Now, I’m not the type to D.I.Y. (my husband is the doer of home-made chicken stock in our household), but after a recent walk-by to Rowan Homespun Market, I left so inspired that I almost signed myself up for a kombucha-making class (PS: it was full). What came over me? It may have been the clean, French country aesthetic (white painted floors, vintage furnishings paired with worn-wood accents), or the delightfully, super-friendly and welcoming owner, Dominique Del Cor.
Just a few pretty things as soon as you enter the store. You can even buy a picnic basket to haul all your artisanal goodies away in.
Described as an artisanal apothecary, Dominique stocks her shelves with handcrafted goods, holistic skincare, local home-grown preserves and vintage finds. A few noteable faves: handcrafted ceramic speckled bowls by Toronto-based potter, Hinkleville, handmade, screen-printed bread bags (they keep bread fresh for longer!) from Christine Pensa, another locally-based artisan, and Dominique’s own holistic skincare line called Wildwood. Made from herbs and flowers found on her family farm in Niagara, Wildwood products are all natural with no artificial fragrances (check out the lip balm and body butters—seriously, they smell amazing!). Leaving the store (I swear it gives off happy vibes) I suddenly had the urge to D.I.Y. my own cleaning products (BTW: Rowan Homespun Market has a class for this).
This type of homespun retail concept isn’t a new one. Buying local has become a trend that we hope, lasts. What’s even better is that these mash-ups of local market/décor/workshop boutiques offer something for everyone: made-with-love gifts for a hostess, sister, even mother-in-law.
Hey Rooster General Store, an artisanal shop in Nashville gives off the same positive and happy touchy-feelies as Rowan. Founded by Nashville native Courtney Webb, she’s no newbie to hawking her wares, having honed her selling skills in New York where she used to design her own line of jewellery and accessories. The shop boasts small-batch food like blueberry bourbon jam and honey wheat brew bread, tea towels made from flour sack cotton and fennel-orange soap—all made by artisans in the neighborhood, and across the U.S.Similar to Rowan, Hey Rooster also offers crafting workshops. With homespun and D.I.Y. on the rise, what’s a girl to do? Feel damn proud when you buy something locally made, whether it’s where you live, or afar. Or, maybe just sign up for that fermenting class.
More purveyors of homespun fare…
Los Angeles County Store, Los Angeles, California
Homespun: Modern Handmade, Indianapolis, Indiana
Reservoir and Wood, Beacon, NY