Clovers Natural Market

How long have you been making art? We are all always making art, which is life, our creative energy engaged in the simply profound art of our bodies, our soulful expressions. And outside of ourselves, I celebrate our collect early start making art in our infancies. My personal journey has been one of loving creative expression in many forms - there exist photos of me in hot pink and gold poofy and sequined leotards dancing at Jesse Hall as a little one....apparently I've always had a way with colors, according to my mom...and my fondest memories growing up in the wild here include crafting soup with my sibling from our neighbor's green onions and my mom's spice jars. School art classes and boxed crafts stifled my unique creative spirit, as did the story that someone else was doing it "better"...I pigeon-holed myself largely into theatre for much of my journey, though found ways to include other forms even there. After graduating with a B.A. in Theatre Directing and Psychology, I began to recover lost parts of my creative spirit with the support of The Artist's Way, and when I remembered my love of the earth, began to apprentice with the forest once again.

Have you always used found materials or other mediums? While working in theatre, there arose within me a distaste for the way materials were unsustainably resourced and then sent off to landfills when the production was over; and as I've reconnected with the earth, I've striven to walk gently with her. I find such pure joy in the challenge of creating from what I find, and what I can craft with the land...this was my first experience of creating inks, a long-time desire...than going to the craft store and purchasing materials. I am not rigidly opposed to the latter...I've yet to begin to make my own brushes, for example...it's on the docket...and I have old materials such as acrylics I play with from time to time...this found materials and wildcrafting is simply where my creative energy is moving.

Do the materials used have a significance? They are all significant, in their own ways. I can speak to the pieces that are up now, and a bit of what is to come. El Corazón de la Mujer Araña: This piece moved in such a magical way through me. I've been drawn to working with catalpa pods since they blessed the yard of my home last summer. I've been working with my own sense of this internal sun, in my solar plexus, and how this supports the radiance of my heart. I had a vision of the pods as sun beams, and found in my collection of rocks the heart. Figuring out how to weave them together was quite a journey, and I loved the contradiction of the pods, wire, and stone, all very hard and sharp in quality - I generally would rather work with soft materials - representing the heart of the spider womyn, who taught me so much in this weaving....whatever the message is for the viewer, may it be so! KaliNest: This piece was a way for me to laugh and play with the harsh qualities of my own upbringing, the sharp and tangled parts of my childhood nest (not all of which were so, by any means...we all are gifted with challenges), inspired by a phrase in a song a friend has shared again and again..."Separation....ouch!" Kali is one fierce representation of the Mother. The wire came to me when I first moved back to Missouri, after 20 years uprooted, and the creek glass is from the MKT trail. Our Mother: An earth-based exploration of the Lord's Prayer in Old English, honoring my ancestors, my personal history, and my deep appreciation of the evergreens of the land I live with now. Cedar bundles from this place, and cuttings from a dear friend here; the black walnut ink was crafted from hulls gifted from Clover's own Noah and family, and the beeswax might be from Bonne Femme...it's been blended in with other old and new beeswax I've been collecting. Smelling cedar and beeswax brings out my hunger for meaningful connection with spirit...praying with the the land and sky fill me up. And to come: Glass bottle wind chimes, reused from my brief addiction to sparkling water that Clovers fed so thoroughly last summer...with antique spoons and found tiny animal figurines...and more!

Your pieces feel like they have an unifying message. What would you say it is? Wow, what an abundance we have, here on this earth! So much already existing to play with! As I feel into this, I am reminded of the Little Mermaid, and her collection of the discarded treasures of human beings. Bridging the worlds of human-made and forest-made. Creating a garden of art, to spark the heart's delight and prayerful play; and an invitation of whatever else might arise in the receiving.

Beautiful work and words, Em! Thank you so much! Where can people reach you?

New on the Broadway Clovers Art Wall is a wonderful assortment of watercolor trees from the City Garden School students. Each piece is for sale and 100% of the funds raised from the artwork goes to the non-for-profit school!

City Garden School has an overarching holistic approach to child academia as the mission of the school. It is of the Waldorf method and sibling to its younger school, Garden Gate Preschool. “Our curriculum aims to help the child discover who he/she truly is, allowing them to explore multiple arts and modalities while feeding them with rich stories and experiences. We strive to give them a morally centered curriculum and to allow time for true learning to take place. In addition to reading, writing, and arithmetic, our students learn to draw, paint, play a flute or recorder, move in rhythm, sing, recite poetry, and perform dramatic plays.”

