By Jodi Schwan

Terri Schuver, owner of metal artwork business Prairie Dance Inc. and retail store Sticks and Steel, met Kristen Bangs when the two shared a showroom in Atlanta.

Bangs, the owner of Denver-based Vine Street Distributing Inc., has done business as Spunky Fluff since 2011, producing colorful, artful wood signs and magnets carried in more than 100 U.S. craft and home decor stores.

Wall signs by Spunky Fluff

It became clear, Schuver said, that there would be more opportunities for both businesses if they were managed as one.

“Kristen felt selling was the right thing to do, so I asked what it would take to buy the business,” Schuver said. “It has been a bit like an adoption, with one mother handing her baby to another.”

Schuver, who opened Sticks and Steel at 8th & Railroad Center almost 16 years ago, has carried the Spunky Fluff product line for almost two years.

Production for Spunky Fluff will move to Sioux Falls in early August.

“Our Prairie Dance team is very excited to start producing colorful, creative magnets that will perfectly complement our line of magnetic frames, as well as continuing to create and sell the signature Spunky Fluff wall art,” Schuver said.

“We see tremendous potential to grow this already successful business and feel so privileged that Kristen is trusting us with the product lines she developed.”

Prairie Dance marks its 20th anniversary this year of producing metal artwork and accessories sold in more than 200 stores in 43 states. The Sioux Falls-based production team crafts more than 100 rusted metal designs, including magnetic photo frames, wine racks, memo boards, wall art, sculptures and other home decor pieces.