Seattle Press on Line - The End of an Era: Greenwood's Crafty Lady Retires

The End of an Era: Greenwood's Crafty Lady Retires

By Sara DeBell

Annette Larsen has kept Greenwood's creative crafters happy for almost 30 years.

May 29, 2001 -- On the first summery day of the year, a woman strolls through Annette's Gallery, browsing to the dulcet tunes of KIXI AM radio. She approaches the counter, asking, "Do you have any cactus--you know, those soft cactuses?" "Sure!" says Annette. "Right over there, around the corner past the lace." Annette's Gallery overflows with glittering beads, ribbons, baskets, and colorful silk flowers--along with giant musical notes and tiny birdhouses, fake fur, fruit, and flowers, miniature babies by the bagful, and ragdoll hair of every description.

Since she first opened up shop in 1973--on Friday the 13th--Annette Larsen (just call her Annette) has been Greenwood's go-to lady for anything to do with handcrafts. Now, to her customers' dismay, she's retiring and liquidating her store ("for medical reasons," she says). She expects to be out of business in a few weeks, but has no definite closing date.

After 28 years in the business, Annette is practically a crafts guru, and has a deep appreciation for the therapeutic value of crafting."Making crafts should be a work of pleasure," she says. "There's something very special about something you take time to create yourself. And you can make it look so personal, so individual." Samples of whimsical crafts and glorious floral creations (many made by Annette herself) appear everywhere you turn, throughout the store.

"Everybody is crafty at something," says Annette, "even if it's baking a batch of cookies," but crafting has become an overlooked pleasure in today's materialistic, rush-rush climate. "Our forefathers did everything themselves--if they didn't make it, they didn't have it. Weaving, sewing ... they did it all. People can learn how to paint, or finish a picture, or work with tin, wood, quilting, or knitting.... Many people have five or more different crafts projects going on at once, and pick up one or another according to their feelings. You don't need to make a big project out of it--crafting is something you should relax at."

Annette's customers are men, women, and children from all walks of life. Kids' summer camps buy plenty of craft supplies, as do interior decorators. Retirees sometimes get involved in crafts on doctor's orders--crafting is creative and engaging, and helps people stay active, both mentally and physically.

Many people create crafts for fundraisers and crafts fairs, to raise money for civic organizations, and for charities like senior centers, retirement homes, and the children's hospital. "One lady I know makes a craft a month for a nursing home," notes Annette. "She makes something for all 83 people in the home! She can't afford to spend a great deal, but she always manages to come up with something." While crafting is about "personal expression," it can also be a caring gesture that brings joy to both giver and receiver: "It takes time and devotion to create something you are proud enough to give someone," says Annette.

Annette's Gallery has been in five different locations over the years--three in downtown Greenwood, one in Roosevelt, and now in the north end of Greenwood. For many years Annette's was situated next to American Eagles hobby shop--which was very good for both businesses. Many shoppers have followed Annette for years. "I've had long-time customers, who were with me in Greenwood, who were still crafting at age 97--one lady continued until she died at age 104."

After 15 years in her current location, Annette still loves the crafts business, but is anxious about moving on to her new life of leisure. Does she have any plans for her hard-earned retirement? "Oh yeah, but I'm not telling!"

For the next few weeks, Annette's Gallery will be located at 14300 Greenwood Avenue, and almost everything's on sale.

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Debby	Jan 29, 2006	Connecticut	Administrative Assistant
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