ABOUT
KARI DAWN AVENUE

BEHIND THE NAME

When I was young, my grandpa worked for a company that allowed him to submit name choices for streets in subdivisions being developed. This particular subdivision had street names such as "Misty Morning" or "Dewpointe" and because my middle name was "Dawn", my grandpa submitted "Kari Dawn" for consideration. Well it was approved, and "Kari Dawn Ave" became a reality. I always felt so special and looked forward to trips to see "Kari Dawn Avenue" when I was younger. The name has always stuck with me and so Kari Dawn Avenue seemed the best name for my shop, something I worked so hard to make a reality.

BEHIND THE SHOP

My shop became a dream long before it became a reality. I have always been a "creator" or a "maker". Little things out of paper here, collecting new supplies there, and as I got older, painting and lettering everything I could get my hands on. In my first years of marriage I told my husband that I wanted to open a shop, to which he responded "Okay... but what will you sell?" Good question, I thought. I bounced around ideas for years. I was a self-taught painter and graphic designer, but was I really any good? I was scared to leap into anything without knowing. Fast-forward a couple years and I discovered the world of modern calligraphy and hand lettering. I immediately fell in love so started a little Instagram page to track my journey and off I went! 

Suddenly, I didn't care that I was a beginner, I just wanted to letter and make stuff ALL THE TIME. And back crept the idea of a little shop to sell these things I was creating. But I was still scared, and it took me a really long time to move forward. Eventually, I did the only thing I could think of: I lettered myself two quotes that I keep next to my desk:

"It is up to us to choose contentment and thankfulness now - and to stop imagining that we have to have everything perfect before we'll be happy." -Joanna Gaines

"You don't have to have it all figured out to move forward"

And then in October of 2017, I opened my shop.

My little online shop along with my instagram grew and evolved and I found joy and a talent in custom wedding and event lettering. I am constantly working to make this dream a reality, and I am striving to develop my talents to continue to bring you hand-lettered items that really mean a lot to me. Hopefully, they can come to mean a lot to you too.