Luci Bell

Fantastic selection for unique gifts in Decatur that are thoughtful and have an upscale «Buckhead» elegant touch. Perfect for sweet baby and kids stuff too.
Attentive service, extremely helpful and professional staff. I had purchased baby clothes elsewhere and had Luci Bell do the monogramming — many fonts and thread color options, quick turnaround, great results and many compliments.
Will return often for picky people on my gift lists. Hello Mother’s Day!

About the Store:
With its grand opening in March, they touted themselves as a boutique offering unique gifts, local art, and antiques. However, this out-​of-​the-​way store boasts multiple jam-​packed rooms of mass-​produced items you could buy anywhere. Selling everything from Lilly Pulitzer, to custom monogrammed tote bags, and baby items bought in bulk — if you need a gift for someone you don’t know well, you can pick up some overpriced kitsch here! But beware of navigational hazards! Try not to bump into any cardboard boxes. And be careful not to slip on the old receipts scattered across the floor.
About Me:
I am an Artist. I have a college degree in painting. I make a living by painting, and selling those paintings. When I heard a boutique was opening and looking for local artists to consign, I saw no reason not to: I’d done well with consignment before, and I had a friend who was already consigned there. In March, I signed a consignment contract for 10 paintings in the care of Janice Grady, the proprietor of Luci Bell.
6 months later (Thursday), after not hearing from her, I stop in unannounced to collect my property. She tells me that she’d «just recently packed up» my paintings, and she was «just about to call». Janice goes to retrieve them, and roots around in 2 – 3 closets before finding and bringing them out: all 10 canvases jumbled together in a GARBAGE BAG. Angry, I left. When I got home, I went to hang them in my studio and realized they were all damaged. Four, beyond repair: scratches across the face, chunks of paint gouged out, paint transfer, and one canvas is severely stretched. I decided that this was best done face to face, with it all laid out in front of her, so she could have the opportunity to do the right thing. In the afternoon of the next day (Friday), I pulled up to her shop with a friend who could help me stay calm (and be a witness). I made sure Janice did not have any customers that I was taking her attention away from, and then I laid it out. Janice candidly admitted there was damage, she didn’t pack them properly, she shouldn’t have stored them in a humid closet for «about two weeks», and that she was sorry.
Since she admitted culpability, I asked what she was going to do to make it right. She suggested that I leave them with her so she could get her brother, who «is an artist», to fix them. I explained that I didn’t need her to «fix» them, and re-​asked my original question. She then offered to try to touch them up herself, because she has some paint and she’s pretty crafty. I pulled out our contract stating she is financially responsible for all damages, up to 60% of the total value of the paintings. She did the math and didn’t like the number. She became defensive. She said I was exaggerating (how can I exaggerate something in front of her?), and that one of the paintings was damaged before. When I presented proof (a pic on my website) that the painting was not damaged when I gave it to her, she started LITERALLY yelling at me. I remained calm. Her final proposal was that she gives me 60% for the damages, but that she keep the paintings.
When you rent a moving truck, you assume financial responsibility for damage incurred while it’s in your care. If it becomes damaged, you owe the truck company money for damages — you do NOT get to KEEP the truck! I told her she was not keeping my paintings for anything less than 100%. She started shouting again and name-​calling until a customer walked in. I was not going to continue this in front of a customer, so I took my paintings and left.
I am a good person. I understand the difficulties of a new and struggling business. I went there to give Janice the opportunity to be a good person, with the hope that she would do the right thing and honor our contract. If Janice had offered a sincere apology, but explained that she couldn’t afford 60%, I would have understood. If she had offered me 40%, or even 30%, to show that she was a responsible business woman who honored the contracts she makes… it would have been over and done with. I deserve compensation for damage to my property, and I am legally entitled to it.
To Other Artists and Consignees:
BEWARE!!! I have since learned that I am NOT the first artist whose work she has ruined and/​or damaged and refused reparations. Even my legal contract did not hold her to her legal obligations. Please let this be a warning to those who might seek to sell in this store. Enter at your own risk!!! I wouldn’t wish this upon my worst enemy. I wouldn’t even wish someone to take advantage of Janice Grady in this way. No one deserves this. Share my story through your own corner of the art community. Keep each other safe!
To Potential Customers:
You can get this stuff anywhere. Please don’t allow yourself or your friends to fund and perpetuate these types of business practices. The world needs more art and beauty and love — not greed and anger and pride.