The Johnson City Garden Club Crafters has a long history of enriching the lives of the community. The group was part of the Garden Club until it stopped meeting around 2014. The ladies who enjoyed crafts continue to meet on the last Thursday of each month except for December during craft sales.
The crafters are a blessing to the community and the incorporated organization is chartered as a nonprofit 501 c(3).
Long time member and supporter Nancy Talley told the JCRC, “Our group have been meeting forever for Craft Days. Our inventory includes a lot of supplies, and I try to buy items on sale which increases our profits.” Talley keeps everything stored and organized at her home.
“During COVID we stopped meeting at the EMS building and began meeting at the Community Resource Center. We have a lot of fun at Craft Days as we meet, talk, and work. We have a really good group of ladies.”
The group has doubled in size from about 10 crafters to 20 plus. “We all enjoy crafting and some of our members are real artists. We have some great quilters who have joined us as well. In addition to our handmade ornaments, we make a lot of other sewn and handmade items including wreaths and dolls.”
Talley said there is always something for everyone to work on, whether they consider themselves as crafters or not. Help with pricing and painting are also needed. “There is always some way to help, even if someone wants to just come and visit with us and have lunch.”
During their monthly meetings the crafters are able to make all of the beautiful items that they sell. “We hope to continue selling from our space at Grace & Gratitude across the street from the Annex Market Place,” Talley said.
The prime marketing opportunities for the crafters are during Opening Weekend and the following weeks of Lights Spectacular. The crafters sell at the Blanco County Courthouse except during COVID when sales were conducted online.
The Crafters give four scholarships annually, and the amount has increased from $1,000 to $2,000 per award. These scholarships are open to university or trade school students.
“We also make nice donations to the library, EMS, JCVFD, RMVFD, LBJ Park, the Police Department, Lights Spectacular, the Salvation Army, and the CRC. We hope to also begin giving to Young Life annually,” Talley said.
The donation and scholarship amounts depend on the funds that are raised. Talley said it is amazing that the group makes the money that they do because the mean price for most items, excepting quilts, are priced from $3 to under $10 which is a lot of items.
“We welcome new members, ideas, and crafts. A lot of our business is repeat and we greatly appreciate this. We also have a Facebook page,” Talley said.