Pictured below: A chalkboard from the City Garden School

Sounds incredible! Columbia is so lucky to have such an unique school for kids! Take a look at their website to learn more about this beautiful school and stop on in to the Broadway Clovers to pick up a piece of art from these amazing kids.

New on the Clovers Art Wall is work from eleven year old Luna Spector!

“I have been creating art for as long as I can remember. My mother has influenced me in many good ways, including making art and loving the process, even if it doesn’t turn out perfectly. It was finding her camera that led me to discover the potential for taking these photos.”

“I feel like photography opens a portal into another world, a kind of magical place apart from the normal world. I believe that photography is a way to celebrate life’s beauties. Capturing moments in nature can really show you how amazing and diverse the world is and can inspire us to do all we can to preserve life on our planet.”

Wow Luna! Thanks for sharing your inspiration and art with us!! Keep up the good work and so excited to see what you do next!!

FAB FAB, or fabulous fabrics, is a Columbia based artist new to the Clovers art wall. Typically, Sasha Goodnow wheels and deals in meditation cushions, wallets, and tote bags. Her newest pieces however, offer mysticism to any special nook in your home. 

“As a fan of tarot, and more recently, oracle cards, I enjoy doing readings with first pulling a ‘querent’ card. The querent card means ‘one who seeks’ and represents yourself in the question you’ve asked the deck. I made these wall hangings for reflection on the card as the querent.”

“I choose only from the ‘Major Arcana’ for my wall hangings. The Major Arcana is a twenty-two card deck and each card symbolizes a generalized situation in a life cycle. Following the cards stories from zero to twenty-two is fascinating and I highly recommend checking it out!”

“I've had some of the collage pieces in my possession for years. Some rocks are from a small mining town in Minnesota, others from the shores of the Isle of Man. Bicycle parts, lots of deer teeth, tassels, bells, gems, and quills, I really enjoy collage from found pieces.”

Spanning over 50 years of business, we can unabashedly say that the most talented and vibrant people come to work at Clovers Natural Market.  2017 is no different :) 

Meet Nikki and Julie, Clovers staff and friends. Didn’t take long for these two to put their heads together and dream up something so delightfully bizarre, that Columbia just can’t get enough of it! 

Nikki and Julie are the “broads” behind Columbia’s newest indie craft fair, The Berlin Bazaar. I got to ask them a few questions about the bazaar, how they thought of it, what they look for in vendors, and what they hope to see in the future! 

We have a lot of festivals, art fairs, and First Friday art walks in Columbia, but there's something very unique about the Berlin Bazaar that stands a part from the rest!! How would you describe the bazaar?

J:  If I had to describe it to someone who'd never been to one, I'd say it's a three dimensional experience: its music, food, art, and a market environment all rolled into one.   N: The Bazaar has a super laid-back, open air feel to it. There is a LOT going on but at the same time it's a little like going to a friends backyard get together. You run into all your buddies and neighbors but also get to meet a ton of new faces. This is a big reason why we keep it Missouri-based and local. 

Columbia has definitely responded well to this awesome event!! Where did the clairvoyance for the Berlin Bazaar come from?

J: I remember going to the Broadway Clovers one day and Nikki was in the back room talking about an idea for an event she had. She was talking about an event that I had also been dreaming of doing for so long!!! When I lived in Austin I had a huge idea to have an event (just like the Bazaar), but it never happened.  Nikki and I threw back ideas and I told her I'd love to help her make this happen. She called a meeting and the rest is history. N: For me, the Bazaar was just a flicker of an idea until that fateful day when Julie overheard me rambling about how cool it would be to organize a quirky local craft fair. She chimed in about wanting to do something similar and it just clicked into place. We started with a big, wonderful group of planners and no idea what we were doing. Everything came together beautifully, though we have hit a few snags and learned many lessons along the way. Now, Julie and I plan the Bazaar as a duo with a lot of help from our awesome sponsors and collaborators. 

With over forty Missouri based vendors, what kind of artisan are you looking for? Do you have plans to expand this number in the future?

J: We look for makers who are pushing the envelope, for innovative design, for quality work that's modern and fresh. We want people who are making work that people want to buy, to look at, to touch, to live with. N: Yes! We are definitely still growing! We are drawn to folk art and craft, rather than fine art, and that informs the selections for vendors. Modern, quirky and functional are a few key factors. We choose vendors who are making things that we want to interact with, things that we would want to use in our own homes or wear or look at everyday. 

Third time's a charm! What do you two have up your sleeves for this third annual Berlin Bazaar? Anything different that attendee's should look out for? 

