Handmade arts and crafts are drawing points at Vinterest

Photo Gallery

Family friendly, financially feasibleHandmade arts and crafts are drawing points at Vinterest

Kendra Joyner found the ideal outlet to showcase her talent - Vinterest Antiques, a 16,000-square-foot building once occupied by Pet Care Warehouse, where artists, crafters, clothiers, bakers, and more can showcase and sell their wares.

But to Joyner, the building in Hixson has become more.

"I basically have my own little store within a store," says Joyner, who lives in Soddy-Daisy. "The owners have been very supportive of my work and my booth. I have gotten a great response from shoppers and even have some who collect my work. I do get an occasional request to paint something similar to a piece of work that has already sold."

Joyner, who describes her art as an expression of her faith, says she's influenced by her surroundings and love for color and texture. And she's thankful that she can share her passion with the folks who visit her booth.

"Vinterest allows our customers to pick up custom work at the customer's convenience - works out great for both the vendor and shopper," she says.

After opening in January, the spacious building is now home to about 110 vendors - more than 500 are on a waiting list - selling everything from original paintings to handmade Christmas decorations, candles, clothing, jewelry, repurposed furniture and accessories.

Owners Paul and Katherine Schurer of Chattanooga rent the spaces to vendors who bring artistic talent as well as a good eye for anything vintage, repurposed or collectible.

"Vinterest Antiques' business model is set up to afford locals an opportunity to be able to launch a small business or pursue their hobbies in a supportive and affordable environment," says Katherine Schurer.

Dawn Gadd, of Chattanooga, was a stay-at-home mom before renting a space at Vinterest. The mother of five children, Gadd says she painted furniture as a hobby before turning it into something of a full-time business at Vinterest.

"I now call it a lucrative hobby," says Gadd, who has an ever-growing list of customers and also sells vintage decor.

"I think it is difficult to find your niche," Joyner says. "There are so many ways to approach selling art now. You just have to test the waters and see what works and what doesn't.

"Before Vinterest, I use to sell online back before the economy crashed in 2008. I took a break from painting and, just in the last year and and a half, I decided to test the waters in a small antique store in Dayton, Tenn. My paintings sold there, which gave me the confidence to apply and sell at Vinterest."

And that's just the kind of success the Schurers want for their vendors.

Caroline Banks, for example, sells her handmade jewelry at Vinterest. It's the perfect venue for the busy mother of three young children to sell her wares, Katherine Schurer says. And, Karen Mumm, a Chattanooga woman in her 70s, is supplementing her income by upholstering furniture for Vinterest customers.

Vendor Tonya Bright, of Chattanooga, says Vinterest has been the ideal location to sell her collections, which range from metal art to T-shirts. In fact, her T-shirts with the slogan, "I love Jesus but I drink a little" is one of Vinterest's best-selling items.

Paul Schurer says the family-like atmosphere at Vinterest is welcoming both vendors and customers. The store also is dedicated to community involvement and raising money for local charities and organizations, he says.

"We have customers come from as far away as Florida to our store," he says. "It seems we have just what people are wanting. And that's our goal."

Katherine Schurer has even jumped onboard the success of Vinterest, opening Vinterest & Co., a store within Vinterest Antiques that sells Huntress, a Southern women's clothing line, as well as accessories and some gently used clothing.

Contact Karen Nazor Hill at khill@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6396.