Welcome to Retrowaves: Inspired by the Past, Creating for the Future

Where retro craftsmanship meets the waves of modern values.

Where Past meets Future in Creative Sustainability

I’m Keri, the artist and founder behind Retrowaves. I may have just officially launched this brand, but the journey actually began long before I even realized it—even before I was born. It’s a creative journey that’s been unfolding for generations; one rooted in craftsmanship, artistry, and a deep love for handmade work that runs in my family.

Roots in Craftsmanship: A Family Legacy of Makers

Growing up, my home felt like a converted artist’s studio. My mom, Patti, a former graphic designer who left the fast-paced world of Madison Avenue for a quieter life in the Hamptons, filled our space with paint, brushes, and custom orders. It wasn’t uncommon to see old sheets on the dining room table and painted items spread across every room. She would paint anything she could get her hands on, often upcycling items from local estate sales—antique armoires, mailboxes, benches, coasters, you name it. I grew up in a home where every corner was filled with one-of-a-kind, hand-painted accessories and furniture, each piece telling its own story. Despite my constant urging as a child (knowing her skills and how much she was admired in the community), she never set out to start a business or even a website; she simply couldn’t stop creating in the little time she had between two kids and a full-time job.

Before long, her work became a staple in our small, local community. Fishermen had hand-painted fish scenes, beach lovers sported coastal landscapes, and vibrant gardens bloomed on mailboxes across the Hamptons. Her work even found its way into local shops. I’ll never forget my best friend’s mom, whose favorite flower was the iris. Twenty years later, I still pass by the beautiful iris-covered mailbox every time I visit my old neighborhood.

But the creative spark wasn’t just in her. My grandpa, a skilled carpenter and master woodworker, shared the same restless passion and energy. His hands and creative mind never knew how to sit still. Even in retirement, he spent his days crafting beautiful, custom pieces—everything from cabinets to plaques to swing sets—transforming old wood into something entirely new and making sure every piece had a soul. I remember spending weekends at their house, watching him carefully shape wood and create new things from sunrise to sunset. He was always busy, always creating.

I remember my grandma being annoyed when he broke into the guest bedroom wall and turned it into two more rooms and a walk-in closet, complete with intricate detailing and trim. She’d tell him, 'You should be laying on the beach by now, not tearing up walls!' She just wanted him to kick back and relax, but that didn't mean they didn't share a love for creativity—my grandma had a passion for embroidery and needlework, a craft she loved and practiced in her younger years in Ireland.

At one point, my mom and grandpa would work side by side. He’d craft a piece of wood, perhaps a sign or a plaque, from upcycled materials—like an old deck he tore down—and she would bring them to life with hand-painted artwork. They both had this unspoken connection to creativity, and I was lucky enough to witness it firsthand. It was never about business, just a shared love for creating something meaningful.

A Reluctant Artist: From Resistance to Rediscovery

Despite being surrounded by art and creativity, I initially tried to resist the pull of becoming an artist. In fact, I did everything I could to distance myself from it. I tried to carve my own path by going to school for business. But life has a way of bringing us back to what we’re meant for.

Two major ankle injuries over the past decade left me homebound, immobile, and searching for a creative outlet. Suddenly, I was using my hands again—knitting, sewing, experimenting with macramé, and creating string art. It felt like riding a bike I had forgotten how to ride; natural, yet brand new. It was something I’d done as a child in Girl Scouts, and it clicked. The creative urge that had always been there came flooding back, and after recovering, when I wasn’t working, it became my favorite way to unwind and enjoy my free time.

My background in business, combined with having to move home after recovering from osteomyelitis in my ankle, led me into management in high-end retail shops in the Hamptons—an industry that somehow chose me. I had no prior knowledge of retail or fashion, but I quickly learned the ropes. I had the opportunity to work with major brands, where I gained nearly a decade of experience in merchandising, branding, and textile product craftsmanship, honing my skills and deepening my understanding of the industry’s intricacies. It was while working for Oxford Industries—home to brands like Johnny Was and Tommy Bahama—that I developed a fascination with embroidery. Every stitch seemed like a work of art. I worked with it daily and was drawn to the intricate details.

Discovering the Art of Hand-Embroidery

I wanted to learn more, so I began experimenting with embroidery on my own. Without a machine, I embraced the slow, detailed process of hand embroidery and instantly fell in love with the art in each delicate thread. My friends and those in my newly established community in the Hudson Valley began noticing my work (I couldn’t help but leave it in my lunchbox at work). Before I knew it, I was taking custom orders for upcycling—transforming a plain pair of utility work boots into a feminine floral masterpiece or refreshing a cherished jacket with a fresh new design.

Upcycling and Revivals: Breathing New Life Into Old Treasures

Alongside all of this, I had been organically growing a successful Poshmark closet, where I recycled excess clothing I accumulated over time. As I dove deeper into my creative side and kept accumulating, I began upcycling clothes—taking old, unused pieces and transforming them into something completely new. I started with simple, hand-embroidered designs and quickly grew fascinated by how the smallest change could breathe new life into a worn-out item.

The Official Launch of Retrowaves

But it wasn’t until I launched Retrowaves that everything truly clicked. That’s when my mom, who had never turned her art into a business, found her love for painting reignited. Despite not being able to travel with me to markets and fairs, she’s still very much involved. Her quiet, peaceful moments are spent creating beautiful pieces for me to bring to life at events.

Retrowaves is a blend of my business background and my family’s creative roots. It’s a place where my mom’s love of painting meets my passion for upcycling and handcrafting. And it’s all tied together by the thread of family—a thread that spans generations and brings beauty to everything it touches.

The Future of Retrowaves: Craftsmanship, Sustainability, and Legacy

And this is just the start of the ‘official’ journey, with a goal to build a lasting legacy. Retrowaves is about craftsmanship, sustainability, and preserving handmade art in a world driven by mass production. We have no intention of prioritizing profits over quality—our mission is to stay small batch and proudly made in America. Every piece we create tells a story, and we hope it becomes a part of yours.

-Keri