Scott Swanson
Kristina Crabtree was getting tired of watching tourists roll right by the Sweet Home Chamber of Commerce at 1575 Main St., which also serves as the city’s Visitor’s Center.
So she came up with a plan to turn heads: a store featuring arts and crafts produced right here in the Sweet Home community.
“I was trying to get traffic in front of this place to stop and look,” said Crabtree, who took over as chamber director three months ago. “I think we succeeded.”
Crabtree and her mom Arlene Paschen, a chamber board member, along with chamber assistant Jenna Schwab, put out the word that they were looking for local artists and craftspeople to provide them with items to sell. They moved the desks out of the chamber’s main room and put them in a side room.
It was a big change, Crabtree said.
“People thought the chamber moved out.”
Then they started building displays.
On display on the chamber’s front walk are elegant metal sculptured chairs created by Mac’s Yard Hearts. A dragonfly that could only be described as winsome was there too, but it quickly disappeared.
“We almost had a fight over that one,” Crabtree said wryly.
On the front porch is a makeshift signboard proclaiming “Gift Galleria now open!” beneath elegant candleholders made by John May, a local metal artist.
Inside the shop are wooden bowls, lamp bases and burls by woodworker Steve Young, paintings by Don Ross, local pottery produced by Gelindo Ferrin, photography by Don Gonzalez, scroll woodworking by Northwest Woodworkers, beaded jewelry by Libby Jameson and antler pens and pencils and other carvings by Moosejaw Woodcrafters.
The store also sells prospecting supplies from Rita Houston, who recently closed her Oregon Prospecting shop, and children’s books by local author Dana Kirk. It also carries more traditional souvenirs, which aren’t all produced in Sweet Home, but bear Sweet Home logos and slogans, but they have to be the real thing.
“It’s limited to Sweet Home items other than novelty items,” Crabtree said.
None of the three had close ties to the local art world, so they searched the Internet and worked the connections they had to come up with stock for the gallery.
Schwab noted that some of the contributors haven’t had much local exposure.
“All these people have been doing their art so long and so many people are oblivious to it. We can showcase talent that’s in this town.”
Crabtree said that once the sign went up and the metalwork appeared in front of the chamber, people started walking in – including artists.
One appeared last week as a reporter visited with the chamber staff, asking about the process to submit work.
Schwab said the store is providing visibility.
“That lady can walk in and say, ‘I make this; can I bring it in?’”
Paschen said the reception has been “excitement.”
“Yesterday we had people in the median trying to cross the street to get here.”
The three said other local gift shop owners have been supportive.
“I think multiple gift shops stimulate interest in that area,” Crabtree said. “If we’re fortunate enough to have (visitors) stop here, we can direct them to the other stores.”
“It stimulates shopping in the area,” Paschen said, noting that one visitor commented “that they like artists who are here year-round, unlike shows and weekend fairs.”
“It doesn’t come and go,” Crabtree said.
“The vendors and shoppers are excited about this,” Paschen added.
Crabtree said the chamber collects “a very small commission” on sales, but the point isn’t to make money.
“It’s all about promoting,” she said.