For Homewood artist Nikki Quick Schoel, every piece of vintage china tells a story. Through her business, Girlies Art Design, she transforms treasured plates and silver into distinctive works of art, combining their history with handcrafted intaglios.
“I love that they all have a story,” Nikki says. “Whose table were they on? What holidays were they part of?”
A lifelong creative, Nikki began making intaglios five years ago while working at Once Upon a Time, the store she has been a part of for the last 14 years. What started as baby gifts grew into ornaments, holiday décor, and a gift collection now carried in shops across the South and locally at Revival.
Nikki’s fascination with vintage china began during antiquing excursions with her daughter. Unable to resist the charming finds, she envisioned giving them another purpose. Using clay, stamps, and molds, she creates decorative intaglios, which she hand-paints, glazes, and pairs with individual pieces.
“I love when women pull up photos of their decorative plate walls and show me where they could add mine,” Nikki says. “It’s all about making something old new again.”
For more about Girlies Art Design and Pop-up Shows: @girlies_art_design_by_nikki
