Three African-American businesses have been selected to showcase their products at the 17th Annual Best of Missouri Market, which will be held Saturday and Sunday at the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Florence’s Homestyle Cha-Cha, DB Gourmet Cookies and Two Twisted Divas Design Studio were among the 120 food producers and artisans to receive an invitation to this year’s event.
Two Twisted Divas, a jewelry company, is the brainchild of long-time friends Shug Goodlow and Doris “Queen D” Lucy. The duo’s inspiration to make jewelry was born out of necessity. They often enjoyed shopping for jewelry, yet found few accessories to match their clothing. When they did find something, it was usually too expensive. Finding chic, quality jewelry was such a challenge they decided to make their own.
“Even with pearls, you couldn’t find the right color and design,” Lucy said.
So they turned their hobby into a business after receiving positive feedback from friends, family and even strangers.
“When we were out, we found that people would offer to buy things off our bodies,” Goodlow said. “We thought we might be on to something without knowing it.”
Since 2001, the company has grown largely by word of mouth, with sales as far as England, France and Scotland. They sell everything from women’s accessories to bracelets, money clips, cufflinks and belt buckles for men.
“Satisfied customers are your best face,” Lucy said. “If you make someone happy, they’ll tell someone else.”
Despite their success, the divas have never lost sight of their original design concept n each necklace, bracelet, ring and earring must be unique and one of a kind. Each piece is handcrafted with only the finest quality of materials, including freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals, semi-precious gemstones, African trade beads and precious metals.
“We tend to mix things that you don’t think go together, like pearls and big chunks of silver,” Goodlow said. “People always tell us that there’s a lot of jewelers out there, but our stuff is really different.”
Goodlow and Lucy agree that the jewelry mirrors their contrasting personalities. Lucy describes herself as the “real Diva” making jewelry that is sophisticated, pretty, sparkling and petite. Goodlow on the other hand uses large jewels with bold, striking, unusual colors. The duo cleverly fuses each design to create a provocative piece of wearable art, thus the name Two Twisted Divas.
“We were trying to think of a name that people could remember. We thought about the kind of work we do and our personalities,” Lucy said. “And, of course, we’re divas.”
Goodlow said they never wanted a retail store but are satisfied with making jewelry right in the comforts of their own home. They converted the lower level of their home into a studio, complete with a glass-cutting and fusing table and a kiln. Their accessories can also be purchased at Chesterfield Arts, Laumeier Park and Glasshopper Studio and by private commission.
Goodlow is a retired educator and Lucy is a retired supply systems analyst. Goodlow said making and selling jewelry is what they truly love to do, but giving it away to those who couldn’t otherwise afford it is just as satisfying. They donate their jewelry to a number of charity auctions throughout the year, and every show they give away a piece of jewelry for free.
“That is the greatest joy,” Goodlow said.
The Best of Missouri Market will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 4 and 5. Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for visitors 65 and older, and $3 for Garden members and children ages 3 to 12. Children of Garden members and children under 3 are free. For more information, call 314-577-9400 or 1-800-642-8842 or visit www.mobot.org.
For Two Twisted Divas, call 314-898-3482 or visit www.twotwisteddivas.com.
