Kaari Meng’s design journey began in 1992 when, in search of a simple hat pin, she created a collection of vintage-inspired jewelry using antique glass beads and buttons. She presented her designs at Bergdorf Goodman's open-buy day, and the buyer purchased them all, launching her career. Soon, she was designing for Anthropologie and other retailers, crafting jewelry that blended nostalgia with timeless elegance.
In 1997, after years of designing for shops, museums, and catalogs, Kaari founded French General, a New York City boutique specializing in vintage notions, textiles, and ephemera. When she relocated to Los Angeles in 2003, French General evolved into a creative hub, offering workshops in jewelry-making, stitching, quilting, and more. Today, it’s a destination for craft enthusiasts, with online classes and its signature Stitching From France series.
Alongside her husband, Jon, Kaari has authored six books celebrating craft and design. She also creates quilting fabrics for Moda and home textiles for Fabricut. For the past 16 years, she has hosted immersive retreats in the South of France, inviting guests to experience brocantes, crafting, and the beauty of slow living. This conversation was both wonderful and inspirational!
Thank You to Our Sponsors: Jet Creative and UrbanStems!
· Jet Creative: A women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. Whether you’re launching a podcast or building a website, Jet Creative can help you get started. Visit JetCreative.com/Podcast to kickstart your journey!
· UrbanStems: Your go-to source for fresh, gorgeous bouquets and thoughtful gifts, delivered coast to coast. Treat yourself—or someone you love—with 20% off! Use code BLOOMBIG20 at checkout.
Links:
Website: https://www.frenchgeneral.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frenchgeneral
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Ruthie's Table 4
For more than 30 years The River Cafe in London, has been the home-from-home of artists, architects, designers, actors, collectors, writers, activists, and politicians. Michael Caine, Glenn Close, JJ Abrams, Steve McQueen, Victoria and David Beckham, and Lily Allen, are just some of the people who love to call The River Cafe home. On River Cafe Table 4, Rogers sits down with her customers—who have become friends—to talk about food memories. Table 4 explores how food impacts every aspect of our lives. “Foods is politics, food is cultural, food is how you express love, food is about your heritage, it defines who you and who you want to be,” says Rogers. Each week, Rogers invites her guest to reminisce about family suppers and first dates, what they cook, how they eat when performing, the restaurants they choose, and what food they seek when they need comfort. And to punctuate each episode of Table 4, guests such as Ralph Fiennes, Emily Blunt, and Alfonso Cuarón, read their favourite recipe from one of the best-selling River Cafe cookbooks. Table 4 itself, is situated near The River Cafe’s open kitchen, close to the bright pink wood-fired oven and next to the glossy yellow pass, where Ruthie oversees the restaurant. You are invited to take a seat at this intimate table and join the conversation. For more information, recipes, and ingredients, go to https://shoptherivercafe.co.uk/ Web: https://rivercafe.co.uk/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/therivercafelondon/ Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/therivercafelondon/ For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iheartradio app, apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.