Crafter’s Co-Op: Little shop with a big heart

(Wylie – January 2, 2013) Since marrying in 1999, Dwight and Terry Lancaster dedicated their lives to service. It started with founding Bethesda Nursing Home Ministry and led up to the 2011 opening of the Crafter’s Co-op store in historic downtown Wylie.

Crafter’s Co-op provides a retail outlet for the creative works of about 90 crafters, many of whom support ministries, service work – and sometimes, their families – with their crafts.

Robyn Bray makes pillows and blankets to support her Faith Like a Mustard Seed ministry. Robyn said since fall, 2010, kids of all ages (birth – teen) and families alike have been serving the Lord in fun, creative, even educational ways.

Faith Like a Mustard Seed participated in more than 75 projects in just 22 months, including making 1,675 sandwiches for the homeless. Proceeds from Crafter’s Co-op sales (and outside donations) are used to purchase sandwich ingredients for the Soup Mobile and other service project supplies.

“Terry gives us a place to earn money and also help spread the word about our mission,” Robyn said. “Everything seems to work out; you definitely can see God’s hand in it all.”

Stories like Robyn’s moved Dwight and Terry to open Crafter’s Co-op. While working with crafters at First Baptist Wylie, Terry heard many stories of people supporting ministries and even their families through their creative works. It touched Terry’s heart, especially because her handmade crafts supported Bethesda Nursing Home Ministry.

Terry and Dwight funded all of Bethesda’s activities themselves. To do so, Terry started Gifts by Thee and Me and wholesaled gift items to church bookstores.

“That is when I first began serious crafting and if I was not hosting an activity at one of the homes, I was making and selling my line of gifts to our church bookstore,” she said.

In 2011, Debra, the Missions Pastor Assistant at First Baptist Wylie asked Terry to start craft classes at the church. There, Terry heard different people talking of layoffs, medical debts due to loss of insurance, salary cuts, skyrocketing costs of groceries and gasoline and their struggles to make ends meet.

On a drive home from East Texas, Terry began formulating a plan for Crafter’s Co-op: an avenue for crafters working to contribute to their family income during this downturn.

“I had scripture from Proverbs 31 that kept running through my mind: ‘she seeks wool and lax, and willingly works with her hands. She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar…she makes linen garments and sells them….Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.”

“Through much prayer, there would be gently nudging to call someone, go someplace, etc. and each time I would find exactly what I needed,” Terry said. “All doors were open before we got there and our heads were swimming with the realization of how fast the Lord works when you follow His lead!”

By fall 2011, Terry and Dwight opened Crafter’s Co-op in the Q Building in historic downtown Wylie. Terry says five words pretty much describe the shop: A place where friends gather. The tiny little shop (with the big heart) is now home to more than 90 crafters!

Many crafters support different causes and ministries close to their hearts. Other crafters are entrepreneurs gaining real life experience in the business world.

Twelve-year-old Abbey Clements designs purses and fashion accessories which she makes and sells in Crafter’s Co-op. Interested in in fashion since she was seven, Abbey began designing at age nine.

“It’s so much fun to make and decorate purses and accessories to coordinate with outfits!” Abbey said. “I love making jean purses; it’s cool to recycle them into something useful! They’re my biggest seller.”

From the youngest entrepreneurs to those called to serve, Crafter’s Co-op provides a lifeline of community support – not to mention, a great place to find gifts for friends and family and treats for yourself.