Koerber’s baubles make every
life event a keepsake
Photos by Danny Alexander
Model: Jacquelyn Koerber
All jewelry available at Koerber’s Fine Jewelry
MAKE A STATEMENT. TELL THE WORLD. FIND A SUBTLE WAY TO SAY, “I LOVE YOU.”
KOERBER’S FINE JEWELRY HAS A KEEPSAKE FOR EVERY BUDGET AND LIFE ADVENTURE.
Koerber’s Fine Jewelry
3095 Blackiston Mill Road
New Albany
812.945.5959
koerbersfinejewelry.com
JEFFERSONVILLE INSTITUTION NOW OFFERS BOUTIQUE HOME GOODS SHOPPING
Leslie Lewis & Associates Interior Design (LL&A) officially opened The Shop on March 26 at LL&A’s Jeffersonville location with a grand opening and ribbon-cutting.
The Shop is a boutique that’s filled with home accents and accessories, with new items arriving daily.
LL&A puts the “fun” in “functionality” and is known for the team’s creativity, innovation and client service.
247 Spring St.
Jeffersonville
812.282.6640
leslielewisdesign.com
Facebook: @llainteriordesign
HENRYVILLE’S ADAM KLEINERT FINDS BEAUTY IN MISTAKES AND TURNS THEM INTO GEMS
By Mariah Kline
Photos by Christian Watson
Adam Kleinert has no idea what to expect.
The talented artist, who has made a name for himself as a sought-after graphic designer whose clients include both local and national companies, recently began a foray into jewelry making.
“The nature of the beast is learning to find the beauty in the mistakes,” he said quietly, a smile behind his words. “It’s about embracing imperfection, but you should talk to my wife about that.”
Kleinert laughed at the double entendre but turned the focus to wabi-sabi – a Japanese ideal that has been Westernized to essentially embody the concept that nothing is perfect and there is beauty in that – which is something he has embraced personally, professionally and artistically.
Born into a creative family, Kleinert began drawing at a young age and says his parents consistently encouraged him to pursue his passion. He majored in fine art and graphic design at
Ball State University, where he studied painting, printmaking, ceramics and sculpture after first attending Hanover College where he played baseball, though his heart was always in aesthetics.
“We couldn’t use the computer for graphic design until our junior year,” recalled Kleinert,
whose work was quickly noticed and admired by his professors and peers.
“Everything had to be hands on. We were using computers, but they still wanted our work to have a fine art feel to it and think with our minds instead of thinking with a computer. Even after we could start using computers, I did quite a few projects all by hand because I enjoyed it.”
Years later, Kleinert – who co-writes Extol Magazine’s FamFitter column with his wife,
Kristin, and also serves as the publication’s creative director – enjoys expressing his artistic talents in various mediums.
“It’s always whatever hits me or inspires me,” Kleinert said. “Sometimes, I’ll paint, sometimes I’ll draw. I’ll do live drawings on Facebook, and I do a comic (sometimes live on Facebook) every
week. I just do whatever I can to release all of my creative juices.”
On his Facebook page – Adam Kleinert Workroom – followers can find the adorable and hilarious comic “Poco & Mo,” which was inspired by one of his daughters and her pet goat,
as well as several of his other projects. The latest undertaking he’s shared is handmade jewelry
crafted with resin and barn wood.
The wood I’m working with now came out of a barn in Charlestown,” he said. “The beams are probably 150 years old or more, and the barn has been torn down since. (The jewelry) has a true Southern Indiana history to it, and it’s almost like a little piece of history you’re wearing.”
Kleinert said he devised the method for making the pieces by accident.
“I started playing with (the wood) for another project, but as I cut into it, I found all these holes.
Mother nature and time had just destroyed this wood but in a beautiful way to where there are
holes and gaps,” he said. “It’s just been eaten at and deteriorated by pests and bugs and everything through the years. Then, I started thinking about this resin and playing around with it, so it just kind of came naturally after that, and I turned it into pendants and earrings.”
Kleinert has since perfected the process, which requires a great deal of patience. While it is admittedly painstaking, he appreciates the experience.
