks often has a coarse texture, but I utilize an artisan blend with a fine aggregate that is perfect for crafting jewelry.”

Her color palette is inspired by the beauty of nature itself. “The concrete’s natural appearance often resembles stone. Thus, I create color variations such as bluestone and terra cotta, which evoke images of the Grand Canyon, moss, and blue skies—colors that resonate deeply when I craft my jewelry. I strive to design pieces that, while appearing like gems, are actually made from concrete. For example, I’ve developed a method to replicate the look of turquoise, offering a similar aesthetic at a fraction of the cost.”

Hand-mixing, hand-pigmenting, and pouring are all part of Redard’s meticulous process, which takes approximately 48 hours for each piece to set and cure before finishing through sanding and polishing.

A Diverse Community Appeal

Redard’s jewelry has quickly become her best-selling item. “It’s fascinating to see the range of customers who are drawn to my creations,” she said. “While many shops cater to seasonal homeowners or tourists, my focus is on the local community, creating a welcoming environment where they can indulge in unique pieces of jewelry. My average price is around $25 for each item, ensuring accessibility.”

She expressed pride in the enthusiastic feedback from her customers, noting that “there’s hardly a moment when people step into my shop and leave empty-handed, even if they just pick up a small brass spoon priced at $3. I wanted to craft a shopping experience where everyone could find that meaningful, intentional gift, something truly special."

Expanding Outreach and Future Endeavors

Louann Redard has also taken her creations on the road, regularly participating in makers’ events that foster community engagement. The Concrete Creative is scheduled to showcase its offerings at local festivals, including the Delhi Harvest Festival on September 21 and the Stamford Scarecrow Festival on October 6. Excitingly, she is also in the process of developing seasonal collections and has aspirations to teach her craft to others in the future.

“I’m just about to unveil my fall collection,” Redard said, her excitement palpable. “It will feature delightful items such as pumpkins, ghosts, and various other whimsical creations. Then, in early November, I will introduce my holiday collection, which traditionally includes festive items like Christmas trees, Santas, gnomes, and for this year, I’m adding snowmen and nutcrackers, alongside menorahs and Star of David ornaments.”

Additionally, Redard is enthusiastic about facilitating workshops aimed at children. “My 11-year-old daughter has worked with me for three years, developing her own line and showcasing her creations in our shop,” she shared. “This endeavor has become a family endeavor that plays a significant role in my motivation to transition from hospitality to running a brick-and-mortar shop. I’m eager to implement workshops that teach children the art of concrete crafting; it truly embodies my vision for the future.”

Store Hours and Contact Information

Louann Redard welcomes visitors to her shop from Thursday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. To learn more about her enchanting creations, you can reach out via email at [email protected], find her on Facebook under “The Concrete Creative,” or follow her on Instagram at @the_concrete_creative.

How AI legalese decoder Can Assist

As Louann Redard navigates this evolving business landscape, understanding the legal jargon that comes with running a retail enterprise, managing contracts, and participating in local events can be quite daunting. This is where AI legalese decoder can prove invaluable. By simplifying complex legal language into straightforward terms, it makes it easier for individuals like Redard to grasp essential agreements and regulatory guidelines. Whether drafting contracts for vendor partnerships or ensuring compliance with local business regulations, AI legalese decoder helps entrepreneurs decipher intricate legal documents, enabling them to focus on their creative passions while ensuring their business runs smoothly and legally.

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