Welcome
Life with a healthy dose of sprinkles!
Welcome to my never-too-late adventure in paint, wonder & whimsy!
About the Artist
Karen Helenthal
Author. Artist. Fairy grandmother. Distracted dreamer. Creatively crafty. Wish fulfiller. Lover of grace. Living life...with a healthy dose of sprinkles!
At an early age, Karen learned that creativity fueled her passion to fulfill dreams and express her love of art and word. Growing up in Satellite Beach, Florida, during the "Right Stuff" era of the U.S. space industry, Karen is the eldest of 8 children.
She met her husband Don while working at the Dairy Queen during high school. They fell in love and married in 1974. Work brought them to central Florida, where they have called home for nearly 5 decades. They are parents to two sons, Chad and Christopher.
A Heart for Magic
Karen’s professional career spans 40 years of Orlando’s growth and change, beginning with recording studio, production, entertainment, and event management. At the age of 40, she jumped into entrepreneurship for the first time, contracting with Walt Disney World to refurbish, install, and dismantle Christmas decorations across 10 properties at the Disney resorts.
Her passion for writing and all things sparkly led to the launch of her sentimental keepsake ornament line, “Expressions from the Heart,” in 2001.
In 2011, Karen wrote and produced, “Suddenly Seniors the Musical,” for live theatre. The play was performed over two dozen times at the Plaza Live and Winter Garden theatres.
La Dolce Gigi
Now, Karen enjoys the unexpected luxury of time - exploring and indulging in new pursuits. Drawing and painting are her current passions. She enjoys acrylic, mixed media, and watercolors. She is also working on a book, a sentimental Christmas chronicle for recording moments and memories, for release in the near future.
Evelyn, Lillian, Isaac, and Edie are the grands who have brought the magic to this fairy grandmother’s creative perspective. She delights in her role as “Gigi,” thankful for the gift of little lives - sharing time, witnessing the wonder of childhood, immersed in imagination, sewing, baking, and happily consuming this icing-on-the-cake part of life with a healthy dose of sprinkles!
Contact Us
Karen Helenthal Originals
Hours
Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm
Saturday: 10am-3pm
Sunday: Closed
