Lake Highlands is full of interesting, authentic people - there's no doubt about it.

Recently, we just might have come across its four most creative residents, as well.

A group of local ladies, affectionately known as the Creative Chicks, are on a mission. They're all about friendship, creativity and finding new life in old objects.

"Every year we get to re-invent ourselves," says Lisa Johnson, one of the group's members and re-creator of all things vintage.

Whether it's decorative caddies, glass ornaments or jewelry pieces, the creative juices are free-flowing with this group.

"We're all about up-cycling," adds group member Gloria Burson. "We aim to recapture the beauty in old objects, with the goal of breathing new life into them."

Melissa Hood, who creates handmade Christmas trees from broken glass, describes how their group came together.

"All four of us were moms at White Rock Elementary, but our kids were in different grades, so our paths had yet to cross."

"It was actually Katie Fuerst who began calling and getting us together as a group, so that we could bounce around creative, artistic ideas," she explains.

The group became fast friends, as the sharing wasn't limited to just artistic endeavors.

"Working together offers us friendship, lessons in faith, and it's absolutely the cheapest therapy around," laughs Hood.

"We collaborate and share ideas, supplies and creative energy," adds Fuerst, the group's original organizer. "We definitely draw from one another's strengths."

What began as small yearly gathering in her home has now become the annual Creative Chicks Christmas Sale, and for five years it's been drawing other creative friends and neighbors, as well as lots of shoppers.

"Our regular attendees need not worry," says Johnson. "We're not having our annual sale here in the neighborhood this year, but we do have some exciting news!"

As the four friends meet weekly to collaborate and formulate ideas, they occasionally head out on field trips to admire other artists' work and seek added inspiration.

"It was on one of these trips that we came upon a trendy store in the Henderson Avenue area - The Gyspsy Wagon," explains Hood.