Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Keenan. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Funktini is a generational collaboration of creating and building between mother/daughter JoAnn Rawley & Beth Keenan. In 2000, they began participating in art shows traveling throughout the Midwest and East Coast along with creating for galleries and gifts shops. After 15 years of traveling, they decided to establish their roots at home and sell online retail and wholesale. Now in 2023, they are excited to grow their newest adventure – FunktiniLand – a shop filled with Funktini Artwork in addition to over 30 works from other Ohio Artists and Funky Vintage Finds.
Our art reflects our love of everyday functional decor, interior spaces, vintage finds, and bright beautiful colors. In creating our work, we use an array of techniques & materials, such as glass fusing, metal sculpting, polymer clay, wood, anodized aluminum, and upcycled vintage. Our intentions with our artwork are simple. We want to give you a little piece of fun, love, and genuine happiness.
We have a desire. A desire to create. Call it genetics, call it crazy, call it wonderful. Whatever it is, we’ve got it…and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Creativity runs deeply in our veins, but more importantly, so does our desire to bring a smile to another human being.
Throughout those years, Jo and Beth have cultivated a friendship and a respect for each other beyond just mother/daughter. They are confidants, traveling companions, artistic collaborators, and partners in crime in this crazy adventure called life.
We realize that without someone to purchase our art, our voices cannot be heard.
We appreciate each and every one of you who support artist, their endeavors and encourage them to share their thoughts, ideas, and talents.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As far as I know, there is never a smooth road in anything, especially entrepreneurship. There are always challenging times or situations. Money can be plentily or hard to come by. Throughout the 23 years we have been creating art for a living, we have had our vehicles break on the way to shows, had to contend with Covid, acquire funding from investors for our store, and had plenty of shows get rained out. Challenges are just part of the process. It teaches you perseverance and flexibility.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My mom and I have been collaborating for 23 years. In our creations we have used an array of mediums, such as glass, wood, metal, polymer clay, refurbished vintage, and funky finds. Our creations tend to revolve around home decor and everyday items that are fun to use and visually appealing. We love creating with the intentions of people adding our work into their space to create happiness and joy. Here are a few of the examples of what we create. A line of funky, colorful glassware that is painted and fused. Stemware, Butter dishes, Sugar Bowls, Salt and Pepper Shakers, Tiny Bowls, Shot Glasses
We have a line of cabinet handles and knobs made from glass. These are a special delight to see in their new homes as customers usually put them in their kitchens and bathrooms, adding a special detail to their spaces.
We create table and floor lamps made from anodized aluminum and metal fixtures.
We use old windows and polymer clay to create fun, colorful scenes on the windows and make them into tables.
We use photography to capture images and wood burn those images by hand into rare wood and on furniture.
We refurbish old furniture and turn unwanted items into new treasures.
In our store, FunktiniLand, we create a space that is inviting, inclusive, and filled with unique objects and locally made art from over 30 Ohio artists, including our artwork.
We are most proud of the relationship our creating has forged. Both in our mother /daughter friendship and with other artists and patrons that we have crossed paths with throughout the years.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
There are resources to help you along the way. Jumpstart, S.C.O.R.E, Pitch Competitions to raise money. Don’t be scared to ask people advice and ask for help when you need it. Our advice is one that might seem trivial, but you cannot be scared to fall and fail. They are part of the process, and there are always lessons in the challenges.
As far as creating goes, it is important to love what you create. That is tricky to do sometimes when you also need to create something that sells. If you put your love into what you create and people can feel that, it does make a difference.
Pricing:
- Our work varies. We create items that are $8.00 and artwork that is $2000
Contact Info:
- Website: www.funktiniland.com
- Instagram: @funktini and @funktiniland
- Facebook: @funktini
- Other: Etsy store – https://www.etsy.com/shop/Funktini
Image Credits
Beth Keenan
