Crafty owner lands in town with a unique blend of products, services
Debra Nielson had landed in a real street address for her craft business, Ree Creations, the former Against The Grain.
For years, Debra Nielson peddled her crafts at all the familiar places at fairs and other industry gatherings.
But last November she broke with today's trend of shying away from a real live business address and finally landed amidst brick and mortar with the opening of her first shop, Ree Creations in downtown Cheney.
The business occupies the former Against The Grain which was owned and operated by Deb and Brian Anderson and opened in 2013.
"I've been doing craft shows for over a decade," Nielson said. Her wares were seen at shows in the Perry and Garland districts in Spokane, and closer to home for years at the Cheney Rodeo.
"Those are really, really neat communities and fun craft fairs to do," Nielson said, but added having a street address to call home will allow more time for her crafty side to be shown.
Neilson thought for years just what could be the staple of a business. She laughed at the idea of laundromats being pretty much a thing of the past, and, "I don't do hair or nails (and) this kind of rolled together."
What is her crafty niche? Repurposing old and forgotten discarded items - those things most everyone has in a box, closet or drawer - into unique and memorable gifts or keepsakes.
For instance, she makes mittens out of repurposed sweaters. In 2017, Nielson made 376 pairs.
Other custom creations Nielson works on might be taking a relative's quilt to make pillows. "You know, if someone has their grandma's quilt and I'll make what are called cutter-quilt pillows so they have that keepsake," she said.
She also works with jeans and jackets and will do the same thing with silverware, making it into jewelry with real sentimental value.
Among the specialty items and services that Ree Creations offers is instruction in what might be considered a lost art - knitting. "Knitting is making a huge comeback," Nielson said. "I've been knitting since I was like eight. You want to learn how to knit, come on in?" she added.
Prospective knitters will get instruction from an expert, but they will have to do so while Nielson runs the store.
Things have been going well, Nielson said, with a lot of that due to the fact that she took over an established business and "I had the luxury of (just) walking into," Nielson said.
Even though there is a new name, and management, not a lot has changed Nielson said. It has Nielson's own flavor, she said, and adds local artists' work.
The hybrid spelling of the business name has special significance.
As the transition was taking place, Nielson said there was an effort from previous owners to encourage her to come up with a novel name for the business.
"At one of our little gatherings on how were going to make this all work," Nielson explained. "Brian looked and me and said, 'What's your middle name?" Nielson said it was Ree, after her grandmother, Virgie.
Deb Anderson suggested Ree Design and husband Brian offered, Ree Creations. "That's it," Nielson said, who went on to say she promptly called a girlfriend. "She went into the bathroom, grabbed a paper towel and drew up a logo," and that was the start.
As a memory of Grandma Virgie, Nielson said she still has her old Singer sewing machine that sits on a shelf. "It was the first machine I ever sewed on," she said.
Nielson was born in Duluth, Minn., but moved to, and lived for a significant part of her life in Longmont, Colo., just north of Denver. Her move to Cheney took place 28 years ago when a career opportunity took the family from Colorado.
Paul Delaney can be reached at pdelaney@cheneyfreepress.com.
Reader Comments(0)