J and L Creative Design

02/22/2026

As we move on in our set building at The Pocket Theater, I want to share the most recent set we built. The set was for the play, "You Can't Take It With You." A comedy that was so fun to think about working with. We built the special bookcase that was used in the set also.

We had the privilege to build a set that was professionally designed by a man who spent his career designing and painting theater sets. His design was revealed to us on a five page architectural design that was hand drawn using mechanical tools. It was daunting to look at this intricate design knowing that we were called upon to follow it to finite details.

We discovered very quickly that Doug Gilpin would become our friend. He gave us tips and tricks in set building and was so easy to work with.

Little did we know at the time, but as we finished the construction phase the director, Claudia Beach, asked if I'd consider acting in the play as Mr. DiPenna and Larry became a part of the backstage crew handling the fireworks.

In typical fashion, after two weeks run of the show, in just two hours, the set was completely taken down to once again reveal a blank stage for the next production coming up.

12/07/2025

Last summer we were asked to build a set for "She Loves Me" at the Pocket Theatre. The show was scheduled for the two first weekends in December. The play is set in a 1930's perfumery in Budapest. We were shown a design for six screens that was traced from screens that was displayed at Henderson College in Conway, AR.

We knew we couldn't cut this design easily and I said we'd have to use a computerized CNC cutter to do it. But the screens were to be 4' by 8' and that would take a very large machine.

Through some research, we found such a machine at our local National Park College. They offered to let us use their machine and collaborate with us to come up with the specifications to accomplish the task.

There were also designs for three custom display shelves and a cash register stand. Since we've built many shelves before we knew we could build what they wanted.

In October we spent two full days of feeding the CNC cutter gave us the 18 pieces we needed to create the six screens. The machine worked beautifully without a hitch! Thankfully.

We built and painted the four display pieces. We spray painted the screen materials which also took us a few days to finish.

Then they needed two medallions with a custom "M" on them. Larry has a laser engraver which was able to cut those out.

The set design had a rear projection that would provide bright colors to show through these "see through" pieces. Lots of beautiful pastel bottles and boxes would display on the shelves. We new it would be beautiful!

Last night, December 5th, we attended the opening night. This beautiful musical would not disappoint! The colors were bright and the actors utilized the set to it's fullest.

11/06/2025

After helping with special projects, the director for "The Haunting of Hill House" asked if we would take on the complete build of his set.

We got his plans and off we went! With two other volunteers to help we completed this set. It required building more trim and some very odd shaped platforms.

The director's wife did the wall painting treatments.

11/06/2025

After Barefoot in the Park finished, we walked in the theater and asked the director for the upcoming Shrek the Musical if there was anything we could help with. She was an accomplished set builder for sure, so we didn't know if we could help or not.

She immediately said, "Yes!" She wanted a rustic bridge that would simulate a "rope" bridge. So after thinking about it this is what we came up with. The director did the final painting on the bridge to make it more rustic.

11/06/2025

One of the first complete builds we worked on at the Pocket Theater was this crazy upstairs brownstone for Barefoot in the Park! A famous movie was created on this play with Jane Fonda and Robert Redford.

One of the challenges on this set was building a 5 foot high walkable bridge behind that large skylight!

11/06/2025

Some recent changes!
We have downsized our booth space at the Central Avenue Market Place. We are now only selling the Readers Digest Book letters that Larry creates.

Design trends have changed so much that our familiar pieces are not at popular as they used to be.

We are now focusing J and L Creative Design on our local Pocket Theater set design and building. Stay tuned for some of our creations.

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07/28/2025

We were given a challenge to sell a headboard. This wasn’t just any headboard, but it was a super ornate antique from a stately home in St. Louis. It had been imported from Italy.

After a time of not selling I decided, okay, like so many times before, I’ll make a bench.

Ot turned out to be gorgeous and it sold.

07/28/2025

We purchased a couple of sets of antique European twin beds. After months of seeing them in our storage it finally came to me.

They could become narrow sideboards. So I built one and it sold while walking it into the mall to sell it. The buyer said it was for a “Bourbon Bar!” Perfect!

Now we’ve made another. With a little more intention we used black laminate for the top and two shelves.

It’s really beautiful and certainly one of a kind.

07/06/2025

We bought two sets of antique Italian twin beds thinking we could surely find something to do with them.

So, after some inspiration, we build this cute little cabinet. I sold almost immediately to a lady who said her husband wanted a "Bourbon Cabinet."

We have one more bed just like this. Hmm. What will become of that one?

07/06/2025

A year or so ago, a friend sent me a picture of a repurposed antique headboard from pinterest. So, I set out to find a headboard like that and we made this sideboard!

It turned out much better than expected!

07/06/2025

A year or so ago, we bought some newly cut cherry wood slabs. We had these metal desk frames from a sale that I thought we could do something with. So, we worked the wood down, glued it up and made this cute little "heavy" solid cherry desk!