The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Riverbend Friends Folkart and Gifts
by: Melanie Sharpe-Lessen, Quill Reporter
Riverbend Friends Folkart and Gifts is owned and operated by three very talented women and true friends; (l to r) Martie Ravenscraft, Deb Pflasterer, and Pam Stimpson.
Martie says the name of their quaint shop is due to the fact they are located at the bend of the river and they are all truly the dearest of friends. They are just like sisters that help each other without asking or question.
Their shop boasts handmade items, from candles, to primitive dolls, to hand-painted signs, stools and pumpkins. They also quilt, sew, and specialize in unique holiday items. They stated that everything in their shop they try to make by hand, no prefabricated or shipped-in items. They try to reuse and repurpose everything they find and state that they get a little too excited at fabric stores.
Their partnership started with Martie and Pam who have "known one another for 31 years even though they are both only 21".
The twosome has always crafted together and has also taught a class on tole painting and folk art painting. Deb became a fast friend of the two and the threesome decided to make their passion a business to pay for the habit. They started selling at craft shows 11 years ago, but it was a lot of work and some of their merchandise would get wounded in the process.
About a year ago they opened their first shop next to The Pink Tavern in Lomax, and now have opened a new location on the corner of Carman Blacktop and Highway 96, in Lomax.
You cannot miss the large sheep that is their sign in front of their newly renovated home they use as their store. The house had been sealed for 35 years and the group bought it and renovated it with the help of Deb's husband, Bob who is a contractor.
In only eight short weeks the group made the house a cozy, beautiful place to visit. When you walk through the door the smells and dˇcor make you not want to leave.
The house itself has quite a history and the girls have happened upon pictures of its construction as well as photographs of its owners, William and Clara Bradford. They even have the original pencil drawn blueprints of the home dated 1934.
The prices of the lovely gifts are very reasonable, especially for the quality and workmanship that are evident in every piece. The three love working together, they love finding an idea and elaborating on it together. Each woman brings her own expertise to the shop. Martie's expertise is her primitive doll making as well as, her candle making. Deb focuses on aplica sweatshirts, and Pam loves stitching and painting.
In the future the store will carry more local artist's folk art work, for now they supply the store with their things as well as handmade dollies from Rosebud Designs, by Rose Johnson of Terre Haute.
The store also participates in the Girls Day Out tour which visits all the local craft stores in the Iowa and Illinois area. The event is Saturday, October 8th and if you miss out on it this time, there will be more events like this possible two or three times a year. Stop and see their shop, you will be happy you did. Their hours of operation are:
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 10am to 2pm
Wednesdays: 5pm to 8pm
Saturdays: 10am to 3pm
From left, Martie Ravenscraft, Deb Pflasterer, and Pam Stimpson