MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio -- With the vast majority of fall and winter craft shows canceled due to coronavirus concerns, patrons of the seasonal shows are struggling to find unique holiday items. Meanwhile, the artists behind the products are contending with a significant loss in revenue.
Handmade Treasures -- a pop-up holiday craft shop in Middleburg Heights -- hopes to bridge the gap by connecting crafters and customers.
Handmade Treasures offers one-stop shopping for items from more than 50 crafters, seven days a week.
The shop, located at 6879 Southland Drive, opened Nov. 1 and runs through Dec. 30, with the exception of Christmas Day. Store hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays.
Best friends Mira Patel, left, and Bella Kufner, both from Middleburg Heights, pose with a few of their beaded keychains. The young crafter-philanthropists will be donating proceeds from sales of the keychains to the Middleburg Heights Food Pantry. (Photo Courtesy of Roxanne Harmuth)
The business is the brainchild of Brook Park residents Cyndi Brunnet and Roxanne Harmuth, both experienced crafters. Frustrated by the cancellation of Ohio craft shows and sensing an opportunity to fulfill the dream of owning a craft store -- sans the daunting long-term commitment -- the pair set up shop and began contacting fellow crafters they have befriended while working 50-plus shows a year.
“This is going to be a win-win for everybody,” said Brunnet. “People want an opportunity to get out. People want to shop. People love handmade items, and it provides a venue for vendors that can’t do shows.”
The Facebook page for Handmade Treasures provides a sneak peek at many of the items for sale, including lighted garlands, stone cutting boards, purses, acrylics, blankets for pets and kids, doggie treats, button crafts, wool applique, wood crafts, gift baskets, macrame, holiday-themed items and much more. Creativity and diversity are hardly in short supply.
Some of the more distinctive items come from Brunnet and Harmuth. Brunnet forges jewelry from bullet “slices,” gathered at a local shooting range, with all proceeds benefiting an area animal rescue foundation.
She also creates pet snuffle mats, teacup bird feeders, lanyards, key fobs, “diaper babies,” buttons sporting messages designed for individual buyers and fabric memory boards.
Harmuth creates distinctive table runners, aprons, bracelets made from baseballs, pinecone baskets, yard art, hair scrunchies, masks and various types of upcycled clothing.
Although more than 50 crafters will showcase their wares, two in particular stand out from the crowd.
Mira Patel, 9, and Bella Kufner, 11, are best friends from Middleburg Heights. The young crafters' beaded keychains will be for sale at Handmade Treasures. All proceeds will be donated to the gifts-for-kids program, a service of the Middleburg Heights Food Pantry.
With most craft shows canceled, enthusiasm for the pop-up shop has been through the roof. According to Brunnet, “We had to jump through hoops to get this going. Nobody wanted to do a short-term lease. We were very fortunate to find this space, and the response has been amazing!”
Local residents, workers involved in setting up the 3,200-foot shop, delivery drivers and various well-wishers have not only expressed interest in the multifaceted shop, but also pushed for a continuation into 2021.
The business has recently been trending on social media. In addition, the schedule, featuring weekdays as well as weekends, should appeal to shoppers who typically work Saturdays and Sundays.
The 50-plus crafters are equally excited to reconnect with customers and more than willing to forgo setting up and tearing down on a regular basis. The enthusiastic crafters will each volunteer a certain number of hours, thereby ensuring a knowledgeable artist will be on hand to address questions most days.
Although Brunnet is thrilled the shop is garnering attention, she remains practical. The pair are discussing a spring pop-up shop, though the veteran crafters intend to scrutinize the business climate -- which will likely be impacted by coronavirus -- before making such a commitment.
Although one-of-a-kind items should provide plenty of incentive for a trip to Handmade Treasures, Brunnet and Harmuth point out that many of the crafters, while remaining passionate about their creations, rely on the seasonal income to pay end-of-year bills, cover costs for kids involved in extracurricular activities, help those in need and generally contribute to the economy of Northeast Ohio.
Concludes Harmuth, “When you support a small business, you are supporting a dream.”
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