TECUMSEH — In Heidi Aldridge’s family, she grew up being called “The Crafty Sister.” That nickname was the inspiration for the name of her store at 130 W. Chicago Blvd. in Tecumseh, which opened in December.
Aldridge started her business by having booths at festivals and craft shows, and kept her materials at home. But when she moved into a new home, she found that she didn’t have room to keep her equipment and merchandise at home anymore. Moving into a brick-and-mortar storefront was the best solution for her, she said.
“When I saw [the new location] for rent, it was kind of perfect to have the storefront, still be able to make stuff, and then I could start teaching how to make this stuff,” Aldridge said.
The Crafty Sister carries merchandise that is customized using the sublimation method of printing, Aldridge said. The tumblers she carries come in white or silver backgrounds, and have a special coating that is part of the sublimation method.
Aldridge prints out images on a specific type of paper, using a specific ink and printer, and then uses a heat application to adhere the image onto the item. In addition to tumblers, Aldridge carries puzzles, bows and wind spinners. All of the sublimation items in her store are made on site. She also carries items from other vendors, such as crocheted pieces.
In addition to having more space for her business, Aldridge said another reason she wanted to move into a storefront instead of working from home is so she can offer classes on various forms of crafting as well as carrying merchandise. The first class was a two-hour class in which students learned to make a crocheted hat.
“Our hope is to get everyone to be able to complete a hat by the end of that class,” she said.
Other classes might meet more than once, depending on what type of project will be completed. A list of classes is posted on the window of The Crafty Sister, and on the Facebook page for the business. The cost of the class depends on what is made. All supplies are including in the price of the class.
Aldridge is also hoping to move beyond her knowledge and invite teachers of other craft specialties to hold classes at the store.
“They can really be almost any type of craft,” she said. “If I don’t do it, I find someone who can.”
The Crafty Sister is located at 130 W. Chicago Blvd. in Tecumseh. The store can be reached by email at [email protected], by phone or text at 734-474-2084, or on Facebook at The Crafty Sister. Typical hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., and on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