“With this jewelry, the resin and the wood, I don’t know what’s going to happen when I pour
it because I can’t see inside the wood until I cut into it and get to see these beautiful colors and
shapes. So, I don’t even know how much I’m actually doing there. It’s more that mother nature
did all the hard work,” Kleinert said.
“YOU CAN MESS
IT UP AND IT STILL
TURNS OUT IN A
BEAUTIFUL WAY.
THAT’S WHAT I LIKE
ABOUT JEWELRY
MAKING: BEING
CREATIVE AND
LETTING WHATEVER
COMES OUT,
COME OUT.”
–Artist Adam Kleinert
As sole owner of Hatch Design Co., a graphic design company, Kleinert said, “I have my design work where I plan and collaborate with clients, which I thrive on, and I appreciate those partnerships and structure.”
The artist lives in Henryville with his wife, four children and several furry family members in a rural setting, all of which feeds into his creative and energetic spirit on every level.
“I have a lot of family around and it’s always a blessing to have that. And I like being out in the
country,” he said. “I think I draw a lot of inspiration from that as well. I’ve never really thought about it before now, but I think the small community and kind of being out in the open inspires me.”
And, with his new foray into jewelry making, he has experienced a newness he didn’t expect.
“It can be more free-flowing,” said Kleinert. “You can mess it up and it still turns out in a beautiful way. That’s what I like about it: being creative and letting whatever comes out, come out.”
Adam Kleinert’s jewelry is available at
Regalo, 562 S. Fourth St. in Louisville or via @
AdamKleinertWorkroom on Facebook
Southern Indiana and Louisville unite through laughter
By Grant Vance
Photos by Danny Alexander
Within the subtle but blossoming artistic community split between the metro parameters of Southern Indiana and Louisville lies something pretty funny. A lot of different somethings, in fact.
Although not properly appreciated as an official comedy hub by outsiders to date, the area hosts a plethora of different comedy stylings throughout any given day of the week. Shows range anywhere from open mics to variety outings, showcasing some impressively funny local comedians and outside, touring talent alike.
The vast amount of shows come with their vast amount of subgroups and specificity – from serialized specialties in Louisville to more traditional improv and standup on both sides of the river, including a brand-new venue.
Enter Adriane and Vernon Thompson, husband-wife creators and directors of Comedy by the Bridge, a dedicated hub inside the Sheraton Riverside Ballroom in Jeffersonville that hosts comedy shows every Friday through Sunday.
“It first started (with) my husband and two other comedians 10 years ago as Ultra Combo Live,” which performed in a number of local bars, Adriane Thompson explained. “We started getting feedback that people wanted us to get our own venue. We thought maybe we could open our own venue. The next thing you know, this opportunity came open at the Sheraton, and then one thing after another fell into place.”
Thompson is a successful local stand-up herself, responsible for leading the female-driven Ultra Combo Pink before establishing Comedy by the Bridge with her husband
Comedy by the Bridge hosts bigger “name” comedians with the inclination of attaching up-and-coming local comedians as openers and hosts.
“It’s a beneficial thing, especially for an up-and-coming comedian in this area. It’s not easy to get noticed by different comedians, especially a big name, like if you were in New York, Chicago or LA,” Thompson said. “But by doing a show with us, you’re getting exposure in front of comedians who are traveling around the country doing this.”
Local legend Mandy McKelvey (known best for her stand up, character roasts and storytelling show, “We Still Like You”), for instance, was on the docket not long ago at Comedy by the Bridge.
Bringing in outside names who have made it to network TV and the likes is a way to draw a crowd, but the heart of Comedy by the Bridge is in exposing the local community and making a name as an official comedy hub.
“Why can’t we make Indiana a hub for comedy?” Thompson asked. “Nashville is a hub for music, Indiana can be a hub for comedy. And that’s our goal: to make this a must come place if you’re a comedian.”
Comedy by the Bridge is one of many outlets providing a positive and welcoming place for local talent to perform and grow, but it’s not alone. Other Southern Indiana venues offering traditional open mics and stand-up are within the notable list of Wick’s, Barrel and Mac’s Hideaway. Branching back out to Louisville, there’s The Bardstown, The Caravan Comedy Club, Monnik and Tap Room, among others. Traditional stand-up is far from all the local comedy scene has to offer, however.
