The Art Studio of Gloria Heifner

01/17/2026

Here is a fun way to learn about women's history.

Women’s HistoryPlunge features women who helped shape U.S. history. From groundbreaking pioneers to unsung heroes, these women have made lasting impacts in business, activism, law, and leadership to art, sports, science, and beyond. You can play countless games with this set of cards: some are fas...

11/29/2025

11/29/2025

TOMORROW is the only day to shop these gently used tools. Message me for info. In person shopping only!!!!!

11/28/2025

Another small business located inside Ugly Glass & Co. is Lily Rose Candles. Lily’s candles have been making our shop smell delightful for many years now!

Lily Rose Candles is named after Lily and her lovely mother, Rose, whom has burned candles ever since she was a wee child.

Her inspiration comes from nature, “where I do my best and most clear thinking. Quality, clean ingredients in my soy candles, and aromatherapy products are most important! I take great pride in our small batches where I can give each product some personal love ❤️ & creativity.”

Lilys Candles can be found on the first floor at Ugly Glass & Co. as well as other stores across the metro area and on etsy. Check out her page for more info: https://www.facebook.com/lilyrosecandle

11/27/2025

✨ Vendor Spotlight: West Bottoms Underground ✨

Today I’m excited to introduce you to one of our talented vendors, Sam LaSala — a name many of you may recognize, as his wife Lily LaSala is also part of the UG & Co. family.

Sam has been creating art for as long as he can remember. What started as a childhood passion grew into a lifelong creative path, strengthened even further during college where he took every opportunity to explore and refine his artistic skills.

In 2016, Sam and Lily took a leap and opened a booth in the West Bottoms. Sam began incorporating his original artwork into their space, and from that spark, West Bottoms Underground was born.

His work soon expanded into screen-printed art, allowing him to bring his illustrations to life on shirts, prints, and paintings. That blend of traditional creativity and modern techniques has become a hallmark of his brand—fresh, distinctive, and instantly recognizable.

Every piece Sam creates carries emotion and story, drawing people in with its energy and authenticity. Today, Sam and Lily have two spaces in the West Bottoms, including a spot on the first floor here at UG & Co., plus their work can be found in shops all across the Kansas City metro.

If you’d like to explore more of Sam’s art, check out West Bottoms Underground online:
Instagram:
Etsy: WestBottomsUndergrnd

11/27/2025

Spring Encaustic Workshop registration is now open on my website!
Head on over to learn more or register: https://amandajolley.com/workshops/

11/27/2025

Some kids eagerly hug everyone at holiday gatherings. Others feel uncomfortable with physical affection, especially from relatives or family friends they seldom see. Both responses are valid. These moments offer a chance to teach children an important lesson about body autonomy: you don't owe anyone physical affection. To learn why experts say this matters, especially for girls -- and how to navigate it with family -- visit https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=21616

To start teaching children -- girls and boys alike -- from a young age about the need to respect others and their personal boundaries, we highly recommend "Let's Talk About Body Boundaries, Consent, and Respect" for ages 4 to 7 at https://www.amightygirl.com/body-boundaries

For older kids, check out the excellent "Consent (for Kids!)" for ages 6 to 10 at https://www.amightygirl.com/consent-for-kids

There is also a charming picture book about a young lovebird who learns there are many ways to show that you care, "Rissy No Kissies" for ages 3 to 7 at https://www.amightygirl.com/rissy-no-kissies

For more books for young children that establish an early foundation of respect for personal boundaries and bodily autonomy, visit our blog post "Body Smart, Body Safe: Talking with Young Children About Their Bodies" at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=11069

Thanks to Safe kids, thriving families for sharing this image!

06/08/2025

Dr. Virginia Apgar, the pioneering anesthesiologist who was born on this day in 1909, invented a simple yet revolutionary tool that has helped save the lives of countless infants around the world by helping doctors quickly assess the health of newborns to determine if they need medical intervention. To read the inspiring story of the Apgar Score inventor -- who once declared "Nobody, but nobody, is going to stop breathing on me" -- visit https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=15378

For an inspiring chapter book telling her story, we highly recommend "She Persisted: Virginia Apgar" for ages 6 to 9 at https://www.amightygirl.com/she-persisted-virginia-apgar

Virginia Apgar's story is also told in the picture book "She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World" for ages 5 to 9 (https://www.amightygirl.com/she-persisted), "Girls Think of Everything" for ages 8 and up (https://www.amightygirl.com/girls-think-of-everything), and "Trailblazers: 33 Women in Science Who Changed the World" for ages 10 and up (https://www.amightygirl.com/trailblazers-33-women-in-science)

For teens and adults, she's also featured in the books "Bold Women of Medicine" (https://www.amightygirl.com/bold-women-of-medicine) and "Headstrong: 52 Women Who Changed Science – And The World" (https://www.amightygirl.com/headstrong-52-women)

For children's books about more trailblazing women of science, visit our blog post "60 Books to Inspire Science-Loving Mighty Girls," at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=13914

To encourage your Mighty Girl's love of science at every age, you can find many empowering science toys and kits in our blog post "Top Science Toys and Kits for Mighty Girls" at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=10528

05/15/2025

Voters will likely see the issue on the ballot in 2026.

05/15/2025

The legislation repeals the entire earned sick leave portion of Proposition A as well as a portion of the minimum wage increase. Only one Republican joined all Democrats in voting no.