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The History of Textures   

In July 1983, local bookbinder Sharon Beasley, silk painter Janne Hackl, and textile artist Margo Griffith, had an idea. Realizing there wasn’t a year-round outlet for Hamilton-area craftspeople to sell their work other than government-supported galleries or small owner-operated shops, these artisans dreamed of something better.

After discovering an ideal location in a converted Victorian house in Hess Village, their idea began to take shape, and Sharon, Janne, and Margo set to work building a business that would be totally self-sustaining in an environment where most artisans relied on government grants.

One month later, six craftspeople were on board to invest in opening and operating the shop, becoming the Core Members of Textures, and an additional eleven artisans eagerly paid a small yearly membership to join the fledgling enterprise. Thus, “Textures…a combined effort of area artisans” was born.
More than twenty-five years later, Textures has changed locations twice, but the original philosophy of a not-for-profit shop that is managed, stocked, and staffed by member artisans remains the same.

Loyal customers have helped Textures grow. From an initial group of seventeen, to now more than fifty talented craftspeople between 18 and 80+, members continue to work together to guarantee a broad range of fine-quality, original craft pieces in a welcoming environment.

Custom orders are encouraged, and our Happy Endings service can even complete that expensive craft project you began so long ago, but never quite seem to finish. Come see some old friends today and meet some new ones.

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