Two military moms open craft shop, hold classes

By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Pres 

A pair of military moms and avid crafters-turned-businesswomen have teamed up to bring their unique flair of upcycled and crafted items in a new store called Crafty Finds, located at 1312 Georgetown Rd. 
Crystal Bardowell and Natacha Giles celebrated along with the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors by holding a ribbon cutting on Wednesday.
 “It is a handmade craft shop and we have local vendors, crafters, people who make things by hand and repurpose,” said Bardowell. “We’re really excited to be here and bring back the handmade.”
The two said they have been avid crafters for years, with Bardowell having learned her handiwork from her grandmother. 
“I got my first sewing machine when I was 13. My grandma taught me to crochet and cross-stitch when I spent summers with her. She taught me how to read a pattern,” said Bardowell.
In celebration of the grand opening, they offered swag bags to the first 50 customers, with some of bags having gift certificates as prizes tucked inside. 
Crafty Finds offers a variety of upcycled items, to include purses and handbags, wreaths, jewelry, and even essential oil holders made by Christina Grohn from reclaimed wood.
Among their efforts to give back to the community, Crafty Finds is home to “Cards for a Cause” which makes handmade cards for deployed military service members and “Crafts for a Cause.” 
Crafts For a Cause sells crafted items made by children, and the shop will donate 40 percent of the sales to local nonprofit groups like the Boys & Girls Club and Hope Pregnancy Center. This effort is just getting started, with painted rocks being for sale. 
Bardowell said they are hoping to hold classes at other locations, such as at the library or assisted living centers. 
“We just teamed up with Chick-fil-A, and we’ll be working with them at their reading night once a month, so I’m excited about doing that,” said Bardowell.   
Bardowell and Giles also want to pass on their love of crafting by holding Adult Crafty Classes on the first Thursday of the month from 7-9 p.m., and on the last Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. until noon or 2-4 p.m. Classes for adults are $20 in advance, or $25 art the door. 
They also hold Kids Craft Classes on the second Friday of the month from 5-6 p.m., the third Saturday of the month from 10-11 a.m. or 3-4 p.m. The classes for kids are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. 
The shop also hosts a pop-up market on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays every month from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., with vendors inside and outdoors. 
Crafty Finds’ current schedule of classes can be found online at www.facebook.com/gilescraftyfinds, or via email at craftyfinds18@gmail.com, or by calling 254-415-8131.