Starting with a core group of members, and born of a need to have a shop they could call their own, Textures Crafts came to be after a chance comment by one of three creative friends as they visited a small gallery among the shops in Hess Village. Margo Griffith thought out loud “why don’t we open a shop?” Margo and Janne Hackl had been members of both the St. Catharine’s Craft Guild and the Hamilton Artisans’ Guild and asked those members if they wanted to join in to sell their work. In the summer of 1983 Margo Griffith, Janne Hackl, Sharon Beasley, Hillie Bakker and Karen Bottcher each put in $1000 to start. Later, June Barber and Ruth Haig also became core members.
The Evolution of Textures
Textures Crafts had first been located at 30 Hess, followed by a move across the street to 11 Hess at King. By 2000 they were the last shop on the street. Looking for somewhere new to go, and at a fair price, they moved to the current location at 236 Locke St. South.
In the beginning, the crafters sold geraniums, held fashion shows, had knitters, weavers, textile artists, sometimes hooking up with outside people to contribute to the shop and help generate funds. They’d have big garage sales, sold entertainment books, put handouts in the doors of the community… whatever it took to get the word out to generate sales and raise money for store fixtures and other business necessities.
Over time, other artisans joined that core group of members, growing to what is now over 40 members strong.
You can purchase a handmade card for just a few dollars or buy your holiday and special gifts here, too. Textures Craftworks is a great shop to browse and return to frequently, where daily you’ll meet one or two of the many artisans who mind the store.
Hess Street, 1983
THE FIRST TEXTURES STORE – On August 15, 1983, Textures Crafts opened up on Hess Street at George Street, beside the Gown and Gavel Tavern. By November, the shop had 23 local-area artists and artisans all working together to showcase their work. A concept that with a delightful mix of different talents.
Hess Street, 1986
TEXTURES CRAFTS MOVED – A few years after opening the first store on Hess Street, Textures Crafts expanded and needed more room to accommodate the growing selection of artists and artisans members showcasing their work. A great space opened up across the street so we moved.
Locke St. South, 2000
TEXTURES CRAFTWORKS TODAY – In 2000, Textures Craftworks moved to 236 Locke Street South. A large two-room shop, it is where you will find Textures Craftworks today with its more than 45 local artisan and artist members who show and sell their work in this trendy Hamilton neighbourhood.
Textures Craftworks today
Today you’ll enjoy the ever-changing handcrafted items in our Textures Craftworks store on trendy Locke Street South in Hamilton. With a variety of talents, our members create and sell everything from stained glass, fused and diachroic glass, pottery, clay sculptures, jewellry, scarves, clothing, bookbinding, fiber arts, knitted goods and leather goods to art, photography, fine wood working bowls, pens and décor, cards, postcards, toys, local honey and more.
How we work
In a process that continues today, artisans and artists are juried in and accepted into the collective based on their high standard of work and ability to add variety to the shop’s offerings. The storefront environment is great for artists to connect with each other as they share a permanent place to display and sell their work. Being a membership-based collective, a percentage of sales goes to help support the store and there is also a commitment from the artists to volunteer to work in the store to help out and to get a feel for the customers and the neighborhood.