"Well, it was a whimsical idea, and it started on a whim." This is how Scottsboro, Ala., wife and mother Brenda Cantrell describes the beginning of her business, WhimC.
It all started when Brenda's friend Allison Osborne was home with sick children. Allison found a picture of a painted burlap stocking and forwarded it to Brenda. "Hey, we could do this!" Brenda responded.
The two friends loved the craft idea so much, they figured some of their friends would too. Hoping to gather a group of 20 ladies for a craft night in the fellowship hall of their church, the pair started phoning, texting and e-mailing friends to spread the word.
"More than 160 women later ..." Brenda says with a laugh, a new business was born. "We are just two friends who love to make things. We wanted to plan girls nights that would be affordable and fun for all ages. We wanted an activity that mothers and daughters could enjoy doing together."
Brenda and Allison's first craft night was such a success that attendees asked where they could sign up for the next class. So Brenda and Allison put their heads together to start WhimC. WhimC hosts monthly craft classes with supplies, refreshments and instructions. And to meet demand, WhimC offers crafts and craft kits online at www.whimc.net.
I was introduced to WhimC last year through a cousin's wedding shower. My Aunt Diane Prichard made a burlap stocking for her daughter in a craft class, and her gift was the talk of the party. I featured the burlap stocking in my "Creative Corner" column for the Nov./Dec. 2012 issue of Christian Woman Magazine. The painted burlap stocking caught my attention, but I was more energized by the idea of expanding an individual's love of crafting to create something so much more. This seems like an idea creative ladies can run with to start wholesome, affordable ladies nights out in their own churches or communities.
I would love to know, what kinds of opportunities do you have in your community for creative classes?
Stop in tomorrow for a painted burlap stocking tutorial from WhimC!
(Company photo by Misti Myers)
