Soon, the two were launching a new online business, based in Centennial, to empower local artists to grow personally in a new direction. They offer multi-cultural greeting cards, stationery, home and garden accessories and gifts.Gina Grier-Townsie, who previously founded a graphic arts company called Grier Design Group, conceived of the idea while she had some extra time on her hands."When I was home on bed rest with my twins, I decided to do something bigger," says Gina. "Something that would impact not just me and my clients but the community."Working with her sister was a natural. "Both of us love beautiful things, we love unique things," says Gina. "And not expensive!" interrupts Pam, laughing.Pam Grier is a performer who first found fame in the 70's. After attending East High School, she left Denver at 18 years of age for Hollywood. Because a friend knew she sang gospel, she landed her first singing gig a week later and soon was starring in "Foxy Brown" and other films. Things slowed down in the 80's, but then Quentin Tarantino cast her in "Jackie Brown," which put her back on the map. Today she's a regular in the Showtime series, "The L Word," and making movies. But Pam loves Denver and having her family close by. She has always preferred living in Denver to Los Angeles. She points out that it's a 90-minute flight, and you can't drive across L.A. that quickly. Plus, she says it's cost-effective, too."Cheaper to fly there than it is to get car insurance in Los Angeles, it really is," she says. Pam and Gina laugh about their childhood together. Gina says she had to chaperone her sister's dates; their mother said Pam could only go out if Gina along. But Gina says there wasn't much direct competition. She was ten years younger, and went to George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, instead of East High. Their brother, Rod, is one of the artists working for Melting Pot Designs. His paintings were featured in Tarantino's "Kill Bill, Volume One."Gina also has created some of the designs, like an earthtone tribal family artwork that's used in holiday greeting cards, selling for about $16. Not all the artists are local."There are a couple of families in Mexico that make these handmade pine needles and nickel baskets...they were a huge hit at this year's Junior League Holiday Mart," says Gina."The clay pots are not just for outside or on your patio," says Pam. "Potatoes and onions in your kitchen are exquisite, plants in the house, rock gardens...it's something you can look at every day and not get bored. That's what I love about it."Gina says she was tired of walking into stores and not seeing things she wanted to buy, or finding them at steep prices in upscale stores.Melting Pot Designs sells handbags starting at $19 and silk photo albums at $23. The line includes journals made out of tree bark, cork and natural leathers, designed for men. Gina is happy to be working with Pam now, and says her famous sister has helped her accomplish more. "It was a challenge in that you really have to try to do things that are creating your own identity," she says. "So it was a challenge, but all it did was make me work harder."
Denver-native hasn't let Hollywood success keep her away from home
CENTENNIAL - A phone call in the middle of the night was how it started. "I'm like, 'not now, Gina'," says actress Pam Grier. But minutes later, she was wide awake, as her sister detailed a concept founded on Colorado art and artists who haven't received the exposure they deserve.
