Throughout 2017, we are working with our interns to highlight 52 Creatives from the NEPA region. We believe creativity is a broad term that cannot be easily confined within the walls of one simple definition. We want to know what being creative means to you and how you bring that creativity to light.
Kari Johnson of Scranton, PA is our 40th #NEPACreative of 2017. Beth brings creativity to the area through metalwork and jewelry design!
We’re all looking for some sort of creative outlet. Usually, we find it in the places we lease expect it. For Kari Johnson, that place was the hardware store. About four years ago, Kari started messing around with metal stamping on regular old metal washers, and in this simple task, found what she was looking for. “There is just something about manipulating metal, something you see as so sturdy and finalized, that gives the soul satisfaction,” she says. After discovering her love for manipulating metal, Kari started designing and creating handmade metal jewelry. Every one of her pieces starts from scratch, so even she isn’t sure what it will end up as. Kari also uses materials that those with even the most sensitive of skin can wear and not face irritation.
Outside of metalwork, Kari loves to take interesting items and recycle them into display pieces for her store, AOS Metals. She says that a lot of the time customers also want to buy her recycled display pieces as well as her jewelry. AOS Metals not only carries Kari’s work, but a variety of handmade artists both local and nationwide. As well as beautiful jewelry and artwork, if you stop by AOS Metals, you get the chance to meet Milo, Kari’s lovable pitbull who brings in just as many customers as her work does!
When asked what being creative meant to her, Kari said that creativity is finding a passion that makes you complete. “its taking something blank and making it yours,” Kari remarked, “it’s making mistakes and finding ways to own them while feeding your soul.”
To learn more about Kari and AOS Metals, check out her website, Facebook, and Instagram!
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