One venue offering a wide variety of alternative variety shows for Indiana and Louisville comedians is Kaiju in Germantown.
Kaiju is home to several different comedy shows, most notably the weekly variety show Kaijuesdays and the sketch comedy collaboration, Sketchy Stuff. Kaijuesdays’ alternative shows alternate per week, ranging from roast battles to storytelling to late-night-style talk shows, to name a few.
“Kaijuesdays was conceived as comedy homework,” producer Greg Welsh explained. “(It was) something to challenge comedians to get out of their comfort zones and try new things.”
New things arose and then some.
As Kaijuesdays producer Emilie Parker Strange puts it, a Kaijuesdays performance “might be the only time that, that particular thing has ever happened in history and will ever happen again.”
The show is roughly three years old, born from available venue space at Kaiju and a dream to shake up the local comedy mold.
“We star ted w ith only three shows : ‘Thunderdome,’ ‘Why Would I Know That?!’ and ‘Comedians in Cars Watching Bond,’” Welsh said. “Since then, we’ve had over a dozen original shows. Some have been hits, like ‘Slideshow’ and ‘Third Degree Burns,’ but some didn’t make the cut, like ‘Mix Em’ Up,’ which was a little too inside baseball to keep in regular rotation.”
Kaijuesdays certainly holds true to its manifesto of uniqueness and originality, with a cast of one-time and recurring characters and caricatures that would be a chore to list outright.
A couple standouts within the last three years include: Michael Bay as a renowned novelist (Nathan P. Woodard); the overly earnest, blumpkin henchman Clodhopper (Zac Carman); God (Tyler Gooch); and the locally-famous, self-aware possum, The Possum (Chris Vititoe).
“I spend more on costumes for Kaijuesdays than I do on my wardrobe,” Strange laughed.
Despite its influence and originality, Kaijuesdays is far from a one-trick Tuesday monster as far as benefiting the comedy community goes. Considering its expansive nature, Kaijuesdays lends itself to opportunities and comedic growth young or traveling comics may not find elsewhere.
“We like to cast a wide net so it’s not the same 10 comics on every show,” Strange said. “(Kaijuesdays hosts) a few comics from Southern Indiana, but we’re always looking for more. When people come in from out of town they can get on one of our weird shows, too.”
Welsh continued on the encouraging nature of Kaijuesdays.
“We’re all about encouraging comics to come up with their own show ideas and giving them an outlet and an audience,” Welsh said. “Some of the best stand-ups in the area have other comedic talents that rarely get showcased.”
“It’s a labor of love on our end,” added Strange.
Although Comedy by the Bridge inJeffersonville currently only hosts more traditional stand-up comedy shows, the sky is the limit for what can be done in the space.
“We’ve been in touch with 502 improv. Once we’re more established and know how it’s run, we would like to do an improv show there,” co-owner Adriane Thompson said. “Kaiju has a ton of variety shows. I did a show there called ‘Wild Card,’ and it was the most fun I’ve ever had. I would love to see something like that at Comedy by the Bridge. It would be awesome to take all of these different types of comedy genres and provide a venue for them to display that in Indiana, too.”
Keep up with Comedy by the Bridge by visiting comedybythebridge.com. For more information on Kaijuesdays, a schedule of comedy events ,and Louisville and Southern Indiana comedy in general, visit lolvillecomedy.com.
Now that you’ve said, “I do,” why not share your special day with Extol readers? We’re seeking brides and grooms who want to give a glimpse of their big day in the pages of our magazine. There is no cost for this multi-page feature, but there must be a Southern Indiana angle.
We love sharing photos from the nuptials and receptions and encourage participants to name the vendors used.
If you are interested in seeing a wedding beautifully highlighted in Extol, send an email to extol@extolmag.com and include “Wedding Watch” in the subject line.
Our resident family explores a close-knit life
We’ve mentioned before that we live very near our extended family.
The word “near” may be an understatement in our case.
You see, in reality, it’s something closer to “on top of” or even “all up in the business” of that family.
