Craft business has new location; plans open house

By Shari Friedel

Grant Tribune-Sentinel

Jen Harger’s Crafty Crafts, formerly located on Lincoln Ave., now has a new location, with the purchase of a house on 220 Hancock Ave. in Grant.

Jen owns the business with her husband Trent, who works at Standard Ethanol, and has also recently started his own business in auto body and towing. Trent concentrates on maintenance of the shop and equipment, while Jen handles the sales and printing projects.

The new location gives her three times the square footage that her former location did, she said. It allows plenty of room for children Jaymee, 11, Tinley, 8, Tuf, 7 and James, 4 to hang out after school, or help with the business. Oldest daughter Jaymee loves working with the shipping labels and some of the graphic work. “She is a big help,” Jen said. Tuf, a first grader, helps stock shelves. 

Jen became interested in crafting as a stay-at-home mom, when she began sewing infant car seat covers. After working outside the home full-time for a while, Jen returned to crafting when her fourth child, James was born in May 2018. 

Some of the shop’s offerings are custom apparel, boutique type beanies, hats and decorated tumblers. She also offers virtually any printed material such as business cards, invitations and advertisements. She welcomes anyone wanting to create a t-shirt design to seek her help, and also offers design work and website building, which includes instruction on how to maintain the site.

The shop features state-of-the-art printers, which give the printed material a “zero feel” finish, Jen said. The transfer doesn’t leave a stiff residue, it just feels like the fabric it is printed on, she explained.

Jen learned the process mainly through trial and error, and “lots of Youtube videos,” she said. She also takes advantage of social media groups who are willing to share the ins and outs of the business.

Jen has recently created banners for a local bank, and tablecloths for gun shows and craft fairs. “If it can be printed on, I do it,” she said. She is currently working on junior high basketball warmups and next will be apparel for youth wrestling as well as some Christmas orders. “I love seeing the kids wearing the things I make,” she said. She hasn’t yet found any material that won’t accept a printed transfer, although bumpier material such as fleece may not last quite as long, she said.

With the additional space, Jen hopes to host ladies paint nights that includes children who can play in the basement with the toys, colors and paint she keeps there.

Crafty Craft’s hours are 9-4 Monday through Friday, and Jen can be reached at 352-8356. An open house at the new location is planned for Friday, Dec. 2, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.