Posted: 1/18/06
By Patrick Tepoorten
One reason people like craft fairs so much is that they tend to encourage big ideas. Suddenly, a wayward crafter might figure out how they could use that extra lumber, or the leftover lace from their granddaughters home-made wedding dress. In the case of Isantiís Robyn Krohn and North Branchís Marsha Marcussen though, the big idea was to create a place for others to display their big ideas.
And thus, ìFront Porch Boutiqueî was born, offering local crafters a place to display their wares year-round. The SandGardenís Tracey Brewer makes home-made soy candles, soaps and body wash products. Bear Town Friendsí Cheryl Vadnais makes gift tags, bags, and cards, and will also do custom orders.
The Beaded Angelís Cheri Dougherty crafts hand-made jewelry with Swarovski Australian crystals, and will also do custom work. Playful Creationsí, Natalie Hokanson, does hand-made gem stone jewelry as well.
Rustic Relicsí Tracey and Danielle Wilcox, have an entire room full of items described as ìprimitive decor.î And StarGazer Gardensí Scott & Dawn Kohnen offer home and garden decor and gifts. If bringing the crafts to you is preferable, Stargazer Gardens is also available for home parties.
To celebrate the Jan. 7 opening of Front Porch Boutique, Marcussen and Krohn are holding Spa Day on Jan., 29. Visitors can enjoy a 15 to 20 minute chair massage from a licensed massage therapist, a facial, micro-derm abrasion, and a free consultation from a Mary Kay consultant to create a new look.
Looking a bit further down the road, Front Porch Boutique also expects to have specialty baskets prepared for both Valentines Day and Easter.
Front Porch is still looking for additional talented local crafters to take part in the endeavor. They offer both a consignment option as well as space rental for larger entrepreneurs. ìOur goal is to make it work for everybody involved,î said Krohn.
Front Porch Boutique is located at 6599 Main St., in downtown North Branch. Hours of operation are currently 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Call Krohn at (763) 444-3910 for more information on Front Porch Boutique.
©ECM Post Review
6448 Main Street
North Branch, MN 55056
Telephone: 651-674-7025
Fax: 651-674-7026
E-mail: editor.postreview@ecm-inc.com