DO REPLY: February 2024 Recap
Connection is everything.
Here’s the thing. Neon is cool. We haven’t met a single person who doesn’t think so. But making neon - or having access to make neon - is pretty uncommon. It’s a huge privilege to work in such a rare craft, but that’s not the best part of what we do. What energizes us, every single time, is connecting with our customers and artists, especially with those who’ve never worked with neon before.
Early on in Element Ten’s history, we established connection as one of our primary values. We believe ideas are better when they come out of isolation to play with others. And the customers, artists, and business owners we work with have helped us make some pretty incredible work because of it.
Last year, we collaborated with Frank Norton, graphic artist and illustrator, to create a limited series of neon works. His vibrant illustrations, paired with our neon know-how, brought three pieces to life that are currently lighting up Duet in the Crossroads.
We’ve also had the chance to connect with many local businesses who make Kansas City the vibrant place it is. One of our favorite examples is McLain’s Bakery in Waldo, where we were able to restore their original neon sign to its former glory. The sign had been unlit for decades, and when McLain’s tapped us to restore it, we got to learn all about the origins of the bakery and its deep roots in Kansas City history. (We stop by frequently to check in on the neon and inspect the quality of their Danishes.)
It’s so easy to want to guard our ideas and skills, to protect what’s ours. But humans are meant to work together, and we believe that applies to small businesses, craftspeople and artists as well. So yes, we love making neon every day, but it wouldn’t be the same if we were doing it in isolation. Connection is the piece that makes what we do worth doing.
DO REPLY
CONVERSATION PIECE: Send us a picture of the thing in your home that always kicks off a conversation.
If you’ve been to our studio, you know we love to collect weird objects and stories. The chipped vase, the mysterious photograph, whatever it is, we want to see what conversation piece you keep in your home. Bonus points if you share the story behind what makes your conversation piece so special.
READER RESPONSES
Thank you to everyone who participated in this month’s DO REPLY. See below for the responses. To participate in next month’s prompt, subscribe at the bottom of this page.
“The tortoise living in our fireplace ALWAYS kicks off a weird/good convo!”
The monkey has been around since I was little. Absolutely freaks people out because they think his eyes move. Have a friend who insists I put sunglasses on it before she comes over Also pictured is Moo.
We fondly call this our Tiny Things Shelf! It is filled with new miniatures, old toys, and other sentimental odds and ends. Some of the objects belonged to my parents and were displayed on their Tiny Things Shelf! Everyone who visits our home likes to explore the shelf and find their favorite items.
I am so fortunate to have this photograph of my grandpa. He was a longstanding member of an organization called Flying Farmers. I don't know exactly how he used his plane in agriculture, but he spent some time in rural mail delivery, dropping mail from the air.
