May our sun catcher brighten your day!
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About Us

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Our business started in 2003 with 3 designs: Faith, Hope and Charity. Since then we’ve added Love, Cherish, Mankato, Liberty & Glory, the Birthstone Series, Holiday Series, Special Occasions and Mini Sun Catchers. Many more designs are planned for future release.

“What a day brightener!” my friend said with delight when I gave her one of my beaded sun catchers. While I had always marveled at the glimmers of light dancing arouond my dining room from the designs I’d hung in our windows, it was then that I realized I wanted others to enjoy my sun catchers too. So began the vision of Minnesota Sno Flakes.

ABOUT THE BEADS & CRYSTAL

The Czech Republic/Jablonic/Northern Bohemia area has been known for
glasswork since the Bronze Age. Perhaps it was the sight of snowflakes gently
hitting window panes during the long winters that first inspired the mountain
people of Bohemia to make glass beads. Cut off from the rest of the world for
months at a time, they would hoard glass rods throughout the year in order to
produce the shining beads over the course of their long winters. With the
sparkling reflection of the Czech beads in this Minnesota Sno Flake, one can still
imagine a cold winter night where snowflakes fell, one by one, covering the
mountains with their icy beauty.

A brilliant Swarovski Austrian Crystal is set in the center of our snowflake.
Bohemian immigrant Daniel Swarovski founded this family business in the
Austrian Alps in the 1800s. Famous for the exquisite cut stones, collectable
figurines and optics, Swarovski Crystal is considered the finest in the world.

FROM THE ARTIST, JANE LAVEN

I grew up on a farm near Gaylord, Minnesota, and have lived in Mankato since
college. Life after graduation traveled on many paths, from factory work, to
craft store owner, ministry outreach and work in the school district. Wife of
Roger and mother of Aaron, I also enjoy Biblical research, baking, camping, my
garden and of course designing and making Minnesota Sno Flakes™.
“What a day brightener!” my friend said with delight when I gave her one of my
beaded sun catchers. While I had always marveled at the glimmers of light
dancing around my dining room from the designs I’d hung in our windows, it was
then that I realized I wanted others to enjoy my sun catchers too. So began
the vision of Minnesota Sno Flakes™ early in 2003.
I am very grateful for the family and friends that have helped make this a
reality: In the beginning Ruth spent many hours with me beading and planning.
My sister Lorie’s graphic design talent is the inspiration behind the logo, print,
and packaging. My brother David does most of the wire cutting. He and our
sister Judy join me and a group of friends and family as we solder the wire
frames, and assemble and package the Sun Catchers.
We miss the company of our parents Ira and Dorothy. They were supportive in
the vision that made Minnesota Sno Flakes a reality.