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In part of the space vacated by the former Bellfair Country Store in Beavercreek, Brenda Warren of Huber Heights has created a paper craft shop.
“I have always been a crafter,” Warren said. “But once I started scrapbooking years ago, I was hooked on paper crafting.”
What the business does: The Paper Cottage opened in August 2012 and is Warren's first business venture.
“We are a paper crafting store,” Warren said. “This includes not only scrapbooking but also card making and home décor done with paper.”
Warren also offers classes ranging from beginning scrapbooking to card-making and shorter “make and take,” classes that feature one small item.
“Whether you are a beginner or a more advanced paper crafter, we have a class for you,” Warren said.
She also offers monthly kits that cost around $10 and include pre-cut items.
“I design the special kits myself and I try to make them seasonal,” Warren said. “In March we have an Easter themed scrapbooking and card kit. These are great for beginners because they are much easier and faster to complete.”
How the business started: About 13 years ago, Warren discovered scrapbooking after visiting a store with a friend.
Warren said she has tried a lot of different crafting mediums, from ceramics to jewelry making to crocheting and knitting.
“I floated from craft to craft until I discovered paper crafting,” she said. “Now I’ve found my passion.”
She quickly became proficient and was asked by a local scrapbooking store to teach classes. But the store she worked at for 12 years closed. Warren already had a large following for her classes so it made sense to branch out on her own.
“There were people driving from other cities to attend my classes,” she said. “My husband said we should definitely give the business a try.”
Future plans: Today Warren and her store mascot, Calvin the little white shih tzu, are welcoming an increasing number of customers.
“We are growing by leaps and bounds each month,” Warren said. “We emphasize customer service. If we don’t carry a product, I will hunt it down and get it so folks don’t have to search around the Internet. “
She also offers “Spot On,” a rewards program that offers discounts to regular customers.
“We are working on our Internet presence and want to allow people to order via our Website,” Warren said. “We also do ‘open crops,’ twice a month. People can make reservations and bring in a project during those Fridays and work on them from 5 p.m.–midnight. It’s a lot of socializing time and also a time for them to get of the house and spend time with friends.”
Contact information: Phone (937) 912-5324 or go to www.thepapercottage.com.
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