Van Kirby and Dan Detrick are back in the salon business in their former home, the colorful yellow house on College Avenue next to Village Pantry. We will feature Van & Dan Cuts in an upcoming issue of the Gazette. In this issue we report on Broad Ripple's newest shop, Kat Klinefelter's Doo-Dads, which is located inside Van & Dan Cuts.

The sunny yellow house is filled with brightly colored whimsical gifts, home decor, and funky flea market finds. It's an intriguing mix of merchandise skillfully coordinated by Kat. Many of the items are hand crafted by Kat from new and recycled materials. She makes silverware wind chimes, cereal bowl bird feeders, decorated flip-flops, beaded mobiles featuring flamingoes, ladybugs, and tiki heads, to name a few. She has fashioned beaded votive holders from vessels too numerous to mention, and most of her creations are one-of-a-kind.

"One room upstairs is dedicated to items with a past life," says Kat, but there are flea market finds sprinkled throughout the shop. The three wonderful chandeliers hanging over the counter are for sale. Other second-hand merchandise includes kitschy table lamps, a red Western Flyer bicycle, a large batik rendering of New York City, a huge display of antique Murano glass bowls, various dishes and glassware, and blankets.

Kat was inspired by her grandmother, who encouraged her crafting. Whenever Grandma gave Kat $5, she'd head to Murphys in Broad Ripple or Glendale to buy more supplies to make things. She rediscovered her love of beads when her daughter's school needed affordable gift items for a fund-raising sale. Kat's been making clever, affordable gifts ever since and has developed a loyal following. Her love of retail led to the partnership with Van Kirby.

Doo-Dads carries new decorative things as well. They are clear glass bottles in a variety of shapes and sizes, and flower pots and flip flops decorated by Kat. The merchandise "is always changing, so people should check back with us", says Kat. A room upstairs is dubbed the "Christmas Room". A Christmas tree is decorated with ornaments that are for sale and so are the gifts under the tree and the pictures on the walls. Another room has Halloween decorations and costumes; July 4th decorations will be featured very soon.

Doo-Dads can sell items on consignment - one such artist makes figures from antique silverplate flatware. I recognized my own silverplate pattern, Grosvenor by Oneida, made from a spoon into an angel. Consignments can be hand-crafted items or stylish, second-hand things of good quality. Kat hopes to offer vintage linens, hand-made soaps, and potpourri in the future.

With such diverse merchandise at Doo-Dads, there is something that will make everyone smile. Stopping in at this cheerful shop will brighten your day.