Emberglow Handmade opens to sell local handmade goods

Published 10:00 am Wednesday, November 18, 2020

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Emberglow Handmade opened for business on Tuesday with a ribbon cutting outside its Bull Street storefront. The store offers handmade goods from a variety of local artisans.

Owner Nikki Franklin described the concept for the business as an artisan collective that provides a common space for artisans in the area to sell their products.

It will also operate as a gift concierge, where customers who have a gift in mind can consult with the store, which will create a gift or assemble a basket of goods, before delivering or shipping it out.

“This has been a very interesting journey, but it’s worth it. And kudos to all of the artisans,” she said before cutting the ribbon.

In an interview, Franklin encouraged people who want to sell their handcrafted products to get in touch.

“If you do anything at home, if you’re interested in bringing your items in, you set your price, you can always come in and be a vendor,” Franklin said.

Some of the store’s items will be sold on consignment, while other products are bought wholesale. About half of the merchandise is from outside vendors, she said, while the rest are made by Franklin on-site.

Franklin also owns Create a SPARK. The names of both businesses draw on themes of fire.

“When you ignite the fire, you have the charcoal, the color that the charcoal actually puts off, is an ember-like color, which happens to also be my favorite color,” Franklin said.

Franklin hopes her business will help local artisans reach a larger audience and eventually grow their businesses.

“Hopefully, they’ll leave here and then branch off, whatever it is that they do, branch off in a different direction in their business,” she said.

The store is currently stocked with Christmas decorations and holiday-themed gifts, though that will change with the seasons, Franklin said.

The space, located at 130 Bull Street, was formerly occupied by LaGrange Vinyl and Craft Supply. Franklin knew the prior tenant and heard about the vacancy when the vinyl and craft store closed.

“I’ve always wanted to be at a store downtown, and so I’ve been looking for space for quite some time … one thing led to another and within a few days I signed the lease for it,” Franklin said.

Vendors include West Point Essential (soaps, bath salts), H.J. Pags (bags made with repurposed fabrics), Overyonder Candle Co., POTTERY32, MJH Designs/Melissa Howington Art and Victoria Slagle (art).

Emberglow is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.