By Heather Lusk
Joan Carney, former owner of Lilly’s Boutique Gallery, carefully opened a box that just arrived on her doorstep. It’s filled with gold jewelry: intricately crafted rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets handmade from Turkey.
“It’s like Christmas every day!” she exclaimed.
Carney’s house is temporarily filled with items from artisans around the world as she prepares to reopen her shop that closed in 2013. The wearable art that was a staple of her shop will return along with everyday wear from the line of Etcetera clothing “for the working girls,” Carney said.
The idea came to her during travels through Croatia and Slovenia, seeing pop-up or temporary stores in various locations. She will reopen in the former location of Hidden Treasures Antiques at 176 S. Main St. The shop will be open daily from Nov. 20 to Dec. 20 until 5 p.m. with extended hours on Thursdays.
Carney closed her store after being in business for more than 20 years.
“I flunked retirement,” she said. “I decided a month in Zionsville would bring me back in connection with the gals I used to see and the store.
“You don’t get to pick what you’re good at,” she said of the artisans’ pieces she sells. She feels she understands both the artistic and business side and can help the artists sell their pieces so they can focus on their art. “I feel like I’m helping the artisans.”
While awaiting the transfer of items to the store, her home is serving as a temporary warehouse with at least 10 racks of clothing overflowing and more coming every day.
“This is supposed to keep me young,” she said. “Now I’m questioning my sanity.”
The lower level store will be filled with coats, clothing and accessories created by handpicked juried artists from countries such as Russia, Serbia, Spain and Turkey. The second floor will mostly be the contemporary clothing line Etcetera.
Carney, who is open to the possibility of opening another pop-up store in the future, recently heard from a friend visiting Paris that the store windows all look like Lilly’s.
“Wearable art is coming in strong,” she said. “Hopefully it will drive more customers for the future that can learn about art wear.”
