Karen Dweck Kessel was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and is a graduate of CUNY Brooklyn College with a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts and Art Mediums. My love and knowledge of the arts led me to open a custom invitation studio within an art gallery in Bay Ridge, New York, that sold unique prints, custom frames, and artistry supplies in 1982. For many years, I sold invitations both in this location and out of my home as my family grew. In 1998, with my family older, and with a growing business, I moved into a retail concession, and later into my own store within our neighborhood on Avenue U. I expanded the business to include stationery, greeting cards, gifts, personalized accessories, and gift wrapping – all in addition to the core custom invitation business to better meet the needs of my customers. Despite having to move locations at the start of COVID and the sharp decline in events and invitation needs during the pandemic, with resilience and perseverance, I have continued servicing both old and new clients. With those times behind us, I continue to look for new and exciting trends, designs, and products to keep the business on the cutting edge. It has been my pleasure to work with families, from generation to generation, creating beautiful items and memories, while developing and sustaining long-lasting relationships.