Art for all: New shop forges connections through art

Art was a way to bring people together.

Rickie Long and Beckie Pike were convinced of it. They had both experienced the healing power of creativity in their personal lives, finding a passion in simply “making.” Through their professional lives — Long as a social worker, Pike as a nurse — they also had experience with people struggling.

They had the idea to connect people while allowing them to express themselves.

“We both have a heart for people who don’t have all of the connections they need. Art and the act of making can be very therapeutic, very healing. And I think there is connection made,” Long said. “A lot of people are lonely, a lot of people are hurting. This is a way for them to connect.”

The result has been a den of self-expression in the Center Grove area. Crafts & Creations opened its doors in December, offering a place where area artists can sell their work, local residents can take classes and host private events, and creative types can get a variety of brushes, paint and other products for their own projects.

 

“I’m just having fun, and I hope that they’re having fun while I am,” Pike said.

The story of Crafts & Creations started after Long retired from a second career. She and her husband had always dreamed of owning an antique store, and she was able to secure a booth in Bargersville for about three years.

She was asked to take over a booth selling Dixie Belle Paint products — an extremely popular product among the DIY crowd.

“The more I did it, the more I knew I wanted my own store,” she said.

Long began searching for available space, as well as finding a partner who wanted to join her on the adventure. Pike had taken classes with Long in the past, and expressed her interest in being part of it.

They found an empty storefront that suited their needs, and Crafts & Creations was born.

“We had the same vision and goals, and just kind of fell together in a way where you say, ‘This was what we’re supposed to do,’” Long said.

Together with store manager Susan Odom, they worked to bringing their vision for Crafts & Creations together.

The business has three distinct aspects. People can come in and buy retail items for their own do-it-yourself work, including paints from Dixie Belle and Magnolia Design Co., transfers from Re-Design with Prima and brushes from Zebra Paintbrushes. The store carries 14 different product lines aimed at DIY-ers.

But Crafts & Creations also wanted to feature more reasons to bring people in. Both Long and Pike do furniture refurbishments and other projects, and sell their work at the shop. Other artists feature their goods at the shop on consignment.

Shoppers can find everything from onesies for babies to table runners to paintings.

“We have a really nice network of people who are makers, creators, artists. I love them, what they create, how the pieces come together,” Long said. “Every maker has to have an outlet. You make because you love it, but then you have to have a place to have it go.”

The third prong in the business’ approach is offering a place for people to come and express their own creativity. Already, Crafts & Creations has started hosting watercolor painting classes for beginners and more advanced artists with Dianna Porter, a Johnson County award-winning fine artist, illustrator and teacher.

The have hosted sessions explaining how to make-over old jewelry boxes, decorate vases and make Valentine’s-themed t-shirts. Classes for kids have included creating puzzle art.

They plan to offer special times for caretakers, who can arrange for someone to watch their loved one for a short time while they take some time to relax.

“We have limited time for retail, because we have so much time set aside for private events and private classes. It’s a way to say this space is set aside for you,” Long said.

While reaching out to the general public, the team behind Crafts & Creations have also joined forces with other art-centric businesses in the area to plan events.

They have teamed up with Bella Rose Design, ProArt Gallery, Wild Sapphire Boutique and KJ’s Boutique and Creatives for what they’re calling “Art Adventure.” From Feb. 17 to 26, people can purchase tickets and travel to the five businesses to create a custom garden-themed tiered tray. At each shop, they can make one item to add to the tray.

“We all do different things, so we’re helping each other all get started,” Pike said.

Just two months in, Crafts & Creations has been well received by the community, Long said. They hope that as they become more established and can add more programs, they’ll be able to reach more and more people.

Especially those who need support in their lives.

“We can’t be a throw-away society. Not of waste, and not of people,” Long said.