North Adams - Crafty Creations may best be described as the little shop that could, and did.

Tripled And Quadrupled

Since opening in the downtown on Eagle Street in June 2004, the crafters showcase has moved to Main Street and more than tripled its' available display space. The shop has quadrupled its' artisan roster; the shop launched with shelves offering the wares of 20 crafters, now over 80 individuals sell their creations at the shop.

The consistent growth is something almost unheard of for a young independent downtown business. The shop's third anniversary will be celebrated in June.

The business opened under the sole proprietorship of Theresa Denault and in 2005, Kathy West was welcomed as a partner. At one point, five people worked as "partners." Mary Lou McKay and Dale Bona have left the business but Denault, West, and Keith Bona continue to work as a business threesome.

"The three of us have the same vision," West said during an interview earlier today. "We can speak frankly to each other, and we've developed quite a wonderful friendship. The friendship is the best part of this whole thing."

The business buzz words are "new" and "unique," West said, and noted that just today, a new jewelry artisan, Janine Wells of Pittsfield, joined the store's crafter list. Wells' jewelry features materials such as coral and polished stones that gleam in turquoise, ivory, and peach-toned hues. One necklace boasts an antique button as a clasp, West said.

"I really think the pieces are beautiful," she said as she examined a collection of just-acquired necklaces and sparkly pins.

Kitchen Space

The shop now hosts a "Kitchen Room" that is accented with an antique gas stove. The Stewart model stove was probably made during the early 1900s, said Bona. The stove does not work but makes a fine display area for a selection of handmade candles crafted to resemble bundt cakes, pies, muffins, and other baked goods.

The new space includes locally-made Desperados salsa and gift baskets, the always-popular homemade mocha sauce, a hazelnut coffee jelly and dessert topping, cookbooks, dishware, glassware. mixing bowls, dishtowels, and more. Store patrons are often enchanted by the room and its' clever displays, West said.

The idea to assemble specific items in a precise area originated with the creation of an infant section, currently sited toward the store's center, West said. The goal was to provide shoppers with a nice vision of crocheted blankets and sweater sets, hand-sewn baby quilts, knitted and needle-worked items, and additional baby and toddler merchandise. The space at the rear of the store seemed tailor-made to house kitchen items, and the antique stove introduced a warm, nostalgic atmosphere, West said.

"We really liked the idea of a kitchen room and the stove just fit in perfectly," she said.

A Permanent Home For The Holidays

Plans for another specialty room are in the works; Bona, West and Denault are devising a design for a "Christmas Room," West said.

"I don't want to get into too much detail but the vision is to have a dark ceiling with the Christmas lights all around and we'd really like to be able to get a train that would go around," she said. "We'd keep it open year 'round, and then our crafters could bring in Christmas items all year. We want to have the design as country but with a twist."

The project is expected to require considerable labor, she said.

"We're not necessarily eager for all the work but we are eager to see it when it's done," she said with a chuckle.

Green Hornets And Purple Cows In Stock

Vendors who've recently joined the Crafty Creations fold include Robin's Glass World. The collection includes stained glass pieces including a "purple cow" made for those who attend or appreciate Williams College and a "green hornet" for those who want to have a token representing the Charles H. McCann technical School.

Other stained glass items include dolphins, flowers, and three-dimensional pieces. The newer artisans share space with popular, established crafters such as a gentleman who makes soy wax candles and those who provide quilts. A line of American Girl doll clothes is very popular, West said.

"It isn't just the success of the store, there is success for the crafters, too," she said. "And we are always looking for new crafters. When we see things that we don't have, we try to get in contact with the crafters."

Cherished

An increasing population is seeking quality handmade items that stand apart from assembly-line, every-one-the-same merchandise, West said.

"People are coming back to wanting these cherished hand-made items," she said. "People want these beautiful things and they appreciate the work that goes into them."

Interacting with customers and crafters is so pleasurable, West noted.

"It all just works so well," she said. "We are so glad to be here."

And the business will very likely remain in the city and a part of the downtown, she said.

"The West family has been in business in the city for years," she said. "The Bona family has been in business and of course the Moulton family [Theresa Denault is a daughter of Robert and Carolyn Moulton]. We're all committed here, to North Adams. I think there is a lot that can be done [downtown], I really do. The summertime beach party [July event on Eagle Street] is always successful and the Mayor's Downtown celebration [held in August], well, that's just a wonderful, wonderful event. When things are going on in the downtown, they are successful. Why would we go anywhere else?"

Information about craft display space or additional store information is available by calling 413-664-4032.

Susan Bush may be reached via e-mail at suebush@iberkshires.com or at 413-663-3384 ext. 29.