Magic and glitter can be found in Heather Pullou’s creations.
The 35-year-old bead artist owns and operates Little Crafties Store, a homebased business in Monroe.
“I started selling my creations when I was 16,” Pullou said. “Fairy dust necklaces, small bottles filled with glitter and sequins. I love being able to create things and then watch people’s reactions when they take notice of the different stuff I make.”
She markets her “piece work” online through her website and is a remote literacy tutor with a program called On Your Mark Education. She works with elementary students across the country.
“I do tutoring part time and my small business full time,” she said.
Pullou’s makes a variety of kandi jewelry and spends close to 40 hours a week creating.
She explained kandi is part of rave and EDM festival culture. It is colorful, handcrafted beaded bracelets and cuffs that attendees will often trade as tokens of friendship and goodwill.
“My main focus is kandi and then decora which is a type of Japanese fashion with lots of bright colors and tons of accessories,” she said. “Basically, you decorate yourself.”
Her other products include earrings, bracelets, belt chains, keychains, home décor, craft supplies and bundles. She recently started creating beaded kandi decora purse bags and takes custom orders.
The bookmarks she makes are also available at Charlin’s Book Nook in Frankenmuth.
“The bundles are offered by price point, and essentially the customer can either request a mystery bundle, where I’ve got full creative control to create an assortment of kandi or jewelry for them or they can request a theme or colors for me to make their bundle with,” she said.
Pullou’s husband, Nicholas, works with wood and makes items like gift tags and keychains. His creations are available on the store’s website.
You can find Pullou and her art at local markets and events like the Monroe Summer City Market on June 24 in downtown Monroe.
She said she’s looking forward to participating at Monroe County Pride on June 27 at St. Mary’s Park in Monroe followed by the Dundee’s Farmers Market on June 28.
“I’m most excited about Monroe Pride. That one is our biggest and best market we’ve ever done,” Pullou added. “This will be our third year which is also the third year they have had local small business vendors.”
More information about Pullou can be found on her website.
— Contact reporter Lisa Vidaurri-Bowling at lvidaurribowling@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: This Monroe artist turns ‘kandi’ jewelry into a business
Reporting by Lisa Vidaurri Bowling, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
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By Lisa Vidaurri Bowling, The Monroe News | USA TODAY Network
