SWANSEA — Now more than ever, handmade goods crafted in an entrepreneurial spirit are popular. Online marketplaces for homemade items have flourished in the last few years, allowing startups to develop a rapport with consumers, delivering orders straight to their doors.
But specialty gift shops that strive to alleviate the risk small-business owners take in overseeing production, marketing and distribution are quickly becoming an attractive option.
After one year of business, Rita Carreiro is offering shoppers and local vendors the experience of a brick-and-mortar shop — Artisans Alley . Tucked in Milford Plaza at 544 Milford Road, Artisans Alley is home to a plethora of vendors whose artisanal goods range from printed pillows and crochet blankets to 3D printed items, jewelry, and hand-mixed skin care products.
Who’s shopping at Artisans Alley?
Shoppers of all ages sail through the door, Carreiro said, especially if they're on the hunt for a token to remember a friend, a little something to appreciate a coworker, or a favor to celebrate a relative with.
“It’s a great shop for birthday, baby shower and Christmas gifts,” she said.
Kids are keen to seek out 3D-printed products, among them “fidget” gadgets and keychains recognizably shaped link-by-link into colorful creatures.
Pillows, crocheted goods and crystals are a hit among folks confident in what or for whom they’re shopping. Carreiro said she specializes in custom orders. Among her best-sellers are customized ornaments and sublimated epoxy tumblers, not to mention laser engraving services that are often requested.
“We can put a family’s photos on a tumbler,” Carreiro said, a feature of her business that undoubtedly rivals a peak in reusable cup sales.
How vendors join Artisans Alley
Local vendors in Swansea and surrounding towns can reach out to Carreiro and gain approval to rent space in the shop for a reasonable price. From there, it's up to the vendor to stock the shelves with their goods, explained Carreiro.
While in-store sales have long involved a different model of customer engagement, here they outpace online sales in that customers can interact with appealing products. When buying gifts, the guesswork of wondering about dimensions, scents, textures, or other preferences is off the table.
What's the busiest season at Artisans Alley?
“Christmas,” Carreiro said. “People come in for the perfect gift.“
When asked what the most rewarding moments are in running her shop, she recalled: “Helping other people get out there. Meeting new people.” A supportive network and visibility among local entrepreneurs have long been touted as ideal when it comes one’s budding business.
On Sunday, nearing the anniversary of the shop's first year of business, Carreiro said she admires the craft of various artisans and the entrepreneurial creativity her shop displays.
“I call this place the shop of never-ending creations.”
Getting involved is simple
Young crafters have found special success with Artisans Alley. In a highlighted cabinet front and center, next to where mementoes flaunting Somerset ZIP codes and mugs printed with "Entering Fall River" rest, one of Carreiro’s youngest entrepreneurs sells bandanas for dogs, with a dollar of every sale going to local animal shelters.
And, if crafting isn’t in the cards, Artisans Alley invites beginners to attend periodic pottery and crochet classes offered by several of their established vendors.
All interested are welcome to make an inquiry.
“Just reach out,” Carreiro said, adding that word-of-mouth has always been reliable when welcoming new artisans in.
Visit it s Faceboo k page for more information, including opening hours.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: 'Shop of never-ending creations': Entrepreneurs find success in Swansea's Artisans Alley
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