At 15 Years, Artisans’ Guild Still Flourishing Downtown

By LIBBY CUDMORE • HOMETOWN ONEONTA

Edition of Friday, Oct. 10, 2014

Fifteen years ago, Deb Blake and Ellie Stromberg took a chance on an empty storefront and turned it into a mainstay of Main Street. “We wanted the Artisans’ Guild to be a place where local people could get beautiful handmade things,” said Blake.

After UCCCA closed its gallery shop (where Razzle Dazzle is now located) Blake and Stromberg strongly urged the art association to open a store elsewhere. “They told us, ‘Why don’t you do it’?” said Blake.

Ellie, a potter, and Blake, an author and jewelry maker, both had booths at the Farmer’s Market, and began discussing how they could open a shop for themselves and local artisans to sell their wares. In November 1998, they rented a space at an antiques market.

With products from 20 local artisans, they quickly found themselves overwhelmed with customers. “It was insane,” said Blake. “The booth was so popular.”

Stromberg noticed a lot of empty shops on Main Street, and 148 Main, with its big windows, seemed perfect. In October 1999, the store opened with 30 artists. “And 15 of the original artists are still here,” said Blake. “We’re number one and number two!”

And thus, The Artisans’ Guild had opened its doors, and has been going strong ever since. “We’re fortunate to have continued support of the community and the support of our artists,” said Blake.

Now with 49 members and one open spot, the guild features everything from Gail Bunting’s egg tempura to Jim Verrelli’s wooden flutes to Carol Chesser’s alcohol inks and Ward Davis’ toys. “We keep a variety of things so people can always find what they’re looking for,” said Blake.

Artists interested in joining the guild must undergo a judging process by a panel of fellow artists. “It can’t be too much like anything else we have and it has to be at a certain price point,” said Blake. “And while we have a lot of potters and jewelers, it has to be just different enough.”

Most importantly, said Blake, the Guild is still fulfilling its mission – to support local and regional artists.
“We’re still here, we’re still full,” said Deb. “We must be doing something right!”