My name is Jen and I craft whenever I get the chance. I feel like being a crafter/artist/maker gives me a VIP pass into a deviant subculture. It's edgy. Even if the last person you saw crochet was your grandmother, I feel rebellious and progressive when I fish a skein of yarn and hook from my purse in waiting rooms and coffee shops. I am not alone, either. There are people who glance over glossy pages and shiny window displays and say "I bet I could make that." There is a colorful underbelly in America, and it's crawling with cross stitchers. And extreme embroidernaires. And sassy seamstresses. Gray's General Store has landed in downtown Hoquiam to unite these often reclusive artisans, teach those with interest to learn, vend thoughtfully curated products and gifts, and tempt with cookies, chocolate, coffee and tea. 
Judy and Britta are doing their best to lend to their community and build relationships that strengthen Grays Harbor. They encourage those who know to teach, and support those with interest to learn in a cozy nook to collect new skills. I also know from experience that Judy is a great source for sewing guidance and reassurance. Gray's General Store also offers a unique place for local makers to purvey their wares. Sure, Etsy is nice, but there is something about passing a carefully crafted scarf through your fingers. Or feel free to take a quilt for a test snuggle, and pick up a new tote that just feels right. As exciting as it is to purchase a special handmade product in a real storefront, it's even more empowering and wonderful to see one's labor appreciated. In real life. Browsing the handmade items may even inspire you to create something all your own. On top of boosting the local economy, one of the best perks of sourcing craft materials here in the Harbor is the instant gratification of taking home a new stash of yarn that is exactly the right color. Sewists can attest that piling up a stack of fat quarters and fanning them out is a great way to see new projects come to life. If you get stuck, rest assured there is a fully stocked studio, comfy chairs, and friendly faces waiting to cheer on your progress.
Gray's General Store is not just a new craft/coffee/gift shop. It is a venue and a meeting place. Here, quality is important, conscious consumerism is normal, and if you can dream it, you can make it. With a little help from friends, of course.
If you haven't gotten a chance to wander through Grays General Store, you should stop in to 520 Simpson Ave in Hoquiam on Monday through Saturday. During the week they are open from 11am to 6 and on Saturdays.
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