A trip to Tucson, Ariz., changed Tiffany Kimmet's life a few years ago.
That trip was the turning point that eventually inspired her to open Subtle Verse, a store at 185 Jefferson St. featuring her photographs.
"I've been interested in photography my whole life," Kimmet said. "These are the pictures that got me started with my art shows," she said, pointing to photos taken in Tuscon.
"Ever since then I've been doing art shows pretty much around the Midwest and I've been selling my pictures," she said.
Last fall, Kimmet said she decided to add some Bible verses and inspirational verses to some of her photos.
"In my opinion, they complete the pictures," she said. "I took these pictures not knowing what I was going to do with them."
Fact Box
Subtle Verse was inspired by a long, hard journey of discovery and life lessons. Not everything comes easy, but in the end, the hard work and struggle is worth it and dreams do come true. That's why our motto is "When one door closes, another one opens." You never know what unexpected surprise is through the next door.
- From the Subtle Verse website at www.subtle
verse.com.
But many of them have become the basis for a line of greeting cards she created.
"I take pictures of things that people don't notice," she said. "Things that people will just walk right by. Things that are simple.
"For some reason, I like doors," she said. "When one door closes another door opens, is my store motto."
She also has taken photos of such things as farm animals, vegetables and fruit.
"Odd things that people wouldn't normally take pictures of," she said. "I love old trucks. There's something about the rounded lines."
Kimmet said she never consciously thought about opening a store until recently.
"It happened naturally," she said. "But when I was in fourth grade, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I said take pictures and own my own shop. Somewhere inside, I've always known I wanted to open a store."
That youthful thought became a reality Oct. 12 when she moved into the space next to M.L. Advertising and Design LLC.
She and MLAD owner Mark Levins started talking when she took her photos to be printed.
"One thing led to another, and here I am," she said. "It was an opportunity I had to take. I had nothing to lose."
Kimmet said she studied business at Manchester College in Indiana. "I got there and I really liked it," she said. "They had only two photo classes. I took both of those."
While she lived and worked in Indianapolis, she signed up for continuing education classes on photography.
"I moved to Tiffin seven years ago and pretty much just practiced and did it on my own," she said. "I found my own niche."
Most of her photos are from Tiffin.
"Whenever I go places, I take my camera and if I see something that catches my eye, I shoot it," she said.
Her newest print is called "The Doors of Tiffin," a limited edition of 35 prints featuring various doors in town that have caught her eye.
For December, she is offering 10 percent off her door print and 20 percent off custom framing.
She frames her own work and provides custom framing for customers.
In the future, Kimmet plans to expand on her abilities. "I see me always having a store and always doing art shows in the summer," she said.
She foresees her line of note cards in every store.
"I'm trying to be patient and wait for the right time," she said." I feel that it hasn't happened yet. But it will happen."
Store hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and noon-7 p.m. Thursday. Closed Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
For an appointment, call (419) 447-6528 or e-mail tjkimmet@netzero.com.
