With construction on the shop planned for nect year, Piccoli hopes to keep the business going as long as she can. Piccoli’s process of incorporating national artists promotes local access to different mediums, methods and cultural perspectives, enhancing the variety and appeal of Commerce & Craft. If Piccoli liked an artist that she found on Instagram, she’d “poach” the artist to sell through her store-which sometimes involves artists from across the United States. And then as I got going on Instagram, I’d start following artists and … other shops like mine around the country.” Photo: John Taylor “I had a binder filled … and a couple of locals I knew, and that’s how I started the shop. “I’d go to art shows and go around collecting all of these business cards,” she says. Piccoli came across these artists the old fashioned way: business cards. “Everyone thinks it’s a local shop, and I do have a lot of locals, but my intent was always to bring in outside artists because I just think it’s important.” “Everyone thinks it’s a local shop, and I do have a lot of locals, but my intent was always to bring in outside artists because I just think it’s important.” Some of those featured artists include: Queen Bee Creations from Washington, Lost Sparrow Jewelry from Wisconsin, and La Pella Pottery from Tennessee. “… They come from all over the country,” says Piccoli.

The store carries pieces that make wonderful gifts or items you’d like to fill your home with little knit kits, suncatchers, handmade jewelry, vases, clay mugs, bags, games and knick knacks that seem like remnants from childhood.Īlthough at first the shop solely carried Piccoli’s own work, she now has over 70 artists featured in the store. As you enter, you’re immediately met with soothing tunes such as “La Vie En Rose” and warm, sentimental candle scents that make you immediately nostalgic, as if you already miss it. The combined love of craft and a cozy shopping experience is palpable in the shop. “I looked around and I was like, ‘What if I got something that can be both studio and shop?’” “I looked around and I was like, ‘What if I got something that can be both studio and shop?’” Although the studio, Luna Bella, is in the back of the shop and still features some of Piccoli’s work, her focus has moved more toward the store. But the intention with the shop was because I needed a new studio,” she says. “I really haven’t done a whole lot since I’ve opened up the shop to be quite honest. Opened a few years back, Piccoli originally was looking for a studio to work on her stained glass pieces. Commerce & Craft is the retail child of Piccoli and her love of arts and crafts.

Craft and commerce