Some of our friends think we’re a little crazy, and some folks have even questioned our decisionmaking skills, but the truth is, it may well be the most sound decision we’ve made.
In any case, it’s become fundamental to our entire way of life, and we feel certain that all parties involved are reaping rewards. We field questions about it so often we decided to share why it works for us.
Our little slice of Southern Indiana heaven holds four dwellings and four generations: greatgrandparents, grandparents, parents and children. Together, we share the same address, the same mailbox and the same driveway, though, of course, the sharing runs much deeper than just simple physicalities.
There’s always someone to hang out with when your family lives next door.
Between us are deep-seeded understandings and shared philosophies, common interests and
collaborated ideas.
This may sound rather utopian and unrealistic. So, in the spirit of full disclosure, we’ll admit to
the struggles as well.
Obviously, there is very little privacy.
For instance, we all know who comes and goes, and at what hour, etc.
Obviously, there is very little privacy.
For instance, we all know who comes and goes, and at what hour, etc.
Next, there are disagreements that naturally arise
The inhabitants here are a group comprised of particularly big personalities with strong opinions. We are not always on the same page in every matter, and this can be tricky at times.
And finally, as humans living in close proximity will do, we annoy each other from time to time.
Things don’t always get put back in the proper places, people aren’t always in the same mood as the others around them, child-rearing strategies sometimes differ. No, it’s not TV-sitcom perfection 100 percent of the time, but the benefits are so vast, we never regret them.
The sheer logistics of being so near make it wonderfully convenient. Say, you’re cooking a meal and need an ingredient, doing a project and don’t have the right tool, or moving something heavy and need a hand. There are three other households full of folks absolutely willing to help
out or lend an item at any time.
Next, immeasurable is the value of the village in which we are raising our children.
In our quiver are eight adults who love our kiddos and are able to shower them daily with wisdom, discipline and time. There is never a shortage of caring family members to share a story, help with schoolwork or reign down a little discipline. No bike tire goes unfixed, no injury
untreated and no indiscretion unnoticed.
When our Sydney received her driver’s permit, she had many more opportunities and individuals from whom to learn than her most of her peers.
Numerous occasions that warranted late night ER visits have been made much less stressful due to willing babysitters who could be there at a moment’s notice.
And when the younger kids and their cousins leave toys and sports equipment laying all over
the property, there is always a concerned relative at the ready to teach a lesson and supervise the clean-up.
Then, there’s the love between us, which supersedes any and all discord that has ever arisen here.
We don’t tolerate each other. Rather, we appreciate one another. We know we’re blessed to have this opportunity, and we choose to embrace this life every day. We look forward to continuing to raise our children in this manner, and, if we’re lucky, eventually a grandchild or two. Hopefully, we won’t drive the other family members on-site crazy in the process.
So, how do our kids feel? Here are their responses to questions we asked them about growing up so close to extended family:
QUESTION #1: WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT LIVING
WHERE WE LIVE?
BRAHM, 8:
“I always have someone to play with me and there’s always something cool to do. Papaw works outside and wants me to work with him, Uncle Cole lets me ride four wheelers and dirt bikes, and Ryder (his cousin) will play in the mud anytime you will let us. And Nanny has a LOT
of snacks.”
MOLLY, 11:
“I’m so glad we live where we live because I feel like it’s the safest place on earth. Everyone who lives here loves each other, and everyone would protect us no matter what. There’s always someone around to know we’re safe and also to help us with stuff.”
ELI, 14:
“It’s never boring here. We always have cousins to play with, friends visiting, people working on something or doing something outside. I love the family meals and the holidays and get-togethers. I love that I get to see my grandparents, aunt and uncle and cousins every day. Most
people I know don’t get to do that. I know I’m lucky.”
SYDNEY, 16:
“I just like having everyone around. It feels great knowing I have so much family surrounding me all the time. Everyone takes care of each other here and I know there’s someone to help me if I ever need it. This is a perfect place to grow up.”
QUESTION #2: IS THERE ANYTHING YOU DON’T LIKE?
SYDNEY
“I guess if you want privacy, this isn’t a great place to get it.”
ELI
“Sometimes, there’s an awful lot of people to lecture me.”
