Surfaces are areas of action. A steaming mug of joe, that evening glass of wine or a hangover-curing cup of water – if carelessly placed – can ruin granite countertops and wooden tables throughout one’s home. Coasters are the great protectors of exposed exteriors and can be so much more than a hastily shoved cocktail napkin under the bottom of a frosty brew. City Sparrow Designs (CSD), a Cranston-based company specializing in custom-made coasters, creates these utilitarian items with an artistic Rhode Island twist.
Kim Ledo, the brains behind City Sparrow, grew up in Cranston. While she was inspired by her creative parents growing up, Kim’s hands didn’t begin twitching until a couple years ago when a back injury forced her out of work and into an idle state. While in recovery, she crafted a set of photographic coasters as an engagement gift for her sister-in-law. “She loved them – so did the whole family,” says Kim of her first coaster-making experience. “Immediately after gifting that first set of coasters, I began trying to improve and create other styles. When I went shopping for some new supplies, I came across some tumbled marble and that’s when I started imprinting images onto stone.”
Suddenly, Kim received birthday and holiday orders for her creations – all through word of mouth. After a year of selling coasters, Kim came across a game changing new stone that “really allows all the designs to pop,” she says.
The coasters themselves are mini works of art and many feature iconic Rhode Island imagery. “[My husband and I] make designs that I would like in my own home,” explains Kim. “I’m sure you can see a lot of nautical and Rhody love. We both love antiquing and old charm and I think you can see some of that in our designs as well.” Kim’s husband is an integral part of CSD. “He is the man behind a lot of the designs that you see on Etsy and Instagram,” she says.
You can inquire about a personalized coaster order if you’re looking for something specific. “Custom orders always give me more ideas for new designs and help me know what people are looking for or [what they’re] into.”
While coasters are the foundation of CSD (pun intended), Kim is slowly expanding her inventory to all types of items. “I have recently added handmade garden stones as well as magnets to the shop,” mentions Kim. “I am currently working on adding prints of my designs as well as custom wine labels.” CSD items are now available at Serendipity in Wakefield and Kim is working to have more of a presence in the Rhode Island retail scene.
In the future, Kim hopes to do specialty orders for large-scale events like weddings and shower favors, and she plans on participating in the Providence Flea.
As for the company name, Kim chose “Sparrow” because she has a sparrow tattoo on her chest to commemorate her sister who passed away. “I added City because I felt like it was a good combination of my personality to the name, says Kim. “It’s a little combination of nature and city life... But I’m definitely a city girl.”
City Sparrow Designs
Etsy.com/shop/CitySparrowDesigns
facebook.com/CitySparrowDesigns
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