STEVE KAUFMAN | contributing photographer Julie Diehl recently opened Bliss Gallery & Gifts in Westport Village.

Bliss Gallery & Gifts, the five-month-old store in Westport Village, is one of a growing number of shops in Louisville featuring the work of local artists. But one of the artists represented here that you might not find in most other stores is Julie Diehl, the owner.

Diehl, a grand-prize winner at the 2008 Kentucky State Fair, had been showing her oils, pastels, photography and collages at galleries around town for a decade while she freelanced as a graphic designer for the Schneider DeMuth advertising agency. Last fall, she realized her ambition to have her own place, to showcase her work and that of other interesting artists.

The yellow walls, suggesting a sun-splashed Parisian salon, are a perfect backdrop for the collection of original artwork, one-of-a-kind jewelry and other merchandise Diehl has assembled.

“I wanted it to be warm and inviting, but also to have a certain French classiness,” said Diehl, who has just returned from her first-ever Paris trip with photographs she shot now occupying the rear vestibule of the store.

The merchandise includes not only artwork and hand-crafted jewelry but also picture frames, greeting cards, candles, purses, men’s neckties, scarves, furniture and antiques, much of it culled from local estate sales. Though a few of the lines are manufactured, she’s drawn to the unusual and hand-made – like a line of jewelry made with common household items, like typewriter keys.

One corner of the store is devoted to an animal theme, including paintings, plush toys, the Sassy Pet Saks line of bags and her own pet portraits.

“People give me photos of their dogs or cats, or e-mail digital images, and I print them out on a special watercolor paper,” Diehl said. “Then I paint with pastels on top of that and produce a framed, customized piece of art for them.”

It has become a popular item.

“People love their pets,” Diehl said. “I’ve actually had customers in tears when I give them their pet’s portrait.”

Diehl said she likes having her own store as a place to display all the artwork she admires but also as a place to meet and talk to people. Bliss gets women browsers of all ages, some with their kids in tow, and groups of shoppers who are having lunch at Westport Village and spending the day.

“When I hear customers using words like ‘cool’ and ‘unique,’ ” she said, “I know I’m accomplishing my objective.”

Bliss Gallery & Gifts is at 1201 Herr Lane, Suite 150, in Westport Village; call 425-3376 or visit blisscreativegroup.com.