Tucked away in a corner of Shawnee, Kansas, is an eclectic boutique and rock ‘n roll vintage shop curated by local jewelry maker Tarrah Anderson. Driven by a mission to connect with the community and help women find their confidence, Anderson finds joy in her custom jewelry designs, group workshops, and support for other local businesses. The Whiskey & Bone shop owner, who previously worked with United Way of Greater Kansas City and the KC Chiefs cheerleaders, often does team-building workshops and custom jewelry. “I’m currently working with a nonprofit that’s near and dear to my heart called Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer,” she says.
What sparked your interest in jewelry making?
I was a full-time live-in nanny for ten years. They have one little girl and, during the day, when she was at school, I needed something to do. I just started messing around with beads and jewelry, and it all basically started from there.
Take me through the curation process for your shop—where does the inspiration for your jewelry come from?
I have a core collection that’s been here since the beginning, but I’ll update them over time, like when I find better quality wire or crystals, or a different supplier. But I find inspiration from my road trips or different kinds of music—all my products are named after music. I’ll pick out different colors and shapes from things I see on my trips, then come back and make new things. I use gemstones, crystals, and mixed metals. And then I throw in a little bit of acrylic here and there. I also try to bring in some local finds, and I like to mix in vintage things—home decor and clothing. I pick out things for the shop that are very eclectic and different. Just things I’m really into.
What’s the connection between your jewelry and rock ‘n’ roll?
I grew up listening to classic rock and a lot of ’90s music with my dad, so I go back and choose songs that have a lot of meaning to me or songs I remember listening to when I was younger. And then I take the artist’s name or the band name, or names of songs or names of albums, and use that for my collection or piece names.
How long have the workshops been part of Whiskey & Bone?
I’ve always done workshops here and there. I used to do workshops at Fetch back in the day. We would pick different craft events, have people come and make different things, and then it evolved. I really want to make a community and bring women together—have a small space to just meet and mingle and hang out and whatnot. So that part is newer. I pick a word every month and create workshops around that word—for August, it’s intention. We did a gemstone intention necklace class which was really cool, and women with their daughters came in. So, like, just being able to reach a larger community and having younger girls come in and learn to create things is really cool to me.
How do you connect with other local businesses?
I have my jewelry in a handful of stores in Kansas City right now: Made in KC, Scout, Molly’s in Leawood, and then Fetch. My relationship with them is really important because we all value handmade goods that are made right here. And we’re all trying to really just support one another.
I think community is really important. I feel like, when you’re getting older, it’s harder to meet people. Like, I’m 35. I don’t drink. I don’t really go to the bar or anything. But just being able to hold a space within my store where people can come, hang out, and meet like-minded people, I think is really cool. And really important.