MOLLY
“If I get in trouble around here, everyone seems to know about it.”
BRAHM
“Nothing. I really love it all.”
IF THE THOUGHT OF SWIMSUITS AND WARM WEATHER HAS YOU BUGGING OUT, RELAX AND TAKE A DEEP BREATH. THEN, TRY ONE OF THESE QUICK TIPS FOR SPRUCING UP YOUR COMMITMENT TO GET FIT (OR FITTER) THIS SPRING.
LOCATE YOUR MOTIVATION.
Do you love watching the sunrise? Does walking around dusk make you feel good? Or are you a lunch-time workout warrior? Don’t force yourself to adopt a certain time to work out – go with your gut and your preference. Sure, morning people can morph into night owls and vice versa,
but if you want to save yourself a bit of misery, find the time that works best for you, and then stay committed to it.
CLEAN IT UP.
It’s that time of year again when many of us feel a deep-seated need to clean our homes from top to bottom and everything in between. So, use the labor in your quest to get fit. Make doing chores a game and compete with yourself to see how fast you can complete a job. Work up a sweat. Incorporate squats and lunges as you clean. Finish a task and then do 10 push-ups or a set of jumping jacks. Just move while you clean. You’ll burn calories and have a sparkling abode
before you know it.
USE THE BUDDY SYSTEM.
Surely, someone in your stratosphere is interested in getting fit, too. Make a commitment to one another to join a class or take regular walks or runs. Working out with others is always more fun and you get the bonus of holding one another accountable, too.
GO MARKETING.
Seeking a reason to overhaul your diet? Incorporate frequenting your local farmers markets into your weekly routine. The big, beautiful bounty farmers sell at the markets make eating healthier a treat. If you’re unsure how to use or cook a particular item, just ask. It’s a rare farmer who won’t give you his or her best tips.
SET A GOAL. AND A BIG ONE.
What if you committed to getting fit over the next 12 – yes 12 – full months? How different would your life be than it is today? Want to, say, run the Derby Festival miniMarathon in 2020 but haven’t even incorporated regular exercise into your life? No worries. Set small goals. Reward yourself when you make progress. Then, get back at it again. In one year, you could be looking in the mirror at a whole new you on the inside and out.
Madison boutique brings Paris fashions to Southern Indiana
PHOTOS BY PATIENCE DEAN • PATIENCEDEANPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
Blush on Main, one of Southern Indiana’s premier boutiques, hosted “Paris Couture,” a fashion show, March 2 at Rembrandts Gallery & Wine Bar in Madison.
The annual fashion spectacular featured runway-worthy styles, including imported Milan styles. The sold-out show has become known for its music, fashion and fun, and garners rave reviews.
Blush on Main, which is owned by Mary Beth Boone, sells upscale clothing, Derby hats , accessories and gala gowns with spot-on style sessions and offers a unique experience through its sister company, The Fashion House, an attached AirBnB. This allows for the ultimate shopping destination, particularly if you opt to stay for the weekend. Guests have the opportunity to be pampered by a stylist and choose from several services at the on-site salon, and enjoy meals prepared by a chef and fresh flowers from French Tulip Florist.
Blush on Main
113 W. Main St. Madison
812.273.7000
Facebook: @blushonmain
Hats off to the best time of the year
Creatively inspired by Ben Franklin Crafts in New Albany
By Morgan Sprigler
Derby Season is upon us, yall! Now, I’m no BritniKnable from HeadCandi (if it’s even possible that you don’t know Britni, google her RIGHT NOW!).
But, I have discovered that I am capable of making a hat out of a paper plate. My little girls throughly enjoyed participating in this craft, so this idea is super-kid-friendly.
I can see you creating these for your Derby house party, displayed on a table for your guests to wear for the day. I can also see this as a craft station set up for children and adults alike, if you plan on throwing a Derby themed event, or just something fun to do at home with your kiddos. Some of these items you may already have on hand, although I always get mine from Ben Franklin Crafts New Albany.
