The Road to Memphis: Love, Laughs, and a Full Carload of Creativity
Our adventure to the River Arts Festival in Memphis wasn’t just another show — it was the start of a meaning-filled, two-part celebration. We were marking our 34th wedding anniversary and returning to a city that helped shape our creative journey.
It had been 30 years since our last Memphis art fair — by far the best show we did in the early 1990s. The nostalgia hit hard. The love, fun, and hustle of art-fair life made this trip incredibly special.
Back in Memphis with my favorite person in our happy place (our jewelry booth) at the River Arts Festival, 2025.
The Great Pack-Up & Road Trip Ritual
Packing for a show has become an art form in itself. Chris’s mad spatial planning skills allow us to fit our entire Kristin Christopher mobile jewelry gallery into our car.
Our entire Kristin Christopher jewelry display, booth, and luggage packed and ready for the road trip to Memphis — for 12 years we fit it all in a Prius!
Every trip kicks off the same way: Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again” and our favorite ’60s to ’90s road-trip playlist. There’s something about our travel rituals — the familiar chaos of packing, the playlist, the logistics and laughs — that feels nostalgic and thrilling all at once, like pressing play on our 20-something selves.
Us with our first German Shepherd in the vehicle we last drove to Memphis — the same one we took around the country to 30 art fairs a year in the early 1990s.
Riverfront Inspiration & New Artist Friends
Now the River Arts Festival has a beautiful new home along the river — a stunning stretch of the Mississippi that made setting up our booth feel grounding and kind of magical. Years ago, the show was held in a large park, so the waterfront setting added a calm, scenic vibe to the weekend — such an unexpected bonus.
Pinch me: Our view of the Mississippi River from inside our booth.
East view of the Mississippi from behind our booth — so much beauty each direction!
We tried to track down the pulled pork Carolina-style sandwiches that once turned me from a lifelong BBQ skeptic (back when we lived in Wichita, long before I discovered Joe’s KC BBQ). Sadly, those were nowhere to be found, but we discovered a new favorite instead: Mempops — quite possibly the best coffee caramel popsicles on the planet.
Another welcome change from our 20-something art-fair days: the show hours were much shorter this time around! We appreciated the extra time to explore Memphis and hear live music on Beale Street, window shop at The Peabody, and discover a new favorite restaurant: Groovy Gratitude.
So much eye and ear candy on Beale Street, Memphis never disappoints!
At the show, the people of Memphis were as warm and kind as we remembered, though the crowds were smaller this year. Many returning artists mentioned it was an off year — possibly affected by the No Kings protests on Saturday and the police task force and National Guard presence arriving earlier that week.
Even so, we met many new customers who connected with our work, and we were truly grateful for the kind words and encouraging response. It felt good to be back — and we’re already looking forward to returning to Memphis for another round of art, music, and riverfront inspiration.
View of River Arts Fest 2025 from our booth.
The caliber of art at this show is truly top-notch — it’s one of the best in the country for a reason — but what stood out even more were the artists themselves. So many were incredibly kind, generous, and inspiring, reminding us once again that the art-fair community is one of the biggest gifts of this path.
Happy Anniversary: A Not-Exactly-Romantic, Perfect Night
When the festival wrapped up — on our actual anniversary! — we set off for Mountain Home, Arkansas, where we were married 34 years ago. After quickly breaking down the booth, we hit the road, chasing the sunset.
Packing up as the sun is setting, I’m going to miss this spot along the river!
One last quick shot of the beautiful Mississippi before hopping in the car to our next adventure in Mountain Home.
Dinner plans didn’t exactly pan out — we ended up sharing road trip snacks in the car, laughing that this was probably how we spent our anniversary 30 years ago.
Revisiting the Place Where It All Began
The next day, we followed the pull of nostalgia — a long chat over breakfast with cousins, a slow drive through the neighborhoods we once called home, and a visit to the riverbank where we said “I do.”
Our wedding spot along the White River, in my parents back yard, 1991.
34 years later, sitting on the rocks soaking in the beauty of the White River felt like a long, slow exhale — a reminder of why we were drawn to be married beside its calm, steady rhythm, and why I’m always pulled to return.
Down river from our wedding spot, where the White River flows under Cotter Bridge.
We capped off the morning with a chai and cold brew from 807 Coffee Co., owned by a young mom whose adorable baby is “Employee of the Month.” It was a sweet reminder that small-town connection and entrepreneurial spirit are still alive and well.
One last nature binge: breathing in the beauty of Norfolk Lake before heading back to Kansas City.
Reflections: Love, Art, and the Road Ahead
Returning to Memphis and Mountain Home reminded us why we do what we do — to create, connect, and celebrate life’s stories through our handcrafted sterling silver jewelry. The road trips are icing on the cake.
Thank you, Memphis, for the art, new friends, live music, and inspiration. Thank you, Mountain Home, for the nature fix and memories. Here’s to many more years of love, art, and adventure on the road ahead!
Explore the Collection
Want to see the pieces we shared in Memphis?
Explore our handcrafted silver jewelry collection and find something special to accompany your own journey.
Join the Conversation
Have you ever revisited a place that shaped your creativity or story? We’d love to hear your story in the comments below.
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