J: We've tried to up the ante on the interact-ability of the bazaar this year. We've got a huge kids area planned that is going to be so much fun. We've got artists coming in from St. Louis and Kansas City this year. We've got food from Birdhouse Fried Chicken Pop Up this year. And we still have all the things that make the Bazaar great--music, art, and a true community vibe. N: Yes! So excited about Jamie Davis' Birdhouse Pop-up, The Atelier's craft area for kiddos, Story time from Yellow Dog bookshop, Cristy Lillig's cardboard sculptures, 5 Local Bands and so many Exciting Vendors!! Also, look forward to delicious drink specials from Cafe Berlin and plenty of Logboat beer! 

Food, drinks, kids craft area, music, and of course over forty artisans to browse, looks like you guys have all the bases covered! Anything else that's on your wishlist for future bazaars? 

J: I've always wanted to have an over the top performance: a marching band, a gospel choir, a flash mob. My dream for the Bazaar is to have it evolve into a destination festival, an experience as well as a market; something that inspires you after you've gone home.   N: I love the hyper-local aspect but we are looking to expand and bring in regional artisans too. As we grow, more and more exciting things get brought to the table. I think Julie will get her wish and we'll be able to bring in something BIG for a future bazaar. ;)

It’s no secret anymore that the use of plastic is a HUGE problem for our oceans, our land, our air, and our bodies. “Every piece of plastic ever produced still remains somewhere in the earth today. In the last half of the 20th century over 1 billion tons of plastic was produced. This figure has already doubled in the first ten years of this century” (Scientific American). You don’t have to go long in your day to have plastic offered to you, or go far out your door to find plastic littered outside. It’s everywhere! 

Lanie is one of millions of people who are navigating their lives away from plastic. During the month of July, she took it a step further by not only refusing plastic, but also saving every piece of plastic that she did end up using. She let me ask a few questions about her process. 

So, I looked up #plasticfreejuly, and it looks like millions of people also went plastic free last month! How did you hear about it?

I follow a lot of #zerowaste and lifestyle instagram accounts because they offer a lot of solutions for the issues I have with consumption. Many of them were promoting the event. I also have a friend who started MovieMind, and works to "green" film industry offices and sets. She's a big inspiration.

Had you ever done a "plastic fast" or any other environmental activism before?

As long as I've been a consumer I've been pretty turned off by plastic and synthetic and "new". So I've always opted for natural fibers, wood, metal, etc when buying things. I'm also a bit obsessive about second hand shopping. Then I realized there was an entire subculture for this way of living and I kinda rode along, noncommittal. This July was my first intentional plastic fast.

I'm sure going plastic free has a domino effect! Did your daily/weekly routine change at all? Anything that you hadn't anticipated? 

My favorite thing about the "movement" is how open, understanding and forgiving it is. So although it was "plasticfreejuly" it was more focused on new purchases, not completely overhauling your life, throwing away (that'd be pretty counterintuitive) everything you own that's plastic. I did notice myself feel a little nervous and embarrassed asking for things without plastic or explaining the ethos to friends. I bought less, which was a total bonus.  There were times I had to get creative and come up with solutions, so it took a little more brain power than my normal routine. Like, forgetting my reusable cup for the coffee shop, so needing to ask for paper and no straw and risking spilling in the car. Also, I noticed there is plastic EVERYWHERE, and it occurred to me that purchasing clothes, even thrifted, involves the tiniest unavoidable bit of plastic in the price tag.

You kept record of the plastic that you did end up receiving/using during July. What did you learn from that box of plastic?

From the plastic I collected, I realized it's near impossible to purchase food from a grocer without some sort of plastic packaging - even produce has stickers (unrecyclable). I also learned it's a lot of work to avoid plastic, so you've gotta be committed and forgiving and good-humored, because you're gonna get guff and gonna make mistakes.

Lastly, any hints or strategies that you learned from this experience that others could find useful in limiting their plastic intake?

I carry a little pouch in my purse as a plastic-free to go kit. It has two metal straws, hankies for napkins, and a metal camping utensil to replace the need for the plastic alternative. I also keep tote bags and reusable produce bags in the car for shopping trips. I learned to look for alternatives - aluminum and glass - for food and beverage must-haves. And how to make it! A big batch of iced tea in the fridge, canning from the garden, baked goods. Next up is incorporating homemade toiletries.

Here Lanie took birthday balloons and recycled it into gift bows for future gifts. 

Without these star employees, Clovers would just not be the same. Meet one of the pieces of the puzzle that makes Clovers so special: Julie!

