An online or drop-by jewelry supply
Creating Unkamen’s mission is simple: to provide buyers with quality jewelry supplies. Owner and founder Karen Rodriguez, based in Fulton, chose the “unkamen” spelling to help represent “uncommon quality.” She began crafting jewelry in 2007 but soon opened an online Etsy shop to sell jewelry supplies to other creatives.
“We’ve all experienced the frustration of ordering something and saying, ‘Oh man, that wasn’t at all what I expected,’ right? So, every tool, every supply, everything that we sell, we have used,” Karen says.
In addition to quality products like jewelry-making tools, solid copper jump rings, and solid bronze wire, Karen’s business sells jewelry making kits with supplies included. When completed, the kits provide customers with handmade custom jewelry, as shown in the image to the right. The shop gives concierge-like service, jewelry-making advice, and project guidance to all customers.
—Sydney Jones
Crafters can send a message through the website, CreatingUnkamen.com, or through the Etsy shop: CreatingUnkamen.
Photo courtesy of Creating Unkamen.
An immune system fixer elixir
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All Things Elderberry began in 2017 in St. Louis with a mother looking for natural immune support options. When Emilia Rizzuto, owner and founder of All Things Elderberry, found that her elderberry elixir resulted in improved immunity and a reduction in sickness, she began offering it to others. “I gave it out to some moms at the school bus stop, and one of the moms was like, ‘You should try to sell this online.’ ” After posting her product on social media, Emilia received over 300 responses of those interested in buying. All Things Elderberry then branched out to other elderberry products, including balms and bath salts. Many of the store’s products are made with local ingredients like fresh honey from St. Louis.
—Sydney Jones
AllThingsElderberry.com Emilia offered Missouri Life readers 15% off their first purchase with code MOLIFE.
Photo courtesy of All Things Elderberry.
An essential need for your steed
Donna Saddoris, owner of CSI Saddle Pads, a horse saddle pad business based in Urich, was a competitive horse trail racer for many years. She started to realize that around the third day of continuous riding, her horse would get sore and start to buck due to its discomfort. That’s when she began to design her own saddle pads, which have an orthotic plate for comfort and a replaceable liner underneath. “I’m a firm believer if the horse is more comfortable and he’s not getting pressure on his back or pinch points on his back from the saddle that it is a safer ride for anybody that’s involved,” Donna says. The tensile strength of the orthotic plate is 10,000 per square inch and evenly distributes the bar pressure (the pressure from the saddle’s tree, which comes in contact with the horse’s back and can create discomfort) and the rider’s weight and impact, according to Donna. Donna has always placed emphasis on keeping the saddle pads manufactured in the United States. “My philosophy has always been made in America, by Americans, and with American-made materials,” Donna says. “And I have stuck to my guns on that all the way through.”
—Andrea Kaneko
Photo courtesy of CSI Saddle Pads.
A mission to maintain tradition
When Sherri Killion’s mother-in-law passed away, she left behind Ava Craft Center—a family weaving business that has been open since 1962. Sherri took a leap of faith, deciding to keep the shop open in Burfordville and run it alongside her daughter, Lorrie Yount. “I wasn’t going to be the Killion woman that said no to the family business,” Sherri says. While the craft center offers premade rugs, hats, and other woven items, they also offer weaving classes with all the materials included for those who would like to learn the art of weaving. For those looking for Missouri-made gifts, the shop also sells wares from local artisans. “I really like the idea of preserving the tradition of making something by hand,” Sherri says. “People get a real sense of satisfaction when they see what they’ve made. There’s a sense of pride, and I like seeing that on their face.”
—Sydney Jones
Photo courtesy of Ava Craft Center.
A floral place with a warm embrace
Leann Blakley, owner of the flower shop Blakley’s Silk Blooms in Sunrise Beach, wasn’t always a flower connoisseur. Originally, Leann was an accountant. “With doing accounting for years, it’s a straight-laced world, which I thoroughly enjoyed, but the creative side of me was ready to do something different. It’s a passion that I have to design, create, and bring a smile to people. Accounting doesn’t always bring a smile.” Since opening her business two years ago, she has offered house plants, silk flower arrangements, and fresh-cut flower arrangements for funerals, weddings, and more. Leann also offers a delivery service. “I’ll help you with whatever you need. I’m customer oriented. I’m here to serve,” Leann says. “It’s a professional attitude that I take towards the shop with a creative twist.” If flowers weren’t enough, the outside of the shop also has an extra special friend patrons can visit: a life-size Bigfoot statue.
—Andrea Kaneko
Photo courtesy of Blakley’s Silk Blooms.
This article was originally published in the March/April 2025 edition of Missouri Life.
