Kara Lang, owner of Belle and the Bear, says she’s been making things her whole life. She describes her start in the art and decor business as a “happy accident.” She said it’s typical of her to make something for herself, realize she really likes it and use the extra materials to start building an inventory.
Lang came up with the name, Belle and the Bear, when she was pregnant with her first son.
“I think it was at my very first appointment, they took a 3D picture and at the time my son looked exactly like gummy bear,” she said.
Her son inspired “the Bear” portion of the name, and her stepdaughter, Keara Belle, inspired “the Belle.”
Lang has been selling her art, decor and jewelry under the Belle and the Bear name for about four or five years but says the business really took off when she became a stay-at-home mom because of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
“It was something for me. Being a stay-at-home mom is so wonderful and challenging and is very busy, there’s also this sense of ... you lose yourself at first being a mom,” she said. “You lose the things that you did before your life basically surrounded this child. So, the creative outlet was so important for me.”
During Lang’s time at home with her kids, she starting expanding her inventory and preparing to take her business to market.
Much of Lang’s art is inspired by motherhood. In addition to macrame and clay jewelry, Lang makes art that honors the power of the female body.
“Pregnancy changed me as it does many women,” she said. “Throughout my pregnancy and then definitely after I had my first son, I was just like blown away by women’s power. The power of our bodies is so incredible, we make humans!”
Lang uses her art work to remind women that their power is important, she said.
Lang sells her macrame decor, clay jewelry and female empowerment pieces at the Durango Farmers Market whenever space is available. She describes her art as bohemian, neutral, simple and elegant and says she draws a lot of inspiration from social media platforms such as Pinterest and Instagram. She almost always uses driftwood found on hikes and swims in her macrame.
“It brings in what our mountains and rivers naturally provide,” she said.
Lang wants to start selling Belle and the Bear products at music festivals and to continue commissioning pieces for weddings. She also wants to find more ways to empower women through her art.
“I would love for my business to get big enough to be able to donate the proceeds to women-support-women organizations like Planned Parenthood. That would be a dream,” she said.
To check out Belle and the Bear, visit the Durango Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays, or visit belleandthebeardesign.com.
kpercival@durangoherald.com