How long have you worked at Clovers?  7 years in August

What the department do you work in and/or anything you specialize in? I am one of the grocery buyers at the Forum store, but I've worked in natural foods for 16 years and used to be a body care and supplement buyer.  I know a lot about teen acne, food allergies and intestinal health issues.  I follow a paleo diet so I know quite a bit about what we sell that paleo folks can eat too!

If Clovers was a tv show, what would it be like?  Maybe an old school one like Party of Five or Melrose Place.  I feel like we definitely have a family vibe, but everyone has a lot going on outside of work too so there's a sense of mystery and drama too.

If money or space or time was no matter, what would be your "Dream Clovers” look like?  A food truck, grocery delivery, online grocery ordering and a full scale food prep department!

When Julie isn’t making Clovers wonderful, she’s at work creating pieces for her company YONDER! She crafts waxed canvas totes, wallets, bags, and screen prints tea towels, t-shirts, and pillows with her husband! She also curates and organizes the Berlin Bazaar with fellow Clovers employee, Nikki. The Berlin Bazaar is a craft fair held on September 9, 2017 at Cafe Berlin (more info on that soon to come!)

Learn even more about Julie and why we love her so, here!!

The Clovers Broadway Art Wall has been taken by storm by the talented Loretta Kyle. Her mediums are (drumroll please) moss and stereo photography! Intrigued? You should be.

Your mediums/materials are so inventive! Do the portraits relate to the moss in any significant way? And the moving pictures are so classic to me - and kinda remind me of a childhood toy I had! Does the subject matter relate to the method used?

LK:  I was working a lot with moss in plant arrangements at home to begin with. I really loved its texture and form. I started experimenting with it on some of my assemblages to emphasize this sort of forgotteness of the objects I use. Like an abandon building that gets overgrown. One night, I started thinking about those old velvet paintings from the 70’s and the paint by number kits that they use to make. I thought it was funny how you would get this canvas with all of these coded shapes on it and if you followed the directions correctly, you would come out with this really impressive painting you could show to your parents. Feeling nostalgic and fascinated with this idea that you could break down a representation into this basic mathematical structure, I decided to make a paint by numbers series of myself and my friends out of moss.

I am really fascinated with stereo photography. I love how it manipulates the biological functioning of how our eyes work to create this realistic illusion. About a year ago I started studying how lenticular technology worked and how it could create a sense of space or movement without a special apparatus for viewing. The lenticular print of the viewmaster was kind of a nod and wink to that evolution.

How long have you been creating art/ are you self-taught or go to art school?

LK:  As long as I can remember I’ve always had some kind of creative project going. I knew from a young age that I needed to make work. I graduated from the University of Missouri with a BFA in 2009.

Artists have many transformations in the mediums that they use, what does your timeline look like?

LK:  That is so true! I feel like I’ve run the spectrum of mediums in my work throughout the years. Early on while I was working on my degree, I was most doing film making and assemblages. Later, when I transferred to the University of Missouri they didn’t have film making so I went into photography. While there I took a few printmaking classes and decided to major in both. After graduating, I taught myself Illustrator and Graphic Design {computer programs}. What I have found is that all of these disciplines have made my work more well rounded. I have accepted and embraced the fact that I am a process junkie. To me, all of these processes are like tools in my box that I can break out and use to help inform my work.

Thank you, Loretta! We can’t wait to see what you reinvent next! 

Visit us down at the Broadway Clovers location for a closer look. Loretta will also be a vendor at the 3rd annual Berlin Bazaar, September 9th, 2017, from noon to 6pm at Cafe Berlin.

Our employees shine so bright, hiding them would be a shame. Take a moment to learn about Russ!!

What department do you work in? Bulk Manager at Forum, buyer of the local produce, marketing, tech stuff, handyman

How long have you worked at Clovers? 6 years

If the zombie apocalypse came to Clovers, what would you do? First, lock and barricade those front doors! Then put the beacon out to our loyal customers that we are a gathering place of safety (come to the secret entrance). We would have enough food to last quite a while, which is nice. But a new leadership must arise, of which I will play a shadow role. We would need to turn the roof into a garden plot, seeding it with our Baker Creek seed supply. Also, dibs on the spicy breakfast burritos.

If Clovers was a band, what sort of sound would they have? Definitely a little dirt in the sound. A multitude of instruments and musical approaches would create a unique sound that isn't for everyone, but fully appreciated by those folks who are open to new experiences. Also you can dance to it.

