CGSC Foundation gift shop features local artists

March is National Craft Month. The Craft & Hobby Association created National Craft Month in 1994 to help people rediscover and learn about the benefits of crafting. This month is also a great time to celebrate the artists and creators that bring color and beauty into our lives.

The CGSC Foundation would like to recognize two such artists whose work is available at the Foundation gift shop – Eileen Laguna and Jennifer Johnke.

Eileen Laguna – After Nine Design

Eileen is a local artist and designer. You may have seen her work featured in shops in Weston, Atchison, and Kansas City. She’s best known as the Weston Earring Lady, but she also crafts other jewelry and designs t-shirts.

The CGSC Foundation offers a selection of Eileen’s military themed earrings and bracelets. Her pieces are fun and very affordable, ranging from $5.00 to $18.00.

Eileen’s $5.00 teardrop earrings are the perfect souvenir to remember a fun girls’ weekend or add to someone’s Easter Basket, and they are available in thirteen different patterns. Her glass and pewter earrings feature the seals of each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, and her bracelets are a colorful way to support the services.

Learn more about Eileen’s other product lines and where to find them on the After Nine Design Facebook page.

Jennifer Johnke – Grandmother’s Button Box

Jennifer is an artist, designer, and military spouse. She creates one-of-a-kind custom military jewelry and upcycled vintage jewelry. Each piece is carefully crafted and unique.

The CGSC Foundation began offering a collection of her brooches and necklaces in 2018 when her family was stationed at Fort Leavenworth, and recently added nearly two-dozen new pieces.

Jennifer’s brooches would make wonderful gifts for the special women in your life this Mother’s Day. These gems are available in a variety of sizes – from smaller, subtle pieces to larger, eye-catching statement pieces. Prices range from $28.00 to $55.00.

More information about Jennifer’s work, including how to special order custom pieces, can be found in the Grandmother’s Button Box Facebook group.

Support these artisans by shopping the CGSC Foundation gift shop – GIFTSHOP.CGSCFOUNDATION.ORG.

Interested in joining these consignment artists and having your work featured in the CGSC Foundation gift shop? Contact Director of Operations Lora Morgan at lora@cgscf.org or (913) 651-0624.