“To give thanks to our customers, we take an opportunity in November to do something special for them,“ says Pat, owner of Artes & Craft. “We host our Psychic & Wellness Fair on the Saturday following Thanksgiving, and it is the only type of this event in our area. We enjoy the sense of community and camaraderie that it creates, showing that it’s not just about shopping here, but learning about oneself through divination and researching natural products.”
Artes & Craft sits on Red Arrow Highway in Hartford, and showcases an immense variety of wares, books, spiritual items, and a massive apothecary. Paul and Pat have been offering their kindness and pagan expertise to Southwest Michigan since 2016, and have gained an abundance of customers and vendors, and even more friends.
“Small Business Saturday is an important event for us every year,” Pat says. Like every local entrepreneur, mom + pop shops thrive on the frequent patronage of locals, online shoppers worldwide, and support from other local businesses. Artes & Craft takes pride in having an active role in their community, using their voice to promote and encourage events and happenings in Southwest Michigan.
“As members of the greater community, we are sponsoring a tree at the North Berrien Historical Society in Coloma for their upcoming holiday events,” Pat says. “Our tree will be on display after Thanksgiving, and is called Gnome For The Holidays.” The Holiday Open House at the North Berrien Historical Museum is Dec. 9th, 10th, and 11th, with games, music, Santa, gingerbread house decorating, and Holiday Kids’ Carnival on Sunday. Attendees will be able to vote for their favorite decorated tree.
Artes & Craft is also collecting toys for ‘Toys For Tots’ this year. “Lakeshore Toys For Tots is local, which means any toys donated go directly to our local kids. If you are able, please bring unopened and unwrapped toys and put them in our collection box,” says Artes & Craft. Collection will take place through December 17th.
The holidays are a time for giving, for reconnecting, and for presence. During this time of year especially, take a chance to support the ‘little guy’; the businesses that give back locally, the businesses that keep their customers well-being in mind.
The Psychic and Wellness Fair on Saturday, November 26th, begins at Noon and lasts until 5:30 p.m, and will host a wide range of vendors and artisans, including eats by Lupe’s Tamales. Tarot readings will be available by many, many readers, like Silver Phoenix, Baba Teddy and Kate Henriott-Jauw, Obie and Banshee from Tarot For Today, Lo Kat, and Amber Ferrebee. Miranda, a master in the kitchen, will be selling syrups and tinctures prepared from expert foraging from the forest, and The Poisoner’s Apothecary will have a representative present to explain plant magic, and how it is used in the jewelry and pendants made by Coby.
Artes & Craft hosts a plethora of events throughout the year, like seasonal sidewalk sales, and the ever-popular Pat Fest, and coming up, the Witches of West Michigan Meet-Up networking event this Saturday, and the Holiday Artisan Craft Fair on December 10th. The shop is open everyday from 11 a.m to 6 p.m, and among the endless supply of magickal goods, offers friendship and acceptance. To shop online, and learn more about Artes & Craft, visit artesandcraft.com.
By Jocelyne Tuszynski, MOTM Contributor