If you could work with a celebrity here at Clovers, who would it be? Weird Al would be pretty fun, and I think he'd fit right in. Or if we could have the disembodied voice of Robert Stack making announcements over the speakers, that would be neat.

If you could open a Clovers location anywhere in the world, where would you choose? Hmm, maybe a mobile operation! We could have organic food distribution contacts all over the world, traveling around spreading unique organic foods to wherever we wanted to travel! Yeah, I'm going to do that 

Our employees shine so bright, keeping them secret would be a shame! Meet Laura C, our bright star at Clovers on Broadway.

How long have you worked at Clovers? Eight years

What department do you work in? Health and beauty care department, accounting, housewares, and the greeting card buyer! (whew! That’s alot!)

Okay lets get to the good stuff. If Clovers was a television show, what kind of show would it be? something similar to “My So Called Life”!

What’s your dream for Clovers? Clovers Cafe! Or an additional area for an apothecary... Or to have a naturopathic doctor on staff, or a Clovers Farm off site!

Learn more about Laura here!

Our employees shine so bright, keeping them secret would be a shame! Meet Nellie, our bright star at Clovers on Forum.

How long have you worked at Clovers? Ten and a half years!

What department do you work in? Supplements (I’m someone good to ask about Chinese medicine!)

Okay lets get to the good stuff. If Clovers was a television show, what kind of show would it be? Medical drama- “I’m not a doctor, I just play one on TV!”

What’s your dream for Clovers? A Clovers Food Truck! It would utilize our produce and be a soup, salad, and sandwich food truck!!

We have a new artist for our Broadway Art Wall ~ just in time for the holidays! He’s no stranger to Clovers or the Art Wall though, he’s back on the wall for a second time, Phil Gresham, Clovers employee and jack of all trades!

Phil’s recent creative outlet is working on a lathe creating rings, kitchen utensils, and acorn ornaments. Coming from a family of builders and master wood turners, Phil is not new to this kind of workmanship.

The wood he uses are maple and elm trees, which he has harvested himself. He uses a local honey, Gibbons Honey (which we sell here!), for a finish. 

He came up with the idea to make these acorns when he wanted something for a pull chain for his kitchen light! These are sure to delight any window, any light fixture or Christmas tree... Great work Phil! Check out his etsy here with more awesome items: spoon rings, woodcut printed journals and cloth bags, wooden rings and pipes! 

We have some incredible employees at Clovers and keeping them a secret would be a crime! Let’s shine the spotlight on Dan and learn more about him!

How long have you worked at Clovers? One and half years.

What department do you work in? Produce! 

Okay, let’s get to the good stuff. If Clovers was a TV show, what would it be? A medical drama - like General Hospital with some added mystery to it maybe. 

What’s your dream for Clovers? Or better yet, what does your “Dream Clovers” look like? My fantasy would be a noodle bar with different kinds of noodles, broths, veggies, meats, to add to it. It’s what I want to eat right now actually...

We were on Radio Friends with Paul Pepper! Check out our video for more info about the library and why we started it (our segment begins halfway through the interview)...

We have some incredible employees at Clovers and keeping them a secret would be a crime! Let’s shine the spotlight on Ashley and learn more about her!

How long have you worked at Clovers? Two years

What department do you work in? Supplements and the Books & Magazines departments. I've also been studying up on homeopathy and the Bach Flower Essences, so I’m a good person to ask about these products! 

Okay, let’s get to the good stuff. If Clovers was a TV show, what would it be? A RomCom!! We’re all so in love with each other and I laugh here more than anywhere else in my life right now! 

What’s your dream for Clovers? Or better yet, what does your “Dream Clovers” look like? I have always wanted the supplements, books, and bulk herbs to be combined into a lounge area with couches. It would be a calm atmosphere for slowing down. I believe that we are able to heal ourselves and I want to be apart of the revolution of reclaiming this knowledge! 

Our Kitchen Library has been growing!! To make the library more user friendly, I set up a photo shoot and took pictures of all our appliances for loan. 

I then cut out the pictures and lamented them. When you want to check an appliance out from the library, remove the picture for the board and hand it to a Clovers team member. They will retrieve it for you with the help of the picture! We are starting to house multiples of dehydrators, food processors, bread machines, yogurt makers, ect, so this picture system makes it waaay easier for everyone :)

We have also decided to make the Kitchen Library FREE!!!!! You still have to have a Missouri address to check items out, only allowed to have the item for one week, and must return the appliance clean! Thanks again to all those who donated!! We love our two libraries :) :) :)