SUPPLIES:
1. Paper plates or bowls (solid white and sturdy)
2. Ribbon, flowers, feathers, rhinestones, etc
3. Hot Glue Gun
4. Scissors
STEP ONE
Poke holes (carefully) using your scissors evenly at both sides of your plate. This is where you will string your ribbon through, eventually, that will hold the hat in place on top of your head.
STEP TWO
Using your hot glue gun, attach ribbon around the perimeter of the plate. Once you have completed this step, you can decorate your “hat” any way you would like. Attach a flower or two, add feathers or really anything your heart
STEP THREE
Once you are happy with your design and all of your glue is dry, cut a long piece of matching ribbon. Take the end of the ribbon and string it through the top of one of the holes you created in step one and through the bottom of the other hole. Pull the ribbon through so that you have an even amount of excess on both sides. Approximately 10 inches.
STEP FOUR
Place the hat on your head ( I like how it looks if its tilted to one side) and tie underneath your chin. Now, you are Derby party ready!
Wishing everyone lots of luck this Derby season! Go Baby Go!
WE TOOK OUR DERBY FASHIONS TO ANGEL’S ENVY IN LOUISVILLE FOR AN INDUSTRIALLY-CHIC SHOOT THAT INCLUDED A GLIMPSE OF THE DISTILLERY’S CO-FOUNDER AND CHIEF INNOVATION OFFICER WES HENDERSON AND LEAD DISTILLERY OPERATOR ANDREW HENDERSON
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Christian Watson
STYLING BY Miranda McDonald
SHOT ON LOCATION AT Angel’s Envy Distillery
MODELS: Shantay Chandler, Katya Estes and Ross Wallace
LOCATION
Angel’s Envy Distillery
500 E. Main St.
Louisville
angelsenvy.com
502.890.6300
MAKEUP & HAIR
Strandz Salon and Threadz Boutique
322 Vincennes St.
New Albany
812.945.5480
strandzandthreadz.com
PARTICIPATING BOUTIQUES
Sapphire on Spring Boutique:
326 Spring St.
Jeffersonville
812.920.0017
sapphireboutique.com
Ben Franklin Crafts New Albany
420 New Albany Plaza
New Albany
812.944.1215
benfranklinartsandframing.com
HIM Gentlemen’s Boutique
314 Pearl St.
New Albany
812.595.7752
Strandz Salon and Threadz Boutique
322 Vincennes St.
New Albany
812.945.5480
strandzandthreadz.com
Shantay in CQ by CQ Polka Dot Dress from Sapphire on Spring
$78 / Black Fascinator from Ben Franklin $59.95 / Eric Casual Pants from Strandz and Threadz $49
Katya in Print Eric Casual Pants from Strandz and Threadz $49 / Bow Tie Blouse from Mariposa
Shantay in CQ by CQ Tan Ruffle Dress from Sapphire on Spring $49 / Black Sheer top from Strandz and Threadz $44.99 / Black Fascinator from Ben Franklin $54.99
Katya in Minuet Feather Dress from Sapphire on Spring $89 / Fascinator from Ben Franklin $59.99 / Mary Francis Horse Handbag from Sapphire on Spring $260
Ross in Calvin Klein Sport Jacket $210 / Bonobos Pants $98 / Ledbury Shirt $145 / Johnston Murphy Shoes $169 / Ray Ban Sunglasses $180 / Stetson Hat $200 (all from HIM Boutique)
Katya in Strut & Bolt Red Jumpsuit from Sapphire on Spring $64 / Black Fascinator from Ben Franklin $49.99
Shantay in Charlie Page Dress from Strandz and Threadz $56.99 / Red Hat from Ben Franklin $53.99
Shantay in Minuet Pink Dress from Sapphire on Spring $48 / CQ by CQ Pink Jacket from Sapphire on Spring $58 / Fascinator from Sapphire on Spring $65
Ross in Paisley and Gray Suit in Navy $300 / Mizzen and Main Shirt $145 / Tie Bar Bow Tie $20 / Ray Ban Sunglasses $200 / Johnston and Murphy Shoes $169 (all from HIM Boutique)
Katya in Minuet Floral Dress from Sapphire on Spring $82 / Strut & Bolt Tan Jacket from Sapphire $54 / Vintage Hat from Mariposa
