Simply Hers September/October 2021

more fabric. Then it hit her: that meant driving all the way to Angola! Having just moved from Battle Creek, Shelly wasn’t yet used to living where there were no dedicated craft stores.

By Melissa McCance

Quality craft supplies come to Coldwater

This event moved her to put out feelers on Facebook asking if people thought Coldwater needed a craft store. Over the next three to four months, the comments poured in and overwhelmingly supported the idea. Unfortunately, when the VanDongens began investigating possible locations, they discovered that it wasn’t financially feasible for them to move forward at that time.

Shelly took a job with the Coldwater Chamber of Commerce and witnessed how the business and economic development staff along with Coldwater Downtown Development were working with local building owners to find ways for new businesses to fill vacant buildings. This helped the VanDongens develop a plan for their own business.

With a lease signing in December 2019, Craft Out Loud! began to take shape. They planned to open in April 2020, but, as happened to so many, the pandemic required a major shift in their agenda. Refusing to be discouraged, they opened the shop with curbside and online service in May and extended to limited capacity in-store shopping in June.

Anyone who crafts with fibers knows that nothing compares to selecting those supplies in person. Not only is there the problem of “iffy” color representation on a computer monitor or smart device, but crafters want to feel the goods. Only by handling the fabric or yarn can you really tell its weight and texture, how it drapes, or how it feels against the skin. And, now that Shelly and Charley VanDongen have opened Craft Out Loud!, crafters in and around Coldwater can do just that!

Article The story content begins by with Halloween of 2016. Shelly was working on New a costume Media Retailer for one of her daughters when she realized she needed

The VanDongens are committed to offering crafters the best quality supplies. Crafting involves a significant commitment of time, and you’ll be happier with the finished project if you start with good materials. Among the product lines you’ll find at Craft Out Loud! are Moda, Henry Glass, Kimberbell, and Benartex fabrics along with Quilter’s Dream batting. Yarn brands include Berroco, Urth, Cascade, King Cole, and Blue Sky Fibers. In addition to fabrics and yarns, Shelly carries Liquitex paints, brushes, Cricut supplies, thread, quilling supplies, interfacing, adhesives, drawing and art supplies, and vinyl to name just some of the goodies you’ll find at this charming shop.

Shelly strives to make every customer’s shopping experience a good one, offering the personalized, friendly

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attention that all good, independent craft stores feature. As a lifelong crafter herself, she loves to talk about projects and looks forward to getting to know the people who visit her store. Shelly is ready to offer project suggestions if you’re not sure what to try next and welcomes the opportunity to help if you have questions about a current project. The beautiful “peacock room” that adjoins the retail area is a comfortable spot where crafters are welcome to gather and socialize.

Craft Out Loud! is located at 67 West Chicago Street in Coldwater. Hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 to 4:00 and Saturdays from 10:00 to 3:00. You can reach them by phone at 517-279-7027 or by email at info@craftoutloudcoldwater.com. The website is craftoutloudcoldwater.com and you can follow them on Facebook for the latest news.

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