The East Sider: Kim T. Clark

Kim T. Clark says she couldn’t have opened up her shop, Rhody Craft, “anywhere but Hope Street” – and it’s not just because she has loved living only a few blocks away in the Summit neighborhood for more than two decades. The store contains a cheerful smattering of colorful artwork, jewelry, gifts and other novelties, most of it made by local artists. It’s also known as the place to go to buy Rhode Island-themed items – because of the name, Clark believes. Her latest items to debut are dishtowels with the iconic Rhode Island Red on them – her own design. She received so many (curiously) specific requests for Rhode Island-themed dishtowels that she finally decided to have some printed.

Originally from New York, Clark is a designer and jeweler herself under the name of Lucky Bird Studio, and crafted for many years in her Hope Artiste Village (HAV) studio before venturing into full-time retail. After she transitioned into a larger studio at the end of 2011 with several friends, they turned half of the studio into a shop selling the works of about eight local artists, and she also sold her designs at the farmer’s markets at HAV. A few years later, she was going through illness and major life changes, needing to regroup and having no idea what to do going forward.

“As luck would have it, a ‘For Rent’ sign went up on a space in my beloved neighborhood of 23 years,” says Clark. “I didn’t look, I just leapt, and was able to open Rhody Craft two months later with 100% of the merchandise placed on consignment by amazing and generous local artists. Having worked with me previously through my studio shop and Craftopia, they trusted me to handle their work with the greatest care and commitment.”

Rhody Craft carries the work of about 30 local artists, makers and crafters. It was a big transition to go from a “one-woman show” to learning about bookkeeping, marketing and delegating to her three part-time employees, but Clark attributes much of her success to the support she received from friends, fellow artists and neighbors. In terms of local would-be competitors, she tries to befriend them, believing that “a rising tide lifts all ships.” She also strongly advocates for “women supporting women.”

Craftopia is a craft fair/show now in its eighth year and held during the holiday season at HAV. Clark curates the 60+ juried vendors from all over New England who sell handmade giftware like clothing, handbags, jewelry, baby accessories, bath and body items, artwork and more. The event also features food trucks, and admission is $1 for adults and free for children.

If you had one wish to enhance life on the East Side, what would it be?
“Better public schools. It’s the biggest issue with living on the East Side. My two sons have been in the schooling system here for 15 years; my youngest is at Classical. The students there are amazing, but the building itself is completely dilapidated. The facility is terrible, and our kids deserve better than that. Thankfully, our Mount Hope representative Aaron Regunberg has been doing a great job speaking out about this issue.”

To learn more, visit RhodyCraft.com