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Local entrepreneur celebrates 15 years in Leavenworth

Leavenworth Times, Nov 2022

Artistic Works by Lu, located at 221 Delaware St. in Leavenworth, celebrated 15 years of business this month. The studio-boutique features chic clothing and handmade jewelry created by owner Lu Knueven.

“I’ve been designing jewelry for 20 years. I started a business from my home and began by hosting home parties,” she said. “In 2007, I found myself standing with my husband in an empty for-sale store in the heart of downtown Leavenworth. The brick walls and vintage character was speaking to me. We decided to take my homebased jewelry business and turn it into a studio-boutique.

“When I started designing jewelry in 2003, I was an Air Force wife and mother of three children who wouldn’t have imagined I would one day own a studio-boutique.”

Artistic Works by Lu features a “Live with Lu” event every Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. on Facebook where the newest additions to the store are modeled and available for purchase. These items will remain on the website until they are sold and are available for purchase in the store as well.

Five years ago, Knueven opened a second location in Springfield, Missouri, managed by her sister.

The studio-boutique celebrated 15 years with special business hours and “Live with Lu.” They offered “Lutinis” and coffee from The Wild Way Coffee Creations, a Kansas City small business owned by Lu Knueven’s daughter.

“I believe in bold personalities, feeling beautiful in your own skin and loving life,” said Knueven. “To this day my favorite part of designing is the end result of the smile that a beautiful woman wears when she feels confident.

“My mom owned a clothing store in Iowa in the 1970s. She had an entrepreneur’s heart and I think that inspired me. I’ve always liked creating and crafting. When I married my high school sweetheart and we began traveling with the Air Force, I would do craft shows while raising our three kids. While stationed in San Antonio, I fell in love with turquoise and created my first necklace. That became the inspiration for Artistic Works by Lu.

“Leavenworth has a hometown feel. I love the camaraderie here and how they welcome military families and make them feel appreciated. There is a sense of belonging that makes you want to stay.”

Artistic Works by Lu is open Tuesday through Saturday. Refer to Facebook or the website www. artisticworksbylu.com for store hours and to learn more about “Live with Lu” and other upcoming events.

https://www.leavenworthtimes.com/2022/11/12/local-entrepreneur-celebrates-15-years-in-leavenworth/

 

FASHION WITH A TWIST

A designer’s country roots and urban soul combine to create one-of-a-kind looks.

BY COLIN SHEA DENNISTON

417 Magazine

https://www.417mag.com/lifestyle/style/fashion-twist/

Nov 2021

In 2002 Lu Knueven moved to Leavenworth, Kansas and began designing and creating custom jewelry as a creative outlet. “It started at my kitchen table and eventually grew to my dining room table that eventually turned into a store,” says Knueven, Owner and Designer of Artistic Works by Lu (1149 E. Republic Road, Springfield), a women’s jewelry and clothing boutique located in Leavenworth and Springfield.

The original Leavenworth location opened its doors in 2007. Knueven’s sister Carla has lived in Springfield for more than 30 years and is her connection to 417-land. Knueven began offering some of her jewelry at Harrison House Market. “That was my way of introducing my designs to Springfield,” she says. By 2019, a Springfield brick and mortar store was born.

At Artistic Works by Lu, shoppers can expect to find clothing and accessories with a twist. “The jewelry is what makes it different,” says Knueven. “That’s where the twist comes in.” Knueven still designs and creates all her jewelry, and a team of three women assembles the creations.

When asked where her inspiration comes from, Knueven says, “It’s in the beads. They talk to me.” Once a year she travels to a Tucson, Arizona, bead convention for materials and inspiration. In addition to beads, Knueven designs with stones, chains, leather and mixed metals.

In her shop, Knueven combines her jewelry with chic fashions to create her signature free spirited, bohemian aesthetic. “I just love it when women feel beautiful,” Knueven says. “I believe in bold personalities, feeling beautiful in your own skin and loving life. That’s my whole goal.”

Knueven designs new collections by the season and rotates her fashions to complement the designs. “Anyone can change a white T-shirt or black T-shirt into something that’s beautiful with just jewelry,” she says.