New Raleigh craft supply store wants to make crafting a habit
Step into most any locally-owned boutique in Raleigh, and it’s easy to see this city has a thriving fashion industry. From homegrown T-shirts and jeans to more jewelry and accessory lines than we can count, there’s no shortage of fashion made right here in our backyard.
And those makers need supplies — beads, fabric, wire, thread. That need inspired Taylor Lee and Sarah Ferguson to open Craft Habit, a new store in the Gateway Plaza on Crabtree Boulevard that caters to local designers and crafters.
“Taylor and I had been talking for a while about starting a crafty business venture, and when we heard that Ornamentea was closing in early 2016, we realized there would be a need for a new place for the crafters in Raleigh to meet and shop and craft,” says Ferguson. “We both love visiting independent craft stores when we travel, and we wanted the same fun and inspiring space to exist closer to home.”
The shop carries all types of supplies, from paper craft items to sewing patterns, embroidery thread and patterns, and an array of beads and jewelry-making materials. More than just your run-of-the-mill craft store, Craft Habit strives to be a community space for makers to shop, gather and learn.
“We want to inspire new artists by offering materials that aren’t readily available in the Triangle,” says Ferguson. “We also want to use our store as a space to host creative meet-ups. We’ve designed our store to offer work space and meeting space, and we welcome groups of professional and amateur crafters.”
Ferguson and Lee plan to hold regular classes at the shop, in addition to participating in events held elsewhere, such as their regular Handcrafted Night Out. The duo hope to tap into the existing community of designers and makers, while also attracting newbies to crafting to build an environment for creativity and camaraderie.
“We want people to walk in our doors and feel welcome, energized and inspired,” she says. “We want strangers to start talking to each other about crafts. And we hope to spread the love of crafts while teaching craft skills.”
The store is at 2423 Crabtree Blvd. For more, go to crafthabitraleigh.com.
Trunk Show
New pieces from LeVian fine jewelry come to Belk in Cary Towne Center for a trunk show, July 30, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Shoppers can check out rings, necklaces and more made with opals, morganites and other precious and semi-precious stones, plus the company’s signature colored diamonds. For details, call 919-467-5050, ext. 281.