May 13 , 2021 The Beacon • 3

By Tara Gracyk

Sometimes dreams really do come true , and this time Jennifer Hostetler ’ s dreams are . Hostetler has spent most of her life working with her hands . She started crafting when she was a child with the help and encouragement of her mom and grandma . Then as an adult , she worked jobs at places like Longabarger ’ s and Ansell Edmont ’ s .

However , when COVID- 19 hit last year , Hostetler decided it was time to pursue a passion she has had all of her life , a passion for creating and being her own boss .

Hostetler , who purchased a new Cricut machine around Christmas , had fun making items , watching videos and trying to make what she saw others create . She began posting her creations on Facebook and was shocked at all of the comments and questions she received asking her if she sold her items and if people could place orders . By Feb . 1 she had started her business under the name Crafty Creations and began looking for space .

Hostetler and her friend , Tiffany Waldren , another crafting enthusiast , began brainstorming about places to rent and how they wanted to run the business . After all , they had talked about starting a business for many years . By March 3 Hostetler had obtained the keys to their present location in Roscoe Village . It was during this brainstorming time that Hostetler chose to name the store The Crafty Mercantile .

The Crafty Mercantile , 416 N . Whitewoman St .,

Tara Gracyk Laurie Dunfee , left , Tiffany Waldren and Jennifer Hostetler .

across the street from Medbury Marketplace , had a soft opening on Monday , May 3 , and its grand opening took place Saturday , May 8 .

“ It ’ s been a little overwhelming to see my dream being fulfilled ,” Hostetler said . “ My mom was always encouraging me , even as a child , with my craft making , and she has since passed , but part of my inspiration is the feeling of her now pushing me forward in the pursuit of this dream .”

Hostetler expressed her appreciation for the business owners in Roscoe being so welcoming and nice . Likewise , she said her husband has been a huge support and so have her friends . As a matter of fact , Waldren created the The Crafty Mercantile sign hanging on the wall behind the register and gave it to Hostetler as a grand-opening gift .

Experiencing her dream coming true has Hostetler feeling excited and optimistic and makes her want

to inspire and make it possible for others to pursue their dreams too , so she will display her creations in one section of the store and allow other vendors to rent booths and sell their items in other sections .

Some of the other vendors will be Waldren with Tiffany ’ s Country Crafting and Laurie Dunfee from Laurie ’ s Vinyl Designs & More . Wreathy Pieces will be upstairs , as will other vendors . In addition , there may be space for even more vendors , and interested people should contact Hostetler . There will even be The Kids Crafting Corner , where children crafters can sell their items .

“ Right now we have three kid crafters who have items in the kids corner ,” Hostetler said . “ Our store is friendly , open , honest and one of a kind , and one of our goals is to help the young get started both in crafting and in having their own business .”

Some of the items customers will find in the store are snow globe tumblers , shirts , earrings , wristlets , glitter pens , crocheted towels , hand-painted home décor signs , string pot holders , bracelets , vinyl signs and wreaths .

According to Hostetler , almost 100 % of the products being sold are handmade , and most are able to be personalized . Custom orders also are being accepted by some of the vendors .

“ Most of our items are one of a kind , meaning there are not duplicates unless it ’ s a special order ,” Waldren said .

“ Products may change a little bit with the seasons ,” Hostetler said . “ We will have Americana items during part of the summer and then switch some items out for fall and Christmas . We also plan to have pop-up events like Christmas in July and a Ladies Night Out Paint and Wine , to name a few .”

The Crafty Mercantile will be open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a . m . to 5 p . m . Presently , the business can be found on Instagram , Facebook and by doing a Google search . Hostetler is working on obtaining and creating a website .

“ We ’ re flying by the seat of our pants ” has been the motto of the two business partners since February . While it has been a wild ride so far , Hostetler said , “ I ’ m looking forward to meeting new people , seeing old faces , and seeing where this goes and how it grows .”

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